Community & Society

Urban Design Students Make an Impact on Erie’s Bayfront
When cities need help imagining new possibilities for their urban places and communities, they call Kent State University’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC). Most recently, Kent State architecture students had the opportunity to put the skills they learn in the classroom to make an impact on local communities in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Makerspaces Create Innovative Ecosystem on Campus
A makerspace is a “do-it-yourself” space where people can gather to create, invent, build and learn. Makerspaces can exist in many forms and be equipped with a variety of tools and equipment, but at Kent State, makerspaces go beyond making and encourage collaborating and sharing knowledge.

Kent State to Honor Veterans on Nov. 7
Kent State University will hold its annual Veterans Day Commemoration at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, in the Kent Student Center Kiva. This year’s guest speaker is Lt. Col. Colleen VanNatta. A graduate of Kent State’s Air Force ROTC detachment, VanNatta served as a media escort for joint information bureaus in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, during Operation Desert Storm.

Podcasts Debate History, Impact of May 4, 1970 Shootings
In an era that has seen the number of podcasts grow exponentially, the debate over May 4 is well-suited for those who wish to share their views and memories, often uninterrupted via a longer format than traditional storytelling.

Educator's Summit on May 4 Has Great Success; National Grant Will Allow Program to Grow in 2020
Organizers of the recent Voices for Change Educator’s Summit at Kent State University say the curriculum developed at the event can be used by teachers worldwide, so that the lessons of May 4, 1970, will continue to be shared. The summit, held in August, was one about 100 events planned for the 2019-20 academic year to support the 50th commemoration of May 4, 1970, the day when Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire on Kent State students protesting the U.S. invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War, killing four and wounding nine.

National Transfer Student Week Brings Awareness and Community
This fall, more than 900 students transferred to Kent State University. National Transfer Student Week is Oct. 21-25, and the university is hosting events specifically designed for transfer students, creating opportunities for these students and the Kent State community to engage.

McNair Scholars Program Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary With Inaugural Conference
Minority, low-income and first-generation college students are often underrepresented in graduate schools. To change this and to help students realize their potential, the McNair Scholars Program at Kent State University provides assistance to underrepresented students who consider pursuing a doctoral degree.

Kent State University Course to Educate Community About May 4, 1970
Kent State University is offering a community course that deals with the historical, cultural, social and political contexts of events before, during and after the May 4, 1970, shootings. The free course, Making Meaning of May 4: The Kent State Shootings in American History, will be held Oct. 16, 23 and 30 at the university’s May 4 Visitors Center.

English Professor Discovers ‘Great Gatsby’ Newspaper Publication
“The Great Gatsby,” a book many read in high school. We remember the green light on the dock, the passion and the tragedy. What many didn't know – until recently – was that the story was also printed in the newspaper.

Kent State Alumnus Joins Cleveland’s FOX 8 Sports Team
Kent State University alumnus Andre Knott’s experience in journalism ranges from sideline reporting for the Cleveland Browns to telecasts for the Cleveland Indians on SportsTime Ohio to covering Cleveland sports on the radio. Now, he joins WJW FOX 8 as a new contributor to the station’s sports team. He will provide reports, features and live coverage of Cleveland sports on all FOX 8 platforms while he continues his Cleveland Indians broadcast work at SportsTime Ohio.