Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement
Porthouse Theatre’s Legacy of Community Support and Artistic Magic
For nearly 60 years, Porthouse Theatre has brought the power of theatre to the Northeast Ohio community while training the next generation of theatre artists. The annual summer-long program has become a beloved regional icon that produces three musicals, attracts more than 20,000 visitors and employ…
Alumni and Giving
A Life Mapped by Service: Remembering Bea Shaheen McPherson, ’43
For more than 80 years, Bea Shaheen McPherson,’43, embodied what it means to be a Kent State alumna. Whether serving her country during World War II, advocating for the recognition of women cartographers, supporting the growth of Kent State’s School of Fashion and the Kent State University Mus…
Alumni and Giving
Studying the Universe from the Inside Out
Kent State Professor Named One of Only Eight 2026 Simons Pivot FellowsHow did the universe begin? Why is it expanding? What role do dark matter and dark energy, which account for 95 percent of the universe, play in the universe’s evolution? These are just some of the questions that Veronica Dex…
Alumni and Giving
Celebrating the Legacy of Service at Kent State
The newest addition to Kent State University’s Student Leadership Awards recognizes a value that has long defined the university community: service.Introduced this year through a partnership between the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement with the Center for Student Involvement, the Golde…
Alumni and Giving
From National History Day Intern to Executive Director - Cathy Gorn Leads Fulfilling, Impactful Career
It took a few Kent State history classes for Cathy Gorn, ’82, National History Day Executive Director, to discover her passion for history. However, her journey to get there was unexpected.In her younger years, Cathy was interested in science so biology seemed like a fitting major for her. When she …
Alumni and Giving
Legacies Change Lives: Emma Troyer
Emma Troyer is a senior music education major from Sandusky, Ohio. As a student in the Kent State Glauser School of Music, she has found a strong sense of community while preparing for a career in music education.“Kent State was always my top school, but I didn’t know if I could afford to come here,…
Alumni and Giving
What the 2026 Tax Law Changes Mean for Planned Giving
As you consider your long-term philanthropic goals, changes in federal tax law beginning in 2026 may influence how you structure your charitable giving. If you’re thinking of including Kent State in your estate or financial plans, understanding these updates can help you maximize both your impact an…
Alumni and Giving
$1.75 Million Gift From Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation to Expand Kent State’s Mobile Health Outreach
The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation has awarded $1.75 million to Kent State University’s College of Public Health that will support students and programs, such as the Mobile Flashes program.
Kent State Today
Strengthening the Bonds Between Kent State and the Community Through Scholarships
Community is important to Timothy “Tim” Crock, and as a lifelong resident of Kent, Ohio, he wants to help Kent area students advance their education right here at home, empowering them to achieve and build their careers in their own community.“You develop ties to the place you go to college,” Tim ex…
Alumni and Giving
Couple Channels Their Love of Science and Technology Into Their Legacy
Ronald R. “Ron,” ’88, and Mary L. Rivett, ’72, MS ’84, had a mutual love of science and computers. Although they were both from the same town in Northeast Ohio and attended the same high school, they didn’t get to know each other until a chance encounter in 1971 when she was student teaching. When R…
Alumni and Giving