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![Graduating students at Kent State get seated for the university's Commencement ceremony.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/PHOTOLEAD-DegreeCompletion1.jpg?VersionId=muLrYLXbLwAPRcb_UdC9KO5MtpClPT8L&h=ec98a0f6&itok=ruEr5XtK)
From getting deployed to Afghanistan to being unable to pay for classes, starting a family and even accepting a job at a winery in southern Germany. The reasons for leaving Kent State University before completing a bachelor’s degree fall across a wide spectrum for some students.
![Jill Lahrmer, assistant professor in Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, was conferred with a 2015 Outstanding Teaching Award.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/ProfileLahrmer1.jpg?VersionId=AG4L1hidq3ynQB4PKYfSbV2hDN9CLwl8&h=ec98a0f6&itok=9QX3oMv6)
Since 2008, Jill Lahrmer, assistant professor in Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, has consistently shared her passion for interior design with her students.
![Participating in the scholarship presentation at Kent State Salem are (from left) Associate Professor Chris Carlson, R. J. Laverne of Davey Tree, Anna Detoro, Marl Noark of Davey Tree, Pamela Sears and Assistant Dean of Kent State Salem Celeste Oprean.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/REGIONAL-DaveyTree1.jpg?VersionId=QyskvFzm1U7DZJI2L015HF05b3ZFh_aL&h=ec98a0f6&itok=Hb5FkodL)
Kent State University at Salem recently welcomed representatives from the Davey Tree Expert Company who presented scholarships to horticulture students Anna Detoro and Pamela Sears.
![Kent State University student volunteers knit hats and scarves for nonprofit organizations in the community.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/SPECIALFEATURE-Yarn1.jpg?VersionId=l7THywEvTG1Qns_CAYQx3SXs5kCzPd4u&h=ec98a0f6&itok=buCKBHVA)
What starts as a ball of yarn quickly evolves into some much-needed winter apparel – from hats to scarves, in all colors and sizes.
![CPIP student research CPIP student research](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/PHOTOLEAD-LiquidCrystal1_0.jpg?VersionId=DarrmFdllJR0W6eHio09YdRgpwrDFpon&h=ec98a0f6&itok=DJukh9mK)
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), essentially rubbers with liquid crystal properties, can do a number of fascinating things, especially in the fields of optics, photonics, telecommunications and medicine.
![The Kent State University community is invited to a celebration of Kent State's bright future on Feb. 1.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/PROFILES-KentState.jpg?VersionId=l.F5UU1qn79bO5cPnpfFaj_5n0SmPwVN&h=ec98a0f6&itok=lcclD1aP)
Kent State faculty, staff and students are invited to a celebration event on Monday, Feb. 1, at 4 p.m. at the Kent Student Center Ballroom, where Kent State President Beverly Warren will shed light on the university’s new brand.
![Troy Carter poses for a photo with Jamil Smith, senior music technology major at Kent State University at Stark.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/REGIONAL-Internship1.jpg?VersionId=2W1IfYKZrybrKnYz396Qy9sth2tHKeUq&h=ec98a0f6&itok=7ZDcoFDj)
When senior music technology major Jamil Smith saw music manager Troy Carter scheduled to speak at Kent State University at Stark's Featured Speaker Series, he saw an opportunity.
![Assistant Professor Amy Fritsche was honored for her portrayal of the title character in Violet.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/SPECIALFEATURE-Porthouse1.jpg?VersionId=WKM99iXCJdmBFLOTkaH57_ZltJKmkEBF&h=ec98a0f6&itok=rfGeDtKc)
Local theatre critics recently honored Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s summer professional theatre, for achievements during the theatre’s 2015 season.
![Kent State's University Events and Conference Services supports about 11,000 events and 700,000 attendees each year.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/PHOTOLEAD-Event1.jpg?VersionId=LYZ.XGxXsbk25DjMdkgnVVXOnZRt5I.E&h=ec98a0f6&itok=CMdZu6UK)
The University Events and Conference Services department at Kent State University, formerly known as University Conference Bureau, achieved One-Stop Shop Certification through the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International.
![Executives from AT&T presented a giant $200,000 check to Kent State University on Dec. 10 signifying the company’s contribution to the university’s Research Center for Educational Technology.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/PROFILESATT.jpg?VersionId=6iLYMu.LZbgG84isaXwoM9dT6uGcsoN3&h=ec98a0f6&itok=HlvB8GYp)
AT&T has made a $200,000 contribution to Kent State University’s Research Center for Educational Technology to implement new technology in special education environments with a focus on mobile apps, including those intended to help students learn science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM).