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![William Auld, Kent State University at Tuscarawas theatre professor, is one of only a few dozen in the world certified in rigging theatres and arenas. William Auld, Kent State University at Tuscarawas theatre professor, is one of only a few dozen in the world certified in rigging theatres and arenas.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/Header-REGIONAL-FlyingProfessor1.jpg?VersionId=j3JfEOUHL0C0y1h8xZmXcZEVLFQ5Q57D&h=ec98a0f6&itok=KxdLV_4R)
Backstage of the Weathervane Playhouse in Akron, crews are raising the bar on safety as they prepared for the opening of Peter Pan.
![The Golden Flashes women's golf team poses for a photo as Kent State student-athletes report an all-time high graduation success rate. The Golden Flashes women's volleyball team poses for a photo as Kent State student-athletes report an all-time high graduation success rate.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/Header-BOB_9331.jpg?VersionId=BW8I9iwoqKLBy.TZ42vcXOi730W_vV0M&h=ec98a0f6&itok=ksBxwfST)
Kent State University student-athletes continue to succeed in the classroom, according to statistics for the Graduation Success Rates (GSR) released on Nov. 4 by the NCAA.
![Students from Phi Mu, Alpha Tau Omega and Phi Sigma Kappa act out a scene from their skit "Aladdin" at last year's Songfest. Students from Phi Mu, Alpha Tau Omega and Phi Sigma Kappa act out a scene from their skit "Aladdin" at last year's Songfest.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/PHOTOLEAD-songfest1.jpg?VersionId=9snC2nDRCiQKkKlcMNGoI0uDvfej_iMN&h=ec98a0f6&itok=QyQJouY-)
Songfest, the annual philanthropic event hosted by the Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils at Kent State University, will benefit the King Kennedy Community Center in Ravenna.
![Kent State University Associate Professor Maureen Blankemeyer is surrounded by her students following her surprise announcement as a recipient of a 2015 Distinguished Teaching Award.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/PROFILES-DTABlanklenmeyer.jpg?VersionId=CXpJqtOWDjSnyq.5HW1Dny8mLVBGbYvg&h=ec98a0f6&itok=0ORFUi1M)
When her colleagues, along with Kent State University Alumni Association staff members, a videographer, photographer, balloons and cookies, surprised her during class, Kent State Associate Professor Maureen Blankemeyer, Ph.D., didn’t know what to think.
![Kent State University at East Liverpool students are using research techniques to study food systems.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/REGIONAL-FoodSystems1.jpg?VersionId=77w0zzVjm_hWlVdKW63iEnXqoPOx6uI6&h=ec98a0f6&itok=vM401B3h)
Students in Lydia Rose’s Researching Society class at Kent State University at East Liverpool are using more than textbooks and notes for their lessons this semester.
![Nicole Carlone is the face behind Kent State University's social media.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/SPECIALFEATURE-SocialMedia.jpg?VersionId=mlVccCet.JuDd8eWadPQ6YOECbW2vc8r&h=ec98a0f6&itok=qjgAwiQY)
From her computer to her phone, at all hours of the day and night – yep – there really is a face behind all those tweets, postings and pictures on Kent State University’s social media pages.
![A model walks the runway during the Kent State Fashion School's annual fashion show.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/file/PHOTOLEAD-fashion1.jpg?VersionId=NRmT_.Ewpgqwl0ZO0UkOjXq11a.ic6oo&h=ec98a0f6&itok=ZfHDz1zG)
Kent State University’s Fashion School gets a lot of requests for its world-renowned designs and high-tech creations, but an old-fashioned letter that arrived in the mail recently, contained a request unlike anything they had ever received.