Inspiring Stories
Honoring the Bonds of Friendship and Helping Aspiring Educators
Charlotte L. “Char” Hughes, ’63, and Janette M. Aten, ’63, met while doing their laundry in Terrace Hall, where they both lived as students at Kent State University. Soon, they were inseparable. “Our time at Kent State was very enjoyable,” Char remembered. “We liked our professors, and we had a…
Saving Lives and Advocating for a Brighter Tomorrow
Advocacy is at the heart of the work Ken Ditlevson, ’95, M.Ed. ’98, does at Kent State University as the director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Plus (LGBTQ+) Center.
Sharing Their Love of Education with Future Generations
Kent State University has held a special place in the hearts of Lynda Grieves and her husband George “Bill” Grieves Jr., ’58, who passed away in 2019. For their 60th wedding anniversary, Bill and Lynda chose to create a scholarship through a charitable gift annuity instead of having a party.
Rollie, ’64, and Frances Layfield Help Students Build Skills for Success
Hard work and discipline are a driving force for Rollie Layfield, ’64, and they have served him well throughout his life and his career in business. He credits both his degree program in business administration and his time in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program at Kent State University for helping him develop the leadership, entrepreneurship and organizational skills to thrive after graduation.
Legacies Change Lives: Dylan Cahill
The moment Dylan Cahill stepped foot on the Kent Campus, he knew that Kent State University was the place for him. Born and raised in Texas, Dylan visited Northeast Ohio for family gatherings and always felt a connection.After his mother passed away in 2020, he wasn’t sure how he could afford a coll…
Legacies Change Lives: Katie Carpenter ’23
Katie Carpenter, ’23, has a passion for photography, and The Wallace J. Hagedorn Scholarship has helped her hone these skills and express her creativity. This competitive photography scholarship supports student costs and helps them pursue out-of-classroom experiences to develop strong portfolios. …
Scolin MacLean, ’90, Turns His Love of Athletics into Philanthropy
“I look at Kent State as a family member – everyone collectively – that I am connected to and plan to be for as long as I possibly can. I have family members that I want to take care of, and I want to do the same for Kent State.” Scolin MacLean’s, ’90, passion for Kent State only rivals his love …
Personal Obstacles Inspire Alumnus to Champion Future Researchers
The experiences Earl K. Miller, ’85, Ph.D., had at Kent State inspired him to give back. As a first-generation college student, Earl K. Miller, ’85, Ph.D., struggled to fund his education, and this experience motivated him to help students at Kent State University who face similar financial diffi…
Legacies Change Lives: Sarah Faber
Sarah Faber is a senior biology major with an interest in plant biology who is on track to graduate in spring 2023. Her experience in botany research at Kent State has inspired her to pursue a graduate degree and continue to engage in scientific discovery. “I have grown to respect the art of bota…