Students First

Warhorse Tattoos

Juliana Buonaiuto, Undergraduate Student Government president, stated in her convocation speech this year that she got a lightning bolt tattoo during the first two weeks of her first year. A recent Pew Research Center survey revealed that 32% of Americans have a tattoo. Kent State Today went to some local authorities to see if those trends match the Kent State community. 

A sillhouette of a person doing yoga in the sun

October is Kent State University’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Though the national health observance is in May, the university chooses October to promote mental health awareness as the need for mental health support on campus peaks during this time.   

Prof. Stephanie Smith at the third annual read-in, open-mic event

“If Monday was a color, she’d be red...”  The third annual Read-In @ Kent State was held on Wednesday, Sept. 27, in Taylor Hall. This open-mic event gave students, faculty, staff and alumni the opportunity to read excerpts from or speak briefly about banned and challenged books that are important to them.  

Kristin Stasiowski (far right), assistant dean of international programs and education abroad for the College of Arts and Sciences at Kent State University, leads a group of Kent State students as they discover the art, architecture and history of Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Italy.

Kent State University leadership and donors known as the Renaissance Scholars Society will gather to commemorate 50 years of education abroad in Florence, Italy, during the first week of October.

Kent State Today
Kent State University alumnus and Berk Enterprises CEO Reilly Berk holds one of her company's products, a paper plate for the amusement industry.

Kent State University alumna Reilly Berk serves as CEO of Berk Enterprises, an achievement she reached before the age of 30.

Musician and May 4 Witness Chris Butler and Alison Caplan, director of the May 4 Visitors Center

Stories of friendship and loss set against the backdrop of May 4 memorabilia and a ’60s soundtrack were the focal points of a listening party held Sept. 21 as part of “Snapshots in Time: The Lives of Four Students” with musician and May 4 survivor Chris Butler.

Labovitz with Flash

Growing up in Akron, Labovitz was surrounded by music. Her dad sang to the radio. Her mom played guitar. Her siblings excelled in music. She excelled in music. With a lengthy list of accomplishments across numerous states, she recently returned to “the heart of it all” as the new director of the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University.  

Kent State Today
Daisy Pops with "LaunchNet" logo on packaging

Daisy Pops founder and alumna Amy Mucha, 15, spoke at the inaugural “LunchNET” event on Wednesday, Sept. 20, where Kent State University students were invited to have lunch and learn the secret to a local entrepreneur's success.  

Friends hugging, overlooking a sunny field of hills

Sept. 21 is World Gratitude Day, a day dedicated to showing thanks and appreciation to the many different people in your life. While many people appreciate receiving gratitude, what they may not know is that expressing gratitude actually makes them feel better, too.

Neal-Barnett and Shackleford presenting

The Division of Research and Economic Development recently hosted its research and innovation forum, featuring faculty and undergraduate student pairs presenting their Summer Undergraduate Research Experience work.