Students First
![Chris Payton (4) and Miryne Thomas share a hug in final moments of Kent State's MAC Championship win Chris Payton (4) and Miryne Thomas share a hug in final moments of Kent State's MAC Championship win](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/20230311_BC_MAC_Championship_Toledo_957.jpg?VersionId=_Cu_Da.RgIVBkOnv_sMk295JF5gb6Bhp&itok=gqG0eCX4)
Chris Payton and Miryne Thomas committed to Kent State one day apart last April. While they didn’t know one another, they bonded as transfer players and have helped lead their team to March Madness.
![At 72, Bob Rader is working on his second bachelor's degree at Kent State. At 72, Bob Rader is working on his second bachelor's degree at Kent State.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/bob%20rader%20on%20campus-Cleveland%20Clinic%20Photo.jpg?VersionId=J1UFgx.muGPPJnVdFg.JAop4HfmcJEfg&itok=adsMRcVo)
Bob Rader’s path to becoming a Golden Flash was anything but traditional.
![Deven Smith and mentee Jamir Kennedy on WKYC](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/DevinSmith_JamirKennedy.jpg?VersionId=Eo5kJ09K0dcWZQ.d.pvD56YnskfGotG.&h=671fe832&itok=13KOIh-_)
Mentors can make a tremendous impact in the lives of their mentees. Just ask Jamir Kennedy.
![Kent State University students walk through Florence, Italy, as they receive a tour.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Kent%20State%20students%20tour%20Florence%2C%20Italy.jpg?VersionId=Lu9CRplVrng6hyVLHOWHu7zZIp3skozs&itok=ZJxm3UZn)
Kent State University will be equipped to offer more financial assistance to students in need thanks to donors to a key area of the university’s ongoing comprehensive fundraising campaign. The Forever Brighter campaign includes a scholarship-support component, Prioritizing Student Success, that now stands at $142 million, surpassing the $100 million goal set at the campaign’s outset in October 2021.
Kent State (28-6) will play Indiana on Friday, March 17, in the first round of the NCAA Division 1 Basketball Tournament in Albany, New York. While 13 is typically an "unlucky" number, the Golden Flashes hope it brings them a victory.
![Future Flashes and their parents checking out the model residence hall rooms Future Flashes and their parents checking out the model residence hall rooms](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/230224-future-flash_RD-00263.jpg?VersionId=wFYDeukD89gbMzhK58R.ZTj8izSwDgbQ&itok=KT_uwTZQ)
March 10 is the fourth of six "Future Flash Days" on campus.
![KSU Starsphere](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/page/Starsphere-KSU%20sign.jpg?VersionId=5p0JT_Wu642.EuCvo6PPLdsDOcrPjNbf&h=4a7d1ed4&itok=knyOm5LH)
The Kent State University Board of Trustees approved the establishment of six new majors during its regular quarterly meeting held March 9 in Columbus, Ohio, at Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph. Five of the new majors fall under the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, and one falls under the College of Arts and Sciences.
![Adam Cinderich Adam Cinderich](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/20230307_BC_Cinderich_016.jpg?VersionId=Wby3tjO7WGKy2xUXr.qUj8OS9bBNPF_A&itok=ihxC9JgA)
First-generation graduate reflects on obstacles, successes as his leadership journey comes full circle.
![Kenneth Bindas on WRHS carousel. Kenneth Bindas on WRHS carousel.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/20230217_BC_230064_Arts_Science_Agreement_237.jpg?VersionId=abyvNaq7P37JGJaSt4bGdjnARu3M_xg7&itok=GO9cMis-)
Attending a meeting at the Western Reserve Historical Society comes with extra fun.
![Kent State University ROTC Cadets present the colors at a Kent State football game at Dix Stadium. Kent State University ROTC Cadets present the colors at a Kent State football game at Dix Stadium.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Kent%20State%20University%20ROTC%20Cadets%20present%20the%20colors%20at%20a%20Kent%20State%20football%20game%20at%20Dix%20Stadium.jpg?VersionId=VQEIRYS_QZOtf4YjCoOeiYqzYRfddUlp&h=bc9437f7&itok=4lwQ9SGO)
“Always Ready, Always There” is the motto of the National Guard. In many ways, this describes Kent State University’s Center for Adult and Veteran Services, too. For the 14th consecutive year, Kent State has been designated a Military FriendlyⓇ School.