University News

Members of Kent State University’s LGBTQ+ community participate in the university’s 2021 Homecoming Parade.

For a third consecutive year, Kent State University has been selected as one the nation’s top universities for LGBTQ+ students for creating a safe, welcoming environment for students, faculty and staff, according to Campus Pride, a leading resource for LGBTQ+ leadership development, diversity inclusion and advocacy within higher education.

Students standing in a K shape

Kent State University's Explore Kent, Go! web pages give the Kent State community the ability to explore Kent State’s campus, downtown Kent and surrounding cities. Next in the “Where on the Web?” series, the focal point is the Explore Kent, Go! web pages at www.kent.edu/go. The Explore Kent, Go! web pages are an introduction to the diverse opportunities offered by the university’s niche area in the Midwest, according to Lin Danes, director of Web Services and Interactive Media at Kent State.

New Kent State University graduates from the Summer Class of 2022 celebrate together

The Kent State University alumni family will grow by more than 1,200 new graduates as the university holds its summer commencement ceremonies. The accomplishments of the Summer Class of 2022 will be recognized with in-person, outdoor commencement ceremonies and a virtual commencement ceremony on Aug. 20.

Kent State University students enjoy a summer day at Risman Plaza outside the Kent Student Center.

Kent State University is excited to be a part of the Ohio College Comeback Compact, an innovative program to help students who left college with debt but without a degree to continue their education. Kent State is collaborating with seven public colleges and universities in Northeast Ohio to reach out to these students and provide a path back to higher education while reducing or eliminating their debt.

Dr. Dhruba Panthi works in his laboratory.

Dhruba Panthi, Ph.D., assistant professor of Engineering Technology at Kent State University at Tuscarawas, is this year’s winner of the Farris Family Innovation Award. His research focuses on hydrogen fuel because its only byproduct is water, which is harmless to the environment, unlike other fuels that result in carbon dioxide emissions that pose a great environmental threat.

 Kent State University President Todd Diacon and others shared poems written for the recent publication “Dear Vaccine: Global Voices Speak to the Pandemic,” at the book’s release party this spring.

Kent State University President Todd Diacon and others shared poems written for the recent publication “Dear Vaccine: Global Voices Speak to the Pandemic,” at the book’s release party this spring. His poem is part of a much larger, global community poem that highlights different viewpoints on the worldwide pandemic.  

Kent State University’s Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement won 19 marketing and communications awards since the launch of the Forever Brighter comprehensive campaign.

Kent State’s Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement launched the university’s most ambitious fundraising campaign, called Forever Brighter, last October, creating communications and fundraising materials that share the remarkable impact of alumni engagement and donor philanthropy on the university. The division has earned 19 marketing and communications awards from multiple competitions. 

Where on the Web? University Events Calendar

How does the Kent State community find out what events are happening on campus? Where do you go to find your weekend plans? "Where On the Web?" is an ongoing series that introduces possibly unfamiliar pages and features on the Kent State University website that students, faculty and staff should know about. One informative section of the website is the Events Calendar which can be used by anyone and features events from all eight Kent State campuses.

Wendy Patton, director of the Kent State Columbus Program in State Issues

As the director of the Kent State Columbus Program in State Issues, Wendy Patton sets students up for valuable experience and future success in public policy. A 35-year career in state and local government – including 15 years with Policy Matters Ohio – prepared Patton to teach about public policy and state government in Ohio. She’s looking forward to helping students find career interests that can make a difference on the local, state and federal level. Learn more about Patton’s experience that led her to this role as she answers these 10 questions.

Campus sign

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed Haley Dees of Lisbon, Ohio, to the Kent State University Board of Trustees as an undergraduate student trustee. Dees’ two-year term runs through May 16, 2024.