More than 250 leaders from Kent State University and the city of Kent came together Tuesday for the 60th annual Bowman Breakfast, an event aimed at celebrating the strong relationship between the city and the university.
David Dix, retired longtime publisher of the Kent Ravenna Record-Courier newspaper and several weekly newspapers that were part of the Dix Communications group, was the featured speaker for the event, which first took place in 1963.
Dix reflected on the long-standing town-gown relationship and the many people, who over the years, played a key role in forming those relations.
Kent State President Todd Diacon introduced Dix, noting how a conversation with the local businessman was always enlightening due to his understanding of the long history of city-university relations.
“He excels, as few other people can, in explaining what is going on, what is happening and what has changed,” Diacon said.
Also attending the breakfast was former Kent State President Carol Cartwright, who is visiting campus.
Diacon called both Dix and Cartwright “legendary treasures.”
Dix spoke of the 60-year history of the Bowman Breakfast and town-gown relations over that time, which experienced their share of ups and downs, particularly as the student population grew in the 1960s and 70s, and during the tumultuous times following May 4, 1970 – the day when Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire on Kent State students protesting the escalation of the war in Vietnam, killing four students and wounding nine others.
Dix reviewed a long list of individuals who were both “great townies and gownies” – Kent State professors and employees who are active citizens in the community and Kent residents who have fostered long-standing ties and support of the university.
He praised the university for moving toward downtown with its development, and improvements such as the building under construction on East Main Street that will house the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
“You want to be cool, Kent State? Keep moving into downtown,” Dix said.
Dix closed his remarks by offering encouraging words to keep the relationship strong, so that Kent State and Kent will remain a clean and safe place where parents can feel good about sending their children, where the best and brightest can learn, graduate, and, perhaps, even find employment within the city.
“Let’s keep it going,” Dix said.
The event closed with an appearance by Kent State's mascot Flash, cheerleaders and a performance by the percussion section of the Kent State Marching Band, bringing attendees to their feet.