A crisp, almost fall-like morning greeted Kent State University students Monday as they made their way to class for the first day of the 2026-2027 academic year. Kent State Today was there to speak with students and capture photos on the first day of the fall semester.
With temperatures reaching just 71 degrees, students returned to campus, reunited with friends and began settling into the routines of a new semester.
For first-year students, the first day marked the beginning of a new chapter – and an opportunity to dive into the Golden Experience with everything that Kent State has to offer.
“I’m starting to learn how to study more and use the resources around me, and Kent State has a lot of them,” said Carlos Shird, a first-year business management major from Baltimore, Maryland.
Khushbu Ferguson, a first-year business major from Columbus, Ohio, said the cooler morning was a change as she began her first day of college.
“The morning was a little cold, but classes are good,” Ferguson said. “I’m thankful for my freedom!”
As classes got underway across campus, the first day brought the energy, anticipation and excitement that signal the start of another academic year for the Golden Flashes community.
