Students and families at Kent State University were met with beautiful blue skies, rays of sunshine and a few cool breezes on Aug. 13 as they moved into residence halls on the Kent Campus, for the start of the Fall 2024 Semester.
First-year students moved in on the first of three move-in days this week. Schedules were staggered to reduce the congestion of the more than 4,000 new, traditional, first-year students getting settled in their rooms before the start of fall semester classes on Monday, Aug. 19.
Flashes Helping Flashes
Kent State President Todd Diacon and other senior leaders were on-site at the Eastway Residence Hall complex bright and early, along with teams of student volunteer “Movers and Groovers,” who welcomed students, helping them unload cars and carry items. Diacon gave students souvenir slippers and a hearty hello as they arrived on campus. Other Kent State representatives were available to answer questions, wayfinding and to offer tech help, if needed.
Welcome Home Golden Flashes
Bo Palmer of Tampa, Florida, dreams of being a professional pilot and had looked at a few other schools closer to home. But his dad Scott Palmer knew firsthand that Kent State would be a perfect fit because he attended the university in 1991. “Kent State has a good aviation program and is located close to my Nana’s house in Ashtabula,” Bo Palmer said.
Roommates Meredith Davis-Cooper and Marissa Betts, both from South Euclid, Ohio, were excited to move into their room in Clark Hall. “Everything pointed me in the direction of Kent State,” Davis-Cooper said. “Kent State has one of the best architecture programs and is affordable.” Betts, who is a nursing major said, “Kent State has a good nursing program and it’s close to home.”
Mya Wallace of Zainesville, Ohio, a zoology major, moved her belongings into Fletcher Hall with the help of her mom Kim Wallace, who was excited for daughter to "broaden her horizons and spread her wings."
As first-year student Kalei Cook moved into Manchester Hall, the Canton, Ohio, resident felt some nerves, but said she is excited about Kent State’s computer program. Her parents Emily Evans and Michael Cooper said they were impressed with Kent State’s website. “Kent State does an amazing job in informing the parents and made it a lot easier as to what we would expect today.”