An internet search for “Kent State ghost stories” does not disappoint. A website called “Trip 101” lists Kent State University as one of its Top 10 most haunted places in Ohio.
There are tales of ghostly encounters all over campus with reported paranormal activity in locations including McGilvrey Hall, Van Campen Hall, Johnson Hall, Allyn Hall, Clark Hall, Korb Hall, Engleman Hall, Lake Hall and the basement of the Kent State Library.
The ghost of Judith Koonce, reportedly haunts Koonce Hall, which was named in her honor. Koonce was a student who died in the summer of 1958, at age 23, while trying to save an 11-year-old who was drowning in the Little Miami River.
There are stories of spooky happenings in both the original Stopher Hall, which was demolished with Johnson Hall in 2004, and the new Stopher Hall, which opened, with the new Johnson Hall, in 2006.
A dark night in the Kiva
Greg Evans is a housekeeping supervisor in University Facilities Management.. He began working for Kent State in 1994, working seven years at the Kent Student Center and 21 years in his current position.
It was while he was working at the Student Center in the early ‘90s that Evans had his encounter with the unknown. He was working at night, checking to make sure freezers were working, doors were locked and that no one was in the building. He entered a long hallway on the second floor, leading to the Kiva. The hallway was completely dark.
“I saw a figure as brilliant white as could be. It was floating in the air. I rubbed my eyes and it was still there. I backed up slowly, rubbed my eyes and it was gone,” Evans said.
“Needless to say, it was daylight before I went down that hallway again,”
When he returned to the Kiva the next morning, he saw no signs of entry or anything out of place.
Evans said “I don’t know what it was, but it sure was creepy!”
