In honor of Women’s History Month, Kent State Today will be looking at the accomplishments of Kent State women who have advanced the cause of women, broken glass ceilings and left a lasting impact on women’s history.
In 1991, Carol A. Cartwright, Ph.D., made history when she was named president of Kent State University, becoming not only Kent State’s first female president, but also the first woman to serve as president of any Ohio public college or university.
Cartwright served at Kent State for 15 years, until her retirement in 2006.
In 2009, she was named the first female president of Bowling Green State University after serving as interim president in 2008. She retired from BGSU in 2011.
She also served for 20 years on the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, including serving as co-chair from 2017 to 2020, when she retired from the commission.
Now living in Napa, California, Cartwright remains a highly respected voice in higher education.
Cartwright Hall, on the Kent Campus, is named in her honor.
