It has been nearly 14 months since a gas explosion destroyed the historic building that was home to the Paris American Academy, Kent State University’s Paris home for 16 years.
Now, the academy has found a new home and soon, exciting advancements will be happening with Kent State’s education-abroad programs in Paris.
On June 21, 2023, a gas explosion resulted in a tragic fire that destroyed the 17th century building, resulted in several deaths and caused severe injury to Peter Carman, who owned and operated the Paris American Academy. Carman continues to recover from injuries and third-degree burns to more than 80 percent of his body.
No Kent State students were harmed during the explosion, and Kent State has been sending students to Paris continuously over the past year, using other host sites to hold classes.
“We never stopped sending students to Paris, even after the explosion,” said Marcello Fantoni, Ph.D., vice president for Global Education and Academic Affairs. Kent State’s Fashion School has continued to send students to Paris over the past year and remains the largest program there.
New Location to Open
The Paris American Academy will be fully moved into its new spaces as of Sept. 1, he said.
“We have found two other pieces of property in the same neighborhood near the Pantheon on the hills above the Sorbonne,” Fantoni said. “They are in the same block, around the corner from each other.”
The Paris building was in the 5th arrondissement in the Latin Quarter on the Left Bank of the River Seine.
In addition, Fantoni said, Kent State is moving forward to assume ownership of the Paris American Academy, from Carman. This plan had been in the works before the explosion. Fantoni said he expects to present a new business plan for the academy to the university’s Board of Trustees for approval at its September meeting.
Carman, a native of Australia, is the owner and director of the Paris American Academy, which Kent State had used as its base of operations in Paris for 16 years. In 2020, Carman expressed a desire to donate the academy to Kent State.
“He was interested in donating the program to Kent State in light of our good relationship,” Fantoni said. “He was approaching the age of retirement and wanted to see his legacy continue.”
Despite the fire, Kent State was eager to move forward with assuming leadership of the prestigious academy, Fantoni said. The Kent State Paris American Academy is expected to be fully operational as of Jan. 1, 2025, Fantoni said.
“We are so grateful that, not only was Peter’s life saved, but that our relationship has forged such a bond that we can continue to grow his dreams through the continuation of the academy,” said Melody Tankersley, Ph.D., Kent State’s senior vice president and provost.
Expanded Curriculum
Under Kent State’s leadership, the academy will continue to offer all the workshops and activities it traditionally had, including the courses frequented by students in Kent State’s School of Fashion, and a more traditional education-abroad curriculum will be added.
Offerings will expand to include more courses that incorporate more majors into the Paris curriculum. Already in the works are two programs from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, one a graduate program in architecture and another an undergraduate program for interior design.
The Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship is also planning to create a program for its majors in Paris, as well as the College of Arts & Sciences. “Obviously, we’d like to offer French language there,” Fantoni said.
“We are planning a full 2025 Spring Semester, and, in the summer of 2025, we will launch our Paris Summer Institute, with one in June and one in July,” Fantoni said.
Eventually, Kent State’s Paris American Academy is expected to expand to a program like the longstanding Kent State Florence location in Italy.
“We are creating curriculums that would allow students from any discipline to attend,” he explained. “We are looking at, for example, a course in French culture, that would broadly qualify as an elective for as many disciplines as possible. The credits would count toward many majors.”
Once Kent State fully assumes operation of the academy, Fantoni said the university intends to expand enrollment and open courses to students from universities throughout the world.
“The new Kent State Paris American Academy will bring outstanding opportunities to our students and faculty,” Tankersley said. “Not only will we be able to host our current KSU programs and students, but also host our partner universities around the world.”
Slow and Steady Recovery
Fantoni said Carman was concerned that after the fire, Kent State would no longer be interested in accepting the academy as a gift.
“Instead, we are honoring our promise and moving forward,” Fantoni said.
Carman was involved in the Paris American Academy for more than 30 years, first as an employee, and then as owner of the private school when its previous owner died.
Over the past year, Fantoni said he has visited Carman about five times. He remains in a rehabilitation center, and he has lost the function of some of his limbs.
“His condition was really, really critical,” Fantoni said. “He is working on walking and regaining the use of his hands.”
Despite the severity of his injuries, Carman continues to be strong and determined in his recovery, Fantoni said.
Pictured (from left to right) are: Peter Carman, president and academic director of the Paris American Academy; Salma Benhaida, Kent State’s director of international recruitment and admissions; Marcello Fantoni, Kent State’s vice president for global education; and Fantoni’s daughter, Costanza Fantoni.
“His tenancy, his desire to live, his love for life, he is inspiring, and he is so passionate about continuing the school with us,” Fantoni said.
Tankersley echoed Fantoni’s sentiments. “How fortunate are we to continue to have Peter in our lives? Such a kind, generous, and impactful man.”
In addition, the school’s new spaces are close to Carman’s residence, which will permit him to remain active at the academy as his recovery allows.
The academy has been operating with a temporary director during Carman’s recovery, and eventually Kent State will hire a permanent director. Kent State is planning a grand opening celebration for the new location in October 2025, Fantoni added.