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The Birth of Kent State: Last Century's Second Decade Saw Creation of New University

Return to Issue of Nov. 2, 2009

Kent State's rich and storied history begins.

As with the early years of most great institutions, Kent State’s birth came in stages. The following chronology marks significant events in the history of the university in the decade that began in 1910, the year of the creation of Kent State and three other four-corner institutions in Ohio. The decade includes the first university president, first graduating class and a 50-year Master Plan.

• Lowry's bill
  May 19, 1910 - State Rep. John Lowry's bill establishes funding for two teaching schools in northern Ohio.
• Kent woos state delegates
  Sept. 27, 1910 - Kent aggressively pursues one of the normal schools. Although there are many missteps, the city seals the deal with the now infamous Bluegill Dinner.
• City leaders score victory
  Nov. 25, 1910 - The city of Kent beats out 20 other Northeast Ohio communities and lands one of the state schools. Kent Normal School is named after William Kent, who donates his farm land to build the new training school.
• McGilvrey becomes first president
  July 17, 1911 - The Board of Trustees appoints John E. McGilvrey, a professor at Western Illinois State Normal School, as the university's first president.
• Groundwork laid for Regional Campuses
  1912 - Ironically, Kent State's first classes are not in Kent. Extension classes are offered in more than 20 centers throughout Northeast Ohio. Some become the basis of Kent State's Regional Campus system.
• A full academic year
  September 1913 - The first full academic year commences with 144 students enrolled at the Kent Campus.
• Growth accelerates
  Spring 1914 - Extension course enrollment surpasses 1,600, and Kent Campus reaches 1,378.
• First graduating class
  July 29, 1914 - Gov. James M. Cox delivers the address at the first commencement where 34 students graduate.
• McGilvrey's 'Master Plan'
  1917 - President McGilvrey drafts his "Fifty-year Master Plan," transforming Kent Normal School into a university with colleges beyond education.

Return to Issue of Nov. 2, 2009