East Liverpool Mayor Jim Swoger presents Steve
Nameth, dean of Kent State University at East Liverpool,
with a proclamation declaring April 14 as "Kent State Day"
in East Liverpool.

Kent State University at East Liverpool kicked off its 50th anniversary celebration with an evening of art and music, highlighted by a mayoral proclamation declaring April 14 as “Kent State Day” in the city.

East Liverpool Mayor Jim Swoger presented a proclamation to Steve Nameth, dean of Kent State East Liverpool, noting the college’s significant contributions to the community and its citizens. The mayor added that each of his three sons attended and/or graduated from Kent State – beginning with classes in East Liverpool – and each has become successful professionals in their chosen careers.

“Kent State gave them the ability to be great,” Swoger says. “When I first became mayor of East Liverpool, I knew that this corner of our city was its bright spot. I’m so proud of what Kent State has become, and I’m so grateful for all it does to support this town. They care. That’s what makes this place special.”

Kent State first opened its doors to higher education in East Liverpool in 1965. Kent State East Liverpool began as an academic center, holding classes in the International Brotherhood of Pottery Workers building on Sixth Street. In 1968, Kent State purchased the former East Liverpool High School building on Fourth Street for $1, making it the main building on the city’s campus. That building is now known as John J. Purinton Hall, in honor of one the city’s outstanding citizens, and 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of its first graduating high school class and the continuing tradition of education in downtown East Liverpool. Thousands of Kent State diplomas have been earned at East Liverpool, many of them to first-generation students.

An art exhibition, Craig Wetzel: A Retrospective, including a reception for the exhibit in the Gallery of the Mary Patterson Building, featured 40 of Wetzel’s paintings. The artist was present to greet visitors and discuss his work. Wetzel is a renowned local artist, known for his egg tempera paintings in soft earthy colors.

“There is meaning and emotion in my paintings — usually a memory or a fantasy unknown to anyone else, but that is of small importance,” he writes. “I don’t want anyone knowing what I feel. If a painting makes a person think or experience an emotion, even if it is worlds away from mine, I call it a success and I am somewhat satisfied.”

Wetzel has worked as a professional painter, as well as a commissioned fine arts artist for most of his adult life. This exhibit featured his older works of art. The week of April 20, the gallery will feature Wetzel’s new work in MARCHEN, Mystery and Remembrance: The Art of Craig Wetzel. A reception for this show will be held April 23 at 6:30 p.m.

The art opening was followed by Library Jam One in the library in Purinton Hall. Performers included Bob Walker, Bill Crawford and Doug and Dave Smith. A second performance, Library Jam Two, took place on April 17 at 7 p.m. and featured Dave Morgan, Dennis Kinsey and Awake the Dawn.

Library Jam One to celebrate Kent State East Liverpool's
50th anniversary featured performers Doug Smith, Bob
Walker and Dave Smith in the Purinton Hall library

Both Library Jams featured renowned local musicians. The duo of Doug and Dave Smith are known for their soft rock harmonies and has a following of dedicated listeners from the tri-state area. They have been performing their timeless music for more than 20 years and have generously given their time and talent to help many important community projects.

Crawford is known for his work with Team Mojo (founder and executive director) and his Johnny Cash impersonations. He plays guitar, sings and writes songs.

Walker has a psychology practice in East Liverpool and is a longtime member of the faculty at Kent State East Liverpool. He plays guitar, sings and loves to converse with the audience. He began performing at the legendary Needles Eye coffee house in Kent while he was a student at Kent State. This same group of artists performed at the original Library Jam in 2014.

Library Jam Two brought new performers to the library. Morgan is an incredibly gifted guitarist, vocalist and song writer who has worked with many known artists such as Kenny Rogers, Foghat, Ricky Nelson and the Marshall Tucker Band. He also was a solo artist on numerous cruise ship lines.

East Liverpool native Kinsey now resides in Syracuse, New York, where he is a professor and director of public diplomacy at Syracuse University. He heads up Honda Mesa Records, an independent blues/jazz label. Both Walker and Kinsey have been recipients of Kent State’s Wall of Fame awards for Lifetime Achievement.

Awake the Dawn is stage name for brothers Donald, Alex and Zach Bean. The three have been playing together for more than five years in a variety of contexts, including the newly formed East Liverpool’s Got Talent festival. Their music ranges from adult contemporary to alternative rock. Donald is an academic advisor at Kent State East Liverpool. Alex and Zach are currently students in Kent State East Liverpool’s nursing program.

For more information about Kent State East Liverpool, visit www.kent.edu/columbiana.