News and Events

2012 1st Quarter News Releases

Kent State Provost Accepts President Position at University of New Mexico Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton announced today that Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Robert Frank accepted the position of president at the University of New Mexico (UNM). Frank will become the 21st president of UNM.

- Posted Jan. 4, 2012
Kent State School of Art's Downtown Gallery Presents "Steady As She Goes," Now Through Feb. 11 The Kent State School of Art's Downtown Gallery will present the exhibit "Steady As She Goes" featuring artist Mark Schatz from Jan. 11 through Feb. 11.
- Posted Jan. 9, 2012
Kent State Marks 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, activist, social critic and one of the nation’s most notable African-American leaders, will be the keynote speaker at Kent State University’s 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Kent Student Center. The theme for this year’s event is “Empowering the Individual, Strengthening the Community,” and the celebration is free and open to the public.
- Posted Jan. 11, 2012
National Teacher of the Year to Speak at Kent State, Jan. 24 Michelle Shearer, who was recognized by President Barack Obama as the 2011 National Teacher of the Year, will present a Gerald H. Read Distinguished Lecture at Kent State University on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 4:30 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Kiva.
- Posted Jan. 13, 2012
Advisory: Kent Campus Phone Outage on Jan. 14 Due to external service provider maintenance, the Kent Campus phone system will be down Saturday morning, Jan. 14, from 2 – 4 a.m.
- Posted Jan. 13, 2012
Distinguished Professor Named Director of School of Communication Studies at Kent State The School of Communication Studies at Kent State University welcomes Paul Haridakis, Ph.D., as its seventh director, as the school celebrates its 80th anniversary of providing communication education and scholarly work to the professional and academic community.
- Posted Jan. 17, 2012
Kent State’s Jewish Studies Program Lunch and Learn Series Continues, Jan. 24 The Jewish Studies Program at Kent State University continues its Lunch and Learn series, where various topics will be discussed, beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
- Posted Jan. 17, 2012
Kent State Geauga Dean to Receive University’s 2012 Diversity Trailblazer Award Dr. David Mohan, dean of Kent State University at Geauga, has been awarded the university’s 2012 Diversity Trailblazer Award. Kent State’s Diversity Trailblazer Award is a universitywide award that recognizes faculty, staff or departmental group for their significant contributions to enhance diversity and inclusive excellence at Kent State.
- Posted Jan. 18, 2012
A Thriller of a Discovery: Fossil Hermit Crab Named after Michael Jackson A Kent State University researcher was part of an international team of paleontologists that recently made a significant discovery in northern Spain. The group discovered a new family, genus and species of fossil hermit crab – one that lived 100 million years ago.
- Posted Jan. 18, 2012
Kent State Professor Seeks Memories of Downtown Kent Restaurant as it Celebrates 75 Years A book celebrating 75 years of locally-owned, downtown Kent restaurant and pub Ray’s Place will share the stories of its employees and customers over the years.
- Posted Jan. 19, 2012
Kent State’s 2012 Spirit of Women in Business Conference Set for March 7 Kent State University presents its second Spirit of Women in Business Conference with the theme “The Empowered Woman.” The conference takes place on March 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Kent Student Center.
- Posted Jan. 23, 2012
Kent State's School of Theatre and Dance Presents Ragtime, Feb. 17-26 Kent State University's School of Theatre and Dance, in collaboration with the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music, will continue its 2011/2012 production season with Ragtime, based on the novel written by E. L. Doctorow in 1975. Directed by Eric van Baars, the show will run from Feb. 17-26 in E. Turner Stump Theatre
- Posted Jan. 26, 2012
Kent State STEMM Scholars Recognized at Ohio Board of Regents Showcase Event Kent State University students and graduates were among the more than 500 Choose Ohio First scholarship recipients that were recognized for their achievements at the STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) Scholars Showcase hosted by the Ohio Board of Regents on Jan. 23 in Columbus, Ohio.
- Posted Jan. 26, 2012
Said Sewell Joins Kent State as University’s New Dean of Undergraduate Studies Kent State University has named Dr. Said Sewell as its new dean of Undergraduate Studies. Sewell joins Kent State from Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Ga., where he has served as executive director of the Academic Success Center and associate professor of political science since December 2009.
- Posted Jan. 27, 2012
Kent State Fashion Student Wins Prestigious $30,000 Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Award Kent State University fashion merchandising senior Kate Ruque of Mentor, Ohio, has won a $30,000 Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Award from the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF). Ruque received the award during the YMA FSF Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Awards Gala, celebrating the organization’s 75th anniversary, on Jan. 10, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel ballroom in New York.
- Posted Jan. 31, 2012
Support National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day at Kent State, Feb. 7 National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is Tuesday, Feb. 7, and Kent State University is hosting several opportunities for the community.
- Posted Feb. 1, 2012
Middle East Expert to Discuss the Arab and Muslim American Experience Princeton University professor and author Amaney Jamal has directed a number of major studies focused on understanding the Arab and Muslim American experience. The public will have the opportunity to hear and engage with Jamal at two Northeast Ohio appearances in early February, sponsored by Kent State University and the Northeast Ohio Consortium for Middle East Studies (NOCMES).
- Posted Feb. 2, 2012
Kent State to Host STEM Project Fair on Feb. 11 Science, technology, engineering and math – commonly referred to as STEM fields – will be in spotlight when Kent State University hosts the Hudson STEM Project Fair on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

- Posted Feb. 3, 2012
Valentine’s Day Program at Kent State to Discuss the Connection between Love and the Jewish Bible, Feb. 14 Kent State University’s Jewish Studies Program continues its Lunch and Learn series this Valentine’s Day with an event titled “Love and Temptation in The Song of Songs.” Doron M. Kalir, Esq., adjunct professor at Siegal College of Judaic Studies in Cleveland, will present on Tuesday, Feb. 14, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Kent Student Center, Room 310 A&B.
- Posted Feb. 6, 2012
Kent State’s African Community Theatre Holds Auditions for Spring 2012 Production The African Community Theatre at Kent State University will be holding auditions and seeking volunteers for its Spring 2012 production of Marlin T. Tazewell’s “Ain’t Nothing But a Thang.”
- Posted Feb. 7, 2012
Kent State’s School of Theatre and Dance Program Audition Deadline Approaches Kent State University’s School of Theatre and Dance will be holding auditions for admission to the dance major and minor programs on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in dance studio D-123 of the university’s Music and Speech Building. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 10.
- Posted Feb. 7, 2012
Kent State’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative Receives National Sustainability Award Kent State University is a lead partner in a collaborative effort to address population decline and large-scale urban vacancy in Cleveland. The initiative Re-imagining a More Sustainable Cleveland has been selected to receive the American Planning Association’s (APA) 2012 National Planning Excellence Award for Innovation in Best Practices for Sustaining Places, the profession’s highest honor, at its April conference.
- Posted Feb. 8, 2012
Kent State Releases Case Studies on Northeast Ohio Collaborative Efforts Kent State University’s Center for Public Administration and Public Policy today is releasing eight case studies on intergovernmental collaborative efforts in Northeast Ohio. The case studies describe how local governments can realize significant cost savings, service improvements and other benefits.

- Posted Feb. 10, 2012
Kent State Research Reveals Shunned Children Exercise Less, at Greater Risk for Obesity New research from Kent State University’s Dr. Jacob Barkley, assistant professor of exercise science, demonstrates that social exclusion results in decreased physical activity among children. The study, “The Effect of Simulated Ostracism on Physical Activity Behavior in Children,” appears in the March 2012 issue of Pediatrics, and is available online.
- Posted Feb. 10, 2012
Kent State Offers Culinary Exploration Trip to China, June 17-29 Kent State University is offering an exciting opportunity to explore the cuisine and culture of China during a 13-day trip in June. The culinary exploration excursion to China will take place June 17-29, and will be hosted by cultural expert Dr. Philip Wang and Chef Ed Hoegler, both from Kent State’s College of Education, Health and Human Services.
- Posted Feb. 10, 2012
MEDIA ADVISORY: Kent State to Name University's New Provost on Monday, Feb. 13 Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton will introduce the university’s new senior vice president for academic affairs and provost to the Kent State community on Monday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m. The provost is the chief academic officer of a college or university. It is the second-highest ranking position at the university behind the president.
- Posted Feb. 10, 2012
Dr. Todd Diacon Named Kent State’s New Senior Vice President and Provost Dr. Todd Diacon has been selected as the new senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at Kent State University.
- Posted Feb. 13, 2012
Jewish Studies, Center for Entrepreneurship and Hillel Host Digital Media Producer and Indie Jewish Educator Kent State University’s Jewish Studies Program has partnered with the university’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation and Hillel at Kent State to bring Sarah Lefton, a successful businesswoman who turned her creativity into a career, to campus on Monday, Feb. 20. Lefton will talk about her start-up company that is dedicated to raising worldwide Jewish literacy.
- Posted Feb. 13, 2012
Kent State University Volunteers Lend a Hand During Tax Season Kent State University volunteers are reaching out to the community by providing a free tax service for low- to moderate-income taxpayers. Kent State’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, also known as VITA, is offering the service for qualifying individuals this tax-filing season on the university's Kent Campus.
- Posted Feb. 14, 2012
Kent State Professor’s Research to Help Improve Life for People with Parkinson’s Disease Dr. Angela Ridgel, an assistant professor of exercise science/physiology at Kent State University, is leading two new research projects to help individuals with Parkinson’s disease improve cognitive and motor function. Ridgel has been studying Parkinson’s disease for five years, and the two new research projects are bringing her closer to developing exercise therapy that can delay the progression of Parkinson’s and lower Parkinson’s medications dosages.
- Posted Feb. 15, 2012
Kent State Preserves Historical Building Owned by First Female Faculty Member Kent State University will preserve one of the oldest houses along the Kent State University Esplanade extension, which will connect the university to the city of Kent. The 110-year-old May Prentice house at 128 S. Willow St., previously owned by and named after Kent State’s first female faculty member, will not be demolished during ongoing expansion of the University Esplanade.
- Posted Feb. 17, 2012
Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine Joining With Kent State University on Track for This Summer Kent State University and the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM) plan to come together into one single, academic entity, as early as this summer. Both institutions are collaborating to allow for a smooth transition.
- Posted Feb. 20, 2012
Renowned Photographer Coming to Kent State, March 29 Trey Ratcliff, a renowned photographer and the owner of the No. 1 travel photography blog in the world, will share his thoughts on "The Future of Digital Arts and the Internet" on March 29 at 7 p.m. in the University Auditorium at Cartwright Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
- Posted Feb. 21, 2012
Kent State Presents Spanish Film Series, March 2-3 Kent State University will present a series of three recent Spanish films on March 2-3. The films will be shown in the auditorium in the Schwartz Center (room 177) and will be in Spanish with English subtitles.
- Posted Feb. 21, 2012
Kent State Students Help Raise Awareness for Cerebral Palsy Foundation Four Kent State students collaborated to create awareness of the cerebral palsy (CP) foundation Pedal-with-Pete, an organization established by Kent State College of Business Administration alumnus Pete Zeidner, who himself was born with cerebral palsy. The students used their skills and experiences, ahead of National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month this March, to create a series of promotional tactics to increase the foundation’s visibility and further the organization’s goals.
- Posted Feb. 23, 2012
Kent State Hosts Seventh Annual Piano Institute, July 15-25 Students from grades 7-12 will have an opportunity to rub elbows with individuals from all around the world at this year’s seventh annual Piano Institute at Kent State University presented by the Piano Division at Kent State’s Hugh A. Glauser School of Music.
- Posted Feb. 24, 2012
LIVE WEBCAST TODAY: Fashion Icon Donna Karan Speaks about Self-Care, Wellness for Nurses Donna Karan, one of the most famous American fashion designers, will be at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, on Monday, March 5. Karan will serve as the keynote speaker for the Kent State College of Nursing’s annual Driving the Future conference series. This year’s conference explores an integrative approach to incorporating self-care and mindfulness in a balanced personal and professional life.
- Posted Feb. 28, 2012
Kent State Student's Garment to be Featured in Wrangler Clothing Line Professor's Contact at Wrangler Prove Big Opportunity for Student's Project
- Posted Feb. 29, 2012
“Hidden History of Women in Science” Author Julie Des Jardins Speaks at Kent State on March 8 Are the fields of science and technology still considered to be predominantly male professions? Julie Des Jardins, Ph.D., will explore the lives of women scientists in relation to their male counterparts at a talk at Kent State University. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Thursday, March 8, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Kent Student Center Kiva.
- Posted Mar. 2, 2012
Fashion Icon Donna Karan Speaks at Kent State about Self-Care, Wellness for Nurses Donna Karan, one of the most famous American fashion designers, will be at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, on Monday, March 5. Karan will serve as the keynote speaker for the Kent State College of Nursing’s annual Driving the Future conference series. This year’s conference explores an integrative approach to incorporating self-care and mindfulness in a balanced personal and professional life.
- Posted Mar. 2, 2012
Kent State Names New Dean of College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology Shin-Min “Simon” Song, Ph.D., will become the new dean of the College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology at Kent State University.
- Posted Mar. 6, 2012
World-Renowned Photographer Visits Kent State for First Presidential Speaker Series, March 29 Kent State University will hold its first Presidential Speaker Series on March 29 at the University Auditorium in Cartwright Hall at 7 p.m. featuring world-renowned photographer Trey Ratcliff. The event is free and open to the public.
- Posted Mar. 7, 2012
Kent State Students Present “Children of the Holocaust” Exhibition, March 11 Over the past few months, the photographers, writers and designers of the Kent State School of Journalism and Mass Communication have joined together in a collaborative effort to tell the stories of Holocaust survivors and their families. Thanks to sponsorship by the Jewish Studies Program and Hillel at Kent State, the school will be holding a reception and photo print exhibition on Sunday, March 11, at 2 p.m. in the lobby of the FirstEnergy Auditorium at Franklin Hall to present and celebrate these incredible stories.
- Posted Mar. 7, 2012
Jury Experts from Kent State Available to Comment on Dimora Trial as Deliberations Continue Jury deliberations continue in the Jimmy Dimora federal corruption trial, and we continue to wait for a verdict. What does it mean that the jury hasn’t made a decision yet? What can we infer about what’s going on?
- Posted Mar. 8, 2012
The Campus Kitchen at Kent State Competes in National March Matchness Campaign The Campus Kitchen at Kent State University will compete with 30 other schools across the U.S. in the National Campus Kitchens Project’s 2nd annual online fundraising campaign—March Matchness. The campaign is an avenue to build awareness for the Campus Kitchen, while raising funds to further its goals. The competition also affords each Campus Kitchen chapter the opportunity to show off their school pride and make an impact in their local community.
- Posted Mar. 8, 2012
Kent State Researcher Announces World Record Find: Oldest Evidence of Lobsters Living Together Discovered in Gas Shale Discovering direct animal behavior from the fossil record can only be done in exceptional circumstances. Such circumstances exist in the German Posidonia gas shale from the Jurassic period in which organic material from fossils is preserved. A treasure trove of fossils found in the Dotternhausen quarry south of Stuttgart, Germany, has now yielded a world record for fossil lobsters living together, according to Kent State University researcher Adiël Klompmaker.
- Posted Mar. 9, 2012
ADVISORY: Kent State University Board of Trustees Meeting, March 14 The Kent State University Board of Trustees will hold its next regular business meeting Wednesday, March 14. The Board will convene at 2 p.m. in the George Urban Board of Trustees Conference Room, which is located on the second floor of the Kent Campus Library.
- Posted Mar. 9, 2012
Media Invitation to Global Education Summit 2012 at Kent State University, March 15 On Thursday, March 15, Kent State University’s Office of Global Education will host the 2012 Global Education Summit. We extend an invitation to members of the media to cover this event as Kent State administration, faculty, staff and community members come together to review, discuss and strategize global initiatives for the campus and surrounding area.
- Posted Mar. 9, 2012
Cleveland’s Plain Dealer Editor Named 2012 McGruder Award for Media Diversity Winner Debra Adams Simmons, editor of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, has been named the 2012 winner of the Robert G. McGruder Award for Diversity from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University. The award recognizes the accomplishments of media professionals who encourage diversity in the field of journalism.
- Posted Mar. 12, 2012
Kent State College of Education, Health and Human Services Seeks Hall of Fame Applications Kent State University’s College of Education, Health and Human Services seeks applications for its third annual Hall of Fame Award Ceremony. Applicants must be alumni of the college who have committed their lives to serving others to make the world a better place. 
- Posted Mar. 13, 2012
Kent State University Summary of Board Actions for March 14 At its March 14 meeting, the Kent State University Board of Trustees took action on the following items.
- Posted Mar. 14, 2012
Kent State Takes Steps Toward Capital Improvements To help ensure Kent State’s ability to provide students now and in the future with a world-class education, the Kent State University Board of Trustees reauthorized the issuance of general receipts bonds to allow the university to finance the rehabilitation of aging buildings and new construction at its Kent Campus.
- Posted Mar. 14, 2012
Kent State University’s Information and Religion Conference Scheduled for May 18 & 19 The Center for the Study of Information and Religion at Kent State University will host its Second Annual International Conference on Information and Religion on Friday, May 18, and Saturday, May 19, at the university Student Center. Read more ...
- Posted Mar. 16, 2012
Kent State Honors Cleveland’s Plain Dealer Editor with 2012 McGruder Award for Media Diversity on March 26 Debra Adams Simmons, editor of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, has been named the 2012 winner of the Robert G. McGruder Award for Diversity from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University. The award recognizes the accomplishments of media professionals who encourage diversity in the field of journalism.
- Posted Mar. 16, 2012
New Student Space at Kent State Debuts, Features Mural By Award-Winning Comic Strip Artists and Alumni Popular comic strip artists Tom Batiuk and Chuck Ayers will be at Kent State University on Tuesday, March 27, from noon to 2 p.m. for the official opening of the new student lounge area called The Nest in the Kent Student Center. Batiuk, creator of the Funky Winkerbean comic strip, collaborates with Ayers on Crankshaft.
- Posted Mar. 19, 2012
Veteran Journalist Eric Mansfield Joins Kent State as Executive Director, University Media Relations WKYC-TV anchor and reporter Eric Mansfield will become Kent State University’s new executive director for university media relations. The award-winning journalist and Akron native begins his new position with the university on June 1.
- Posted Mar. 22, 2012
Kent State Welcomes Global UGRAD-Pakistan Student to Campus Kent State University is pleased to welcome a new international student on the Kent Campus as part of the U.S. Department of State’s Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan (Global UGRAD-Pakistan). Amina Muntaqa, a junior architecture major, joins the Kent State family.
- Posted Mar. 23, 2012
Severe Weather Safety Week is March 25-31; Expect Emergency Alert Notification Tests In order to educate the public about emergency warning procedures and appropriate safety precautions, the week of March 25 - 31 has been designated as Severe Weather Safety Week. Additionally, Wednesday, March 28, has been selected as Tornado Awareness Day.
- Posted Mar. 23, 2012
Connecting Talent with Jobs: Kent State University and Ohio Employers Meet with State Legislators on March 28 Forty Ohio employers are traveling to Columbus on March 28 to join representatives from Kent State University and alumni in the workforce for the university’s annual Kent State Day at the Statehouse. During this daylong advocacy event with the theme “Talent Meets Jobs: A Kent State Education Aligns with Employer Need,” these major Ohio employers will meet with 21 legislators and other state officials to express their recognition of the important role that Kent State plays in workforce development.
- Posted Mar. 26, 2012
MEDIA ADVISORY: Kent State Celebrates the Grand Opening of The Nest Featuring Mural By Award-Winning Comic Strip Artists Popular comic strip artists Tom Batiuk and Chuck Ayers will be at Kent State University on Tuesday, March 27, from noon to 2 p.m. for the official opening of the new student lounge area called The Nest in the Kent Student Center. Batiuk, creator of the Funky Winkerbean comic strip, collaborates with Ayers on Crankshaft.
- Posted Mar. 26, 2012
Kent State Recognizes Outstanding Research and Scholar Award Recipients on March 28 Six Kent State University faculty members will be recognized during a ceremony on March 28 as the university honors its Outstanding Research and Scholar Award recipients.
- Posted Mar. 26, 2012
Kent State to Host Forum and Lecture on Obesity Kent State University’s Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education will host Global Pandemic: Obesity, a National Issues Forum, Reception and Lecture at the Kent Student Center on Wednesday, April 11.
- Posted Mar. 28, 2012
Celebrating Diversity: Sharing Our Stories -- Annual Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth The 28th Annual Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth will take place at Kent State University on Thursday, April 12, and Friday, April 13, 2012, in the Kent Student Center.
- Posted Mar. 28, 2012
Kent State’s John L. West Named Trustees Research Professor The Kent State University Board of Trustees recently named John L. West, Ph.D., an internationally respected researcher and the university’s former vice president for research, to a five-year term as Trustees Research Professor, effective July 1.
- Posted Mar. 29, 2012
Kent State’s 2012 Homecoming Scheduled for Oct. 20 Kent State University will celebrate its 2012 Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 20. The Kent State Golden Flashes will take on the Western Michigan Broncos at Dix Stadium.
- Posted Mar. 31, 2012
Kent State’s African Community Theatre Presents “Ain’t Nothing But a Thang,” April 13-15 & April 20-22 The African Community Theatre of Kent State University will present its Spring 2012 production of
“Ain’t Nothing But a Thang” by Marlin T. Tazewell and directed by Fran Dorsey, Ph.D.
- Posted Mar. 31, 2012