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<p>A graduating senior spots family in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center as she passes between two banners during a recent Kent State Commencement ceremony.</p>

A graduating senior spots family in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center as she passes between two banners during a recent Kent State Commencement ceremony.

<p>A Kent State student smiles during the Spring 2013 Commencement ceremony.</p>

A Kent State student smiles during the Spring 2013 Commencement ceremony.

New graduates of Kent State approach the stage during a recent Commencement ceremony in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.
New graduates of Kent State approach the stage during a recent Commencement ceremony in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.
<p>A Kent State student celebrates after crossing the stage at Commencement.</p>

A Kent State student celebrates after crossing the stage at Commencement.

<p>Two friends hold hands in a victory pose after graduating from Kent State.<br /> </p>

Two friends hold hands in a victory pose after graduating from Kent State.

<p>Kent State graduates celebrate in front of the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center following their Commencement ceremony.</p>

Kent State graduates celebrate in front of the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center following their Commencement ceremony.

<p>Kent State students move their tassels, symbolizing their moment of graduation, during a Commencement ceremony in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.</p>

Kent State students move their tassels, symbolizing their moment of graduation, during a Commencement ceremony in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.

<p>Four Kent State students pose for a group photo on Risman Plaza after their Commencement ceremony.</p>

Four Kent State students pose for a group photo on Risman Plaza after their Commencement ceremony.

  • <p>A graduating senior spots family in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center as she passes between two banners during a recent Kent State Commencement ceremony.</p>
  • <p>A Kent State student smiles during the Spring 2013 Commencement ceremony.</p>
  • New graduates of Kent State approach the stage during a recent Commencement ceremony in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.
  • <p>A Kent State student celebrates after crossing the stage at Commencement.</p>
  • <p>Two friends hold hands in a victory pose after graduating from Kent State.<br /> </p>
  • <p>Kent State graduates celebrate in front of the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center following their Commencement ceremony.</p>
  • <p>Kent State students move their tassels, symbolizing their moment of graduation, during a Commencement ceremony in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.</p>
  • <p>Four Kent State students pose for a group photo on Risman Plaza after their Commencement ceremony.</p>

Kent State Holds Spring Commencement Ceremonies on May 9, 10 & 16

University Communications and Marketing | 05/03/2014
Kent State University will hold its Spring 2014 Commencement ceremonies for the Kent Campus on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MAC Center) and on Friday, May 16, at Cartwright Hall. Kent State will confer 3,820 degrees, including 2,811 bachelor’s degrees, 860 master’s degrees, 144 doctoral degrees and five educational specialist degrees.

Kent State University will hold its Spring 2014 Commencement ceremonies for the Kent Campus on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MAC Center) and on Friday, May 16, at Cartwright Hall. Kent State will confer 3,820 degrees, including 2,811 bachelor’s degrees, 860 master’s degrees, 144 doctoral degrees and five educational specialist degrees.

Across the university’s eight-campus system, 4,551 students will graduate from Kent State this spring, including those receiving associate degrees.

The 6 p.m. ceremony on May 9 is for those receiving their master’s and doctoral degrees. The speaker for this ceremony is Jerry Sue Thornton, Ph.D., president emeritus of Cuyahoga Community College. She served as president of Cuyahoga Community College, the largest and oldest community college in Ohio, from 1992 until her retirement on June 28, 2013. During her tenure, the college became a leader in educational innovation, workforce training and economic development. She is recognized as “one of the 50 most influential people in Northeast Ohio.”

Three baccalaureate ceremonies will take place on May 10.

The 9 a.m. ceremony is for those receiving their bachelor’s degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Nursing; the College of Public Health; and the School of Digital Sciences. The speaker for this ceremony is the director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Kent State alumna Tracy Plouck. She is newly appointed to her current position as of July 2013, previously serving as the director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health since January 2011. Plouck holds a master’s degree in public administration from the Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree from Kent State.

The 1 p.m. ceremony is for those receiving their bachelor’s degrees from the College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology; the College of Business Administration; and the College of Communication and Information. The speaker for the afternoon ceremony is Richard Brandt, Kent State alumnus, international consultant, advisor, accomplished public speaker and current director of the lacocca Institute in the Office of the Vice President of International Affairs. Brandt has been the director of the renowned Global Village Program for Future Leaders of Business and Industry for 15 years. Brandt served in various vice presidential positions during a 25-year career at AT&T and Lucent Technologies. He has forged a new educational relationship between Lehigh University and Kent State, enabling students to attend a Global Village program each summer.

The 5 p.m. ceremony is for those receiving their bachelor’s degrees from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design; the College of the Arts; and the College of Education, Health and Human Services. The speaker for the evening ceremony is Love Goel, chairman and CEO of GVG Capital Group, a global investment firm known for its digital and operating expertise. He also serves as board chairman of the digital committee at Lojas Americanas, the world’s number one ranked multichannel retailer and Brazil’s largest retail chain. Goel is a current chairman of the advisory board at Kent State’s Fashion School.

The ceremony on May 16 at 1 p.m. is for those receiving their doctoral degrees from the Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine. The speaker for the afternoon ceremony is Allan Boike, D.P.M., a graduate of the college (then known as the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine) who currently serves as the director of the Podiatric Medical and Surgical Residency Training Programs and section head of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in the Foot and Ankle Center of the Orthopaedic and Rheumatology Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. Beginning July 1, Boike will begin the role of dean of Kent State’s College of Podiatric Medicine. Boike has more than 25 years of experience in treating foot and ankle problems. He recently served on the board of directors of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.

The Commencement ceremonies may be viewed live at www.kent.edu/commencement/webcast.

For more information about Kent State’s Commencement, visit www.kent.edu/commencement.