Kent State Student Creates
a Hit with Apple
Approved Mobile App

 “You name it. If you want it you can work for it. Work hard enough, you can claim it,” says Golphin, an integrated health sciences major from Hudson, Ohio. “Nothing's impossible when you're unstoppable."

Golphin says he is Kent State’s first student to have an app approved by Apple and sold in the app store. He partnered with 2011 NAACP award recipient, Chestor Gregory, to develop a word game app, appropriately titled “UnWord.”

The app, made for Apple devices, enables word game junkies to revisit an old favorite. In 60-second rounds, players are charged with finding all possible words using the letters of a single complex word. UnWord is easy-to-use, and provides educational benefits by testing vocabulary, spelling and quick thinking.

“The game is for everyone of all ages. It teaches kids how to read and is an easy way to learn and create words,” Golphin says. “And, it’s not only educational, but it’s fun, too.”

He tapped into what he calls his “creative mind” to find the inspiration for “Unword” while he was working on his book, “Abused by the Thought of Leaving.” Golphin was stuck on a word, so he started brainstorming combinations of smaller words within it, which snowballed into the creation of a mobile app.  

UnWord was recently launched by Golphin and Gregory at a VIP event held at the Nectar Restaurant in New York City. Today, UnWord has received international recognition, with downloads sold in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Italy. “UnWord” also reached the top of the App Charts, taking first place in Apple’s “Customer Ratings” category for word games. UnWord can now be purchased from the iTunes store for 99 cents.

“I am so proud of Ryan’s accomplishments with the mobile app,” says Golphin’s mentor, Beverly Russell. “He is a thinker who clearly puts his dreams into action.  Over the years I have watched him achieve anything he has set his sights on. The sky is the limit for Ryan. I see success for him in whatever he seeks to do.”

“UnWord is going to excite and challenge people with a unique learning experience,” says Golphin. “This is the first version of the game and it certainly won’t be the last. We have big plans for UnWord and will continue to build out the game based on feedback and user experiences.”

Golphin credits Kent State with his educational background, and says classes at the university taught him professionalism, which is key for large-scale business meetings and working as the CEO of his company, G & G Games, with Gregory.

“It’s a blessing; I’m in a great place,” Golphin says. “Often times in life we have setbacks, but never give up on your purpose, never doubt your abilities and most of all, never compromise your standards. Knowledge is power, the act of using it creates success, but the greatest success is having the power to believe.”

Golphin was awarded "Volunteer of the Year" by Contact Kid's Magazine and was invited to co-host the national TV show Good Morning America. He is currently working on his book and is in the process of working on more mobile apps.

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