Kent State Alumni Association Hosts Its First Alumni College

Kent State University alumni became students again as they returned to campus for Alumni College. Held May 21, the event gave attendees the opportunity to reunite with one another and revisit the campus.

“Welcoming more than 100 alumni back to campus for our first Alumni College was very exciting,” said Brittney Braydich, assistant director of outreach for the Kent State University Alumni Association. “Watching them reconnect with each other and hearing their excitement about all the advancements on campus made the entire day a huge success! We plan to make Alumni College an annual event.”

Educational sessions were offered throughout the day to attendees. Kent State faculty members taught classes on topics such as Katharine Hepburn’s fashion, the basics of wine, liquid crystals and more.

Besides the classes, participants enjoyed a bus tour of campus. For alumna Marguerite Spears, who received her bachelor’s degree in 1939 and a Master of Arts degree in 1950, the tour was one of the day’s highlights.

“The campus has grown,” Spears said. “None of this was here when I was. I wanted to come back while I was still able to, and I’m glad I came today. This whole day was just wonderful.”

In addition to seeing the changes on campus, alumni also listened to a university update from Kent State President Lester A. Lefton during lunch. The day concluded with a reception where alumni received “diplomas” and a stuffed black squirrel for attending.

Leona Brown, a 1951 graduate, said she was happy she attended the event and would consider coming again.

“I did enjoy myself,” she said. “And, I think if you asked anyone here, they’d tell you they enjoyed themselves, too.”

Plans for next year’s Alumni College, which is slated for May 19, 2012, are already being discussed.

“Our hope is to build on the success and positive feedback from this first year,” Braydich said. “We’re considering expanding the program and developing an alumni committee to help guide our efforts for future Alumni College programs.”

For more information on the Kent State University Alumni Association, visit www.ksualumni.org or call 888-320-KENT (5368).

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Photo Caption:
Kent State University alumni became students again as they returned to campus for the university’s first Alumni College. Attendees posed for the first Alumni College class photo in the Kent Student Center.

Media Contacts:
Brittney Braydich, brblack@kent.edu, 330-672-8048
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595