Inspiring Stories
Opening Doors for Future Nurses
When Phillip R. Ridgley thought back on his career and considered how he could help the next generation of medical professionals, he decided he wanted to open doors for Kent State students pursuing a career in nursing. He decided to start an endowment so that he could continue to support nursing students into the future and help them focus on their studies in a way that he couldn鈥檛 when he was a student.
Helping Others Realize Their Potential
When Terrence J. 鈥淐hip鈥 Bahn, 鈥75, M.Ed. 鈥77, Ed.D., was a high school senior he wanted to attend Kent State University after graduation, but he wasn鈥檛 ready and his counselor encouraged him to start at the local community college before moving on to Kent State. This experience inspired him to create the Dr. Terrence J. Bahn Endowed Scholarship to help students who studied at a Northeast Ohio community college to attend Kent State.
Honoring the Bonds of Friendship and Helping Aspiring Educators
Charlotte L. 鈥淐har鈥 Hughes, 鈥63, and Janette M. Aten, 鈥63, met while doing their laundry in Terrace Hall, where they both lived as students at Kent State University. Soon, they were inseparable. 鈥淥ur time at Kent State was very enjoyable,鈥 Char remembered. 鈥淲e liked our professors, and we had a鈥
Saving Lives and Advocating for a Brighter Tomorrow
Advocacy is at the heart of the work Ken Ditlevson, 鈥95, M.Ed. 鈥98, does at Kent State University as the director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Plus (LGBTQ+) Center.
Sharing Their Love of Education with Future Generations
Kent State University has held a special place in the hearts of Lynda Grieves and her husband George 鈥淏ill鈥 Grieves Jr., 鈥58, who passed away in 2019. For their 60th wedding anniversary, Bill and Lynda chose to create a scholarship through a charitable gift annuity instead of having a party.
Rollie, 鈥64, and Frances Layfield Help Students Build Skills for Success
Hard work and discipline are a driving force for Rollie Layfield, 鈥64, and they have served him well throughout his life and his career in business. He credits both his degree program in business administration and his time in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program at Kent State University for helping him develop the leadership, entrepreneurship and organizational skills to thrive after graduation.
Legacies Change Lives: Dylan Cahill
The moment Dylan Cahill stepped foot on the Kent Campus, he knew that Kent State University was the place for him. Born and raised in Texas, Dylan visited Northeast Ohio for family gatherings and always felt a connection.After his mother passed away in 2020, he wasn鈥檛 sure how he could afford a coll鈥
Legacies Change Lives: Katie Carpenter 鈥23
Katie Carpenter, 鈥23, has a passion for photography, and The Wallace J. Hagedorn Scholarship has helped her hone these skills and express her creativity. This competitive photography scholarship supports student costs and helps them pursue out-of-classroom experiences to develop strong portfolios. 鈥
Scolin MacLean, 鈥90, Turns His Love of Athletics into Philanthropy
鈥淚 look at Kent State as a family member 鈥 everyone collectively 鈥 that I am connected to and plan to be for as long as I possibly can. I have family members that I want to take care of, and I want to do the same for Kent State.鈥 Scolin MacLean鈥檚, 鈥90, passion for Kent State only rivals his love 鈥