��һ�Թ���

Director's Note | June 2022

I’m writing this column from the lobby of a terminally hip hotel at Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris, eagerly awaiting the return of 14 CCI students who cheerfully embraced an unexpected opportunity to explore Paris on a warm, spring afternoon.

To quote The Princess Bride, “Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.” When offered the opportunity to accompany 14 CCI students en route to their three-week intersession course at Kent State’s campus in Florence, Italy, I jumped at it. Alas, like many of the best-laid travel plans, our group’s itinerary didn’t survive first contact with the realities of summer travel in Europe.

Our flight arrived late, we waited in an interminable queue to pass through security for our connecting flight, then waited some more in a hot and stuffy hall for immigration clearance. By the time we’d navigated all these formalities, our plane to Florence was well on its way — without us aboard.

After enduring more lines, tolerating some predictable – yet oddly endearing — French dismissiveness, and wiping the sweat off our brows in a waiting room that reserved all the cool air for those working behind plexiglass windows, we had a new plan in hand: Hotel rooms, meal vouchers and flights to Florence for the next day with the happy consequence of a day to explore in Paris.

Kent State Raises $65,000 in Scholarship Support to Celebrate 112th Birthday and First Day of Giving

The first-ever Day of Giving raised needed funds from more than 350 alumni, friends and partners in just 24 hours. The blue and gold community came together in support of a variety of scholarships as part of the university’s Forever Brighter comprehensive campaign.

Kent State Is Only University in Ohio to Rank Among Nation’s Top Employers for Diversity

Kent State University has the distinction of being the only Ohio public or private college or university that ranks among the top 500 companies nationwide in Forbes’ recently released list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2022.

TEXTURES Exhibition Receives Arts Alive Award for Collaborative Project

The Kent State University Museum exhibition “TEXTURES: the history and art of Black hair” has been awarded the Arts Alive award for Collaborative Project for 2022. The exhibition was co-curated by Dr. Joseph Underwood, associate professor of art history, and Dr. Tameka Ellington, former associate professor of fashion and interim assistant dean for the College of the Arts.

John Paul Morabito Joins Studio Art Faculty

The School of Art is thrilled to announce the appointment of John Paul Morabito as Assistant Professor of Textiles. Morabito, who previously served as a professor of Fiber and Material Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, joins the faculty succeeding the retirement of Janice Lessman-Moss. They will join the Kent State faculty in fall 2022.

Kent State Board of Trustees Approves Establishing University Operations in Rwanda, Africa

The Kent State University Board of Trustees approved the establishment and registration of a Community Benefit Company in Rwanda, Africa, during the Board’s regular quarterly meeting held May 25. Kent State has realized an immediate need to establish a private limited company, designated as a not-for-profit Community Benefit Company, that can serve as a strategic starting point for engaging in the African continent’s expanding higher education market.

Porthouse Theatre To Open 2022 Season June 16

Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University's summer professional theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, will open its 2022

Randi Woods, ’03

When it comes to self-care, Randi Woods, '03, is a natural leader. 

Kent State’s Dynamic Film Duo

Dana White and Chris Knoblock are Kent State’s film dynamic duo.

Jillian Sokso to join Kent State as Director of the School of Art

After a national search, the School of Art is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jillian Sokso as its new director. Sokso comes to us from George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, where she served as the director of the School of Communication and Design and professor of art and design.

Maria Zaldivar

Familiar Face

Maria Zaldivar

Professor
Modern and Classical Language Studies
Kent Campus

WORKED AT KENT STATE SINCE:

January 2007

Joseph Walker

Familiar Face

Joseph Walker

Carpenter II
Carpenter Shop
Kent Campus

WORKED AT KENT STATE SINCE:

February 2007

STEM Students Abroad: The Benefits of the Challenges

No matter the field of study, if students have a knack for adventure and travel, Kent State will see to their study abroad endeavors.

Students Create Digital Collection of Stories ��һ�Թ��� Refugee Resettlement in Akron

Last summer, as the Taliban took over Afghanistan, many Afghans fled the country.

William B. Risman Family Receives Prestigious University Medallion During Kent State’s Spring Commencement Ceremony

Most people who have spent time on Kent State University’s campus in Kent, Ohio, recognize the name Risman. It is connected to the popular Risman Plaza and Risman Drive, but they may not realize that for the Risman family, educating and supporting students has been a family affair for almost 40 years.

TEFL Student Gains Experience in Murcia, Spain

G Clingman is a third-year Kent State Student double majoring in English and Spanish while also working toward their Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate. Though they have been studying at KSU’s main campus for the last two years, G is swapping Acorn Alley and the Esplanade for the historical streets of Murcia, Spain.

Architecture Student Transitions to Life Studying Abroad in Florence, Italy

Emily Hovest is a third-year student studying architecture at Kent State’s Florence Center for the Spring semester. It was always her desired destination, especially since the KSU architecture program encourages students to study abroad their junior year.

Porthouse Theatre presents its 2022 Season beginning June 16

Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s outdoor, summer theatre located on the grounds of Blosso

ADVISORY: Kent State University Board of Trustees Meeting, May 25

The Kent State University Board of Trustees will hold its next regular business meeting on Wednesday, May 25, at 1:30 p.m.

J. Leigh Garcia Receives New Faculty Outstanding Research and Scholarship Award

Faculty, Students and Alumni Selected for Ohio Designer Craftsmen Best of 2022

Recent Graduate Chazzlyn Jackson Honed her Passion for Social Justice Activism at Kent State

When recent Undergraduate Student Government (USG) President Chazzlyn Jackson started her journey at Kent State University in 2018, she had planned to major in fashion until a mentor with Kupita/Transiciones (K/T) cultural orientation program helped her tap into her leadership abilities and passion for social justice issues. The advice played a pivotal role for Jackson, who stepped into leadership roles and anti-racism advocacy and has not looked back.

Notice of Public Hearing

Notice is hereby given that on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, a public hearing, which may be continued or adjourned, will be held via toll-free

2022 Kent Blossom Music Festival Season Begins July 3

The Kent Blossom Music Festival experience returns, presenting a full season of concerts featuring festival faculty and young artists par

Kent State University Precision Flight Team Placed 12th at SAFECON 2022

The Kent State University Precision Flight Team recently placed 12th in a national competition of the 28 largest University flight programs in the United States

MDJ Hosts VR-Based Training to Prepare Student Journalists for Uncertain Situations

Students in the School of Media and Journalism recently participated in a virtual reality training session that focused on safety tactics

Media and Esports: One Kent State Student's Journey

Esports has transformed online gaming into a spectator sport — and a projects the industry will be worth $3.5 billion by 2025.

Best Friends Graduate From Kent State University at the Age of 18

During Kent State’s spring 2022 commencement on May 14, Jameson Payne will earn his bachelor’s degree in integrative studies with concentrations in physics and political science. Benjamin Wales-McGrath will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in cellular and molecular biology at the age of 18.

Putting the Patients First in Brain Fog Research

Hayley Shasteen (she/her) is a Kent State University alumna who graduated with a degree in Psychology in 2021.

Evaluating the Impact of Chat Messaging in Synchronous Learning on Information Retention

Taylor Miller (she/her), undergraduate in the College of Arts and Sciences, is supervised by Associate Professor

The Impacts of Intersectional Identities on Math Cognition and Math Anxiety

Beginning in an individual’s educational career, math anxiety is likely to follow someone through into adulthood.

Honors College May 4 Scholarship Recipient

Annika Dudik, a third year Honors College student from Geneva, Ohio, continues to excel and grow throughout her time and experiences at K

Romy Anderson Receives 2022 Emerge Award

Romy Anderson, senior studio art major, was recently announced as one of the

Honors Student Announced as Fulbright Alternate

Moira Armstrong (they/them), an Honors College senior from Warren, Ohio, has been selected as an Alternate for the 2022 Fulbright Scholar

Journalism Students Earn National, Regional Honors

Students in the School of Media and Journalism recently received recognition from two prestigious student journalism competitions: The Hearst Journalism Awards and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Mark of Excellence Awards.

Art Education Student Miranda Evans Recognized with SAGE Award