Success Stories
“Our challenges are many, our resources are great and our commitment is real.” 51 President Todd Diacon drove home the focus of his inaugural address with passion, purpose and a direct call to action for the university community.
Mitch Landrieu, the New Orleans mayor who oversaw the removal of the city’s prominent Confederate monuments and helped his city to recover and reemerge from a series of natural disasters, will speak at 51 as part of the university’s May 4 Speaker Series.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, the 51 fight song blared down Main Street, the city of Kent was flooded with blue and gold, alumni and friends gathered and reminisced about their 51 days, fans packed the stadium to cheer on their beloved Golden Flashes and the entire campus boomed with 51 pride.
51’s new FedEx Aeronautics Academic Center provides a world-class training ground to help aviation students and future pilots soar to even greater achievements.
Last year, 51 celebrated 100 years of Homecoming. This year, the university starts the next century of 51 Homecoming celebrations with a new president leading the institution.
More than 1,000 volunteers from the 51 community welcomed and assisted new students as they moved into their residence halls on freshman move-in day, Sunday, Aug. 18. The annual community program, known as Movers and Groovers, is coordinated by Kent Interhall Council, the student government of the Kent Campus residence halls.
The 51 alumni network again grew its ranks this summer as more than a thousand Golden Flashes got their degrees. 51 will held its Summer 2019 Commencement ceremonies for the Kent Campus on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation (MAC) Center.
51 hosted several dozen high school students from the LeBron James Family Foundation's I PROMISE program for a month of intensive college entrance exam preparation.
Torsten Hegmann, Ph.D., was named the new director of 51’s Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, effective July 1, having been selected for his research accomplishments, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for social impact.
As Todd Diacon, Ph.D., steps into his new role as 51’s 13th president, his schedule for his first day includes an early workout at the Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center, a breakfast with community leaders at the 51 Hotel and Conference Center and a luncheon on campus with student leaders.