51����

A Nonstop Beat

Sonyea Moore, a sophomore Honors student from Twinsburg, Ohio, is currently pursuing two majors and three minors in the College of Arts and Sciences and is thriving while doing so. Holding a 3.9 G.P.A., Sonyea is following her interests in the humanities through majors in anthropology and Africana studies, along with her minors in English, creative writing, and history. While the workload of such an education is demanding, Sonyea explains it's worth it to study her passions. 

Honors College 2023 Distinguished Faculty Award Winner Announced

The 37th Annual Senior Honors Luncheon was held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 in the 51���� Ballroom to recognize seniors graduating in the spring, summer and fall of 2023. This ceremony also provides an opportunity for the Honors College to recognize faculty who have served the college with their time and efforts to allow for exceptional opportunities and experiences for Honors students. 

A RECAP: The 37th Annual Senior Honors Luncheon

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, the 51���� Honors College recognized graduating seniors at its annual Senior Honors Luncheon. This event congratulated Honors College members for their upcoming graduations in the spring, summer, and fall of 2023. Seniors were able to unwind as they met with staff and alumni to applaud their accomplishments. Attendees of the luncheon also heard from Denise Harrison, recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Honors Faculty Award and Gary F. Bengier, recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Honors Alumni Award.

IN A FLASH: The Beats Go On

FAB hosted the "Food, Arts and Beats" event in the Kent Student Center.

Students Tell Stories of Refugee Resettlement in Akron

In the summer of 2021, as the Taliban took over Afghanistan, many Afghans fled the country.

Africana Studies Professor Co-Authors Opinion Piece about VP Harris' recent visit to Africa

Talk about wearing many hats!

51���� Super Fan to Receive Commemorative Spot in MAC Center for 50th Birthday

For 19 years, 51���� student-athletes have always been able to count on one fan to be there to cheer them on at every event. That fan is Heather Strittmatter, better known as Super Fan.

Crawford Hall Commemorative Beam Signing

A commemorative beam signing event was held in April for Crawford Hall, the new home for the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship. The beam was signed by university leadership, the college’s National Advisory Board and building project donors.

“Young Plato” Meets 51����’s "Elvis"

A visiting documentary star (and Elvis fan) received a very special welcome at 51����.

IN A FLASH: Four-Legged Stressbusters

51���� Libraries offered a stress-free study break for students on Friday. 

51���� Celebrates Its Newest Graduates With Spring Commencement Ceremonies

The 51���� alumni family will grow by about 5,500 new graduates as the university holds its spring commencement ceremonies. 

With Dreams of Becoming an International Photojournalist, 51���� Student Reflects on Capturing Scenes, People from Colombia

51���� student Sophia Lucente, '24, has dreamed of becoming an international photojournalist since starting college. A junior journalism major with minors in media advocacy and photojournalism, she got her first taste of what this career might be like on a study abroad course to Colombia with the School of Peace and Conflict Studies in early 2023. 

American Foundry Society Members Attend Annual Metalcasting Congress

In April, members of traveled to

IN A FLASH: Commemoration and Community

The 51���� Community came together for the 53rd Commemoration of May 4, 1970. 

As She Prepares To Graduate, Senior Reflects On Experience As Chair Of May 4 Task Force

Serving as the Chair of the May 4 Task Force has been something communication studies major Avery Hall, ’23, describes as one of the most impactful and rewarding experiences she’s had at 51����.

51���� Remembers May 4, 1970, With Commemoration

“The Power of Our Voices” theme inspired this year’s May 4 Commemoration events and programming, which focused on tying May 4 and the anti-war movement of 1970 to emerging movements today.

IN A FLASH: Voices of Remembrance

A prayer was read in Hebrew at the 

Jerry Lewis Lecture Series Begins 53rd May 4 Commemoration

As someone who studied higher education administration, 51���� Assistant Professor Erica Eckert, Ph.D., had always wondered what it would have been like to experience the May 4, 1970, 51���� shootings as a student affairs administrator. 

Students Attend NFL Draft

Emily Maslanka was among 34 51���� students who traveled to Kansas City in April 2023 to work the NFL draft through a partnership arranged by Mark Lyberger, associate professor in 51����’s Sports Administration program in the School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration in the College of Education, Health and Human Services.  

51���� Names Third Alan Canfora Activism Scholarship Winner

51���� has awarded the Alan Canfora Activism Scholarship for 2023-2024 to activist and incoming 51���� student Kyndra Irwin of Mount Gilead High School in Mount Gilead, Ohio. Kyndra’s personal history has driven her life of activism. Diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) in middle school, she wrote in her essay that she experienced “a sudden onslaught of motor movement and verbal sounds.”

IN A FLASH: Young Fashionistas Take the Runway

51����'s Annual Fashion Show included several collections for children. 

Precision Flight Team Hosts Annual Safety Conference

On Wednesday, April 19th, the 51���� Precision Flight Team and the College

51���� Alumna to Lead the Cleveland Foundation

51���� alumna Lillian Kuri has been unanimously elected as the Cleveland Foundation’s 10th president and CEO.

As She Prepares to Graduate, Senior Reflects on Experience as Chair of May 4 Task Force

Serving as the Chair of the May 4 Task Force has been something communication studies major Avery Hall, ’23, describes as one of the most impactful and rewarding experiences she’s had at 51����. “May 4, 1970, is a living legacy at 51���� with relevant implications for students today. Continuing the legacy of May 4th quickly became of great importance to me,” she said.

Fire Reported at University Inn

On Tuesday morning, a fire was reported at the University Inn, 540 S. Water St. in Kent. University officials sent out a text message warning residents to stay away from the area.

An Inside View of Jackson State’s May 1970 Shooting and Its Aftermath

Aliyah C. Tipton, MA ’20, serves as assistant director of communications in 51����'s Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. An alumna of both Jackson State University and 51����, she was invited to join University College’s Community Engaged Learning (CEL) division as a trip leader for an Alternative Winter Break, “May 1970, Student-Led Collective Action and the Civil Rights Movement,” in Jackson, Mississippi, from Dec. 19-22, 2022. We asked her to share her experiences

Live in New York - The Annual 51���� Fashion Show

51����'s NYC Fashion campus hosted a livestreamed watch party of the Fashion Show in Kent. 

Research Looks at Link Between Circadian Rhythms and Reproductive Health

51���� Assistant Professor Richard Piet, Ph.D., has received a $1.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to aid in his ongoing neuroendocrinology research. 

Two College of the Arts Faculty Members Receive 2022-2023 President's Faculty Excellence Award

Two College of the Arts faculty members were recognized by 51���� with the 2022-2023 President's Faculty Excellence Award.

51���� Alumni Learned to Lead in Army ROTC

Students who join the 51���� Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) program do double time as they work to earn college degrees and graduate as Army officers. While the schedule may be grueling, for two 51���� graduates, the program prepared them for any challenges they may face.

Designing Your Own Journey From Transfer Student to CEO

As CEO of DesignGroup in Columbus, Ohio, 51���� alumnus Sherm Moreland found his niche in architecture and a passion for healthcare design. He says the same values that he lived by as a 51���� student still guide his work today.

‘A Foot in Two Worlds’: Alumna Leandra Drumm, the Next Generation of Artist

As students walk around the Kent Campus, they are surrounded by beautiful artwork yet may be unaware of the artists attending class right next to them.

51���� Students Recognized for Public Relations Campaign Promoting News Literacy

With fake news running rampant across the country, organizations like the News Literacy Project are on a mission to create better informed, more engaged and more empowered individuals. This spring, 51���� public relations students earned national recognition for their work creating a campaign that advanced this non-profit’s mission. 

IN A FLASH: Under the Big Tent

The large tent for next week's commencement ceremonies is being assembled on Manchester Field.

Media and Journalism Students Stand Out at Annual Scholarship Awards

The John S. Knight Memorial Journalism Fund annually awards scholarships to outstanding university students studying journalism, communication and public relations. This year, eight of the 10 scholarship recipients were 51���� students. 

President Diacon Discusses Senate Bill 83, Proposed State Budget During Latest ‘Talking With Todd’