51����

Governor Appoints Haley Dees to 51���� Board as New Undergraduate Student Trustee

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed Haley Dees of Lisbon, Ohio, to the 51���� Board of Trustees as an undergraduate student trustee. Dees’ two-year term runs through May 16, 2024.

51����’s Reinberger Children’s Library Center Becomes New Home of Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

The Reinberger Children’s Library Center at 51���� has become the new home of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, assuming the role formerly held by the Center for Children’s Books at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Established in 1982, the annual award of $5,000 goes to an author of an historical fiction novel for children published in the previous year and set in South, Central or North America.

Neurological Research Helps Develop Potential Autism Pharmaceuticals

Autism spectrum disorder is a group of neurodevelopmental disabilities characterized by social communication deficits and stereotypic behaviors. Currently, little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder, but the research of 51���� Associate Professor Woo-Yang Kim, Ph.D., might lead to a change.

The Flying Flashes Win the 45th Annual Air Race Classic

On Monday, June 27, the 51���� College of Aeronautics and Engineering community welcomed Team 52, the Flying Flashes, back from the 45th Annual Air Race Classic. 

Recording the History of the Liquid Crystal Institute With Ohio History Fund Grant

The development of liquid crystal technology in Northeast Ohio - and specifically at 51���� - is an important part of the region’s and university’s legacies and ongoing global impact.

51���� Rocket Team Launches to Spaceport America Cup

The 51���� Rocket Team took seven members to New Mexico for the 2022 Spaceport America Cup, the world’s largest intercollegiate rocket engineering conference and competition!

2022 Air Race Classic

Good luck to the Flying Flashes, Laura Wilson and Alex Johnson, as they compete in the 2022 Air Race Classic! 

51���� Geography Professors to Assess Relative Extreme Temperature Events and Develop Monitoring Tools With NOAA

Principal Investigator Cameron C. Lee, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Geography (within the College of Arts and Sciences) at 51����, was recently awarded a three-year, $387,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Program Office and its Modeling, Analysis, Predictions and Projections Program (MAPP). The project is titled “Excess Heat and Excess Cold Factors: Establishing a unified duration-intensity metric for monitoring hazardous temperature conditions in North America”.

University Community Reflects on Juneteenth Federal Holiday at KSU

In advance of Monday’s observance of the Juneteenth federal holiday, we asked members of the 51���� community to reflect on the federal holiday and share their thoughts on what they hope it means for the university.

Richantae Johnson Appointed 51����’s Interim Director of Gender Equity and Title IX Coordinator

Lamar R.

Pilot Pinning Ceremony

Earning your Private Pilot Certificate is the first step towards an exciting career as a professional aviator.

51����’s Wick Poetry Center and Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus Partner to Save Lives and Preserve Culture

The will hold on Saturday, June 25 at 7 p.m. at Severance Music Center.

51���� Receives Positive Bond Ratings With Stable Outlooks

51���� administrators are good stewards with university money based in part on a strong financial profile and solid managers, according to two new credit ratings.

MEDIA ADVISORY: 51���� Hosts Juneteenth Jubilee on Saturday, June 18

WHAT:

Governor Names Christian Palich to 51���� Board of Trustees

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed Christian Palich of Plain City, Ohio, to the 51���� Board of Trustees. Palich will serve through May 16, 2031. Palich earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in 2009 from 51����.

KSU Museum Announces New Exhibition ‘Pathfinders: 51���� School of Fashion Alumni’

KENT, OH – The 51���� Museum announces the opening of “Pathfinders: 51����

51���� President Todd Diacon Announces Annual Faculty, Staff Award Recipients

They have gone above and beyond to keep 51���� moving forward during the pandemic, and now they are being honored for their dedication and hard work. 51���� President Todd Diacon recently notified nine faculty members and 14 staff members that they have received special awards for their work and service.

George and Gina Jenkins Establish Student-Athlete Scholarship With $1 Million Planned Gift

George L. Jenkins, a 1963 graduate of 51����, and his wife, Gina, of Scottsdale, Arizona, have pledged $1 million to create the Gina and George Jenkins Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund that will support student-athletes in any varsity athletics program or team sponsored by 51����’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. 

51���� Receives New Collegiate Purple Star Designation

The designation recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military.

EHHS Doctoral Alumna Receives AERA Award

Congratulations to Joanna Dickert, Ph. D., the 2022 recipient of American Educational Research Association's Advanced Studies of National Databases Special Interest Group Dissertation award.

Applications Open for New Emerging Media and Technology Graduate Program at 51����

To meet technology needs of the world, 51���� is now accepting applications for its new graduate program in Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT), launching Fall 2022.

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 51����’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.

51���� 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.

51���� Is Only University in Ohio to Rank Among Nation’s Top Employers for Diversity

51���� 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 51���� 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 51���� faculty in fall 2022.

51���� Board of Trustees Approves Establishing University Operations in Rwanda, Africa

The 51���� 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. 51���� 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, 51����'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. 

51����’s Dynamic Film Duo

Dana White and Chris Knoblock are 51����’s film dynamic duo.

Jillian Sokso to join 51���� 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, 51���� will see to their study abroad endeavors.

Students Create Digital Collection of Stories 51���� 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 51����’s Spring Commencement Ceremony

Most people who have spent time on 51����’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.