Community & Society

Kent Sign

‘Vision of a Village’ Community Meeting on Oct. 27 Will Discuss New Sustainable Community to Be Built in Kent

Representatives from Kent State University and the city of Kent will hold a community meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 27, called “A Vision of a Village” to share information and answer questions about a new residential complex designed to integrate the city of Kent and Kent State, physically and programmatically.

Tags: Community & Society, University News

Kent State Today

Don Drumm in his studio

Kent State Alum Featured in Akron Beacon Journal Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Art Gallery

Kent State alumnus Don Drumm, ‘86, was featured in the Akron Beacon Journal for celebrating the 50th anniversary of Don Drumm Studios and Gallery. Using sand-cast aluminum to create his art, he has decades of experience using a foundry to create his artistic visions.

Tags: Community & Society

Kent State Today

Kent Skates Logo and Banner

Free Ice Skating coming to Downtown Kent

 Kent Skates will be a new, outdoor ice skating rink that will be free and open to the public. It will be open from Nov. 20 through Feb. 28. Use of the rink will be free, along with free skate rental.

Tags: Student Life, Community & Society

Kent State Today

Roseann “Chic” Canfora, Professional-in-Residence

10 Questions With Roseann ‘Chic’ Canfora, Professional-in-Residence, May 4 Survivor

Roseann “Chic” Canfora, Ph.D., is a Professional-in-Residence at Kent State University in the School of Media and Journalism, part of the College of Communication and Information. Prior to teaching at Kent State, Canfora served as the chief communications officer for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and taught high school journalism and speech. Canfora was also a student at Kent State, starting in 1968, and is a survivor of the May 4, 1970, shootings at Kent State. She graduated with her master’s in journalism and public relations and bachelor’s in English/speech. She is heavily involved in activism as well.

Tags: University News, Community & Society, May 4 50, Profiles

Kent State Today

Gretchen Hoak teaches students in the newsroom

Professor Publishes Research About Stress, Newsroom Support During COVID-19

“You can’t expect journalists to do this type of hurdling long-term without holistic support that includes logistical elements," claims Assistant Professor and TV2 advisor Gretchen Hoak, "but also mental and emotional support."

Tags: october jargon, Community & Society, jargon, media and journalism, Research, journalism, Student Media, Faculty Research

College of Communication & Information

Kent State Alum Emilie O'Leary on rooftop with solar panels

From Fashion to Solar, How Kent State Alumna Became the CEO of a Solar Company

Fashion merchandising alumna Emilie Oxel O'Leary, '93, is the CEO of Sunshine Solar, a mechanical installation company that provides solar power to major brands such as Target, L'Oreal and Amazon. Sunshine Solar’s first solar project was installing a solar carport for the Atlanta Falcons stadium. Since then, the company has installed solar panels to Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Verizon and FedEx whether it be with carport tops, rooftops or solar fields.

Tags: Community & Society, Student Life

Kent State Today

Kid at school

Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County and Kent State’s College of Public Health Receive Federal Grant to Improve and Support Mental Health in Portage County Schools and Community

Through a five-year, $625,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County will partner with Kent State University’s Center for Public Policy and Health in the College of Public Health to improve and support mental health in Portage County. 

Tags: Health, Community & Society, College of Public Health, Grants, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, mental health

Kent Campus

NEA Big Read Northeast Ohio Celebrate Joy Harjo

Kent State Hosts National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Northeast Ohio

“An American Sunrise” by Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, the first Native American poet laureate of the United States, will be the focal point as Kent State kicks off the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read Northeast Ohio community reading program. The kickoff event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 12, beginning promptly at 7 p.m. in the Kiva. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is appreciated.

Tags: Featured Story, Arts & Culture, Community & Society, Student Life

Kent State Today

Rainbow Run 2020

Annual Rainbow Run Helps Support LGBTQ Students In Crisis

The Rainbow Run is one of most important fundraising events of the year for the university's LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund, available to assist any LGBTQ+ identifying Kent State student in financial crisis. The sixth annual Rainbow Run “fun run” will take place on Friday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. on Risman Plaza. Find out more about why Ken Ditlevson, director of the Kent State’s LGBTQ+ Center, describes the fund as a vital safety net and a lifeline for students who are struggling financially. 

Tags: Community & Society, Student Life

Kent State Today

Tim Tusick

Kent State Student Wins Cancer Battle And Raises Almost $1 Million For Others Fighting Cancer

At the start of his freshman year at Kent State University in 2018, Tim Tusick was the epitome of health. At the end of that year, Tusick was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He remained strong throughout the treatments, but did not want to stay silent. When the Leukemia Lymphoma Society reached out to Tusick, he quickly agreed to help. And help, he did.

Tags: Student Life, Community & Society

Kent State Today