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51�Թ��� continues to set records and reach its enrollment goals. The university released its official 15th day census data for the 2014 Fall Semester, reporting the highest retention rate for the Kent Campus in the university’s 104-year history. Retention of Kent Campus freshmen has increased to 81.7 percent, up from last year’s record retention level of 77.6 percent. This represents the percentage of freshmen who continue their studies at the university for their sophomore year. 

Transforum Theatre, a student organization in 51�Թ���’s School of Theatre and Dance, performed last month at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland. Dedicated to helping students pursue their passions and explore their creativity through art, Transforum Theatre was invited by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to perform an original work, “A Collection of Grimm’s Fairy Tales,” at the Greenside @ Nicholson Square venue Aug. 18–23.

A 51�Թ��� tradition for 33 years, the annual Black Squirrel Festival took place Friday, Sept. 5, from 12-6 p.m. on the Student Green and Risman Plaza. The Black Squirrel Festival, which is hosted by Kent Student Center Programming, attracts more than 3,000 students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the Kent community. The event included live music, inflatables, rock climbing wall, photo booth, food, local vendors, student organizations and thousands of giveaway items.

51�Թ��� has established a new 51�Թ��� tradition called Blue and Gold Friday.

51�Թ��� congratulates its new graduates. The university held its fall 2013 Commencement ceremonies for the Kent Campus on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14 at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MAC Center). 51�Թ��� conferred 1,984 degrees, including 1,544 bachelor’s degrees, 390 master’s degrees, 47 doctoral degrees and three educational specialist degrees.

Previous research says female members of Generation Y are likely to have low self-esteem, resulting in negative behavior because of how women are portrayed in the media, but on the contrary, three undergraduate students from 51�Թ��� have found this is not always true.

Six recent high school graduates who will be starting classes at 51�Թ��� this fall got a head start on their college education by studying abroad at 51�Թ���’s Florence Summer Institute in Florence, Italy.  

The 51�Թ��� football team opens its 2014 season Saturday, Aug. 30, hosting Mid-American Conference East Division rival Ohio University at 6 p.m. inside Dix Stadium. The 51�Թ��� Golden Flashes won their final two games of the 2013 season, while the Bobcats earned a spot in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl. Throughout the season, the 51�Թ��� football players will have the number 54 on one side of their helmets to honor Jason Bitsko, following their teammate’s unexpected death last week.

51�Թ��� held its 44th annual commemoration of May 4, 1970, with events that took place May 3 and 4. The annual commemoration, hosted by the May 4 Task Force, provided an opportunity for the university community to gather and remember those who were lost and injured during the tragedy and also reflect on what May 4 means today.  

The Kent Student Center and the Center for Student Involvement invite students, faculty and staff to enjoy a week of 51�Թ��� spirit (and free food) to start the academic year with Welcome Back Week, from Aug. 25-29.