51³Ô¹ÏÍø

51³Ô¹ÏÍø has earned the Military FriendlyⓇ School designation for the 16th consecutive year, demonstrating its continued and unwavering commitment to supporting military-connected students. For 2025-2026, the Kent Campus has continued the highest recognition of a Gold ranking for the second consecutive year. This consistent acknowledgement as a Military Friendly School underscores 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s dedication to providing exceptional support and services to veterans, active-duty personnel and their families.   In addition, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Collegiate Purple Star designa...

By Lindsay CollierOct 8, 2025 – Over the last two years, I’ve had the pleasure of helping prepare and run Celebrating Our Own. Celebrating Our Own is an annual event held in the Wick Poetry Corner on the second floor of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Library. Each year we gather and share our work in celebration of the scholarship winners and larger creative writing community. It has become a great space to learn about the scholarships and other opportunities available through the Wick Poetry Center. It is also a way to encourage students to submit their poetry once the scholarships open ...

51³Ô¹ÏÍø's Brain Health Research Institute recently held its annual Neuroscience Symposium, Conference and Research Exchange.   The two-day event, which took place at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Hotel & Conference Center, highlighted the research of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø faculty and students.Michael Lehman, Ph.D., director of the Brain Health Research Institute, told 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Today the event has become a vehicle for showcasing the high-level research ongoing at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.  Keynote speaker for the event was John Gunstad, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Psyc...

Welcome to Flash Focus! In this series, we introduce you to fascinating student Flashes from all walks of life.Established in 1919, the Marching Golden Flashes is the largest student organization on campus and works under the direction of Darin Olson, D.M.A. The Marching Golden Flashes can be seen at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø sporting events, homecoming events and university kickoff events.  The role of drum major is to help conduct the band, keeping the group on tempo. The drum major process begins in the early spring semester with applications and auditions showcasing their skills.   Merilee...

     On Friday, Oct. 31, the Kent Student Center will welcome all 51³Ô¹ÏÍø students and their children to a Trick-or-Treat event. Most of the building's offices and departments will be participating in handing out treats, either from their locations in the Student Center or at 20+ tables along with other university departments and student organizations. The University Library will also be distributing treats in front of the library or in their lobby.   Costumes are encouraged. Candy and other treats provided by Undergraduate Student Government (USG) wi...

 Kent’s ghostly history has been brewing since the early 1800s. If you are looking for something spooky in Kent this Halloween season, you do not have to go far to find it.  Richele Charlton, assistant director of The Kent Stage and creator of the Kent Ghost Walk, explains some context regarding Kent’s paranormal history.  Eighteen years ago, Charlton and her husband, Tom Simpson, were on the promotions board for Main Street Kent, looking for unique ways to bring people to the city. One committee member had just returned from a ghost walk and asked, “Do you think there are any g...

Please be advised of these important items.Open Enrollment Ends FridayOpen Enrollment ends this Friday, Oct. 31, at 4:59 p.m. Benefits notifications are sent by email, so please remind your teams to check their inboxes and review benefits information for plan year 2026.All benefits-eligible employees are strongly encouraged to go through Open Enrollment as some benefits selections do not carry over annually. The Open Enrollment website is designed to make reviewing and selecting your benefits easier and more convenient.  Veterans Day CommemorationOn Monday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. on the...

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Vice President and Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond announced today that Mark Carney has been named the 24th head football coach of the Golden Flashes, removing the interim tag he has held since April 2025."Since taking over as interim head coach, Mark has instilled belief, togetherness, and a winning culture into our football program," said Richmond. "The way he's positively impacted this team, this department, this campus, and this community, he's earned the right to lead this program.""Wow! What an incredible blessing to be named the next head football coach at Kent Stat...