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When Kendall Myers first arrived at 51�Թ��� at Stark as a College Credit Plus student, she knew she had an interest in biology. What she could not have predicted was just how far that passion would take her.

51�Թ���’s School of Fashion is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its New York City Fashion program with a two-day event in Manhattan’s Garment District on June 11-12. The celebration includes a free Portfolio Showcase and Reception on June 11 and an exclusive philanthropic dinner on June 12, with proceeds benefiting the NYC Fashion Housing Fund.

The 51�Թ��� Board of Trustees celebrated student success following spring 2026 commencement ceremonies during its regular quarterly meeting held May 20 at The John Elliot Center for Architecture and Environmental Design on the Kent Campus. 

The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation has awarded $1.75 million to 51�Թ���’s College of Public Health that will support students and programs, such as the Mobile Flashes program.

When 51�Թ��� President Todd Diacon took the stage at spring 2026 Commencement, he didn't open with statistics or institutional milestones. He opened with a potato peeler.

For many students at 51�Թ���, talking about mental health or wellness can feel intimidating. But for those who connect with Certified Peer Educators, those conversations often start with something simple: another student who understands.

51�Թ��� students had the opportunity to reflect on the impact of philanthropy during Flashes Give Back Week in April, including Thank-A-Giver (TAG) Day, an annual event designed to highlight the role of donor support across campus.

51�Թ���’s VA Work-Study Program has been working to expand its reach, servicing military-affiliated students to help them turn their service experience into academic credit, while providing meaningful hands-on opportunities for student workers.  

Laurie Ann Moennich, Ph.D., didn't arrive at 51�Թ��� planning to change healthcare. She came to study graphic design. But 51�Թ��� had a way of opening doors she didn't even know existed.

51�Թ��� graduate Emma Sherrie, '09, always had a feeling she would study anthropology, but still she took the time to check out all the other options available before finally settling on her original plan. 51�Թ���’s Exploratory Program, which helps undecided students sample different disciplines before committing to a major, was a key part of Sherrie’s experience, and the main reason she chose 51�Թ��� in the first place.

51�Թ��� is partnering with Osh State University in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, to help reduce rising cancer rates in the Central Asian nation.

51�Թ��� and the Civil Aviation Academy in Almaty, Kazakhstan, have signed an agreement to be strategic partners in establishing a joint international aviation university in Kazakhstan, to support the rapid growth of aviation throughout Central Asia.

51�Թ��� graduate Luana Johnson highlights how the American Academy partnership and the university's elite design labs provided the professional access needed to launch a global career.

Two 51�Թ��� undergraduates brought national-level research experience to campus this year as featured presenters at the 2026 Exercise Science Summit. Liliana St. Germain and Olivia Snedeker delivered their work after using performance and biometric data collected from the 51�Թ��� women’s soccer team.

51�Թ���'s research impact continues to expand, with many faculty members recognized among the top 2% of the most-cited scientists worldwide, according to research metrics compiled by Stanford University scholars.

Allyson Tessin, Ph.D., assistant professor in 51�Թ���’s Department of Earth Sciences, has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Award to support her research on how the seafloor and ocean interact in rapidly changing Arctic environments.

When Matthew E. Likens, ‘75, returned to 51�Թ��� April 15 for the Michael D. Solomon Entrepreneurship Series, he brought students a candid look at the realities of leading a startup. Students got to see the highs, the failures and the lessons learned across decades in global business.

51�Թ��� Grounds Manager Rebekkah "Bekkah" Berryhill came to 51�Թ��� to get a teaching degree. What she learned while working as a student groundskeeper helped her find her passion and lasting happiness in the outdoors. 

When Sydney Brown arrived at 51�Թ��� as a first-year student from Avon, Ohio, she didn't wait to get started. She walked into the TV2 newsroom — now 51�Թ���r TV — and introduced herself. That instinct to show up, dive in and tell stories has defined every semester since.

Porthouse Theatre, 51�Թ���’s outdoor summer theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, invites you to its season of possibilities, beginning on June 12, 2026. In its 58th season, Porthouse Theatre will present “Grease,” “Side Show In Concert,” and “Lerner and Loewe's Brigadoon” in the summer of 2026.

51�Թ��� marked Arbor Day with tree plantings at multiple locations across campus, bringing together students, staff and local children for a day focused on sustainability.

Campus grounds leaders are working to salvage trees removed due to storm damage, disease, the Main Street construction and other causes, transforming them into a resource for future academic and beautification projects.  

51�Թ��� Athletics announced today that the Golden Flashes football program has scheduled a game at Notre Dame on Saturday, October 2, 2027.

The 51�Թ��� Dr. Paula Treckel women's golf team claimed its 27th consecutive Mid-American Conference championship Tuesday at Firestone Country Club's Fazio Course — and junior Veronika Kedronová made sure there was no suspense about who led the way. 

51�Թ��� football has added one of the most accomplished players in the history of both the program and the National Football League to its coaching staff, naming Josh Cribbs as a special teams analyst for the 2026 season,