žžÀ²

žžÀ² has made an impressive climb up the Best National Universities list released today by U.S. News & World Report in its new 2018 edition of Best Colleges. žžÀ² State rose 12 spots, once again earning a coveted position on the first-tier list that includes both public and private universities nationwide. Among public universities, žžÀ² State is included in the top 100 universities in the U.S.

A žžÀ² tradition for 36 years, the annual Black Squirrel Festival will take place Friday, Sept. 8, from noon-5 p.m. on the Student Green and Risman Plaza. The Black Squirrel Festival, which is hosted by žžÀ² Student Center Programming, attracts more than 3,000 students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the žžÀ² community.

, žžÀ²â€™s director of golf and head men’s golf coach, has been selected to serve as one of the head coaches of the International team at the 2018 Arnold Palmer Cup on July 6-8 at Evian Resort Golf Club in France.

Liquid Crystals Professor Robin Selinger helps develop new material that propels itself forward under the influence of light.

žžÀ² has been ranked one of the safest campuses in the country by the Council for Home Safety and Security, a national trade association. žžÀ² State was named to the council’s 2017 top 100 list of Safest Colleges in America.

Nationwide, žžÀ² State ranks 11th on the list. Among Ohio institutions, žžÀ² State ranks the safest.

The ranking was determined by the most recent data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting and the National Center for Education Statistics. More than 2,000 four-year colleges and universities were assessed.

žžÀ² students will celebrate the start of a new school year at the university’s annual back-to-school celebration that occurs the day before fall classes begin. Blastoff will take place on Sunday, Aug. 27, from 6-9:30 p.m. on the Student Green and Manchester Field on the žžÀ² Campus.

Blastoff serves as the culminating event of Welcome Weekend, a four-day orientation program that helps new students transition into the university environment.

Welcome Weekend, žžÀ²â€™s four-day new student orientation, will take place from Aug. 24-27. Students can select from approximately 50 different events from Thursday to Sunday. The weekend event helps students transition into the university community and learn about academic and social opportunities at žžÀ² State.

At the beginning of each school year, žžÀ² faculty, staff and students volunteer to help incoming freshmen move into the university’s residence halls. The annual service program, called Movers and Groovers, is coordinated by žžÀ² Interhall Council, the student government of the residence halls on the žžÀ² Campus. The volunteers aid new students and their families, providing assistance and helping to make the move-in process less stressful.

žžÀ² held its Summer 2017 Commencement ceremonies for the žžÀ² Campus on Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MAC Center). žžÀ² State conferred 1,422 degrees, including 908 bachelor’s degrees, 427 master’s degrees, 67 doctoral degrees and 20 educational specialist degrees.

Across the university’s eight-campus system, 1,765 students graduated from žžÀ² State this summer, including those receiving associate degrees.

žžÀ² track and field’s  has been named one of the Mid-American Conference’s two nominees for the 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year award, the NCAA announced on Aug. 1.

Established in 1991 and now in its 27th year, the NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their collegiate careers.