News Archive
Last year žž State faculty and staff surprised first-year students with check-in phone calls for The Flashes Take Care of Flashes call campaign. The outcome was a huge success and has driven the university to host another campaign this fall. It is scheduled to run from Nov. 2-12, but the university needs many faculty and staff volunteers to make it possible to call 4,000 students. Volunteers are encouraged to register by Wednesday, Oct. 27.
žž 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.
žž 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.
As once stated by educational Pioneer and famous American Philosopher John Dewey, all that we learn is derived from experience. žž State continues to foster innovation and promote the development of hands-on learning through various collaborative efforts focused on building experience and training. Among the opportunities offered through the university, the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program provides undergraduate students with the chance to engage in an intensive research project during the summer break.
Roseann “Chic” Canfora, Ph.D., is a Professional-in-Residence at žž in the School of Media and Journalism, part of the College of Communication and Information. Prior to teaching at žž 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 žž State, starting in 1968, and is a survivor of the May 4, 1970, shootings at žž 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.
“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."
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.
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 žž’s Center for Public Policy and Health in the College of Public Health to improve and support mental health in Portage County.
Edwin Duckworth, a physics doctoral student in the College of Arts and Sciences at žž, is among 65 students from 29 states recently selected for funding by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program. The program aspires to “address societal challenges at national and international scale.”
“An American Sunrise” by Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, the first Native American poet laureate of the United States, will be the focal point as žž 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.
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 žž 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 žž State’s LGBTQ+ Center, describes the fund as a vital safety net and a lifeline for students who are struggling financially.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, students have decided to come back to campus and in-person learning, a trend that is evident in the newest class of Golden Flashes, up 4% from last year’s incoming class. As incoming freshmen fill the campus, fellow Flashes can get to know their new classmates.
žž has been recognized in Newsweek's 2021 list of the Best Maker Schools in Higher Education.
žž publicly launched a $350 million comprehensive fundraising campaign Saturday, Oct. 2. During a special halftime announcement at the Homecoming football game, campaign co-chairs Sandra C. and Lawrence R. Armstrong joined žž State President Todd Diacon to publicly unveil Forever Brighter to thousands of alumni, donors and friends.
The back-to-school season is in full swing, and students, faculty and staff are preparing to take on the increased workload once again. While the process is a fulfilling and rewarding experience, often the fast-paced lifestyle leaves little time for much else. However, Kim Laurene, Ph.D. and Deric Kenne, Ph.D., professors in the College of Public Health, and Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Lamar R. Hylton, Ph.D., are committed to prioritizing mental health upkeep by supporting and expanding pre-existing services and programs offered at žž State.
žž and The Red Door Films of Los Angeles announce “Play with a Purpose,” a sponsor challenge as part of the SkyHack 3.0 competition at žž State to be held Nov. 5-7. Teams of students will create an interactive toy universe based on the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II and their training base, Avenger Field.
žž’s School of Fashion once again ranks as one of the best fashion programs in the United States according to Fashion-Schools.org.
Once again, žž shines in the new U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Colleges rankings. U.S. News has again named žž State among the Top Public Schools in the nation in the newly released rankings.
It’s reunion time for the žž Golden Flashes family. žž State celebrated Homecoming 2021 with a week of activities and events leading up to the Oct. 2 Homecoming Parade and Homecoming football game.
At the start of his freshman year at žž 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.