Community & Society
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder sometimes have a difficult time with social interaction and building relationships. The Autism Society of Greater Akron wanted to help those on the spectrum socialize with others freely and make friends by creating an adult social club. The club was then made possible with two Kent State affiliates and Wendy Cline, a support specialist and licensed social worker at the Autism Society of Greater Akron.
A year before Timothy Griffin graduated from Kent State University at Tuscarawas in 2017 with an Associate of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology degree and a certificate in computer-aided design for manufacturing, a single phone call would launch his career and have him designing life-saving firetrucks before he graduated.
In preparation for honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Kent State鈥檚 Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee is requesting that university divisions, departments and student organizations submit programming, activities and events (scheduled Jan. 25-Jan. 31, 2021) to the MLK Events Calendar by Friday, Dec. 4, 2020.
Through multiple organizations and collaborations on and off campus, Kent State University ended 2019 as a more sustainable campus. Those who contributed to sustainable efforts worked hard to reduce the university鈥檚 carbon footprint leading to the university being honored as a finalist for the 2020 Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Campus Sustainability Achievement Award along with the 2019 Keep Ohio Beautiful award for Colleges and Universities.
A policy of municipal takeover was implemented to help relieve Flint, Michigan, of financial and political hardships in response to the water crisis. Ashley Nickels, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, extensively researched Flint's municipal takeover for seven years, earning her three awards for her work.
At just 19 years old, Kent State University sophomore Izzy Stewart has inspired hundreds of fellow students to exercise their right to vote. The public relations major has been inspired by those who have come before her here and is taking steps to create political change.
Fashion in the 90s was dominated by simple styles, but full of patterns and colors. And you can see and buy those styles mixed with contemporary flair today thanks to Kent State University alumnus, Adam Forrester, who recently designed pieces for the 鈥淔resh Prince of Bel-Air鈥檚鈥 30th-anniversary collection.
In times of uncertainty and hardship, you can stand back and wait for it to pass or get involved. During the pandemic, people in the town of Kent and the Kent State community wanted to make a difference. Two Kent State students became the catalysts that sparked a 10-week project of doing good.
Kent State alumna Brenna Parker grew up in a household that talked about important issues of the day, so it鈥檚 no surprise that her young career has been rooted in politics and civic engagement. As the nation votes leading up to the historic 2020 election on Nov. 3, Parker has taken on the role of Web and Facebook Strategist for Biden for President, sharing the former Vice President and Democratic nominee for President鈥檚 message with millions of voters online.
The sixth annual Run the World 5K run/walk to sponsor Kent State University鈥檚 study abroad scholarships is going virtual this year. For the first time, fans of Run the World from all over the world can participate remotely in this event designed to support student participation in international education. Participants will complete the 5K on their own time and at their own pace. Organizers invite participants to show their Kent State pride by wearing blue and gold during their run/walk and sharing their photos from all over the world with the Run the World community.