Kent State University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kent State University

Former name	Ohio State Normal College At Kent (1910–1911) Kent State Normal School (1911–1915) Kent State Normal College (1915–1929) Kent State College (1929–1935)
Type	Public research university
Established	September 27, 1910; 114 years ago (1910-09-27)
Parent institution	University System of Ohio
Academic affiliations	Northeast Ohio Medical University Space-grant
Endowment	$301.4 million (2021)
President	Todd Diacon
Academic staff	2,623 (all campuses)
Administrative staff	6,822 (all campuses)
Students	25,630 (Kent) 34,761 (all campuses)
Undergraduates	20,171 (Kent) 29,295 (all campuses)
Postgraduates	5,459 (Kent) 5,466 (all campuses)
Location	Kent , Ohio , United States 41°08′49″N 81°20′36″W / 41.14694°N 81.34333°W / 41.14694; -81.34333
Campus	Suburban college town 866 acres (350 ha) (Main campus)
Colors	Blue and Gold
Nickname	Golden Flashes
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I – MAC
Mascot	Flash the Golden Eagle

Kent State University (often called KSU) is a large public university in Kent, Ohio, USA. It's known for its research and many different programs. Besides its main campus in Kent, the university has seven other campuses in Northeast Ohio. You can also find Kent State programs in places like Cleveland, New York City, and even Florence, Italy!

The university started in 1910 to train teachers. The first classes were held in 1912. Since then, Kent State has grown a lot. It now has over 1,000 acres and 119 buildings on its main campus. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the university became famous for student protests against the Vietnam War. This was especially true after the sad events of the Kent State shootings in 1970.

As of 2022, Kent State was the third-largest university in Ohio. More than 34,000 students attend classes across all eight campuses. The main campus in Kent has over 25,000 students. Kent State offers more than 300 different degree programs. These include degrees for two-year, four-year, and advanced studies. It is known as a university with "very high research activity."

History of Kent State University

How Kent State Began

Front of Merrill Hall, the first building on campus, finished in 1913.

Kent State University started in 1910. Its first goal was to train teachers for public schools. It was part of a plan that also created Bowling Green State University. The school was first called the Ohio State Normal College At Kent. In 1911, it was named Kent State Normal School. This was to honor William S. Kent, who gave the land for the first campus.

John Edward McGilvrey was the first president, from 1912 to 1926. He had big plans for the school to become a large university. Classes started in 1912, even before any buildings were ready in Kent. Students attended classes in 25 cities nearby. By May 1913, the first building, Merrill Hall, opened on campus. The first group of 34 students graduated in 1914.

In 1915, the school's name changed to Kent State Normal College. This was because it started offering four-year degrees. More buildings were added as the school grew. In 1924, Kent State had the most students in summer classes of any teacher-training school in the U.S. In 1929, the state of Ohio changed the name again to Kent State College. This allowed the school to offer more types of studies, like arts and sciences.

President McGilvrey's big ideas for Kent State caused some disagreements. Other state schools, especially Ohio State University, were not happy about his requests for more funding. This led to a "credit war" in 1923. Ohio State and other schools refused to accept transfer credits from Kent State. This was one reason McGilvrey was asked to leave in 1926.

Later, in 1935, a bill was signed that gave Kent State and Bowling Green university status. This meant they could add business schools and graduate programs. So, the college's name officially became Kent State University.

Growth from the 1940s to 1960s

Kuumba House in 1969.

From 1944 to 1963, George Bowman was the university president. During his time, student and faculty groups were formed. In 1946, the first regional campus, Stark Campus, opened. In 1947, Oscar W. Ritchie became a full-time faculty member. He was the first African American professor at Kent State. He was also the first at any state university in Ohio. In 1977, a building was named Oscar Ritchie Hall in his honor. It now houses programs like Pan-African Studies.

The 1950s and 1960s saw more students and more buildings. New dorms and classrooms were built. More regional campuses opened in places like Warren (1954) and Ashtabula (1957).

In 1961, black squirrels were brought to the Kent campus from Canada. They quickly grew in number. Today, they are an unofficial mascot for both the city and the university. Every fall, the Black Squirrel Festival is held on campus.

In 1965, a chemistry professor started the Liquid Crystal Institute. This institute became a world leader in developing liquid crystal technology. This technology is used in many things, like TV screens and phones.

In 1967, Kent State started the first independent, student-run Campus Bus Service. It gave jobs to students and was funded by student fees. In 1969, a new Memorial Stadium opened for sports.

The Kent State Shootings and Their Impact

The May 4 Memorial remembers the Kent State shootings.

Kent State became known around the world on May 4, 1970. This was when a unit of the Ohio Army National Guard fired at students during a protest. Four students died and nine were hurt. The Guard had been called in after protests on campus became violent. These protests were mainly about the United States' actions in the Vietnam War.

After the shootings, the campus closed immediately. Students and teachers had only 60 minutes to leave. Many colleges across the country also closed. In Kent, schools were shut down, and the National Guard patrolled the city. Since the campus was closed, teachers found creative ways for students to finish their classes. They held lessons in homes, public buildings, by phone, or through the mail.

In 1971, the university created the Center for Peaceful Change. It is now called the Center for Applied Conflict Management. This center was made as a "living memorial" to the students who died. It offers programs in Peace and Conflict Studies, helping students learn how to solve disagreements peacefully.

The famous musician Neil Young wrote the song "Ohio" about the Kent State shootings. It was performed by the band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Today, a website with maps and stories from people who were there helps remember the tragedy.

From the 1970s to Today

Kent State University Library, a tall building on campus.

Also in 1970, the university opened its 12-story library. It is the tallest building in Portage County. In 1973, Kent State joined with other universities to create the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. This was the world's first medical group of its kind.

In 1977, Kent State was in the news again. This was because construction was planned for a new gym building. It was going to be near where the 1970 shootings happened. Protesters set up a "tent city" to try and stop the building. They wanted the area to be a national landmark. Even though there were many protests and legal challenges, construction finally began in September 1977.

In March 1991, Carol Cartwright became president of Kent State. She was the first woman to lead a state university in Ohio. Starting in the late 1990s, the university began to update and build new facilities. This included renovating the old campus buildings and adding new dorms and academic centers. In 2010, Kent State had its largest student body ever, with over 41,000 students.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Kent State among the top public universities in the country.

Campuses of Kent State

The original Gateway Arch on the Kent Campus.

Kent State University has eight campuses in Northeast Ohio. The main campus is in Kent.

The Main Kent Campus

A black squirrel on the Kent Campus.

The main campus is called the "Kent Campus." It's a beautiful, green area in the Greater Akron area. It covers about 866 acres and has over 100 buildings. There are also gardens, bike paths, and open spaces. Nearby, there are thousands of acres of natural areas for wildlife.

While the official mascot is Flash the golden eagle, the campus also has an unofficial mascot: the black squirrels. They were brought to Kent in 1961 and are now everywhere! The campus has different sections, like North, South, and East. The main center of activity is the Student Center and Risman Plaza, near the tall library building.

Regional Campuses

Map of KSU campuses and facilities in Northeast Ohio.

Besides the main Kent Campus, there are seven regional campuses. These campuses offer open enrollment. They are like local community colleges but are part of the larger Kent State system. Students can start many Kent State majors at these campuses. Each regional campus also has its own special programs.

• Ashtabula Campus: Opened in 1958, this campus is on 125 acres near Lake Erie. It offers 27 associate and bachelor's degree programs. Many nurses in Ashtabula County graduated from Kent State at Ashtabula.

• East Liverpool Campus: Established in 1965, this campus is in downtown East Liverpool, overlooking the Ohio River.

• Geauga Campus: Located on 87 acres in Burton Township, it opened in 1964. It offers several associate and bachelor's degree programs. This campus also manages a center in Twinsburg, Ohio.

• Salem Campus: This campus is on 100 acres near Salem. It has a lake and nature trails. Kent State at Salem also has a "City Center" facility in a former school building.

• Stark Campus:
  

  Kent State University at Stark.
  This is the largest regional campus, with over 2,900 students. It's on 200 acres in Jackson Township. It has seven main buildings and a pond. The Stark Campus also has a Corporate University and Conference Center for business training. It offers 24 full degree programs.

• Trumbull Campus: Located near Warren, this campus has over 1,100 students. It offers programs for the first two years of many majors. It also has specific bachelor's degree programs. A large Technology Building opened in 2004.

• Tuscarawas Campus: In New Philadelphia, Ohio, this campus offers 19 associate degrees and six bachelor's degrees. It also has a Master of Technology Degree. A Science and Advanced Technology Center provides lab and classroom space. A new Fine and Performing Arts center is also being built.

Other Locations

Kent State also has special facilities in other cities:

• Florence Center, Italy:
  

  The Palazzo Vettori in Florence, Italy, home to KSU Florence.
  This is an international program in Florence, Italy. Students can study in the historic Palazzo Vettori. It's a great chance to learn in a beautiful, ancient city.

• New York City Studio: Located in New York City's Garment District, this studio is for fashion design students. It's surrounded by fabric shops and designer studios. Famous designers like Calvin Klein and Donna Karan work nearby.

• Cleveland Urban Design Center: This center in downtown Cleveland helps with urban planning and design. It works to improve cities and towns in Northeast Ohio. It also partners with a university in Germany.

What You Can Study at Kent State

How to Get In

Getting into Kent State University is considered "selective." This means they look closely at your application. They accept about 87% of students who apply. They look at your grades, how challenging your classes were, and your test scores.

Students who get into Kent State usually have a high school GPA of about 3.61. Their SAT scores for math and reading are typically between 500-600 and 500-610. ACT scores are usually between 19–25.

Academic Programs and Colleges

Kent State has 12 main academic colleges. These are like different schools within the university:

• College of Aeronautics and Engineering
• College of Architecture & Environmental Design
• College of Applied and Technical Studies
• College of the Arts
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business Administration
• College of Communication and Information
• College of Education, Health, and Human Services
• College of Nursing
• College of Podiatric Medicine
• College of Public Health
• Honors College

The KSU Honors College Complex.

The College of Aeronautics and Engineering offers degrees in Flight Technology, Aviation Management, Air Traffic Control, and Aeronautical Engineering. They even have courses at the Kent State University Airport.

The Washington Program in National Issues lets students study in Washington D.C. They can learn about public policies and do internships.

The Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising is a top fashion school. It has programs in Florence, Hong Kong, and New York City.

The Liquid Crystal Institute, started in 1965, researches and develops liquid crystal technology. This is used in many electronic products.

The Hugh A. Glauser School of Music offers degrees in music education, performance, and more. They even have a new minor in jazz studies. The Kent/Blossom Music program works with the Cleveland Orchestra for music festivals.

The College of Architecture and Environmental Design.

Kent State is the only school in Ohio to offer a degree in Library and Information Science. This program is highly ranked. The university also has a unique program for translation studies.

The Center for Applied Conflict Management (CACM) was created after the 1970 shootings. It helps students learn how to resolve conflicts peacefully.

Kent State University Press

The university has its own publishing company, the Kent State University Press. It publishes 30 to 35 books each year. It started in 1965, publishing literary criticism. Later, it expanded to include books on regional studies, music, the American Civil War, and Ohio history.

Rankings and Recognition

In 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked Kent State as a top national university. The university has also received good rankings globally.

Kent State is also recognized for being a welcoming place for LGBTQ students. For many years, it has been ranked as one of the best campuses for LGBTQ inclusion in the country.

Student Life at Kent State

The Kent Student Center is where many student groups meet.

Kent State offers many ways for students to get involved. There are student clubs, professional groups, and volunteer organizations. Students can also join performing arts groups, work on student publications, or be part of student government.

Performing Arts

The university has many opportunities for students who love performing. You can join concert bands, jazz ensembles, or choral groups. There's also an orchestra and world music groups. If you like theater and dance, there are many chances to perform. Regional campuses also have their own performing arts programs.

Student Government

Kent State has several student government groups. The largest is the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). It represents students from all campuses. USG helps plan concerts, comedians, and other events. It also helps fund over 250 student organizations. Elections for USG are held every March. There is also a Graduate Student Senate (GSS) for graduate students. The Kent Interhall Council (KIC) represents students living in dorms.

Student Media

• The Kent Stater is the student newspaper. It publishes student articles and opinions several times a week during the school year.
• Black Squirrel Radio is the student-run radio station. It has almost 120 students working there. You can listen online or on campus TV. They play music and broadcast KSU sports games.
• Fusion magazine is published twice a year. It aims to bring people together by sharing different backgrounds and issues.
• Uhuru Magazine focuses on minority issues, especially those affecting African Americans.
• A Magazine is dedicated to women's issues and topics.
• TV2 KSU is the student-run television station. Students produce daily news shows and other programs. You can watch TV2 KSU online.

Living on Campus

Eastway Center, a dining hall, at night.

Kent State has 24 dorms on its main campus. These dorms are grouped together, often by a common name or area. Some of the groups are:

• Twin Towers: Beall and McDowell.
• Tri-Towers: Koonce, Leebrick, Wright, and Korb.
• Eastway: Allyn, Clark, Fletcher, and Manchester.
• New Front: Prentice, Verder, Dunbar, and Engleman.
• Centennial Court: Six buildings lettered A - F.
• Quad: Lake, Olson, Johnson, and Stopher.

Learning Communities

Within the dorms, there are 15 Living-Learning Programs. These programs let students with similar interests live together. For example, there are communities for students studying Aeronautics, Business, or Computer Science. There are also communities for Honors College students, LGBTQ+ students, and those interested in sustainability.

Dining Options

Kent State University Culinary Services runs two main dining halls. These are in Eastway Center and the Design and Innovation Hub. There are also other dining spots like Rosie's Diner and the Summit Street Café. Students can also buy groceries and personal care items at two market locations on campus.

Social Programs

4 Paws for Ability

The 4 Paws for Ability University Program lets students help train service dogs. Students foster and socialize puppies before they go for professional training. A chapter started at Kent State in 2016. Many students volunteer to help with the dogs.

Autism Services

Kent State has many services to support students with autism. These programs are recognized nationally. Students who don't have autism can be paired with students who do. This helps everyone get involved. In 2018, it was estimated that almost 500 students with autism used the school's services. These services helped Kent State become the first NCAA Division I school to sign a college athlete known to have autism. Kalin Bennett joined the men's basketball team in 2019.

Greek Life

Greek life at Kent State includes fraternities and sororities. These groups are overseen by the Center for Student Involvement. Sorority houses are mostly on Fraternity Drive, and fraternity houses are around the city of Kent. Many famous people who went to Kent State were part of Greek life, like comedian Drew Carey and football coach Lou Holtz.

Sports at Kent State

Dix Stadium in 2012, home of the Kent State Golden Flashes football team.

Kent State's sports teams are called the Golden Flashes. Their colors are navy blue and gold. The university has 16 different sports teams. They compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level. The football team plays in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Kent State is part of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

The main sports facilities are on campus. These include Dix Stadium, which holds over 25,000 fans for football. The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center is for basketball and other indoor sports. It's one of the oldest arenas in Division I college basketball.

Kent State has won many awards in the MAC conference. The men's athletic program has won the Reese Cup eight times. The women's athletic program has won the Jacoby Cup eight times. In 2002, the Men's Basketball team made it to the NCAA "Elite Eight." Other teams like baseball, gymnastics, and golf have also won many titles.

Many famous athletes and coaches went to Kent State. These include football coaches Nick Saban and Lou Holtz. Professional athletes like Julian Edelman (NFL), James Harrison (NFL), and Thurman Munson (MLB) also attended Kent State.

University Media

WKSU's former studios.

Kent State owns a public radio station called WKSU (89.7 FM). It is a member of NPR. WKSU started in 1950. It used to be run by students. In 1973, it joined NPR and became a regular public radio station. Since 2021, another media group, Ideastream Public Media, helps operate WKSU. They also offer internships for Kent State journalism students.

Famous People from Kent State

Kent State has over 270,000 living alumni. Many famous people have graduated from Kent State.

In entertainment, there are comedians like Drew Carey, Arsenio Hall, and Steve Harvey. Actors include Michael Keaton and Ray Wise. Musicians from Kent State include members of the band Devo, Chrissie Hynde, and Joe Walsh.

Steve Stone, a Cy Young Award winner.

In politics, several people from Ohio attended Kent State. These include former Governor Nancy Hollister and current U.S. Representative Betty Sutton.

Writers and journalists include Captain Underpants author Dav Pilkey and columnists Connie Schultz and Regina Brett. TV journalists like CNN anchor Carol Costello also went to Kent State.

Many professional athletes are Kent State alumni. These include WWE wrestlers Dolph Ziggler and Dana Brooke. NFL players like James Harrison, Josh Cribbs, and Julian Edelman also attended. MLB players like Thurman Munson and Steve Stone are also alumni.