Kent State University facts for kids
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Former name
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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) |
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| Type | Public research university |
| Established | September 27, 1910 |
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Parent institution
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University System of Ohio |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $301.4 million (2021) |
| President | Todd Diacon |
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Academic staff
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2,623 (all campuses) |
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Administrative staff
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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 |
,
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United States
41°08′49″N 81°20′36″W / 41.14694°N 81.34333°W |
| Campus | Suburban college town 866 acres (350 ha) (Main campus) |
| Colors | Blue and Gold |
| Nickname | Golden Flashes |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I – MAC |
| Mascot | Flash the Golden Eagle |
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Kent State University (often called KSU) is a large public university in Kent, Ohio, USA. It's known for its many study programs and research. The university also has seven smaller campuses in Northeast Ohio. These are located in Ashtabula, Burton, East Liverpool, Jackson Township, New Philadelphia, Salem, and Warren. There are also other facilities in Cleveland, Independence, Twinsburg, New York City, and Florence, Italy.
Kent State started in 1910 as a school to train teachers. The first classes were held in 1912. The main campus in Kent opened its first buildings in 1913. Since then, the university has grown a lot. It now offers many different degrees and research chances. The Kent campus covers over 1,000 acres and has 119 buildings. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the university became famous worldwide. This was because of student protests against the Vietnam War, especially due to the Kent State shootings in 1970.
As of 2022, Kent State was the third-largest university in Ohio. It had over 34,000 students across all eight campuses. More than 25,000 students attended the main campus in Kent. Kent State offers over 300 degree programs. These include 250 bachelor's, 40 associate, 50 master's, and 23 doctoral programs. It is part of the University System of Ohio. It's also known for its "very high research activity."
Contents
University History
How Kent State Began
Kent State University was created in 1910. Its main goal was to train teachers for public schools. It was part of a law that also started a similar school in Bowling Green, Ohio. This other school is now Bowling Green State University. Kent State was first called the Ohio State Normal College At Kent. Later, it was named Kent State Normal School to honor William S. Kent. He donated important land to the school.
The first president was John Edward McGilvrey, who served from 1912 to 1926. He had big plans for the school. He asked the architect George F. Hammond to design a large campus. Classes started in 1912, even before buildings were ready in Kent. These early classes were held in 25 cities nearby. By May 1913, classes began on the Kent campus when Merrill Hall opened. The first 34 students graduated on July 29, 1914. In 1915, the school became Kent State Normal College because it started offering four-year degrees.
More buildings were added as the school grew. In 1924, Kent State had the most students for summer classes of any teacher-training school in the U.S. In 1929, Ohio changed the name 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, didn't always agree with his plans for funding. This led to a "credit war" in 1923. Ohio State stopped accepting transfer credits from Kent State. This disagreement led to McGilvrey leaving his role in 1926. On May 17, 1935, a bill was signed that gave Kent State and Bowling Green university status. This meant they could add business and graduate programs. So, the college's name officially changed to Kent State University.
Growth from the 1940s to 1960s
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, the Stark Campus, opened in Canton, Ohio. 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, the former Student Union building was renamed Oscar Ritchie Hall in his honor. This building now houses many programs related to African American studies.
The 1950s and 1960s saw more students and new buildings. Several new dorms and academic buildings were constructed. More regional campuses also opened. These included Warren (1954), Ashtabula (1957), New Philadelphia (1962), Salem (1962), Burton (1964), and East Liverpool (1965).
In 1961, black squirrels were brought to campus from Canada. By 1964, there were about 150 of them. Today, they are everywhere in Kent and are unofficial mascots. Since 1981, the annual Black Squirrel Festival is held on campus each fall.
In 1965, a chemistry professor named Glenn H. Brown started the Liquid Crystal Institute. This institute became a world leader in researching and developing liquid crystal technology. Many companies have started from its work.
In 1967, Kent State was the first university to have its own student-run bus service. It gave jobs to students and was funded by student fees. In 1969, a new Memorial Stadium opened on the east side of campus.
Kent State Shootings and Their Impact
Kent State became known worldwide on May 4, 1970. This was when the Ohio Army National Guard fired at students during an anti-war protest. Four students were killed and nine were injured. The Guard had been called to Kent after protests became violent. These included a riot downtown and the burning of the ROTC building. The protests were mainly against the U.S. invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War.
After the shootings, the campus closed immediately. Students and faculty had only 60 minutes to leave. Many colleges across the country also closed. In Kent, schools were closed, and the National Guard patrolled the city. Since the campus was closed, professors found creative ways for students to finish their classes. They held classes in homes, public buildings, by phone, or through mail.
In 1971, the university created the Center for Peaceful Change. It is now called the Center for Applied Conflict Management. It was made as a "living memorial" to the students who died. It offers degrees in Peace and Conflict Studies. This was one of the first such programs in the United States.
In response to the shootings, Neil Young wrote the song "Ohio." It was performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. To remember the event, professors and students created a website. It has a map with stories and accounts from people who were there.
From the 1970s to Today
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. Today, it also includes a college of pharmacy.
Kent State was in the news again in 1977. This was when construction was planned for a new gym building. It was next to where the 1970 shootings happened. Protesters set up a tent city to stop the building. They tried to get the area declared a National Historic Landmark, but it didn't work. Construction finally began on September 19 and finished in 1979.
In March 1991, Carol Cartwright became president of the university. She was the first woman to lead a state university in Ohio. In 1994, Kent State was recognized as a "Research University." Starting in the late 1990s, the university began many building projects. This included renovating the old campus, building new dorms, a student recreation center, and more academic buildings. In September 2010, the university announced its largest student body ever, with over 41,000 students.
University Campuses
Kent State University has an eight-campus system in Northeast Ohio. The main campus and administrative center is in Kent.
Kent Campus
The main campus is called the "Kent Campus." It is a beautiful suburban area in the Greater Akron area. It covers about 866 acres and has over 100 buildings. There are also gardens, bike trails, and open green spaces. Nearby, there are thousands of acres of natural areas like bogs and wildlife refuges.
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 all over campus. The campus has North, South, and East sections. Many areas are also called Front Campus, Residential Campus, and Science Row. The main center of activity is the Student Center and Risman Plaza. This is next to the tall, twelve-story main library.
Regional Campuses
Besides the Kent Campus, there are seven regional campuses. These campuses offer open enrollment. They are often seen as local community colleges. Students at regional campuses can start any of Kent State's majors there. Each campus also has its own special programs.
Ashtabula Campus
The Ashtabula Campus started in 1958. It has four buildings and is on a 125-acre site in Ashtabula. This campus offers 27 associate and bachelor's degree programs. Its nursing program is the largest. About 75% of registered nurses in Ashtabula County graduated from Kent State at Ashtabula.
East Liverpool Campus
The East Liverpool Campus opened in 1965. It is in downtown East Liverpool, overlooking the Ohio River. It includes the Main Building, Memorial Auditorium, Mary Patterson Building, and a Commons area.
Geauga Campus
The Geauga Campus is on an 87-acre site in Burton Township. It is near the village of Burton in Geauga County. It was established in 1964. As of 2021, it had 1,276 students. Six associate and seven bachelor's degree programs can be completed entirely at this campus. The Geauga Campus also manages the Regional Academic Center in Twinsburg, Ohio.
Salem Campus
Kent State at Salem is in Salem Township, near the city of Salem. The 100-acre campus has a lake, outdoor classroom, and nature walk. Kent State University at Salem also runs the "City Center" facility. This center is in the old Salem Middle and High School building.
Stark Campus
The Stark Campus is the largest regional campus. As of 2021, it had over 2,900 students. It serves about 11,000 students each year. It is on 200 acres in Jackson Township in Stark County. The campus has seven main buildings and a natural pond. The Stark Campus also has a Corporate University and Conference Center. This center provides training for local businesses. Kent State University at Stark offers 24 full degree programs.
Trumbull Campus
Kent State's Trumbull Campus is north of Warren in Champion Heights, Ohio. As of 2021, it had 1,158 students. It offers programs in 170 majors for first and second-year students. It also has 18 certificates and 15 associate degree programs. Students can also complete bachelor's degrees in nursing, justice studies, technology, business management, Theatre, and English. In 2004, the campus opened a 68,000 square foot Technology Building.
Tuscarawas Campus
The Tuscarawas Campus in New Philadelphia, Ohio offers 19 associate degrees and six bachelor's degrees. It also has a Master of Technology Degree. As of 2021, it had 1,245 students. The Science and Advanced Technology Center has 50,000 square feet of lab and classroom space. The Tuscarawas Campus has also built a 55,000 square foot Fine and Performing Arts center. This center will help expand academic and cultural programs.
Other Locations
Kent State also has facilities in Cleveland, New York City, Florence, and Shanghai.
Florence Center in Italy
KSU Florence is a program where students can study in Florence, Italy. It is located in the historic Palazzo Vettori. This building was restored to have modern classrooms while keeping its old look.
New York City Studio
The New York City Studio is in New York City's Garment District. This area is full of fashion shops and designer studios. The facility is 4,500 square feet. It has a lecture room, a computer lab, and a fashion design studio.
Cleveland Urban Design Center
Kent State's Cleveland Urban Design Center is in downtown Cleveland. It started in 1983. It helps with historic preservation and city planning in Northeast Ohio. Since 2003, it has worked with the Dresden University of Technology in Germany. They work together on projects like revitalizing the Cuyahoga Valley in Cleveland.
Academics and Learning
Student Admissions
| Admissions statistics | |
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2023 entering
classChange vs. 2018 |
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| Admit rate | 86.65%
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 +1.29) |
| Yield rate | 22.07%
(
 −9.66) |
| Test scores middle 50% | |
| SAT Total | 1010–1230 (among 18% of FTFs) |
| ACT Composite | 18–25 (among 51% of FTFs) |
| High school GPA | |
| Average | 3.51 |
Getting into Kent State University is considered "selective." The college accepts about 87% of all students who apply. They look at your grades, how challenging your classes were, and your test scores.
In 2022, the average high school GPA for new students was 3.61. The typical SAT scores for math and reading were between 500 and 610. For the ACT, scores were usually between 19 and 25.
University Rankings
| ARWU World | 701–800 |
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| THES World | 801–1000 |
| USNWR National University | 231 (tie) |
| Washington Monthly National University | 296 |
| National Program Rankings | |||
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| Program | Ranking | ||
| Audiology | 38 | ||
| Biological Sciences | 186 | ||
| Chemistry | 192 | ||
| Clinical Psychology | 70 | ||
| Computer Science | 148 | ||
| Earth Sciences | 140 | ||
| Education | 99 | ||
| English | 116 | ||
| Fine Arts | 110 | ||
| History | 110 | ||
| Library and Information Studies | 20 | ||
| Mathematics | 133 | ||
| Nursing: Master's | 63 | ||
| Physics | 136 | ||
| Political Science | 109 | ||
| Psychology | 122 | ||
| Public Affairs | 135 | ||
| Public Health | 115 | ||
| Rehabilitation Counseling | 19 | ||
| Sociology | 100 | ||
| Speech-Language Pathology | 78 | ||
In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Kent State was tied for the No. 227 national university in the United States. The university has also received other good rankings.
Kent State has also been recognized for being welcoming to LGBTQ students. For several years, it has been ranked as one of the best campuses for LGBTQ students in the country. In 2022, Kent kept its top national ranking for LGBTQ inclusion.
Academic Programs and Colleges
Kent State has 12 main academic colleges:
- 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 university also has special programs that combine different subjects. These include Biomedical Sciences and Digital Science. The College of Aeronautics and Engineering offers four aviation degrees. These are Flight Technology, Aviation Management, Air Traffic Control, and Aeronautical Engineering. They hold classes at the Kent State University Airport.
The Washington Program in National Issues started in 1973. It is one of the oldest programs where students study away in Washington D.C. Students can live in Washington, learn about public issues, and do internships.
The Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising has programs in Florence, Hong Kong, and New York City. It also has connections in Paris and London. Runway Magazine named it one of the top ten fashion schools in the United States.
The Liquid Crystal Institute, founded in 1965, researches and develops liquid crystal materials. This is done with the National Science Foundation.
The Hugh A. Glauser School of Music offers degrees in music education, performance, and theory. It also has a new minor in jazz studies. The School of Music is one of the few colleges in the U.S. that offers bachelor's, master's, and PhD degrees in music education. The Kent/Blossom Music program works with the Cleveland Orchestra for classical music festivals.
The School Psychology Program is approved by major psychology groups. About 18% of all school psychology professionals in Ohio graduated from this program. Kent is the only school in Ohio to offer a degree in Library and Information Science. U.S. News & World Report ranks Kent's program 20th. Kent State also has programs in translation, including a unique dual master's degree.
The Institute for the Study and Prevention of Violence (ISPV) is where faculty, staff, and students work together. The Center for Peaceful Change was created in 1971. It was a response to the Kent State shootings of 1970. Now called The Center for Applied Conflict Management (CACM), it developed one of the first conflict resolution degree programs in the United States.
Kent State University Press
The university runs the Kent State University Press. It is located in the main library building. The Press publishes 30 to 35 books each year. It is part of a group of over 100 university presses. The Press started in 1965. It first published literary criticism. In 1972, it expanded to include regional studies. In 1985, it began publishing works about the American Civil War and Ohio history.
Student Life
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
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| White | 75% |
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| Black | 9% |
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| Other | 7% |
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| Hispanic | 4% |
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| Foreign national | 3% |
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| Asian | 2% |
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| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income | 31% |
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| Affluent | 69% |
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Kent State offers many ways for students to get involved. This includes student groups, service organizations, music groups, student newspapers, and sports clubs.
Performing Arts
The Hugh A. Glauser School of Music and the School of Theatre and Dance offer many performance chances. Students can join concert bands, athletic bands, jazz groups, and choirs. There is also an orchestra and world music groups. Students can also take part in theater and dance shows. The regional campuses also have their own performing arts opportunities.
Student Government
Kent State has several student government options. The largest is the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). It represents students from all campuses. It has been around since 1924. The USG is made up of 25 students. They oversee a programming board that plans concerts and events. They also help fund over 250 student organizations. Elections for USG are held every March.
Kent State also has the Graduate Student Senate (GSS) for graduate students. The Kent Interhall Council (KIC) represents students living in dorms. KIC deals with dorm policies and activities.
Student Media
- The Kent Stater is the student newspaper. It publishes student articles on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the school year. It is run entirely by students, mostly from the journalism school.
- Black Squirrel Radio is Kent State's student-run radio station. It has almost 120 students on staff. The station streams online and plays urban, rock, and local music. It also broadcasts KSU basketball and football games live.
- Fusion magazine is published twice a year by KSU students. It aims to bring people together through education.
- Uhuru Magazine focuses on minority issues, especially African American topics.
- A Magazine is dedicated to women's issues and topics.
- Kent Stater TV (KSTV) is the student-run television station. It is produced only by students. It has live news shows and other student-created programs. KSTV also covers public affairs and elections.
Living on Campus
Kent State has 24 dorms on its main campus in Kent. Each dorm is part of a larger group. There are also "living-learning programs" in the dorms. These programs place students with similar interests in the same dorms.
Dining Options
Kent State University Culinary Services runs two main dining halls. They are in Eastway Center and the Design and Innovation Hub. Kent State also has Rosie's Diner, the Student Center Hub dining, Summit Street Café, and the Fork In The Road food truck. They also have two market locations where students can buy groceries and personal care items.
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 August 2016. As of August 2017, 4 Paws for Ability Kent State had 25 dogs on campus at a time.
Autism Services
Kent State has many services to support people with autism. Many of its programs are recognized nationally. Students who do not have autism can be paired with students who do. One sorority is also involved with these services. In 2018, the university's autism outreach coordinator said about 30 autistic students were officially registered. However, she thought close to 500 students with autism used the school's services. These services helped Kent State become the first NCAA Division I school to sign a recruit known to have autism. This happened in November 2018 when Kalin Bennett joined the men's basketball team.
Greek Life
Greek life at Kent State includes fraternities and sororities. They are overseen by the Center for Student Involvement. Sorority houses are mostly on Fraternity Drive. Fraternity houses are located around the city of Kent. In 2008, the university set aside land for a Greek fraternity village. Many famous people who attended Kent State were part of Greek life. These include Lou Holtz and Drew Carey.
Athletics
Kent State's sports teams are called the Golden Flashes. Their colors are navy blue and gold. The university has 16 varsity 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 a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East division. They have been in this conference since 1951.
The university's sports facilities are mainly on campus. These include the 25,319-seat Dix Stadium and the 6,327-seat Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. This center is one of the oldest arenas in Division I college basketball.
Through the 2014–2015 season, Kent State's men's athletic program won the Reese Cup eight times. The women's athletic program won the Jacoby Cup eight times. In 2002, the Men's Basketball team reached the NCAA "Elite Eight." Other teams like baseball, women's basketball, gymnastics, and golf have won many MAC titles. They have also advanced to NCAA tournaments.
Some famous athletes who went to Kent State include:
- Former football coaches Nick Saban, Gary Pinkel, and Lou Holtz.
- Golfer Ben Curtis, who won the 2003 British Open.
- Former New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson.
- Olympic bronze medalist Thomas Jefferson (200m).
- Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert.
- NFL players James Harrison, Julian Edelman, and Antonio Gates.
- Former Cleveland Browns player Joshua Cribbs.
- MLB pitchers Dustin Hermanson, Andy Sonnastine, and Matt Guerrier.
University Media
Kent State owns the public radio station WKSU (89.7 FM). It is an NPR member station for the Akron metropolitan area and Greater Cleveland. WKSU started in 1950. It was first run by students. In 1973, WKSU joined NPR and became a regular public radio station. Since 2021, Ideastream Public Media has operated WKSU. Kent State still owns the station and its four smaller stations. Ideastream also offers internships for Kent State journalism students.
Famous Alumni
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Kent State has over 270,000 living alumni as of 2023. Many famous people from the entertainment industry went to Kent State. These include:
- Comedians Drew Carey, Arsenio Hall, Steve Harvey, and Rick Glassman.
- Actors John de Lancie, Michael Keaton, Ray Wise, Alaina Reed Hall, and Alice Ripley.
- Boxing promoter Don King.
- 30 Rock producer Jeff Richmond.
- That 70s Show creator Bonnie Turner.
- Musicians from the band Devo, including Mark Mothersbaugh, Bob Lewis, and Gerald Casale.
- Singers Chrissie Hynde and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees.
- Guitarist Joe Walsh and drummer Chris Vrenna.
In politics and government, several Ohio politicians attended Kent State. These include former judge Robert E. Cook, former Lieutenant Governor Nancy Hollister, and current U.S. Representative Betty Sutton. Other politicians include Allen Buckley of Georgia. Activists like Alan Canfora also went to Kent State.
Writers and journalists who are alumni include:
- Funky Winkerbean and Crankshaft writer Tom Batiuk.
- Captain Underpants author Dav Pilkey.
- Columnists Connie Schultz and Regina Brett.
- Poet Laureate of Maryland Michael Glaser.
Television journalists include CNN anchor Carol Costello and Cleveland news anchors Ted Henry and Wayne Dawson.
Many professional athletes are Kent State alumni. These include:
- WWE wrestlers Dolph Ziggler and Dana Brooke.
- NFL players James Harrison, Josh Cribbs, Julian Edelman, Don Nottingham, Jack Lambert, and Antonio Gates.
- Canadian Football Hall of Famer Jim Corrigall.
- College football coaches Nick Saban, Gary Pinkel, and Lou Holtz.
- MLB players Emmanuel Burriss, Matt Guerrier, Andy Sonnastine, Gene Michael, Rich Rollins, Dustin Hermanson, Steve Stone, and Thurman Munson.
- Professional golfers Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Jon Mills, Taylor Pendrith, Ryan Yip, and Ben Curtis.
- Olympians Betty-Jean Maycock (gymnastics) and Gerald Tinker (track and field).
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Estatal de Kent para niños
