University News
![President Todd Diacon, his wife, Moema Furtado, Alice Cone, Paul and Eileen Gaston and their daughter Beth, and David Hassler, at the dedication of the Gaston Prentice House, Aug. 28, 2024. President Todd Diacon, his wife, Moema Furtado, Alice Cone, Paul and Eileen Gaston and their daughter Beth, and David Hassler, at the dedication of the Gaston Prentice House, Aug. 28, 2024.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/240828-wick-poetry_RD-00389.jpg?VersionId=ok74PYdib1pqETTb_tHDbB1KHpDIxHkO&itok=y1LGEzIK)
The historic house perched next to the Lefton Esplanade at South Lincoln Street on the Kent Campus, which has been home to the Wick Poetry Center since 2014, is now officially the Gaston Prentice House.
![Members of Kent State University Air Force and Army ROTC programs salute the American flag during the university’s 2023 Veterans Day Commemoration. Members of Kent State University Air Force and Army ROTC programs salute the American flag during the university’s 2023 Veterans Day Commemoration.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Veterans%20Day%202023%20-%20saluting%20-%20Photo%20by%20Bob%20Christy%20-%20WEB.jpg?VersionId=N2Iy0fbDc2je9zKJNpWdihwvRRoeuuKy&itok=uHk-mAiI)
Kent State’s unwavering commitment to supporting military-connected students has once again been recognized, as the institution earns the Military FriendlyⓇ School designation for the 15th consecutive year.
![College of Aeronautics and Engineering MindSpace](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/MindSpaceBanner.jpeg?VersionId=jcC5Xt9c8EEixo4dQokOuKICyKnnAjhC&itok=pOp6NP9U)
The College of Aeronautics and Engineering unveiled a new way for the Kent State community to relax, destress and get themselves back into the proper headspace. The Mind Space is designed to be an oasis of tranquility accessible to all. It's a personalized and holistic focus to help everyone on campus be successful.
![Making the K 2024 Making the K 2024](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/240816-Convocation_JJ_001_0.jpg?VersionId=fTDTyjoGPaEyeOWboBBDBakbEUSu00B7&itok=USUaBcVO)
Continuing a tradition that began in 2019, Kent State's incoming Class of 2028 came together to form a large "K" on Manchester Field.
![Crawford Hall](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/20240819Crawford_0012.jpg?VersionId=FmWSmAGp.AGHTYh3JFuMXVYObDOWIgVC&itok=uHfKBV0q)
Kent State University's new Crawford Hall officially opened its doors this week, welcoming students, faculty and staff to a cutting-edge academic facility for the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
![Convocation 2024 Convocation 2024](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/455818593_947593647409370_2393443430352737000_n.jpg?VersionId=4CHWocm7c6SCekks3KVo.Xc_SR5M5l.y&itok=NjJkYOl6)
The university welcomed Kent State's Class of 2024 in grand style at this year's convocation with inspirational speeches from university administrators, rally towels, strobe lights, Golden Flash cheerleaders and the Marching Golden Flashes band.
![Visiting poets for the Wick 40th anniversary celebration. From left to right: Padraig Ó Tuama, Naomi Shihab Nye, Jane Hirshfield and Adrian Matejka Visiting poets for the Wick 40th anniversary celebration. From left to right: Padraig Ó Tuama, Naomi Shihab Nye, Jane Hirshfield and Adrian Matejka](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/four%20poets_0.jpg?VersionId=0JRzfh0w2di7VMymCEYzsqBtoZ0c8C1o&itok=CJ8ZL7yq)
The celebration, Sept. 19-21, will be packed with panel discussions, workshops and poetry readings, culminating in a gala dinner on Sept. 21.
![Incoming students cheer at 2024 freshman convocation. Incoming students cheer at 2024 freshman convocation.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/240816-Convocation_RD-00974.jpg?VersionId=_pzBLpT7Ndxa4V4f5I7AxSlj1dUKGR8c&itok=MgokXPzB)
Rally towels, strobe lights and the Marching Golden Flashes added to the celebration on Aug. 16, when Kent State University welcomed its Class of 2028 with a rocking pep rally at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.
![Fulbright Scholars assemble prosthetic hands as part of the Fulbright Pre-Academic Program at Kent State. Fulbright Scholars assemble prosthetic hands as part of the Fulbright Pre-Academic Program at Kent State.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/240814-Fulbright-Hands_RD-00082.jpg?VersionId=runGQaJBKm4pwST5OR3jlEJ8dGHsTwK_&itok=4_gpmo0i)
For the past month, Kent State University has hosted 37 international graduate students as part of the Fulbright Pre-Academic Program, a monthlong immersion in American higher education and culture. The group, from 26 countries, arrived on the Kent Campus on July 21 and was scheduled to depart on Aug. 17 to begin their graduate programs at universities throughout the country.
![A statue of Ambassador Edward F. Crawford on the Kent Campus](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/crawfordstatuefeatured.jpg?VersionId=eol1plhTWwuXQcyIdfQcIOOj49.eUHej&h=70f25fc6&itok=1T96-6Yu)
As students prepare for the start of the Fall 2024 Semester at Kent State University, one man who has contributed greatly to the future success of Kent State and its students is being honored this week.