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91�ֿ�, which has gained national recognition for its creative and successful Giving Tuesday campaigns, launched its monthlong celebration of philanthropy on Nov. 1. Giving Tuesday, now in its eighth year at 91�ֿ�, has raised nearly $7 million during that time, which illuminates the impact that can be made when Golden Flashes come together.

Lamar R. Hylton, Ph.D., 91�ֿ�’s senior vice president for student affairs, has been named the recipient of the NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) Region IV-East Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Senior Student Affairs Officer for 2021, named to Crain’s Cleveland Business Forty Under 40, selected as a recipient of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Diamond Honoree award and is a member of the 2022 class of the NASPA Pillars of the Profession award.

Representatives from 91�ֿ� and the city of Kent will hold a community meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 27, called “A Vision of a Village” to share information and answer questions about a new residential complex designed to integrate the city of Kent and 91�ֿ�, physically and programmatically.

Last year 91�ֿ� 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.

91�ֿ� 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.

 Kent 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.

Roseann “Chic” Canfora, Ph.D., is a Professional-in-Residence at 91�ֿ� in the School of Media and Journalism, part of the College of Communication and Information. Prior to teaching at 91�ֿ�, 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 91�ֿ�, starting in 1968, and is a survivor of the May 4, 1970, shootings at 91�ֿ�. 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 91�ֿ�’s Center for Public Policy and Health in the College of Public Health to improve and support mental health in Portage County. 

“An American Sunrise” by Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, the first Native American poet laureate of the United States, will be the focal point as 91�ֿ� 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 91�ֿ� 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 91�ֿ�’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.

91�ֿ� has been recognized in Newsweek's 2021 list of the Best Maker Schools in Higher Education.

91�ֿ� 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 91�ֿ� President Todd Diacon to publicly unveil Forever Brighter to thousands of alumni, donors and friends. 

91�ֿ� 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 91�ֿ� 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.
 

91�ֿ�’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, 91�ֿ� shines in the new U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Colleges rankings. U.S. News has again named 91�ֿ� among the Top Public Schools in the nation in the newly released rankings.

It’s reunion time for the 91�ֿ� Golden Flashes family. 91�ֿ� 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 91�ֿ� 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.