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Kent State University Honors College
Parents & Friends Newsletter
May 9, 2022
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Photo Above: Honors College senior students who attended the 36th Annual Senior Honors Luncheon gather for a group photo after the ceremony in April 2022.
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A Message from the Dean
Spring 2022
Dear Parents and Friends,
As I write this, Honors students are variously preparing for exams, collecting cords and medallions and caps and gowns for graduation, packing their cars, and anything in between - in short, it's really busy here. This year has been a big step towards a “normal” academic year, with in-person events both inside and outside, and in-person classes (with masks). Compared to the last two springs, it seems like amazing progress, but we still have some ways to go to return to “normal”. However, our students, faculty and staff have persevered, have been resilient, have moved ahead, and with what results!
You can read some of the highlights here - for example, we had 51 students join Phi Beta Kappa this year, and the senior class has produced a Fulbright Award winner - read all about it! Also, did you know that the Honors College has 41 students on university sports teams? Read about one of our athletes here. Other recognitions this year include an Honors senior who has served as Student Trustee on Kent State’s Board of Trustees since his appointment by the Governor in 2020, and a student in her junior year, recognized as a Newman Civic Fellow. We piloted our first Honors research symposium this year, with book scholarships and other prizes. It was a success and we will be doing this again next Spring!
We have had a successful first year of deployment of our Peer-to-Peer Support Program, which has provided trained and mentored Honors students to help other Honors students seek counseling on campus (read about that here in this issue). In addition, our first year with a Clinical and Psychological Services “CAPS” counselor among the advising staff has also been a success. As we work to reduce the stigma of asking for help and raise the importance of mental health in achieving academic success, we know that we are building a bright future for all of our students.
The challenge of final exams combined with the volatility of world news right now increases the stress levels on our students - we are mindful of their needs and know that you also will be checking in on them as they wrap up this semester, and for some, their senior year. Many are going on to interesting internships this summer, or preparing for graduate work, or starting their careers.
If your student needs advice or information this summer about coursework or internships, remind them that we will be here!
Please join us in congratulating the Honors College Class of 2022, as we know they have worked very hard and under very unusual circumstances to get to this moment in their academic careers!
I hope all will have an enjoyable summer!
Best regards,
Alison J. Smith, Ph.D.
Honors College, Dean
Kent State University
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Kent State Student Resources
Spring 2022
Here are some services the university offers, and that you may want to remind your students about:
First and foremost: Staying healthy - mentally, physically, financially, environmentally. Where can students find assistance with…
Where can I find Health and Wellness Resources?
Don’t forget about that flu shot! Students call 330-672-2322 to schedule an on-campus flu shot or visit the website for more information at University Health Services webpage.
How about Residence Hall Questions or Issues?
What about Commuter Students?
Kent State has a Commuter Student Organization entitled “COSO”, which stands for Commuter & Off-Campus Student Organization; view more information at www.kent.edu/coso.
Where do I go for Financial Aid Questions?
Where can I find information about Kent State's coronavirus safety principles and the Flashes Safe Eight?
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Senior Honored with
Prestigious Fulbright Scholarship
Honors Student Selected for English Teaching Award in Ecuador
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Pictured Above: Kent State University student Mallory Woods, who is currently studying in Florence, Italy, has been awarded the prestigious Fulbright English Teaching Award. (Photo Credit Stefano Passerini)
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In an impressive close to her undergraduate career, Kent State University Honors College senior Mallory Woods was recently awarded the prestigious Fulbright English Teaching Award (ETA). A native of Fairview, Pennsylvania, Woods is completing a major in translation with a Spanish concentration and minors in economics and Italian studies while also finishing a certificate program in teaching English as a foreign language.
“I was extremely excited to learn that Mallory was the recipient of an English Teaching Assistant Fulbright to Ecuador,” said Frank Congin, director of academic programs for Kent State’s Honors College and the university’s Fulbright program advisor. “She will be an excellent representative of not only Kent State University in Ecuador but of the United States, which is one of the program’s key tenets: public diplomacy.”
Through the Fulbright grant, Woods will work as an English teaching assistant in Ecuador from September 2022 through June 2023.
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36th Annual Senior Honors Luncheon
Spring 2022 Ceremony
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On April 23, 2022, Honors College seniors graduating in the spring, summer and fall of 2022 were recognized for their membership in the college during their time at Kent State.
Students, staff, and faculty were invited to enjoy a catered lunch in the Kent State Student Center Ballroom as they celebrated the 287 graduating seniors (from both the Kent and regional campuses) for spring semester as well as those students set to graduate in the summer and fall.
Honors College Dean Alison J. Smith, Ph.D., gave the opening welcome to begin the luncheon. Smith then introduced Melody Tankersley, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Provost for the Division of Academic Affairs, who addressed the audience. In wishing the seniors off, Provost Tankersley shared, “It’s such a treat to get to hear all of the different paths that you are on, but to know that the Honors College and your experience in the Honors College brings you together as one.”
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Pictured Above: Honors College Director of Academics, Frank Congin, presented the Distinguished Honors Faculty Award to Bill Morris, Freshman Honors Colloquium instructor.
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Pictured Above: Provost Tankersley addresses the audience, sharing thoughts and well-wishes to the graduating Honors College senior class.
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Pictures Above: Honors College graduating seniors pose for photos with mascot Flash before the Senior Honors Luncheon ceremony on April 23, 2022 in the Kent State Student Center Ballroom.
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Distinguished Honors Alumni & Faculty
Spring 2022 Honorees
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Pitching the Perfect Game
Honors College Senior Balances Life in the Classroom
While on the Pitching Mound
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Pictured Above: Honors College senior Morgan Bowers takes the mound to pitch during a Kent State University women's softball game.
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Morgan Bowers, a senior Honors College student from Whitehouse, Ohio, is nearing the end of “pitching” a perfect game. As an economics major with a minor in data analytics, Morgan will graduate a year early in the spring of 2022, having only attended Kent State University for three years to earn her undergraduate business degree.
While the race to graduate early is becoming more commonplace in the higher education community, what makes Morgan stand out is that she has navigated this educational path while also fielding the position of pitcher on the Kent State’s Division I women’s softball team. And, as if that were not enough, Morgan will not only be returning to Kent State next fall to begin her Master of Arts in Economics, but she also plans to fulfill her fourth year of eligibility on the women’s softball team. Upon graduating with her master’s degree, Morgan anticipates either applying to law school or entering the workforce with a position in data analytics.
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Phi Beta Kappa Inducts Newest Members
Kent State Chapter Welcomes 51 Students
On April 12, 2022, Kent State University's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) held its annual induction ceremony, where 51 new members were initiated into the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society within the United States.
It is a great honor to be selected for Phi Beta Kappa, as only 10% of colleges and universities in the United States have local chapters. Of those chapters, only 10% of the arts and sciences graduates from these institutions with chapters are selected for membership.
Pictured Above: A group photo of the Phi Beta Kappa inductees of the Kent State University chapter for the 2021-2022 academic year.
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Isobel Day Named Newman Civic Fellow
Honors Student Awarded to 2022-2023 Cohort
Taking action in addressing issues of inequality and political polarization, demonstrating motivation and potential for long term civic engagement and engaging with others to create social change are all ways one could be committed to service. These qualities are the requirements for the Newman Civic Fellowship and traits that Isobel Day exemplifies.
Isobel Day, a junior political science major and member of the Honors College at Kent State, was named a Newman Civic Fellow for her commitment to her community and passion for public leadership. Day will join 172 other student civic leaders from 38 states to form the 2022-2023 Newman Civic Fellowship cohort.
Pictured Above: Junior Honors College student Isobel Day has been named as a 2022-2023 Newman Civic Fellow.
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Peer-to-Peer
2021-2022 Mentoring Program
The inaugural year for the Honors College Peer-to-Peer Support program has been two semesters packed with training, mentoring and student events! The focus of the Peer-to-Peer Support program is to pair inquiring students with a trained Honors College student who can provide support and serve as a guide for available resources on campus.
Along with individual mentoring of students throughout the academic year, Peer-to-Peer Mentors have held many events to engage the Honors College population through Succulent Garden Parties, Late Night Waffle Bars, "Let's Talk about Anxiety' and Kent State basketball games.
Photo Above: Photo of Kent State Honors College students participating in a 'Garden Party' to decorate succulents during a Peer-to-Peer mentoring event.
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Senior Student Trustee Recognized
By University Board
Honors Student Thanked For Service by Board of Trustees
and Fraternal Association
Throughout his freshman and sophomore years, Kent State University finance major and Honors College student Dylan Mace honed his leadership skills by serving as president of both the university Interfraternity Council and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He also served as an officer of the Kent State Financial Management Association and a member of the Business Professionals’ Roundtable.
These leadership roles served as preparation for Mace's service on the Kent State Board of Trustees when Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appointed him as a student trustee in July 2020. Mace’s two-year term, in which he served as a member of the Board’s Academic Excellence and Student Success Committee and the Finance and Administration Committee, will expire May 16, 2022.
During his tenure, Mace also served as a member of the Board’s Audit and Compliance Committee, External Relations and Philanthropy Committee and Investment Committee.
At the March Board of Trustees meeting, Mace’s colleagues expressed deep gratitude for his service and wished him well in his future pursuits. Mace will earn his bachelor’s degree in finance, with a minor in data analytics and economics, with high honors in May 2022.
Photo Above: Photo of senior Honors College student Dylan Mace, who has served as the Kent State University Board of Trustees student trustee since July of 2020.
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