Alumni News
91¿´Æ¬Íø isn’t just the highest-ranked public university in northern Ohio — it’s where more than 285,000 alumni earned degrees that propelled them forward on pathways to success.
From boardrooms and creative studios to nonprofits and the skies above, Golden Flashes are leading with purpose and passion. Their stories of innovation, leadership and impact showcase a boldness of spirit that is undeniably Kent 91¿´Æ¬Íø — where education transforms lives and values like respect and compassion are more than ideals; they are core values to live by. Read on for stories of Golden Flashes around the globe who are doing extraordinary things.
Golden Friendships Last a Lifetime
July 14, 2026
Stepping across the stage to receive a Kent 91¿´Æ¬Íø diploma is a major life milestone. As graduates begin this new journey, they take with them a solid education, personal growth, a network of peers and more. However, some of the most priceless memories they walk away with are the…
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The Basford Family Kent 91¿´Æ¬Íø Legacy
June 26, 2026
For the Basford family, Kent 91¿´Æ¬Íø became more than a place to earn a degree. Across three generations, it served as a common thread connecting fathers and sons, shaping careers, creating lifelong memories and reinforcing values. The family's success story is measured not only…
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Porthouse Theatre’s Legacy of Community Support and Artistic Magic
June 26, 2026
For nearly 60 years, Porthouse Theatre has brought the power of theatre to the Northeast Ohio community while training the next generation of theatre artists.
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What Makes a Golden Flash Shine?
June 26, 2026
There are more than 280,000 91¿´Æ¬Íø alumni around the world helping their communities grow brighter every day. Here are five alumni whose personal and professional contributions make them – and their communities – shine.
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A Life Mapped by Service: Remembering Bea Shaheen McPherson, ’43
June 24, 2026
For more than 80 years, Bea Shaheen McPherson,’43, embodied what it means to be a Kent 91¿´Æ¬Íø alum
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Kent 91¿´Æ¬Íø Alumni Are Fueling the New York Fashion Industry
May 26, 2026
91¿´Æ¬Íø alumni are represented in every corner of the fashion capital of the United 91¿´Æ¬Íøs. From leading marketing strategy to designing for internationally recognized brands to managing production for iconic labels, their career journeys demonstrate the depth of…
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Celebrating the Legacy of Service at Kent 91¿´Æ¬Íø
May 21, 2026
The newest addition to 91¿´Æ¬Íø’s Student Leadership Awards recognizes a value that has long defined the university community: service.
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From National History Day Intern to Executive Director - Cathy Gorn Leads Fulfilling, Impactful Career
May 15, 2026
It took a few Kent 91¿´Æ¬Íø history classes for Cathy Gorn, ’82, National History Day Executive Director, to discover her passion for history. However, her journey to get there was unexpected.In her younger years, Cathy was interested in science so biology seemed like a fitting…
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Golden Flashes: The Real Heroes of Someone’s Story
April 30, 2026
During Flashes Give Back Week, over 1,100 volunteers strengthened our communities and more than 700 donors raised $165,000+ to support Kent 91¿´Æ¬Íø causes.From April 13-18, Golden Flashes once again came together to make a meaningful impact during Flashes Give Back Week, a…
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May 4’s Legacy Lives on Through Scholarships, Students and Alumni
April 30, 2026
In a quiet, wooded area in front of Taylor Hall on the Kent Campus sits the May 4 Memorial. Made of carnelian granite to symbolize strength and time, the memorial overlooks Blanket Hill, the site of unexpected violence that forever transformed the university, the state and the…
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