Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement
Kent State Achieves Unprecedented Fundraising Success During First Year of Forever Brighter Campaign
ºÚÁÏÍø launched the public phase of its $350 million Forever Brighter comprehensive fundraising campaign in October 2021, and during the first year of the public campaign, a record-breaking $77.6 million was raised. This philanthropic feat was made possible with the support of 10,687 donors, 3,753 of whom made a gift to Kent State for the first time.
Kent State’s Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Wins 19 Marketing and Communications Awards
Kent State’s Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement launched the university’s most ambitious fundraising campaign, called Forever Brighter, last October, creating communications and fundraising materials that share the remarkable impact of alumni engagement and donor philanthropy on the university. The division has earned 19 marketing and communications awards from multiple competitions.
George and Gina Jenkins Establish Student-Athlete Scholarship With $1 Million Planned Gift
George L. Jenkins, a 1963 graduate of ºÚÁÏÍø, and his wife, Gina, of Scottsdale, Arizona, have pledged $1 million to create the Gina and George Jenkins Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund that will support student-athletes in any varsity athletics program or team sponsored by Kent State’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Kent State Raises $65,000 in Scholarship Support to Celebrate 112th Birthday and First Day of Giving
The first-ever Day of Giving raised needed funds from more than 350 alumni, friends and partners in just 24 hours. The blue and gold community came together in support of a variety of scholarships as part of the university’s Forever Brighter comprehensive campaign.
William B. Risman Family Receives Prestigious University Medallion During Kent State’s Spring Commencement Ceremony
Most people who have spent time on ºÚÁÏÍø’s campus in Kent, Ohio, recognize the name Risman. It is connected to the popular Risman Plaza and Risman Drive, but they may not realize that for the Risman family, educating and supporting students has been a family affair for almost 40 years.
Kent State’s Spirit of Motherhood Program for Pregnant Black Women Receives $100,000 Grant
Infant mortality rates in Northeast Ohio are three to five times higher for Black babies than white babies, an alarming statistic that is an issue across the country but particularly prevalent in this part of the state. A new $100,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation will support innovative work being undertaken at Kent State, an elite research university with the esteemed R1 designation, to address this important issue.
Kent State and KeyBank Foundation to Continue Key Connections Program for Underserved Students
KeyBank Foundation has awarded a new $200,000 gift to ºÚÁÏÍø to continue KeyBank Foundation’s support for the successful Key Connections program offered by University College at Kent State. The Key Connections program will continue to support student success initiatives for underserved students, including first-generation students and students from limited income backgrounds who will enroll in Fall Semester 2022.
Kent State Breaks Ground for Future Home of the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship
ºÚÁÏÍø officially broke ground on Crawford Hall, the future home of the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, on March 8 in a ceremony attended by more than 400 people, including university officials, donors, alumni, students, elected officials and special guests.
PNC Foundation Awards $75,000 to Kent State
The PNC Foundation has awarded $75,000 to ºÚÁÏÍø to help ensure success among students who commonly face barriers in college. This grant aligns with PNC’s focus on addressing economic inequality among Black American and low- to moderate-income communities, and it will provide resources for students that will help them complete college and establish a strong foundation on which to build their careers.
Kent State Approves 26 Named Spaces in New Crawford Hall in Recognition of $10.7 Million in Philanthropic Gifts
During its regular quarterly meeting held Wednesday, Dec. 15, the ºÚÁÏÍø Board of Trustees approved naming resolutions for 17 spaces to be located in the future Crawford Hall based on philanthropic gifts of $100,000 or more. An additional nine named spaces were approved by Kent State President Todd Diacon that were below the required Board approval threshold.