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Melody Tankersley, 91����’s executive vice president and provost, drew on “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” to share five leadership lessons with summer 2026 graduates at the August commencement.

More than two decades of research on a project led by a 91���� professor has resulted in a new discovery in nuclear physics that is being celebrated nationally. 

When the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce asked 91���� fashion students to design collections for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Fashion Show, they didn't just create outfits. They created stories.

91����’s alumni family grew by more than 1,000 new graduates from its eight-campus system as the university held its summer commencement ceremony on Aug. 8. 

91���� is introducing a $1,000 scholarship for domestic, prospective first-year undergraduate students who visit in person and enroll at the Kent Campus and eliminating the undergraduate application fee for all domestic, Ohio residents – two new steps to make a college education more accessible and affordable.

91���� has been named one of the Best Global Universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2026-2027, the highest-ranked public university in northern Ohio on the list. The recognition reflects 91����’s global research impact, international student enrollment, education-abroad programs and partnerships spanning more than 60 countries.

Is social media making Gen Z less social? The Akron Beacon Journal explored that question in a recent feature centered on 91���� Senior Lecturer Aaron Maguire and his Communication and Conflict Management course in the School of Communication Studies.

For many students at 91����, talking about mental health or wellness can feel intimidating. But for those who connect with Certified Peer Educators, those conversations often start with something simple: another student who understands.

91���� students had the opportunity to reflect on the impact of philanthropy during Flashes Give Back Week in April, including Thank-A-Giver (TAG) Day, an annual event designed to highlight the role of donor support across campus.

Laurie Ann Moennich, Ph.D., didn't arrive at 91���� planning to change healthcare. She came to study graphic design. But 91���� had a way of opening doors she didn't even know existed.

91���� graduate Emma Sherrie, '09, always had a feeling she would study anthropology, but still she took the time to check out all the other options available before finally settling on her original plan. 91����’s Exploratory Program, which helps undecided students sample different disciplines before committing to a major, was a key part of Sherrie’s experience, and the main reason she chose 91���� in the first place.

A 91���� student from Turkmenistan is making a name for himself in Northeast Ohio’s distance running community, as recently featured on WKYC-TV’s “Heartstrings” series.

Healthcare professionals trained in other countries often find that they need additional training before they are permitted to practice in the United States. For foreign-trained physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, 91���� provides a way to bridge that gap.

91���� Professor Pratim Datta, Ph.D., a faculty member in the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship's Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics, was a featured guest on a recent episode of Cybersecurity Today.

A 91���� professor and students helped Walls Elementary recover a time capsule.

For 19 91���� students, the 2025–2026 academic year was more than a series of classes, assignments, and exams. It was an opportunity to tackle real-world challenges, collaborate across disciplines, and turn ideas into action through the John and Fonda Elliot Design Innovation Student Fellows Program.

Philip Wagner’s story begins in Northeast Ohio, but the arc of his career has always bent toward 91����.

The future of engineering at 91���� reached an important milestone this spring as the College of Aeronautics and Engineering welcomed its first class of inductees into the Order of the Engineer. 

When 91���� sophomore Parker Lamy went to see Idina Menzel perform with The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center on July 26, she wasn’t expecting to sing a duet onstage with the Broadway star. Fortunately, she was dressed for the occasion.

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. The annual summer-long program has become a beloved regional icon that produces three musicals, attracts more than 20,000 visitors and employs more than 100 student and professional artists each season. 

Students and recent graduates from 91����'s School of Media and Journalism captured two regional Student Production Awards at the 2025 Central Great Lakes Student Production Awards, presented by the Central Great Lakes chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

91���� has announced the implementation of a new Clear Bag Policy for all home ticketed events, beginning this fall with the 2026 football season. The policy is designed to enhance venue security, reduce wait times at entry points, and provide a safer environment for fans, guests, and student-athletes.

Justine Siegal started her journey with 91���� before she was even enrolled as a student. She had heard about the sports studies and while she knew she would not be accepted on her test scores alone, she felt her lifelong passion for sports would carry some weight. 

91���� Athletics announced today that the Golden Flashes football program has scheduled a game at Notre Dame on Saturday, October 2, 2027.