Held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in the Kent State University Student Center Ballroom, the 38th Annual Senior Honors Luncheon was an event to remember. This fabulous celebration was an acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication that Kent State Honors College graduating seniors for the spring, summer and fall of 2024 upheld throughout their college careers. The event gave seniors a final hoorah before their commencement ceremony send-offs into life beyond graduation.

Attendees of the luncheon were welcomed by the words of both Honors College Dean Alison J. Smith, Ph.D., and Senior Vice President and Provost for the Division of Academic Affairs, Melody Tankersley, Ph.D.

“It's very important that the seniors, their families, and the Honors College take a moment to acknowledge the accomplishments of those graduating. We all need to step back and see how far our students have come in their college years, and congratulate them as they move forward. We are very proud of them,” Dean Smith said.

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On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 6 P.M.to 7 P.M., students with space-related interests gathered in the Kent State University Aeronautics and Engineering building to hear an “out of this world” presentation from Jeff Woytach, an aerospace engineer working at the NASA Glenn Research Center since 1983. The room was bustling with students eager to hear about Woytach’s career highlights while working with NASA. And if his wonderful speech was not enough of a treat, the event team offered some delicious star-shaped cookies to snack on.

Woytach first outlined where each NASA research center was located, then went in depth about his place of work for the past 41 years – the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. But really, his passion for space began long before that.

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The Sky(Line)'s the Limit:

Anne Johnson's Journey to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur

From humble beginnings, in her sophomore year Stopher-Johnson dorm room and just one sewing machine, to becoming a retailer with national clients and a loyal customer base, Anne Johnson’s story serves as an inspiration to us all.

Johnson is a Kent State University Honors College alumna from Mentor, Ohio, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in fashion merchandising with a minor in entrepreneurship in 2018. Johnson was honored at the 2024 Senior Honors Luncheon on Saturday, April 20th, 2024 in the Kent State University Ballroom, as the 2024 Distinguished Honors Alumni winner, for her impressive work in the field of fashion. Her brand, Anne Cate, which specializes in accessories, bags and pillows featuring bold skyline graphics, is now sold in over 150 stores across the U.S., and has an online retail site at annecate.com.

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Get to know Wayne, in his own words, in the Q&A below. Then come to the 2024 Kent State Geauga Commencement Ceremony at Parkside Church in Bainbridge to be inspired by his powerful message. The Nursing Pinning Ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m. followed by Commencement at 2:30 p.m.

1. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a child, I wanted to become a teacher, a scientist, a scholar, and/or an opera actor from the influence of my late beloved grandfather, who was the best mentor and friend of my childhood. He disciplined me to be a reader, a thinker, and a doer. At a young age, he also taught me Peking Opera, and I have enjoyed performing opera on stage since the age of 4. I had many dreams as a young boy; however, I loved my opera tapes and collections of books more than other things.

2. Where were you raised and when did you and your family immigrate to the U.S.? From what high school did you graduate?

I was raised in a beautiful northern Chinese village on a peninsula named Penglai. Our family owned cherry and apple farms as well as a vineyard. My hometown was very close to the Bohai Gulf, and all the fruit trees grew on the sand.

In December 2010, our family moved to the U.S., and we are very thankful for this country and all the opportunities including educational opportunities. I graduated from Solon High School, and I am truly thankful for my high school principals, guidance counselors, and many amazing teachers who supported and guided me through my high school journey, especially during the first year of my high school days when I could barely speak, read, and write in English. 

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More than 300 student presenters displayed their research and creativity on Friday, April 5, at the Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors. The second floor of the Student Center was filled with research posters and was abuzz with oral presentations during the symposium, which was from 12:30-2 p.m. 

An awards ceremony was held at 3:30 p.m. in the Kiva at which time President Todd Diacon addressed the attendees.

The symposium was sponsored by the Division of Research and Economic Development, Office of the Provost, Honors College, and University Libraries.

There were 322 student presenters in this year’s Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors, according to Ann Gosky, director of the Office of Student Research.

The symposium provides an opportunity for undergraduate students and recent graduates to showcase their hands-on involvement in research and creative endeavors. Undergraduate students attending any Kent State campus and representing any major were eligible to participate.

All research, scholarly work, or creative activity must be completed in collaboration with a faculty or graduate student mentor. Students were able to present their work through posters, oral presentations or any creative medium.

Sophomore Honors College student Ruth Morara, whose presentation was a second place winner in the Symposium, told Kent State Today that she started her research during the 2023 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE). Her mentor for the project was David Costello, Ph.D.

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View the 2024 award winners and their mentors for the 2024 Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors.

Her case received the highest score in the merchandising category from industry judges. In March, she pitched her case study to the industry judges. Olivia received the Chairman's Award at the FSF Gala in New York City on April 8, earning a total scholarship of $25,000.

"I would like to extend a huge thank you to my mentor for this case-study competition, Dr. Rachel LoMonaco-Benzing; she is an incredible human being," said Olivia. "In this competition and in life, you do not get anywhere alone, and I am eternally grateful to the Kent State University School of Fashion for bringing us together. I would not be where I am today without her, and I hope I can be a mentor, like her, to others someday."

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Peer-to-Peer Program

Providing an Environment of Growth, Maturity and Confidence

The Honors College is dedicated to providing not only the best academic experience the university has to offer, but also an environment which allows students to grow, mature and become confident and independent of mind. Hand-in-hand with this is the goal of providing an environment to allow students to grow, mature and learn confident independence of mind.

The Honors College Peer-to-Peer Support Program provides ways for honors students to learn how to handle stress and anxiety, and to develop resilience - the ability to bounce back from set-backs.

This "best practices" program deploys a cohort of trained and mentored honors undergraduate students as peer supports - students listening to students, and helping them locate the appropriate counseling services. Why "peer" to "peer"? National studies have shown that Honors College students prefer talking with their peers, rather than going to academic advisors or professors. Getting students to the right professional help source for them is the goal of the Peer-to-Peer Support Program.

Whether a student is lonely, homesick, stressed about classes or having difficultly adjusting to life on campus, the Peer-to-Peer Support Program can help! Honors College students will be paired with a fellow Honors College student and peer support who can help you connect to resources on campus. 

The Peer-to-Peer Support Program has held a variety of events this semester, ranging from Ted Talks on Wednesday throughout the semester, to attending basketball games in the MACC and even decorating succulent flower pots.

Honors students may connect to their own Peer-to-Peer Support mentor.