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![The 2018 freshman class arrives as the largest for the Kent Campus in university history. The 2018 freshman class arrives as the largest for the Kent Campus in university history.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/SPECIAL%20FEATURE%20Kent%20State%20freshmen%20following%202018%20Convocation.jpg?VersionId=1o.yIwmZnsJoja6lvh6P42Q2qcQKGyH4&h=e6f36a9c&itok=0ofXWdcy)
Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University Freshman Class Sets Enrollment Records Following Top Year for Graduates
With 4,363 students, the 2018 freshman class has 100 more students than a year ago and topped the previous record high set in 2016.
![Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University students fill Risman Plaza in front of the Kent Student Center at the start of the fall 2018 semester. Once again, Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« ranks in the top tier of the Best National Universities list released by U.S. News & World Report. Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University students fill Risman Plaza in front of the Kent Student Center at the start of the fall 2018 semester. Once again, Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« ranks in the top tier of the Best National Universities list released by U.S. News & World Report.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/PHOTO%20LEAD%20US%20NEWS%20RANKING%20Kent%20State%20students%20in%20Risman%20Plaza-v2.jpg?VersionId=srhnKpDkmAfimeC6FWuj0AqxP3cU2q2v&h=e6f36a9c&itok=mSSKrhBQ)
Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« Again Ranked in Coveted Top Tier of Best National Universities by U.S. News & World Report
Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University is the only public university in Northeast Ohio to be ranked in the top tier of the Best National Universities list released by U.S. News & World Report.
![Junior Darrick Edwards (third from left), a walk-on running back on the Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University football team, was awarded the Lt. Jack Rittichier Trophy for displaying characteristics of the hero for whom the trophy was named. Junior Darrick Edwards (third from left), a walk-on running back on the Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University football team, was awarded the Lt. Jack Rittichier Trophy for displaying characteristics of the hero for whom the trophy was named.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/PROFILE%20-%20Rittichier%20Award%202018.jpg?VersionId=xR7LssN8o6WV4Xp5bFiZJX.8WEc8abrg&h=e6f36a9c&itok=7tiORAZu)
Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« Running Back Darrick Edwards Wins Rittichier Award
Junior Darrick Edwards, a walk-on running back on the Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University football team, was awarded the Lt. Jack Rittichier Trophy for displaying characteristics of the hero for whom the trophy was named.
![Over the summer, Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University at Stark freshmen served the community at Stark Parks, The Campus Kitchens Project at the Kent Campus and at Habitat for Humanity Restore in Canton. Over the summer, Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University at Stark freshmen served the community at Stark Parks, The Campus Kitchens Project at the Kent Campus and at Habitat for Humanity Restore in Canton.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/REGIONAL%20-%20FYE-SSP-FOODBANK_0.jpg?VersionId=IL2ljPLD601V7V5D2jozvc05za3T0NR8&h=e6f36a9c&itok=qvMdotrv)
Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« at Stark’s First Year Experience (FYE) Prepares Students for Success
Incoming Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University at Stark freshmen participated in the fifth FYE Summer Service Project.
![Members of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« community organized the 2018 Heart Climb event, which received funding from Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ«'s Seeds of Wellness program. Members of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« community organized the 2018 Heart Climb event, which received funding from Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ«'s Seeds of Wellness program.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/SpecialFeature-SeedsofWellness-MAIN-Photo2.jpg?VersionId=r5gnpJdlkemjSoc_CNhWetMOpSpDEir9&h=e6f36a9c&itok=3llEu65v)
Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« of Wellness Offers Seeds of Wellness Mini-grants for Health and Wellness Initiatives
Mini-grants fund community-driven initiatives that support Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îȫ’s mission to become a model for a healthy campus.
![Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University hospitality management senior Ashley Foster (right) spent a week working with Food Network celebrity chef Cat Cora (left). (Photo provided by Ashley Foster) Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University hospitality management senior Ashley Foster (right) spent a week working with Food Network celebrity chef Cat Cora (left). (Photo provided by Ashley Foster)](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/PHOTOLEAD-Main_0.jpg?VersionId=_qe3ZNhmQx6ENN5ZF9aesB4faBQYieU_&h=e6f36a9c&itok=Z7AuIOuA)
Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« Student Realizes Dream of Working With Celebrity Chef
Chef Cat Cora says Ashley Foster's drive and ambition reminded her of herself when she was starting her career.
![Todd Diacon, Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îȫ’s executive vice president and provost, congratulates Rudd (Ted) Bare II during Summer 2018 Commencement. Todd Diacon, Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îȫ’s executive vice president and provost, congratulates Rudd (Ted) Bare II during Summer 2018 Commencement.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/B0B_7183.jpg?VersionId=ewHzk_J_qRdyUUjX2JI16sxI03umh7rb&h=e6f36a9c&itok=KfxnJLz4)
It Is Never Too Late to Graduate From Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ«
Seventy-year-old Rudd (Ted) Bare II had the surprise of a lifetime planned for his children on Aug. 18, 2018.
![The National Collegiate Honors Council has named recent Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University graduate Megan Swoger a 2018 Portz Scholar. The National Collegiate Honors Council has named recent Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University graduate Megan Swoger a 2018 Portz Scholar.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/PROFILE%20-%20Portz%20Scholar.jpg?VersionId=fPugh.c4v.BTi0dNMIhDS.j4NNifIiNq&h=e6f36a9c&itok=50NPFPe5)
Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« Graduate Named 2018 Portz Scholar
The National Collegiate Honors Council has named recent Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University graduate Megan Swoger a 2018 Portz Scholar. She is the ninth Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« student to receive the honor since the inception of the Portz Scholars competition in 1990.
![LEADERship Ashtabula County Executive Director Laura E. Jones and Susan Stocker, dean of Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University at Ashtabula, pose for a photo after Dean Stocker was presented with the Marta K. Stone Excellence in Leadership Award. LEADERship Ashtabula County Executive Director Laura E. Jones and Susan Stocker, dean of Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University at Ashtabula, pose for a photo after Dean Stocker was presented with the Marta K. Stone Excellence in Leadership Award.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/03REGIONAL-Dean%20Stocker%20and%20LEADERship%20Ashtabula%20Co.%20Executive%20Director%20Laura%20E.%20Jones.jpg?VersionId=PDtM_pJ12FF7I8KKYeVFg2sxqlCd3fYp&h=e6f36a9c&itok=5gSywhbP)
Dean Stocker Named 2018 Recipient of LEADERship Ashtabula County Excellence in Leadership Award
Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University at Ashtabula Dean and Chief Administrative Officer Susan J. Stocker, Ph.D., was presented with the Marta K. Stone Excellence in Leadership Award from LEADERship Ashtabula County at the organization’s annual meeting that was held Aug. 1.
![Every stroke of the makeup brush reveals Carrie Esser's passion for self-expression. Every stroke of the makeup brush reveals Carrie Esser's passion for self-expression.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article_thumbnail/SPECIAL%20FEATURE%203.jpg?VersionId=BFu6Ra3rTnkhMbrdMG9pr.i1t3lXDSOO&h=e6f36a9c&itok=hh-Ha_k-)
Passion, Purpose and the Power of Paint
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« University student Carrie Esser is that she is not an art major but she has gained a reputation for her makeup and body-painting business.