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A new, temporary roundabout at the intersection of East Main Street and Horning Road has opened, showing how road improvements are beginning to take shape on the north side of �Ը������� University's Kent Campus.

During Winter Break and all throughout the year, in every season, the dedicated people of University Facilities Management work to keep all of �Ը�������'s campuses running smoothly and looking great.

Student photographers working in University Communications and Marketing helped capture the moments and memories of Fall Semester 2025.

�Ը������� University will be closed from Dec. 24, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026. University offices will reopen on Jan. 5, 2026. 

�Ը������� Today showcases the university's most striking images from 2025, as captured by staff photographers Bob Christy, Rami Daud and Mike Rich, and their student colleagues, throughout a year of academic achievement, campus celebrations and student success. 

The Ohio Department of Higher Education Science of Reading Audit of educator preparation programs found that �Ը������� University’s preservice teacher literacy coursework was deemed “in alignment” with a score of 100% and no mandatory recommendations for improvement. 

During the commencement ceremony for the Fall Class of 2025, �Ը������� President Todd Diacon discusses how commencement is more than the ceremony on the stage. “At commencement, the stage is where it’s at, but the ramp is who we are,” he said.

�Ը������� University conferred degrees to more than 2,400 new graduates in Fall Commencement ceremonies on Dec. 13 at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.

Beginning fall 2027, Bio-Med Science Academy will relocate its grades K-6 programs to �Ը������� University’s Schwartz Center. The Schwartz Center, which opened in 1956 as the home of the �Ը������� University School, a laboratory school that served generations of student teachers, will return to its original purpose as a school building.

�Ը������� University’s Board of Trustees approved a new partnership between the university and Bio-Med Science Academy STEM School that will bring new life to the underutilized Michael Schwartz Center building while providing the public STEM school with a state-of-the-art facility for its elementary grades. The Board’s vote of approval came during its regular quarterly meeting held Dec. 11. 

�Ը������� celebrated 75 years of memories at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation with a 96-84 victory by the Golden Flashes men’s basketball team over the Austin Peay Governors and revealing a collection of commemorative keepsakes.

The accomplishments of the Fall Class of 2025 were recognized with commencement ceremonies on Dec. 13.

In 2022, the first "In A Flash" was posted on �Ը������� Today. Since then, there have been 599 more "In A Flashes," each offering a glimpse of life at �Ը�������.

Throughout November, alumni, friends, faculty and staff were encouraged to find the cause that speaks to them and share their reason for giving. From Nov. 1 through Giving Tuesday (Dec. 2), the 2025 campaign raised more than $4.5 million for causes ranging from food sustainability and the environment to athletics and basic needs to education. 

A new recognition program launched by the Portage County Emergency Management Agency spotlights organizations demonstrating exceptional commitment to emergency management, readiness and community safety. �Ը������� University has been named the inaugural honoree of the Portage Preparedness Initiative

Tracy M. Dodson, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CEN, associate professor at the College of Nursing, is committed to helping students succeed through compassion and innovative teaching techniques. These techniques, accompanied by a passion for education, have been recognized with the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award.

Tina Patel, associate professor of interior design, thinks students should have confidence, creativity and commitment in their design work. Her philosophy in the classroom has led her to be awarded the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award.

Leveto's philosophy of teaching is that it requires compassion, understanding and patience. When mastered, it can create a transformative experience for students. This approach to education helped Leveto earn the 2025 Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award.  

Education is a process that goes beyond studying and memorizing, according to James Redfearn, Ph.D., assistant professor of biological sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at �Ը������� University. Redfearn's attitude, approach and creation of this supporting space led him to be awarded the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award.

The �Ը������� University Board of Trustees will hold its next regular business meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Urban Conference Room, Library, second floor, on the Kent Campus. The Board will consider the recommendations of the standing committees, proposed personnel actions, and new business. Trustees will retire into executive session to consider specific topics as provided under Ohio’s “Sunshine Law.”