Kent State University

Established in 1910, Kent State University (KSU) is a public research university in Kent, Ohio. The university has regional campuses in Ashtabula, Burton, East Liverpool, Jackson Township, New Philadelphia, Salem, and Warren astride facilities in Cleveland, Independence, Twinsburg, New York City, and Florence.

The first classes were held in 1912  in temporary buildings in Kent and the first buildings of the original campus opened the following year. Since that time the university has grown to include many additional baccalaureate and graduate programs of study in the arts and sciences. Kent State offers over 300 degree programs. It is a member of the University System of Ohio and is classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education among “R1: Doctoral Universities”.

Since its founding as a teacher-training school in 1910, Kent State has become an engine for economic, cultural and workforce development in the region and beyond as a premiere university in Ohio. This university has also earned acclaim for applying new knowledge to address the needs of the communities it serves and society as a whole through a vast array of continuing education courses and much more. 

Established under the Lowry Bill, it shared this origin with its sister institution, Bowling Green State University. Originally called the Ohio State Normal College at Kent, it was soon renamed Kent State Normal School to honour William S. Kent, the son of the city’s namesake, who contributed significant land to the school.  John Edward McGilvrey became the first president in 1912 and envisioned Kent as a large university. Classes began in 1912 in regional centres before the campus buildings were ready, with the first campus classes starting in 1913. The school awarded its first degrees in 1914 and expanded to four-year degrees by 1915, prompting a name change to Kent State Normal College. By 1929, the institution was renamed Kent State College after introducing a college of arts and sciences.

McGilvrey’s vision for Kent was met with resistance, especially from state officials and other universities such as Ohio State. This led to conflicts over credit transfers known as the “credit war,” which ultimately resulted in McGilvrey’s dismissal in 1926. He was succeeded by David Allen Anderson and then James Ozro Engleman, although McGilvrey remained involved in alumni relations. A significant milestone came in 1935 when Governor Martin L. Davey signed a bill that authorised Kent State and Bowling Green to add business and graduate schools, granting them university status and the new name Kent State University.

During the 1940s to 1960s, Kent State experienced substantial growth under President George Bowman. The university organised student and faculty senates and opened its first regional campus in Canton in 1946. The appointment of Oscar W. Ritchie in 1947 marked the first African American faculty position at Kent State and any Ohio state university. The campus expanded with new buildings and additional regional campuses in the 1950s and 1960s. The black squirrel, introduced in 1961, became an unofficial mascot. In 1965, the Liquid Crystal Institute was founded, positioning Kent State as a leader in liquid crystal research and industry. That same decade, Kent State established the first student-operated Campus Bus Service.

The university gained worldwide attention following the tragic shootings on May 4, 1970, when National Guard troops fired on protesting students, killing four and wounding nine. The protests were in response to the U.S. invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War. The campus closed immediately, and alternative teaching methods were implemented to complete the academic term. In 1971, the university founded the Center for Peaceful Change (now the Center for Applied Conflict Management) as a living memorial. The shootings also inspired Neil Young’s song "Ohio" and led to ongoing remembrance efforts by faculty and students.

From the 1970s onward, Kent State expanded its facilities and academic offerings. A new library opened in 1970 and became a research member library in 1973. Kent State joined a medical consortium that year, later adding pharmacy and other partners. In 1991, Carol Cartwright became the first female president of an Ohio state university. The university continued to grow through renovations, new residence halls, and academic buildings. By 2010, student enrollment reached a record high of over 41,000. Today, Kent State operates eight campuses in Northeast Ohio, including the main Kent Campus and seven regional campuses. It also maintains international study facilities in Florence, Italy, and a New York City studio, along with an urban design center in Cleveland.

Kent State University offers both graduate and undergraduate programs across its eight campuses in Northeast Ohio. With over 300 degree programs, including more than 250 bachelor's degrees, 40 associate degrees, 50 master's degrees, and 23 doctoral programs, the university provides diverse academic opportunities to students.
 

The College of Arts and Sciences provides 69 master's and 27 doctoral programs in fields such as anthropology, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, English, geography, geology, and more. The College of Education, Health, and Human Services (EHHS) offers 23 master's programs, 5 education specialist programs, and 13 doctoral degrees, including Ph.D., Au.D., and Ed.D., focusing on areas like counseling, educational leadership, health education, and speech-language pathology. Additionally, the College of Aeronautics and Engineering offers a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, providing opportunities for advanced research and innovation in the field. 
 

At the undergraduate level, The College of Arts and Sciences provides 42 majors and 52 minors, allowing students to explore disciplines in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, mathematics, and computer sciences. The College of Business Administration offers programs in areas such as business analytics, computer information systems, finance, human resource management, and marketing. The College of Applied and Technical Studies offers degrees in fields like business management technology, cybersecurity, information technology, and various health-related programs, including nursing and respiratory therapy.
 

Kent State is recognised for its specialized programs that cater to specific career paths. The College of Public Health offers programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Master of Public Health, and Doctorate in Public Health, with concentrations in areas like epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health sciences, and health policy and management. The College of Aeronautics and Engineering provides programs in aerospace engineering, aviation management, and mechatronics engineering, preparing students for careers in the rapidly evolving field of engineering and technology. 
 

Kent State University also offers study opportunities in locations such as Florence, Italy, and New York City, allowing students to gain global perspectives in their fields of study. Additionally, Kent State provides online degree programs, including the Online MBA, which offers flexibility for working professionals seeking to advance their education. These global and online opportunities enhance the university's commitment to providing accessible and diverse educational experiences.

Kent State University is the highest-ranking public university in Northern Ohio on the Top Public Schools and Best National Universities lists in the 2022 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings. The university's MBA programs, offered through the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, received recognition for their quality and flexibility. 

The online MBA program is particularly notable, having been ranked among the Top 50 Online MBA Programs for 2024 by The Princeton Review. The full-time MBA program at Kent State is also distinguished by its AACSB accreditation, a mark of excellence held by fewer than 1 percent of business schools worldwide. This program offers concentrations in Business Analytics, Digital Transformation, Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business and Organizational Leadership.

While Kent State Univeristy's MBA programs are not featured in the QS Global MBA Rankings or the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings for 2025, they provide valuable educational opportunities for students seeking advanced business education. The university's commitment to quality education and career readiness remains evident through its consistently strong rankings in various national and international assessments.

The involvement of students, faculty, staff, parents, families, alumni and the Kent State community is the key to the future development of their students. The university's evolution from a normal school to a comprehensive institution with business, graduate, and professional programs has helped it align its curriculum with industry requirements. This adaptability supports high job integration rates, as students gain relevant skills and practical experience through regional campuses, research centres, and specialised programs like the Liquid Crystal Institute.

Throughout its history, Kent State has placed emphasis on community engagement and experiential learning, which positively impacts graduate employment outcomes. The establishment of regional campuses and partnerships with local industries facilitates smoother transitions for students into local and regional job markets. Additionally, initiatives such as the student-operated Campus Bus Service and the Center for Applied Conflict Management provide real-world experience, enhancing students’ readiness for professional roles.

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8. "John Edward McGilvrey, Papers, 1890-1945". Kent State University Special Collections and Archives.
9. "Renovations for Oscar Ritchie on Track". eInside.
10. "London Black Squirrels Take Over Kent State University". Victoria-Park.com. 
11. "Liquid Crystal Institute blazes new trails at Kent State". Inside Business. 
12. "Liquid Lessons: The Missed Opportunity of Liquid Crystal Technology isn't Lost on Researchers Crain's Cleveland Business.
13. "James Fergason - Lemelson-MIT Program". lemelson.mit.edu.
14. "Crystal clear; Kent State playing lead role in exploring medical, anti-bioterror uses for liquid crystal technology". Crain's Cleveland Business. Crain Communications. 
15. "Kent State University Campus Bus Service: History 1965-2004" (PDF).