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what is now the City of Kent was two villages known as Carthage and Franklin Mills. The town fathers renamed the village "Kent" in 1864 to honor Marvin Kent who, in 1863, was responsible for bringing a railroad through town that played a major role in the village's development.

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Kent State University was established as an institution for training public school teachers.

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Ironically, Kent State's first classes are not in Kent. Extension classes are offered in more than 20 centers throughout Northeast Ohio. Some become the basis of Kent State's Regional Campus system.

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The first full academic year at Kent State commences with 144 total students enrolled!!

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The Kent state Golden Flashes men's basketball team was founded in 1913. The men's basketball team is the oldest collegiate team at Kent state. They played their first game against Kent High School.

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On July 29th, 1914, the first graduating class of 34 students left Kent State

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Was Kent State Always the Golden Flashes?
No. Although the program has been referred to as the Golden Flashes since the late 1920s — with Flash the Golden Eagle as Kent State’s mascot since 1985 — they were originally known as the Kent State Silver Foxes from 1923 to 1926.

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In 1985, the Kent State Golden Flashes mascot finally found an identity that is still going strong today. However, the journey to find that identity took many twists and turns, as you're about to discover.

What Is the Kent State Golden Flashes Mascot?

Flash the Golden Eagle is the Golden Flashes mascot. Despite undergoing several aesthetic transformations, the furry costumed golden eagle has been the face of Kent State's program since 1985.

For a program that has been using the name "Golden Flashes" since 1926, and whose original logo was a lightning bolt, why did Kent State settle on a golden eagle as their mascot?

According to Terry Barnard - the Director of Athletic Marketing and Communications in 1985 - as reported by the Daily Kent Stater, the eagle was chosen because the university wanted something proud, and there is nothing prouder than an eagle.

The Golden Flashes mascot finally established an identity for the program, after a litany of different mascots over a 50-plus-year period prior to the dramatic arrival of Flash the Golden Eagle - more on that shortly.
MORE: 2023 MAC Weekly Football Schedule
During the time from the very first Golden Flashes mascot to their current feathered face of the program, the mascot has taken the form of a dog, a horse and rider double act, a caveman named Grog, another dog, then a bizarre sequence of "costumed individuals roaming in attire with lightning bolts."

The latter held many names, including Freddie Flash, Golden Flash, Flashman, and Captain Flash. Outside of a sporting arena, naming yourself any of those would likely carry a strong possibility of incarceration for presumed crimes.

In their quest to establish a mascot and identity that the program could be proud of, Kent Technology Education Club constructed a plan to reveal what would become "Flash the Golden Eagle," including an elaborate unveiling.

At the halftime of the 1985 homecoming game, Flash was born unto the world from a giant, multi-material egg, alongside a live eagle counterpart. "Flash" has established himself - he's always considered a male regardless of the human inhabiting the costume - as an integral part of the program, appearing at over 100 sporting and non-sporting events per year.

Is the Golden Flashes Mascot a Live Animal?

Not anymore, sadly. However, during the long and varied history of the Golden Flashes mascot, there have been multiple live animal mascots that represented Kent State at college football games and the other sports played by the program.

The first Golden Flashes mascot was the fantastically, yet troublingly named "Golden Flasher." No, it wasn't a deviant dressed in a trench coat, it was an adorable golden retriever puppy gifted to the program. Sporting a cape of the program's colors, the pooch prowled the stadium sidelines for the best part of a decade.
MORE: History of the Ball State Cardinals Mascot
After ditching the dog in the 1960s, the Golden Flashes mascot returned to animal form in the 1970s. The original name returned too, except this time "Golden Flasher" was a horse who sported a "western-themed" rider on its back.

As the '70s turned into the 1980s, a golden retriever returned as the Golden Flashes mascot. This time, the dog was named "MAC the Flash" - perhaps in homage to the Mid-American Conference that the program has participated in since 1962.

The final live animal Golden Flashes mascot was a golden eagle, which was introduced at the same time as the current costumed mascot, with the two co-existing until the mid-1990s. An attempt to return to the tradition in 2008 was curtailed after complaints led to a letter from PETA urging the program to stop.

Was Kent State Always the Golden Flashes?

No. Although the program has been referred to as the Golden Flashes since the late 1920s - with Flash the Golden Eagle as Kent State's mascot since 1985 - they were originally known as the Kent State Silver Foxes from 1923 to 1926.

According to Kent State History and Traditions, the name came from the silver fox ranch that was co-owned by then president of the university, John McGilvrey. Once he departed, the new president held a competition to find a new nickname for the program where Golden Flashes beat out their existing game, hurricanes, and warriors as potential options.

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History of the Kent State Golden Flashes Mascot | College Football Network

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In a story befitting the mayhem of midweek MACtion, the Kent State Golden Flashes mascot finally found a permanent identity after years of trying.

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Paul G. Chandler, A professor at Kent State, became the first coach of the team upon its inception in 1922.

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With the unveiling of the Stow Aviation Field, Kent State initiates one of the earliest pilot schools in the country.

https://www.kent.edu/airport

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Dr. Arville O. DeWeese arrives on campus and organizes the Health Services as well as the Health and Physical Education departments.

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The Department of History at Kent State University proudly upholds a tradition of diversity, equity and inclusion in our teaching, supervision, research and publication. As such, we are committed to recruiting, supporting and maintaining diversity among faculty and staff, as well as students. We view diversity as including categories of race, ethnic/national origin, color, sex and sexual orientation, religion, gender identity and expression, age, family structure, socio-economic status, veteran status, and immigration status. We value diversity of thought, culture, beliefs, and expression that our diverse community provides, and seek to further empower that community by ensuring they always feel welcome, valued, respected, and heard. Diversity is central to the examination of the human experience in the discipline of History. As such, our department advocates that diversity benefits all. No less vital is a commitment to inclusion, which we understand to mean open and critical engagement with diverse intellectual perspectives and viewpoints in the classroom and out. We encourage free expression of all perspectives, while expecting civility and respect for all. In our striving to create an inclusive and welcoming environment, hateful speech and action - sexism, racism or any form of prejudice - are not tolerated. Looking to our future, we will further our commitment to advance inclusive excellence, diversity and equity. Whether it is in the development of new courses; the promotion of innovative, exciting scholarship that speaks to a broad audience; or our commitment to diversity and representation in departmental citizenship, we will continue to foster an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion.

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The Department of History at Kent State University proudly upholds a tradition of diversity, equity and inclusion in our teaching, supervision, research and publication. As such, we are committed to recruiting, supporting and maintaining diversity among faculty and staff, as well as students.

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The legend is that basketball players took their uniforms to a local laundromat and the colors bled blue and yellow onto their clothes. Later on, they took their uniforms to the student body and the rest is history !! :)

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Kent State Athletics has a rich and unique history. Here is a look at the history of athletics and the traditions that have evolved since 1910.

Did you know that the original colors for Kent State were orange and blue? As legend has it, when basketball uniforms were sent to a local laundromat the hot water turned them gold and blue. The team and student body liked the new colors, so they adopted them instead.

The Kent State fight song is proudly sung at Kent State events throughout the year. The Kent State marching band (football) and Flasher Brass (basketball) can be found at home events.

Our beloved mascot Flash can be found at home games and events all year long ( book him for your event here), but Flash hasn't always been the Kent State mascot. Here is a look at Flash's predecessors.

Kent State's first nickname was the Silver Foxes, named for the silver fox ranch that was adjacent to campus and co-owned by University president John McGilvrey.

1926-28

After the presidency of John McGilvrey, acting president T. Howard Winters held a "Name the Team" contest. Golden Flashes ultimately wins out over finalists "silver foxes", "hurricanes" and "warriors". The lightning bolt is soon adopted as the athletics' logo.

Kent State's first mascot was a golden retriever dubbed "Golden Flasher". The puppy was a gift from the Kennel Club of Ravenna and the dog was found at most home games throughout the decade.

1960s

Golden Flasher was phased out in the mid 60s and the Kent State student government pushed for a traditional "person in suit" style of mascot. Not knowing what the personification of what a flash would be, Grog, the caveman character from the popular comic strip B.C., arrived on the scene. This 50ft behemoth served was seen at home games in the late 60s and early 70s.

Kent State's turned to a western-themed rider and horse (also named Golden Flasher) for football home games throughout the 70s.

Late 1970s - Early 1980s

Golden Flasher returns in the late 1970s but is renamed "MAC the Flash" after a "Name the Mascot" contest held by radio station WKNT and the athletic department. The 19-week-old golden retriever was donated by the Blue and Gold Club, a KSU booster organization and served as the mascot through the 70s and into the early 80s.

After the golden retriever, the mascot reverts back "to costumed individuals roaming about in attire with lightning bolts". T The costumed characters go under various names‚ including Freddie Flash‚ Golden Flash‚ Flashman and Captain Flash (seen here in 1982).

1985

As part of the University's 75th anniversary celebration, the Kent Technology Education Club embarks on a project to construct a large fiberglass egg to unveil the new athletics' mascot.

Flash the Golden Eagle is chosen as the new athletics' mascot . An eagle was chosen because the university wanted something proud and "there is nothing prouder than an eagle". Flash emerged from the egg during halftime of the 1985 homecoming game. Flash, along with a live eagle, are seen at home games through the mid 1990s.

1985

Different versions of Flash the Golden Eagle are created throughout the 1980s with an attempt to create a look of real bird feathers. This practice continues throughout the 1990s before having a live bird mascot gets phased out.

The current version of Flash debuts in the 2000s. He continues to entertain and delight fans and home games and campus events all year round. The self-described "best all-around athlete on campus" appears at over 100 events annually.

The Golden Flashes and conference rival Zips battle for the Wagon Wheel in their annual football game. The unique rivalry trophy grew out of the wagon wheel legend. According to the legend, the trophy traces its beginnings to the spring of 1870 when Akron industrialist John R. Buchtel set out for the town of Kent in search of a site to establish a college. In the muddy Ohio fields, however, his wagon became bogged down in the area where Kent State University is currently located. When horses pulled the wagon, a wheel came loose and became buried until it was discovered in 1902 during the construction of a pipeline along the Western Reserve Trail. The wheel eventually fell into the possession of Dr. Raymond Manchester, who as the Kent State Dean of Men in 1945, suggested the local historic artifact be offered as the trophy to the winner of the annual football game.

There is also a year-long challenge which counts all athletic contests in the 16 sports where the rivals compete head-to-head. The winner of each contest (or series) earns a point towards the challenge, the first school to earn 8.5 points wins the challenge.

It is a tradition for Kent State teams to celebrate post game wins by singing the fight song before ringing the Starner Victory bell. Each team selects the player(s) who were pivotal in the game to ring first, which provides both a unifying and memorable experience for the student-athletes.

Donated by Kent State University alumni Buzz '67 and Marilyn '71 Starner, who were strong proponents of the value of athletics to develop in competition the skills that lead our Flash student-athletes to success in life after college.

Not only is the Starner victory bell a tradition at home athletic events but it has also become a tradition to provide new Kent State graduates the opportunity to ring the bell on Risman plaza immediately after graduation ceremonies during fall and spring semester.

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OUR HISTORY AND TRADITIONS Kent State Athletics has a rich and unique history. Here is a look at the history of athletics and the traditions that have evolved

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1929 transitioning from normal school to Kent State 

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1929 transitioning from normal school to Kent State 

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they approve the addition of colleges of liberal arts and allow degrees to be giving from that college. Kent State Normal School is now Kent State College

(Brooklyn Davis)

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The History of an Ohio University

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 Ohio 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. To learn more about the university's history and what makes it one of the best colleges in Ohio, explore the links below.

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The History of an Ohio University 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.

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Bachelor Hall was part of the original Kent farm and housed students. It housed 10 students during the depression. It is now gown and in its place a parking lot.

https://omeka.library.kent.edu/special-collections/items/show/890

https://www.kent.edu/about-history

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This digital object is owned by Kent State University and may be protected by U.S. Copyright law (Title 17, USC). Please include proper citation and credit for use of this item. Use in publications or productions is prohibited without written permission from Kent State University.

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1947 Oscar Ritchie becomes the first African American appointed faculty member at an Ohio University

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1947 Oscar Ritchie becomes the first African American appointed faculty member at an Ohio University

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This is a major moment in history for Kent State University.

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At the time when looking for a personified version of a Mascot the school briefly established a character from a comic strip called Grog the Caveman! This mascot was seen at home games from the late 60s to the early 70s

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1961 Black Squirrels arrived on campus  

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1961 Black Squirrels arrived on campus  

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1961 Kent State University's grounds superintendent imported our beloved black squirrels. These black squirrels are a popular symbol for our campus and Kent residents.

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This digital object is owned by Kent State University and may be protected by U.S. Copyright law (Title 17, USC). Please include proper citation and credit for use of this item. Use in publications or productions is prohibited without written permission from Kent State University.

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1965 Honors college residence halls are built

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1965 Honors college residence halls are built

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This is a large attraction for students deciding to come to Kent state

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Muhammad Ali, a guest speaker during Think Week 1969, delivers a speech in the Memorial Gymnasium on April 8, 1969. The Think Week theme for 1969 was "The Black Man in Society: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."

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1970 Tallest Building in Portage County 

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1970 Tallest Building in Portage County 

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In 1970, the tallest building in Portage County finished being built, which remains the tallest to this day. The University Library gave students access to new and more academic recources.

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May 4, 1970. It was not a good day for any at Kent state on May 4, 1970. It was a deadly shooting that killed several students. I chose this event because I remember learning about this in grade school and its crazy to me I'm now a student here.

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Dr. Ritchie was the first African American to in ohios public university system and in honor of him they dedicated a building to him know as Oscar Ritchie hall, but the building was created as well to be a form of bribery for the black students to stay on campus so that Kent could continue to earn money for diversity.

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The Department of Pan-African Studies, an academic program structured to provide in-depth study of African cultures, as well as exposure to important issues facing African-Americans, is founded.

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Welcome to Kent State University's Department of Africana Studies (DAFS). The Department of Africana Studies (DAFS) is located in Oscar Ritchie Hall (ORH), an academic building named in honor of one of the first African Americans to hold a tenured position in the state of Ohio's system of Higher Education.

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Welcome to Kent State University's Department of Pan-African Studies (DPAS). The Department of Pan-African Studies (DPAS) is located in Oscar Ritchie Hall (ORH), an academic building named in honor of one of the first African Americans to hold a tenured position in the state of Ohio's system of Higher Education.

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Technology students work on a 6 foot egg to unveil with the new mascot Flash, at homecoming in 1985

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Carol Cartwright became the first woman to serve as president of a state university in Ohio.

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The History of an Ohio University

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 Ohio 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. To learn more about the university's history and what makes it one of the best colleges in Ohio, explore the links below.

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The History of an Ohio University 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.

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Opening of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center in 1999.

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This event is important in the history of Kent State University because this building offers students to build healthy lifestyles by taking advantage of all the fitness services available to them because of this building being offered. Working out and participating in activities can help with mental health and stress. Everybody attending this university can have the pleasure of getting activity in while bring in a non-judgmental atmosphere where everyone can feel proud of what they achieve. This is important to me because I have always enjoyed working out and how good it makes me feel.

https://www.kent.edu/stark/recreation-wellness-center

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The men's basketball team reaches the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.

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Elite Eight Team Members Remember Excitement Of Winning in 2002 NCAA Tournament

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Fifteen years after Kent State’s Men’s Basketball team became the darlings of the NCAA Tournament, those who played and cheered for that team are remembering the excitement. The Golden Flashes won the Mid-American Conference Tournament and entered March Madness as a #10 seed; most expected they would lose their first game and certainly wouldn’t advance far.

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2002 Centennial Court Residence Hall Built

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2002 Centennial Court Residence Hall Built

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This was an exciting time for students living on campus. Centennial Court was the first resident hall to have private bathrooms. It also allowed students to dorm with more than 1 person instead of the standard double rooms.

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Kent St Dustin Kilgore Pins Oklahoma St Clayton Foster in the 3rd period to win the National Championship at the 197 lbs weight class for men's wrestling. Dustin was the first Kent St wrestler to accomplish this once-in-a-lifetime achievement. Forever cementing his name in Kent State's rich athletic history.

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Provides an exhibit showcasing the events of May 4th in a historical, political, and social context.

https://www.kent.edu/may-4-1970

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Kent St defeats Utah St 51-41 in the Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl to win their first-ever bowl game in history

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In 2019 Kent State University created the Brain Health Research Institute. The mission of BHRI is to improve the understanding of brain function in health, disease, and repair.

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Kent State University's Brain Health Research Institute (BHRI) is committed to improving our understanding of brain function in health, disease and repair.

Our mission includes the development of new approaches aimed at understanding an array of neurological disorders by identifying genetic, environmental and behavioral influences that impact brain health across the life span.

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Brain Health Research Institute | Kent State University's Brain Health Research Institute (BHRI) is committed to improving our understanding of brain function in health, disease and repair. Our mission includes the development of new approaches aimed at understanding an array of neurological disorders by identifying genetic, environmental and behavioral influences that impact brain health across the life span.

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2019 Design Innovation Initative Launched

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2019 Design Innovation Initative Launched

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Created to enhance collaboration and communication skills, critical thinking, and creativity for students.

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Design Innovation | Kent State University

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Kent State University brings together students, faculty, community and leading experts from diverse disciplines to thoughtfully address issues of technology and society. Our goal is to create students and graduates able to address, re-frame and tackle the truly big problems facing our world.

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February, 2022.  Excellence in integrating international education.   

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February, 2022.  Excellence in integrating international education.   

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Kent State is the sole university in the U.S. to receive the prestigious 2022 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization from NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The honor recognizes Kent State for overall excellence in integrating international education throughout all facts of the university and its campuses.

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Kent State University is the sole university in the U.S. to receive the prestigious 2022 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization from NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The honor recognizes Kent State for overall excellence in integrating international education throughout all facets of the university and its campuses.

Named after the late Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois, the NAFSA Simon Awards recognize outstanding innovation and accomplishment in campus internationalization, defined by NAFSA as "a conscious effort to integrate and infuse international, intercultural and global dimensions into the ethos and outcomes of their students' education."

"The Senator Paul Simon Award is our nation's top prize for excellence in global education," Kent State President Todd Diacon said. "It is a richly deserved award that highlights our excellent education-abroad programs and our ongoing success in enrolling and graduating international students."

Kent State's global reach has been expansive, with educational centers in Florence, Italy, and Curitiba, Brazil, along with boasting more than 200 education-abroad programs. Along with globe-spanning international partnerships, it has outreach centers in China and India.

Kent State's long history of international collaboration includes being among the first to exchange students with the Soviet Union during the Cold War and hosting Iranian students prior to Iran's revolution in 1978-1979. Hosting international students and scholars has always been a priority for Kent State as demonstrated by its continued standing among the top 100 destinations for international students, according to Open Doors, a comprehensive information resource on international students and scholars studying or teaching at higher education institutions in the United States, and U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit at their home colleges or universities.

"The Senator Paul Simon Award recognizes the internationalization efforts of our university and showcases how important it is for the development of students to have international experiences," said Melody Tankersley, Ph.D., Kent State's senior vice president and provost. "The award also recognizes the diversity of our university and brings global recognition to Kent State.

"I would like to thank Vice President for Global Education Marcello Fantoni for his visionary leadership to help us get to where we are - to the point where we could win this impressive award," Tankersley continued.

Kent State's commitment to internationalization is embedded in its mission and strategic plan and is entrenched in the university's identity through competitive research, comprehensive education-abroad programs, international curriculum and robust international student and scholar programs.

"At Kent State University, we are committed to granting access to students from all around the world and to make the whole world available for our students," said Marcello Fantoni, Ph.D., Kent State's vice president for global education. "We want to graduate students ready for the global world as active participants in a democratic society."

Kent State's student body includes 1,370 international students from nearly 100 countries. In 2019-2020, Kent State sent nearly 1,500 students abroad. Since resuming its international programming in July 2021, Kent State has returned to its full operations abroad and is already projected to surpass its previous record-setting enrollment in education-abroad programs by fall 2022.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the annual awards program. Serving more than 10,000 members and international educators worldwide, NAFSA is the largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange. Kent State will be featured in NAFSA's report, " Internationalizing the Campus: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities," that will be published this fall. The university also will be honored during the virtual and in-person programming as part of NAFSA's 2022 Annual Conference and Expo this spring. To learn more about NAFSA's Senator Paul Simon Awards, visit www.nafsa.org/SimonAward.

For more information about Kent State's Office of Global Education, visit www.kent.edu/globaleducation.

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Media Contact:
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595

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Kent State Wins Award for Excellence in Integrating International Education Throughout University

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Kent State Wins Award for Excellence in Integrating International Education Throughout University | Strategic Roadmap, Office of Global Education, Kent State Today, Kent Campus Featured Story, University News, Global Reach, Office of Global Education, Office of the Provost, Success Story | Kent State University is the sole university in the U.S.

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On December 14th, 2022 Kenni Burns was named the new head coach of Kent's Football team becoming the 23rd head coach of the program. Taking over the tittle from Sean Lewis just after his 5th season.