�Ը�������

In the week leading up to Homecoming, �Ը������� University brought the nostalgic experience of field day to students with a variety of classic games, including tug-of-war, parachute games, and sack races.

Students participating in education abroad may be new to a country and may not know much about the campus or community around them. At �Ը������� University, international students have an opportunity to connect with domestic students through a program called FRIEND.

When �Ը������� University celebrates Homecoming Week, the spotlight often falls on the parade, the game and the crowning of the Homecoming Court. Meet the 12 student leaders selected for the 2026 Homecoming Court, for whom the experience represents much more than a campaign for a crown. 

This year’s Homecoming theme, “Every Flash Has a Story,” marks the 100th anniversary of The �Ը�������r, and former staff members of the student newspaper will serve as Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals on Oct. 3.

Following the lead from its international nonprofit, the �Ը������� chapter of Best Buddies is forming friendships and giving support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Ahead of the November election, �Ը������� University’s Undergraduate Student Government hosted its annual Democracy Fest on Risman Plaza to celebrate National Voter Registration Day, giving first-time voters a chance to register and everyone a chance to learn about the democratic process. 

Once a month, �Ը������� University’s International Student and Scholar Services presents the Cultural Cafe. Abisola Mohammed, a graduate student in emerging media and technology who hails from Nigeria, started this year’s schedule with this simple question: “How far?”

The Flash Activities Board, known as FAB, is usually a student’s first introduction to the �Ը������� University community. Whether a student is looking for a quick evening activity, roaring crowds or somewhere to meet new friends in general, an event by the FAB should be their first stop.

Before Pinterest boards and TikTok DIYs, there was “Design on a Dime.” Now, 2019 �Ը������� University graduate Maddie Scalzi is bringing the 2000s HGTV show back to life, one DIY and thrifted find at a time.

�Ը������� University offers a variety of resources to help parents and families stay engaged with their students and the greater �Ը������� community. Parents and Families Appreciation Weekend, coming up on Sept. 25-26, will feature many events across campus and downtown.

When Lillian Glaze, a junior visual communication design major, opened the “WNBA Launch” email, she immediately realized the assignment was much bigger than she expected. She would be the technical director for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) brand reveal at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, helping bring the city’s newest professional sports team to life for thousands of viewers.  

�Ը������� University’s Center for Student Involvement hosted its first Leaders Lunch Club of the semester at the Pepsi Leadership Center on Sept. 2 with Sarah Spinner, Ph.D., J.D., director of the �Ը������� University Museum, as its first featured speaker to kick off the fall event series. “Leadership is not a title that’s given to you,” Spinner said. “Someone doesn’t make you a leader. Leadership is how you choose to act.”

�Ը������� Dodgeball enters its 25th season ranked fourth nationally and third in the Ohio Region. Team leaders and members describe a close-knit community built on Wednesday and Friday practices, with the squad eyeing a rematch against rival Ohio State University after a semifinal loss last year.

More than 400 students attended �Ը������� University’s Student Employment Fair to meet with employers and put their networking skills into action.

�Ը������� University officials took student support beyond campus on Sept. 2, visiting four Kent neighborhoods to welcome off-campus students and connect them with university and community resources.

For Evan Austin, leadership does not begin with a title. It begins with understanding who you are, finding your community and continuing to move forward when things don’t go according to plan.

A crisp, almost fall-like morning greeted �Ը������� University students Monday as they made their way to class for the first day of the 2026-27 academic year.

�Ը������� University’s residence halls are currently 98% full for the 2026 Fall Semester, with additional housing requests coming in every day.