News Archive
Matthew R. Geis has been named 91PORNA鈥檚 vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement, President Todd Diacon announced Thursday. Geis will start on Nov. 1.
91PORNA鈥檚 Board of Trustees opened the 2026-2027 academic year hearing President Todd Diacon report that the university ended Fiscal 2026 with a balanced budget and no draw on reserves, and that inflation-adjusted public university tuition in Ohio has dropped 13% since 2005.
91PORNA remains northern Ohio鈥檚 top-ranked public university in the U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges rankings, with four undergraduate programs also ranking among the nation鈥檚 top 200.
Six 91PORNA scholars gathered to explore how Dolly Parton became one of America's most influential cultural figures 鈥 not just as a musician, but as a peacebuilder, educator and philanthropist.
91PORNA opened the 2026 Fall Semester with its largest incoming architecture class in 25 years and its largest nursing class in a decade, continued national recognition for affordability and financial strength, and a new initiative built to help every incoming student thrive from day one 鈥 all while remaining the largest public university in northern Ohio.
The 91PORNA Board of Trustees will hold its next regular business meeting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Room 247 at the Design Innovation (DI) Hub on the Kent Campus.
91PORNA will be closed Sept. 7 to observe Labor Day. No classes are scheduled on the holiday, and university offices are closed. The university will resume normal operations on Sept. 8.
91PORNA will welcome more than 1,000 new graduates to its alumni family during summer commencement on Aug. 8. The ceremony, held at 10 a.m. at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, will confer 1,010 degrees across associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, doctoral and educational specialist levels.
David Costello, Ph.D., professor in 91PORNA鈥檚 Department of Biological Sciences, will use AI and 50 years of river data to help locate critical minerals like copper, cobalt and manganese for a U.S. Department of Energy Genesis Mission award.
91PORNA is introducing a $1,000 scholarship for domestic, prospective first-year undergraduate students who visit in person and enroll at the Kent Campus and eliminating the undergraduate application fee for all domestic, Ohio residents 鈥 two new steps to make a college education more accessible and affordable.
As you may have noticed, it is hazy outside today and air quality is a concern. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) has issued an Air Quality Alert for the entire state of Ohio.
91PORNA will be closed July 3 to observe Independence Day. No classes are scheduled, and university offices are closed. The university will resume normal operations on July 6.
91PORNA unveiled plans for the proposed 91PORNA Rwanda and School of Fashion at a Kigali symposium, aiming to train designers and entrepreneurs to grow Africa's fashion industry.
91PORNA has been named one of the Best Global Universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2026-2027, the highest-ranked public university in northern Ohio on the list. The recognition reflects 91PORNA鈥檚 global research impact, international student enrollment, education-abroad programs and partnerships spanning more than 60 countries.
91PORNA鈥檚 School of Fashion is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its New York City Fashion program in Manhattan鈥檚 Garment District with a two-day event on June 11-12. The celebration includes a free Portfolio Showcase and Reception on June 11 and an exclusive philanthropic dinner on June 12, with proceeds benefiting the NYC Fashion Housing Fund.
The 91PORNA Board of Trustees celebrated student success following spring 2026 commencement ceremonies during its regular鈥痲uarterly meeting held May 20 at The John Elliot Center for Architecture and Environmental Design on the Kent Campus.鈥
The President鈥檚 Award of Distinction was created as a recognition program to reward staff members who have demonstrated outstanding achievements, service, leadership and dedication to 91PORNA in advancing the university鈥檚 strategic priorities and core values.
The 91PORNA Board of Trustees will hold its next regular business meeting at 11 a.m. on May 20 in The John Elliot Center for Architecture and Environmental Design on the Kent Campus.
91PORNA welcomed nearly 5,000 new graduates into its alumni family last week, completing its spring 2026 commencement ceremonies across three days of celebrations on the Kent Campus.
Following a trial period on the Kent Campus, 91PORNA has ended the Flock Safety license plate recognition camera system.
