Many of us, now Kent State students, have debated at some point in our lives which institution to attend to receive higher education. We spent countless hours researching the best choice, and let me assure you that you made the right decision by choosing to become a Golden Flash. There are just simply so many reasons for this.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Kent State among the top 90 public universities in the country. I know that it might seem like nothing special, but you should not forget that there are nearly 4,000 public institutions that provide higher education in our nation. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication from our students, faculty and staff to achieve such phenomenal results.

Our school offers more than 250 majors and minors to choose from and a number of them, not just a few, make Kent State famous and unique. Kent State is one of the 34 schools worldwide that offers a financial engineering degree. It is the only school in the nation that offers comprehensive sequence of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in translation and translation studies. Kent State’s Business Administration, Fashion Design and Architecture programs are nationally ranked. The list can go on and on.

But it’s not even about numbers and statistics. Kent State lets you find yourself as a person. Although our second home seems so big at times we sometimes feel lost on campus, there is always a place where you can be comfortable. Being a Kent State student, you get a chance to become a member of more than 200 on-campus organizations, fraternities, sororities, etc. You just need to figure out what your interests are, and trust me; you will find at least another 20 students who share the same views. Being involved in any on-campus organization will let any student sharpen his or her communication, leadership and critical thinking skills.

Kent State staff and faculty members understand how critically important it is to study any given subject firsthand because students partially gain “the real-world” experience, which will prepare them for their futures. That is why Kent State designed countless off-campus academic programs to help students become professionals in a field of their interest. Fashion design majors can go to Kent’s New York City studio for a semester to gain professional practice in America’s fashion capital. Students who enjoy languages can go to numerous countries to improve their ability to speak a foreign tongue. If you are into politics, you can study it in the most dynamic place – the District of Columbia – by participating in the Washington Program in National Issues.

Our professors are another great aspect of the Kent State community. Ninety percent of them hold the highest academic credentials in their field. They are here to help us to success (right, professors?). We are paying much money to make the American Dream come true in our lives, so let an expert help you. I have taken numerous classes within many disciplines, and I have never been disappointed in my professors’ professionalism and intelligence levels. Of course, there are times when disputes evolve, and we do not agree with our teachers on certain subjects. But, overall, students can gain much knowledge if they bother to challenge their educators. Kent State’s alumni are living proof of my statement. Former Kent State students are now employed by the CIA, the Congressional Research Service and many other government organizations; they have been elected to the House of Representatives and broke a record in Super Bowl history by scoring a 100-yard touchdown (Who said that Kent State football sucks?).

What I am trying to tell you guys is that you can be all you want with Kent State and dedication to success. It’s all here, and it’s all open for you. Take your Kent State experience to become an educated person and stiff competition. Be proud to be a Golden Flash because, after all, not so many students get such an amazing chance to attend the school that will always be the best in our hearts – Kent State.

Welcome.

Anastasiya Spytsya is a senior Russian translation major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].