University hopes to showcase new developments

Kent State football players sing the alma matter during a pep rally last night. The Flashes will face the University of Toledo Rockets at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Dix Stadium. BRIAN MARKS | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: John Proppe

With a winning football team and events unique to this year’s Homecoming, the Kent State Alumni Association is hoping for a record turnout — if the weather will stay dry.

Nancy Schiappa, associate director of outreach for the Alumni Association, has been in charge of Homecoming at Kent State since 2001 and said attendance should increase because of things that don’t happen every year.

Over the last few years, Kent State has undergone a major facelift.

“If an alum hasn’t been to campus recently, they will definitely notice a change,” Schiappa said.

She pointed out that Kent State has new gardens and said she thinks the alumni appreciate that the facilities stay well-maintained.

Stopher and Johnson halls were completed as a part of Kent State’s facelift, and there will be a re-dedication of the new honors dorms.

There were four rocks outside of the old Stopher Hall now displayed in one of the lounges of the new Stopher Hall.

Schiappa said she hopes the alumni will take note of what went into the design citing the “flavor of the old with the new.”

The Alumni Association is showing off new technology, such as 3-D technology and the liquid crystal display, available on campus with the Classes Without Quizzes event. Schiappa said they are going to try to do a theme every year with that event, so the classes will be interconnected.

She thinks the class from 1956 will be glad to see the return of the arch, which was relocated to Janik Drive in August. The arch will be re-dedicated during a motorized campus tour for the class of 1956.

Elizabeth Slanina, assistant director of the Alumni Association, said George Janik will be back to give a speech during the re-dedication.

Janik Drive was named after George, who graduated in ’56 and served on the Board of Trustees from 1975 to 1988, Slanina said. He served as chairman from 1976 to 1978.

Slanina organized a Golden Order Luncheon for the class of ’56, in which the class will be inducted to the Golden Order — a special society for alumni who have reached their 50-year milestone.

She said she observed in the past that reunions are almost a surreal feeling for the class members who attend.

“What sucks them in, I think, is how fast this day came in their lives,” she said.

Attendees get the chance to look at display tables of items the Alumni Association dug up from the time class members were in school. Some class members usually bring items to display with what the association has compiled as well.

President Lester Lefton will also be taking part in many Homecoming activities tomorrow, Schiappa said.

As part of his rounds, there will be a meet and greet reception for students, faculty and alumni to meet the President in Risman Plaza.

Schiappa said Homecoming is an ideal time to introduce Lefton.

“He has not had an opportunity to meet with everybody,” she said.

He will also be at the pre-game and make a stop at Tailgate Alley.

Contact alumni affairs reporter Theresa Edwards at [email protected].