2013 Year In Review | page 1

2013 Year In Review

2013 Year In Review | page 2

Greetings from the Alumni AssociationAs another year ends, I want to say thank you to our alumni, volunteers, university colleagues and partners for their unwavering support of the Kent State University Alumni Association. The year ushered in tremendous gains in events, membership, communications and more.

During 2013, we developed and implemented new programs for both alumni and current students to enhance their connection to the university while strengthening essential skills needed for success in an ever-changing world. Our partners and alumni association members play an integral role in supporting these services and benefits.

I am incredibly proud of the achievements that are made possible through everyone’s collaboration. We look forward to continuing our mission of constructing and maintaining deep-rooted relationships with alumni, students, the community and the university. This report, detailing our accomplishments, events and services in 2013, will surely make you proud to be part of Kent State University.

I invite you to read on to learn about the accomplishments you helped make possible.

Go Flashes!

Lori Randorf, M.B.A. ‘99 Assistant Vice President

FLASH FACT: To view a video recap of the alumni association’s activities in 2013, visit www.ksualumni.org/2013VideoRecap.

2013 Year In Review | page 3

GOLDEN FLASH NATIONWith more than 200,000 Golden Flashes worldwide, the alumni association simplifies staying connected to the university with activities across the country.

7 ALUMNI CHAPTERS

Organized by volunteers and supported by the alumni association, chapters allow alumni to connect by geographic area or shared interest. Alumni chapters sponsor various events and programs designed to keep graduates connected to the university.

20 AREA REPRESENTATIVES

For areas without active chapters, area representatives serve as a point of contact for fellow alumni and typically host one to two events per year.

FLASH FACT: Are you interested in becoming involved with a chapter or area representative? If so, visit www.ksualumni.org/alumnigroups. To become an area representative, call 1-888-320-5368.

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ENGAGING OUR ALUMNIFrom networking luncheons to opportunities for continued learning, the alumni association provides engaging, entertaining programming and events to serve its alumni.

HOMECOMING

The most momentous celebration of the school year, Homecoming unites students, alumni and the community for a weekend teeming with traditions and activities. Thousands of Golden Flashes descended upon campus to reconnect with friends, former classmates and their alma mater to celebrate the 2013 theme: New and Old, Forever Blue and Gold.

FACULTY LECTURE SERIES

A new initiative this year, the Faculty Lecture Series invites faculty to discuss their areas of expertise during an evening of entertainment and learning. Alumni gathered for three lectures to learn about topics ranging from social media strategies to vampires on television and film.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

The first annual Dog Days of Summer invited the entire family (four-legged friends included), for a dog-walking tour of Kent State’s campus. More than 70 furry friends and 100 alumni gathered for a sunny summer morning of exercise and Kent State spirit.

FLASH FACT: More than 5,000 alumni participated in 160 events in 2013. To see a list of our upcoming events, visit www.ksualumni.org/events.

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MANTAINING THE TRADITIONThe alumni association implements programs and events to reinforce our investment in our most valuable asset: our future graduates.

FLASHES FOREVER

Each semester, the alumni association invites graduating seniors and their families to Flashes Forever, an evening of celebration with fellow graduates. Caricature artists, photo booths, give-a-ways and refreshments welcome soon-to-be alumni to the ultimate graduation bash.

CAREER E-MENTORING

The e-Mentoring Program pairs students and recent graduates with alumni working in their perspective career fields. Each week, mentors and mentees meet face-to-face or electronically to discuss various aspects of career building including networking and interviewing skills. Alumni interested in mentoring can email alumni@kent.edu.

STUDENT-ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The Student-Alumni Association (S-AA) reconnects alumni with the university through interviews conducted by students about graduates’ Kent State experiences. With more than 150 interviews conducted in 2013, the S-AA aims to strength-en bonds between the university and its alumni while enhancing current students’ leadership and communication skills.

FLASH FACT: More than 6,900 students participated in 85 events in 2013. To see a list of our upcoming events, visit www.ksualumni.org/events.

2013 Year In Review | page 6

Twitter followers

LinkedIn connections

Facebook users

Total social media connections: 31,888 ------>

2,624

12,058

17,206

INFORMING OUR ALUMNIThe alumni association strives to keep its graduates informed and connected to their alma mater through a pronounced digital presence including email and social media networks.

E-FLASH ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER

Distributed exclusively to alumni association members, e-Flash provides essential information about the university, new membership benefits, accomplishments of fellow alumni and new alumni association programs. If you’re a member and are not receiving your e-Flash newsletter, update your contact information by logging on to www.ksualumni.org, email alumni@kent.edu or call 1-888-320-5368.

LIVE STREAMING VIDEOS

We’re live! New in 2013, the alumni association is live streaming select events for alumni and friends who are unable to attend in person. To better fit into your busy schedule, all live streamed events are archived and available for on-demand viewing.

CONNECTING THROUGH FACEBOOK

The alumni association is enhancing its social media engagement with its graduates through advertisements and interactive give-a-ways. In the past year, likes on the official alumni association Facebook page have increased by more than 216%. Trivia Tuesday and FLASHback Friday give users the opportunity to join the conversation.

FLASH FACT: Stay up to date on all the latest news and information on our social networking pages. Get connected at www.ksualumni.org/social_networks.

2013 Year In Review | page 7

PARTNERING FOR SUCCESSThe alumni association is able to continue its mission of providing programs and services to build everlasting relationships with alumni, students and the university thanks, in part, to the support from alumni association members. Such a successful year would not have been possible without you.

While our members’ reasons for joining may vary – to show pride, support current students, receive exclusive invitations to events, enjoy discounts – their support is critical and appreciated.

If you are not currently a member and would like to join the Kent State University Alumni Association, visit www.ksualumni.org/jointoday or call 1-888-320-5368. Your support will contribute to another outstanding year in 2014.

FLASH FACT: Want to see all the benefits membership offers? Visit www.ksualumni.org/membershipbenefits

Life Members

Three Year Members

Annual Members

New Grad Members

Total Membership: 11,013

4% 9%

44% 43%

2013 Year In Review | page 8

OUR MISSIONKent State University Alumni Association builds and sustains lifelong relationships among alumni, students and Kent State University through programs and services that support their growth.

ASSOCIATION STAFFADMINISTRATION

Lori Randorf, M.B.A. ‘99; Asst. Vice President

Karen Plunket, Accountant

Rachel Huntley, Office Manager

MARKETING

Brenda Hudkins, ‘05; Associate Director, Marketing

Ashley Katona, ‘06, M.Ed. ‘12; Asst. Director, Communications

Lindsay Kuntzman, ‘06, M.A. ‘09; Asst. Director, Marketing

Vince Slomsky, ‘08; Asst. Director, New Media Communications

Allyson Kinney, Secretary

OUTREACH

Nancy Schiappa, ‘85, M.Ed. ‘90; Associate Director, Outreach

Carrie Circosta, ‘07, M.Ed. ‘10; Asst. Director, Student & Recent Graduate Programs

Joy Foreman, Asst. Director, Outreach

Kellie Mayle, Asst. Director, Alumni Education & Regional Programming

Lisa Mascellino, ‘94; Asst. Director, Outreach

Shilpi Tiwari, M.Ed. ‘12; Program Coordinator

Darlene Cirigliano, Secretary

BOARD OF DIRECTORSMaria Schneider, ‘86; President

John Garofalo, ‘87, M.Ed. ‘93; Past President

Brian M. Marino, ‘01; President - Elect

Chinyere Ekechi, ‘97; Vice President

H. Scott Westover, ‘97; Secretary

James Bailey, ‘03, M.S. ‘04; Treasurer

Dr. Rozell Duncan, Ph.D. ‘96; Faculty Representative

Nora Jacobs, ‘73; Foundation Representative

Elizabeth Zoe Bartz, ‘80, M.A. ‘82

Barton Bixenstine, ‘71

Brian Blazina, ‘78

Kenneth Buzek, ‘70

John Daley, ‘97

Renee Deluca Dolan, ‘88

Pat Divoky, ‘68

Joseph Gibson, ‘68

Hannah Harbert, ‘05

Joshua Jenkins, ‘96

Douglas Mory, M.B.A. ‘72

Kathy Reid, ‘69

Lori Stevic-Rust, M.Ed. ‘86, Ph.D. ‘90

Bernett Williams, ‘89

Williamson Alumni Center

1200 Main Street

Kent, Ohio 44242

1-888-320-KENT alumni@kent.edu www.ksualumni.org

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