Celebrating Homecoming—From Here, There, Anywhere!
Golden Flashes worldwide shared their blue and gold pride for Kent State’s first-ever virtual Homecoming, Oct. 5-10. Although we missed seeing everyone in person, 1,770 alumni and friends—over half were first-time attendees of an alumni event—took part in more than 15 virtual Homecoming events and activities.
Participants represented class years 1949 to 2020, and celebrated from 43 states, as well as the Armed Forces, Puerto Rico, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. John Grimaldi, BBA’49, Newark, Del., was the oldest graduate, at age 96, to celebrate KSU’s Homecoming this year!
The weeklong celebration offered daily opportunities for the Kent State community to connect on social media by tagging #KentHC—on Memories Monday, Gold Out Tuesday, Work from Home Wednesday, Kiss on the K at Home Thursday, Flashes Take Care of Flashes Friday and Tailgate at Home Saturday.
Golden Flashes dug out old photos, dressed in gold, decorated with KSU gear, downloaded KSU-themed backgrounds, dished on love stories, donated to the Kent State Emergency Grant Fund and dined out during backyard tailgates to show support for KSU student athletes.
Kent State community members also enjoyed virtual versions of classic traditions, such as the Bowman Cup 5K Walk/Run (participating at home or in person) and Homecoming Court (via a video conference with student representatives from the Kent Campus and Regional Campuses).
Thanks to all who celebrated Kent State’s Homecoming 2020!
Jhariah Wadkins, a senior majoring in communication studies, and Annemarie Guta, a senior majoring in early childhood education, are named Homecoming King and Queen during a live stream of the Homecoming Court “reveal” on Friday, Oct. 9.
Jennifer Finnerty, BA ’96, MEd ’00, Ravenna, Ohio, shows off her decked-out office space on Twitter during Work from Home Wednesday.
Paul Richardson, MEd ’99, San Francisco, sports his KSU swag from the recent bowl game in his Twitter post on Memories Monday.
Taléa R. Drummer-Ferrell, PhD ’14, Kent State dean of students, shares a photo on Instagram of the Kent State student affair’s team dressed for Gold Out Tuesday.
Morgan Manuel, BA ’18, Seattle, Wash., shares an Instagram story of how she and fiancé Nick Schank, BA ’18, fell in love at KSU and continue to pursue their dreams together in her post for Kiss on the K at Home Thursday.