World-Famous Con Man Frank Abagnale Entertains at Kent State Stark

The con man-turned FBI agent was the campus' third in a series of featured speakers this year

On Tuesday night, hundreds of people from around Stark County got to hear the firsthand account of a teenager surviving on his own using quick wit, a no-fear attitude and a whole lot of self assurance. That teenager, best known as the con man in the movie "Catch Me If You Can," is Frank Abagnale, now in his mid-60s and a 37-year member of the FBI. Abagnale spoke about his life inside the University Center at Kent State University's Stark Campus that night. "Normally, when I walk up to the podium, it's to talk about fraud, embezzlement, identity theft and things of that nature, but tonight I'm going to talk a little bit about my life, on which the film 'Catch Me If You Can' was made," Abagnale said, adding a book, TV show and Broadway …

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Kent State Stark to Host Public Meetings on Smoking Ban March 13

Several public forums will take place across the university's eight campuses in the coming weeks to discuss the idea of banning smoking on campus

Kent State University administrators kicked off the first of several public meetings this week to talk about the idea of banning smoking completely on all eight campuses. The Kent State University Stark Campus will host two public meetings at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. March 13 in the library conference room. Kent State formed a steering committee to examine a recommendation from the Ohio Board of Regents, issued last summer, suggesting all public universities and colleges in Ohio ban the use of tobacco products on their campuses. The committee is expected to make recommendations for action based on the results of a campus survey, the public meetings and other input. A majority of Kent Patch readers think the university should ban tobacco …

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Joe Rozsa

6:52 am on Friday, March 1, 2013

I don't particularly care if people smoke on campus or not. What I do care about is having to walk through the "smoking circles" to get in or out of a building. That and it never ceases to amaze me how lazy people can be when a receptacle is provided for the butts (just a few steps away), yet they're just thrown down for all of us to walk on making many of the entrances look and smell like an …   more ›

State: Kent State Controls Fracking on University Land

Local university officials have control over permitting or denying oil and gas drilling on Kent State campuses, including Kent State University Stark Campus

The decision to allow or deny hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas on Kent State University campuses, including Kent State University Stark Campus, lies with local university administrators, according to a state official. Kent State owns hundreds of acres of land across Northeast Ohio, including its eight campuses, the Kent State Airport in Stow and the Kent State Golf Course in Franklin Township. Almost any of those large masses of property — the Kent campus alone is nearly 900 acres — would provide easy access to Ohio's portions of the Marcellus and Utica shale formations for oil and gas drillers. Heidi Hetzel-Evans, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which oversees oil and gas well management in the state…

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Tickets to See 'Catch Me If You Can' Con Artist Frank Abagnale No Longer Available

Frank Abagnale — one of the world’s most respected authorities on forgery, embezzlement and secure documents — will speak at Kent State University's Stark Campus March 5. Tickets are available beginning today.

Bras for a Cause: Donate Now for Breast Cancer Awareness

A donation drive began Aug. 1 and runs through the end of September. Look for drop-off locations and display areas in Summit, Cuyahoga, Portage and Stark counties.

The third annual Bras Across the Crooked River event is well underwire, ahem, underway and the Celtic Club Fights Breast Cancer group is seeking donations of bras of any and every size to create breast cancer awareness.  There are about 50 drop off sites, including two in North Canton (Studio Arts and Glass and Kent State Stark). After the drive is over, the bras will be publicly displayed in October in several Northeast Ohio counties, said Jim Collver of the Celtic Club. The donation drive for new and gently used bras began Aug. 1, but runs through the end of September.  "After the displays the donated bras are given to battered women's shelters — the Domestic Violence Project (Stark County), the Battered Women's Shelter of Summit and …

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Morgan Day

9:16 am on Wednesday, August 29, 2012

I wasn't aware of that, Susan. Thanks for the info! Curves is actually in our Directory, so I'll go ahead and add it to our list of drop-off sites.   more ›

Kent Stark Presents the 2012–13 Featured Speakers Series

Speakers include documentary filmmaker Lee Hirsch, brave survivor Aron Ralston, pioneer astronaut Col. Eileen Collins and con man turned FBI consultant Frank Abagnale

This year, Kent State University at Stark will bring in astronauts, authors and one of the world's most famous con men as part of its 22nd Featured Speakers Series. The series highlights four captivating and inspiring individuals. Each season, nearly 2,500 campus and community members take advantage of a rare opportunity to be introduced to national and international experts on a wide range of topics and issues that shape our society. Come to Kent State Stark for the 2012-13 season to hear exciting lectures by documentary filmmaker Lee Hirsch; brave survivor Aron Ralston; con man turned FBI consultant Frank Abagnale; and pioneer astronaut Col. Eileen Collins. Each program will begin at 7:30 p.m. in The University Center’s Timken Great Hall…

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Morgan Day

12:35 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012

That's great to hear, Anne! Kent Stark always has such interesting speakers.   more ›

PHOTOS: Jackson Food Fest Balloon Classic

Balloons lifted off Sunday at Kent State Stark. Check out the photo gallery to see some of the designs and wonderful sunrise!

Got Balloon Fest Photos? Share Them on Patch!

Snap any photos of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Balloon Classic?We've got just the place to share them.

For yet another year, Stark County got a chance to see dozens of hot air balloons take flight as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival. The Balloon Classic, a spectator favorite, took place Friday, Saturday and today at the Stark Campus of Kent State University. (See a full list of HOF Festival events here.) Were you taking photos or video clips any of those days? We would love to see them! Just click the "Upload Photos/Videos" button above the photo gallery, find your photo and upload!

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Kent State Stark Professor Penny Bernstein Succumbs to Cancer

Bernstein, 65, taught biological sciences and led a county-wide project that focused on the quality of water in the Nimishillen Creek Watershed

Penny Bernstein, an associate professor at Kent State University's Stark Campus, succumbed to cancer Sunday. The Canal Fulton resident was instrumental in organizing a county-wide project that brought together several environmental organizations, colleges and universities and focused on the quality of water in the Nimishillen Creek Watershed.  You can find Bernstein's obituary on the Akron Beacon Journal. Funeral services for Bernstein took place Monday. 

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Shelley Cobb

9:30 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Dr. Bernstein was a true teacher. She informed, inspired, empowered, listened and cared. She took the time to know, cherish, and engage her students. She left them with more. More than just knowing a lot more about biology, but also with a new-found sense that they impacted the universe and could make a difference. I am a better teacher because she was my teacher. The "better" that she brought to…   more ›

Winking Lizard Hosts Watch Party to Cheer on Golden Flashes Baseball Team

Kent State University alumni from Stark County will get the chance to root for the Golden Flashes baseball team as it competes in the NCAA College World Series Championship Wednesday

Kent State University Golden Flashes fans in Stark County will gather for a watch party to cheer on the baseball team as they rally against South Carolina (No. 2) in the NCAA College World Series Championship. Kent State alumni and students are invited to join the excitement at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Winking Lizard, 5710 Fulton Drive Northwest in Canton, according to a news release from Kent State Stark. The watch party is coordinated by the Stark County Kent State Alumni Association. Stark County boasts nearly 12,000 Kent State alumni residents — the largest of any other county in Ohio.

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