alumni-news
![Anthony Claytor raises his diploma during his Commencement ceremony at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ. Anthony Claytor raises his diploma during his Commencement ceremony at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/I%20PROMISE%20Scholar%20Anthony%20Claytor%20graduating%20from%20Kent%20State%20-%204%20-%20web.jpg?VersionId=FE7gwMPyBFpoR5m8yNIP0vUfdP13em1y&itok=B1q78pa3)
In 2020, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ President Todd Diacon announced to a group of high school juniors and their families that °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ would cover four years of tuition costs and one year of room and board. Now, for the LeBron James Family Foundation’s first I PROMISE class, the hard work these students had put in since third grade is paying off.
![°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ graduate Athalia James is now a nurse at Summa. °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ graduate Athalia James is now a nurse at Summa](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/athalia%20high%20res.jpg?VersionId=VcAEiml6CeI3LKpAdd8R8W4cPaq3bGLO&itok=w50HJpQC)
Drawn to healthcare as a child, Athalia James pursued that passion all the way to a fulfilling career in nursing.
![Valoree Vargo (far left), °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement, and °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ President Todd Diacon (far right) stand with university donors Larry and Sandy Armstrong (center). Valoree Vargo (far left), °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement, and °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ President Todd Diacon (far right) stand with university donors Larry and Sandy Armstrong (center).](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Larry%20and%20Sandy%20Armstrong%20with%20Kent%20State%20administrators-web.jpg?VersionId=bJf8OGbeO3MOcmnr3fJzAPqs0A5cNzE1&itok=2RjTAjK9)
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ has announced two substantial philanthropic gifts in support of the Global Education Endowment, which was established in 2022 in recognition of the 50th anniversary of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ’s education-abroad presence in Florence, Italy.
![Illustration of five lit birthday candles with phrase "A Birthday Wish for °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ"](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/24IAG046_Birthday_Drupal_KentHomepage_1500x600.jpg?VersionId=gTf1ur4LPPlqC8.1hXSFGTZ5J0zx4f.G&itok=DpQo19I7)
![a photo of Judge Kani H. Hightower](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/20240215_BC_KS-Wo-rks-Judge_0332.jpg?VersionId=uE8m4hJ5SGOWkU2a5b1pdgKwSr03lbgI&itok=EnPHGQZT)
Summit County Domestic Relations Court Judge Kani H. Hightower is on a mission to make the justice system in Summit County, Ohio, more accessible for underprivileged and underrepresented citizens. Whether it’s related to transportation challenges or helping them sort through the red tape of documentation, Hightower, a °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ graduate, is creating solutions to streamline the process for Summit County residents.
![Dexter Shreve banner portrait](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Dexter%20Shreve%20Banner.jpg?VersionId=ml996mKn3CrABTf4HP1KKFYVGofD_7Mc&itok=ZFLCdjL7)
Dexter credits the hands-on learning experiences for preparing him for the real-world challenges of his career. In particular, the Materials and Processes class provided him with essential skills in machining, welding, and casting, which he later applied in various engineering roles.
![Late °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ President Michael Schwartz on campus posing with students Late °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ President Michael Schwartz on campus posing with students](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Schwartz%20with%20Students.jpg?VersionId=._U6fY4_05asMOisBsOsv0cnnInoh.9L&itok=FmHLG5Hr)
Cleveland State University and °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ will co-host a celebration of life for Dr. Michael Schwartz on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 3 p.m. in the Glasscock Family Foundation Ballroom. Schwartz served as president of both universities.