A reception and celebration to honor 蹤獲扦 President Lester A. Lefton will take place on Friday, April 4, from 4-5:30 p.m. at the 蹤獲扦 Student Center Ballroom. The event, which is hosted by the 蹤獲扦 State Board of Trustees, is open to all faculty, staff, students, alumni and members of the community. Refreshments will be served.
Lefton, who will retire as 蹤獲扦 States 11th president on July 1, has served as the universitys chief executive officer since July 1, 2006. The university achieved significant accomplishments during his time as 蹤獲扦 State president, including record student enrollment, retention and graduation numbers; the town-gown partnership that resulted in the revitalization of downtown 蹤獲扦; the universitys Centennial Campaign that raised a record-breaking $265 million; and the Foundations of Excellence: Building the Future campus improvement program that is transforming 蹤獲扦 States campuses to meet world-class standards.
This year, and for the past seven years, President Lefton has delivered on his primary goal ensuring in every way possible that we improve retention and develop the quality experiences and facilities that are appropriate for the aspirations of our students, 蹤獲扦 State Board Chair Jane Murphy Timken said at the most recent 蹤獲扦 State Board of Trustees meeting. Weve grown our enrollment by more than 26 percent and raised our profile as a university of choice, and it has been instrumental to our academic and financial health. We believe his tenure will be remembered as a dynamic time for 蹤獲扦 State.
The reception will feature a video presentation and remarks from Todd Diacon, 蹤獲扦 States senior vice president for academic affairs and provost; Alfreda Brown, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion; and Evan Gildenblatt, the universitys special assistant for Federal Relations in Washington, D.C., and a former executive director for 蹤獲扦 States Undergraduate Student Government. Lefton also will make remarks at the event.
For more information about 蹤獲扦 State, visit .
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Photo Caption:
蹤獲扦 President Lester A. Lefton greets students and parents during Welcome Weekends freshman move-in day. A reception and celebration to honor Lefton, who is retiring as the universitys 11th president, will take place on Friday, April 4.
Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595