By Dana Rader
Kent State Public Relations Student This article continues the series about Kent State history as the university approaches its 100th anniversary in 2010.
Since its founding in 1910, one key part of Kent State University’s mission has been to deliver programs and services to people living in communities throughout Northeast Ohio.
In fact, John E. McGilvrey, Kent State’s first president, organized Ohio’s first program of extension courses in 1912. McGilvrey established 20 Kent Normal School Extension Centers throughout Northeast Ohio, with classes taught by Kent Campus faculty at local high school facilities. These centers, the predecessors to Kent State’s current network of Regional Campuses, helped to fuel the university’s growth and success.
Today, Kent State has one of the largest regional campus systems in the country. The university has a total enrollment of more than 33,600 students, with about one-third of them taking classes at a Regional Campus: Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas.
Reflecting President McGilvrey’s vision of nearly 100 years ago, Kent State’s Regional Campuses have become an integral part of the university and the communities they serve. The Regional Campuses are part of the Division of Regional Development, which is dedicated to serving the continuing education, economic development and workforce development needs of the region.
Kent State's Regional Campuses: A brief history and timeline
Stark Campus
As in other communities in Northeast Ohio, Kent State established a presence in Canton and its surrounding areas in 1912 with a variety of extension programs. In 1946, the Stark Campus took shape, sparked in part by the influx of veterans beginning or returning to college following World War II. Kent State Stark is now the largest of the Regional Campuses with an enrollment of more than 3,700 students.
Trumbull Campus
To overcome a shortage of elementary school teachers, Kent State initiated a cadet program in 1954 that offered evening classes at Warren G. Harding High School. By 1965, the program, which was known as the Warren Academic Center, expanded to include courses outside of those required by prospective teachers. Today, the Trumbull Campus has an enrollment of more than 2,000 students.
Ashtabula Campus
In 1958, Kent State Ashtabula opened in the Park Avenue Junior High School building as the Ashtabula Center of Kent State University. In 1963, Oliver C. Topky donated the 80-acre lot located on the shores of Lake Erie that is the current campus. Today the Ashtabula Campus has an enrollment of more than 1,500 students.
Salem Campus
The campus was originally established in 1962 as an “outreach” program at Salem High School. In 1971, it became the Kent State University Salem Campus when it moved to its current 96-acre site located two miles south of Salem. Currently, more than 1,200 students are enrolled at this campus.
Tuscarawas Campus
Located in New Philadelphia, Kent State Tuscarawas, founded in 1962, is recognized as one of the fastest-growing campuses in the state of Ohio.The current enrollment is more than 2,000 students.
Geauga Campus
Founded in 1964 and located in Burton, Ohio, the Geauga Campus is situated on 87 acres of land near the center of Geauga County. The campus is the only institution of higher learning in the county, and it currently serves more than 1,000 students.
East Liverpool Campus
Founded in 1965, the East Liverpool Campus offers more than 10 associate degrees and a limited number of bachelor’s degrees. The current enrollment is over 800, with an average class size of 18 students.
