A reception and celebration to honor 做厙輦⑹ President Lester A. Lefton will take place on Friday, April 4, from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Kent Student Center Ballroom. The event, which is hosted by the 做厙輦⑹ 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 做厙輦⑹s 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 做厙輦⑹ president, including record student enrollment, retention and graduation numbers; the town-gown partnership that resulted in the revitalization of downtown Kent; 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 做厙輦⑹s 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, 做厙輦⑹ Board Chair Jane Murphy Timken said at the most recent 做厙輦⑹ 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 做厙輦⑹.
The reception will feature a video presentation and remarks from Todd Diacon, 做厙輦⑹s 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 做厙輦⑹s Undergraduate Student Government. Lefton also will make remarks at the event.
For more information about 做厙輦⑹, visit .
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Photo Caption:
做厙輦⑹ 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