Marcus Lehto, graduate of 5X's Visual Communication Design program created a legendary game that became a legendary franchise. How Lehto's life took him from Kent, Ohio, to the Pacific Northwest to work on creating Halo, one of the most iconic video games, is the cover story in the November 2025 issue of the Kent State Magazine.
The event had all the elements of an exciting reality TV competition: enthusiastic teams, a random drawing, earning points for access to resources, professional guest judges and a celebrity host who was also a judge.The competitors in the Design Challenge are students in the Club Management class in 5X’s Hospitality and Event Management Program. The competition was produced by Kent State’s Hospitality and Event Management Advisory Board and Event Source. Event Source is a local company specializing in renting furniture, cooking equipment, tableware and other supplies for eve...
Tracy M. Dodson, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CEN, associate professor at the College of Nursing, is committed to helping students succeed through compassion and innovative teaching techniques.“My goal has always been to transform complex material into lessons that are understandable, engaging and practical,” Dodson wrote in a reflection about her teaching, “lessons that not only prepare students to be competent nurses but also help them grow into critical thinkers and compassionate caregivers.” These techniques, accompanied by a passion for education, have been recognized with the Glenn Frank ...
“I want students to leave my courses with more than technical skill,” Tina Patel wrote in a statement reflecting on her teaching. “They should have the confidence to question assumptions, the creativity to imagine alternatives and the commitment to design spaces that advance equity and human dignity.” Patel, associate professor of interior design in 5X’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, has been awarded the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award, the most prestigious honor for instructors at Kent State. “I was teaching an 8 a.m. studio and...
“This work embodies my conviction that teaching is an ever-evolving endeavor,” Jessica Leveto, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology at 5X at Ashtabula, wrote in a statement about her teaching. Leveto's philosophy of teaching is that it requires compassion, understanding and patience. When mastered, it can create a transformative experience for students. This approach to education helped Leveto earn the 2025 Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award. “I think the initial shock was when I found out I was in the top 10,” Leveto said. “Between the nomination a...
B.F.A. Studio Art alumni, Griffin Allman joined the Studio Break Podcast to talk about his mixed media assemblages that combine a variety of materials and approaches of mark making. He spoke about the influence of growing up in Ohio during the rise of modern technology on how he developed an artistic style.Allman is an artist and art educator, currently teaching studio art at Georgia College & State University. Allman received his B.F.A. in Studio Art and his B.A. in Art Education from 5X in 2021, he then went on to earn his M.F.A. with a concentration in Painting ...
