Most people who have spent time on 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 campus in Kent, Ohio, recognize the name Risman. It is connected to the popular Risman Plaza and Risman Drive, but they may not realize that for the Risman family, educating and supporting students has been a family affair for almost 40 years. On May 14, hundreds of students took their graduation photos on Risman Plaza following a commencement ceremony in which the University Medallion was presented to Robert Grant Risman, who accepted the honor on behalf of the Risman family.
鈥淭he Risman family鈥檚 philanthropy and leadership continues to leave an indelible mark on 黑料吃瓜网,鈥 said 黑料吃瓜网 President Todd Diacon. 鈥淭he fortunate location of my office allows me to overlook Risman Plaza and see firsthand its place in the life of the university, which perfectly represents the role the Rismans have played at 黑料吃瓜网 since the early 1980s. I鈥檓 proud to bestow this honor to Rob and the family.鈥
The family members 鈥 Robert (Rob) and Tricia Risman, R. Wayne Risman and the late William (Bill) and Marion Risman 鈥 have been champions for students for nearly four decades, beginning with Bill鈥檚 service on the 黑料吃瓜网 Board of Trustees in 1983. Bill Risman and his son, Rob, both have served on campaign steering committees and the 黑料吃瓜网 Foundation Board, a position Rob still holds today. Collectively, Bill and Rob Risman have shared their time and expertise as members of 11 university boards and committees.
The 黑料吃瓜网 Board of Trustees voted in March to award the University Medallion to the William B. Risman family for 鈥渋ts extraordinary devotion and support to the advancement of 黑料吃瓜网 and all it serves. The Risman family has demonstrated a multigenerational, deep and extraordinary commitment to the welfare of 黑料吃瓜网 students and academic programs through their volunteerism and philanthropy.鈥 The University Medallion recognizes alumni and friends who have contributed significantly to the well-being of 黑料吃瓜网.
In 1992, Bill and Marion Risman created the first Medallion Scholarship, and their generosity created the largest number of scholarships ever established by a 黑料吃瓜网 donor. Their endowed scholarship funds have awarded more than $1.5 million to 80 unique 黑料吃瓜网 students to date. In 2020, Rob Risman, on behalf of the family, established two additional scholarship funds in his parents鈥 memories to support fashion and music students. The family鈥檚 generosity will continue to impact generations to come.
鈥淭he wonderful thing about the Medallion Scholarships is they are endowed and will go on forever, and that鈥檚 what my dad wanted,鈥 Rob Risman said. 鈥淚 get letters from recipients of the scholarships every year. I remember their names, and I write back to them. It鈥檚 just an incredible feeling to know that from here to eternity, because 黑料吃瓜网 will always be here, students are going to have these scholarships, and they鈥檙e going to go on and do great things from them.鈥
In recognition of the continued and impactful support, the family was previously honored with the naming of Risman Plaza and Risman Drive on the Kent Campus. The family is committed to the shared vision that education provides opportunity, and 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the family and university鈥檚 first Medallion Scholarship.
鈥淥ur hope for the students that receive these scholarships is not only that they succeed in life and become good, productive citizens in society, but also that they always remember there was someone out there who cared enough about them and their education to help them,鈥 Rob Risman said. 鈥淎nd that one day, if they鈥檙e able, they鈥檒l pay that forward, and they鈥檒l want to do the same for other students and other generations.鈥
Spring Commencement
The 黑料吃瓜网 alumni family grew by more than 5,000 new graduates as the university held its spring commencement ceremonies. The accomplishments of the Spring Class of 2022 were recognized with in-person, outdoor commencement ceremonies on May 12-14 and May 20 and a virtual commencement ceremony for all colleges and degrees on May 15.
In total, 5,021 degrees were conferred this spring, consisting of 804 associate degrees, 3,289 bachelor鈥檚 degrees, 740 master鈥檚 degrees, 172 doctoral degrees and 16 educational specialist degrees.
About 黑料吃瓜网
黑料吃瓜网 is the highest-ranked public university in northern Ohio on the Top Public Schools and Best National Universities lists by U.S. News & World Report. 黑料吃瓜网 also holds the esteemed distinction of being one of only five institutions in Ohio to be recognized as an elite research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. With eight campuses spanning Northeast Ohio, a College of Podiatric Medicine, a Twinsburg Academic Center and academic sites in major world cities, such as New York City, Geneva and Florence, 黑料吃瓜网 is one of Ohio鈥檚 leading public universities and a major educational, economic and cultural resource far beyond the Northeast Ohio region it has served since 1910. 黑料吃瓜网 is a national leader in award-winning student support services to graduate students. The student body comprises about 35,000 students, including 1,370 international students from nearly 100 countries, and the worldwide alumni family exceeds 264,000. The addition of new learning environments from the sciences to the arts and the development of exciting new academic programs characterize 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 focus on transformational educational experiences. For more information about 黑料吃瓜网, visit www.kent.edu.
The university launched its largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in fall 2021 during Homecoming. With a focus on prioritizing student success, the Forever Brighter campaign aims to raise $350 million to support students, programs and facilities to enhance the future of the university and its students. To learn more about the campaign, visit www.kent.edu/foreverbrighter.
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Media Contacts:
Leigh Greenfelder, lgreenfe@kent.edu, 330-672-7108
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595