Recent news of Kent State University President Beverly Warren’s diagnosis of breast cancer shook and upset the entire university. When I came to campus in 2014, President Bev was just beginning her presidency, and I instantly fell in love with the spunky and uplifting woman she is. Although I never had the opportunity to know another Kent State University President, I still knew that Bev would be the best that this University has ever seen. She treats every student as if she knows them personally, and that is why the news of her sudden diagnosis hit each and every one of us so close to home, because she is family.
Attending a university as large as Kent State has the potential to really separate the students and even faculty. The decently large campus holds around 41,000 undergraduate and graduate students as well as 6,000 professors and faculty, but despite this, there was an instant feeling of family and an outpouring of support for our President during her time of need.
The reasoning behind this is how amazing of a woman she is. In a university-wide email, President Warren stated that she would be taking an immediate leave of absence to undergo surgery for her breast cancer. She stated that the cancer was fortunately found at very early stage during a routine checkup. With that being said, Warren then went on to discuss how important routine checkups and physicals are, in spite of occurrences like this. Not only did President Warren share and discuss quite personal information in this email, she still expressed her concern for the university’s health and safely, even in her time of need.
Shortly after this email was sent, a KentWired article released the information, and students took to social media outlooks, including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook in support of President Warren. A hashtag #BevStrong was started that chained tweets wishing Bev kind words of encouragement as she prepared to undergo surgery. Additional hashtags such as #FlashesForever and #KentStrong followed shortly after, just proving how much of an impact the President has had on the university and its family-like aspects and values. In addition to social media, the rock on campus was painted by the gymnastics team to say #BevStrong.
Since the email with this news was released last Thursday, Bev has undergone surgery, and according to another article, emails and gifts are being accepted on campus for her.
Having a President that truly cares about the students is what makes Kent State feel like home. The close-knit community feeling despite its large size is brought on by its leaders. President Warren makes Kent State a university to be proud of and she is the reason for all of our incredible universities success and growth.
While she is away during her leave of absence, the school will not be the same. However, we know not to worry, because despite her seemingly small stature, Bev has one of the biggest hearts on campus. So here’s to you, President Warren: stay strong and get well soon. The university will be waiting with open arms upon your return.
