Kent State Alumni Oral History Project
Flash Tales
Every Golden Flash has a story, and 5XÉçÇø wants to hear yours. However, with more than 270,000 living alumni, it would take many years to meet with each member of our alumni family individually. That's why we've started a new project called Flash Tales and are working with a group called PCI to help us collect the stories of alumni like you in your own words. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact Kent State has had on your lives and who you are today.
Have You Moved?
As part of this project, we are also taking this opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected to Kent State. PCI will help us collect updated contact information from those of you who may have moved, changed your email or lost touch with your alma mater.
Which Flash Tale will you tell?
- Is there a special faculty or staff member who had a profound impact on your life?
- Did you find your sweetheart at Kent State?
- Was there a defining experience you had while here that helped you in your career?
- Have connections you made on campus turned into lifelong friendships?
- Were you on campus during a historical moment?
- Are you a Golden Flash legacy (multi-generation alumnus)?
- Did you compete for Kent State as a student-athlete?
PCI Partnership
By partnering with PCI, we're able to access their trained staff who are excited to listen to what you have to share. They are experts in collecting and assembling alumni stories, and with their help, we will be able to hear from so many more alumni and compile their stories into a book that we can share with the entire Golden Flash family. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information, or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.
Do I Have to Buy Something?
No. The project is completely funded by the alumni who choose to purchase the Flash Tales memories book that will be produced at the end of this project. Various book packages will be offered, and PCI will also offer the option to purchase other Kent State branded merchandise such as a sweatshirt and T-shirt or a weekender travel bag. You are welcome to purchase a Flash Tales book or other merchandise items, but you are not required to do so to participate in the project. We'd never be able to embark on an initiative like this without the support of our alumni, and we sincerely thank every Golden Flash who participates as well as PCI for facilitating this exciting opportunity.
What's Next?
Soon you will be receiving email and postcard communications from Kent State and the PCI team with instructions on how to participate. We'd like to invite you to share one of your stories with us and take part in this one-of-a-kind project to honor the experiences and voices of our alumni. The PCI team will collect stories until July 8, 2022. After that, they will enter a post-production phase to create the Flash Tales memories book. Our hope is to have the book distributed during the Spring 2023 semester.
What to Look for…
Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from Kent State, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your Flash Tale.
Below is an example of an email you will receive. Once it hits your inbox, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your Flash Tale. If you do not receive it, please call PCI at 1-800-982-1590 and update your contact information so we can hear your story.
FAQs
To see frequently asked questions regarding the PCI Oral History Project please visit our Flash Tales FAQ webpage.
Contact Information
If you have any other questions regarding the project, please reach out to the PCI customer service desk at 1-800-982-1590 or Kent State Alumni at alumni@kent.edu.