OH WOW!®’s Marvin Logan, ’15, sparks a spirit of service among local youth, as those at Kent State did for him.
When Marvin Logan first saw 5XÉçÇø during an athletic recruitment visit, he felt like he was home. His track and field career was cut short due to an injury, but his collegiate experience gave him the leadership skills, sense of community and spirit of service that would propel him to success in the nonprofit world. Marvin is the president and executive director of OH WOW!® The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology in Youngstown, Ohio, where he shows young people the vast variety of things they can do in the world and how their lives can make a difference. Marvin’s fierce work ethic and drive to impact his community is, in many ways, an homage to those who have left an indelible mark on him, including many from Kent State. He remains connected to Kent State, serving on the university Diversity Advisory Board and Culture of Respect Collective and Student Affairs Alumni Council, as well as helping out student-athletes. By giving back, Marvin believes he is putting what he learned at Kent State to good use for future generations of Golden Flashes.
KSU: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
ML: My idea of perfect happiness is a well balanced community where we work hard, serve hard and play hard. Everyone eats!
KSU: What is your favorite trait in others?
ML: My favorite trait in others is passion. I love to see it. You can’t coach that. The fire is there, or it isn’t.
KSU: What trait about yourself do you like least?
ML: I’m my own worst critic. I combat negative self-talk all the time.
KSU: Who has had the greatest influence on your life?
ML: My father has had the greatest influence on my life. He helped make me everything I am. He was always there for me and supported my dreams. He’ll always be my G.O.A.T.
KSU: What is your favorite Kent State memory?
ML: My favorite Kent State memory was my Karamu Ya Wahitimu Ceremony. I invited my father to walk with me because I wouldn’t have graduated without him. He never got to do it, so to have him join me and get a standing ovation was special.
KSU: What is your favorite journey?
ML: My favorite journey is the current one. We often get so caught up in the hustle and bustle in the pursuit of success that we don’t take enough moments to enjoy the process.
KSU: What is your guilty pleasure?
ML: My guilty pleasure is rom coms. I can find the cheesiest streaming service flick and love it.
KSU: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
ML: My greatest achievement thus far has been my service. I got to take everything I learned and give it back. That has been a dope thing to do. Not everyone does. And I got to be intentional about it.
KSU: If you could come back as one person, who would it be and why?
ML: If I could come back as one person, it would be Prince. He’s my all-time favorite artist. I’d love to get a peek into his genius.
KSU: What part of your college experience most formed who you are today?
ML: My student leadership experience was the most impactful part of the collegiate journey. I got the opportunity to learn and love people. I got to understand the true meaning of diversity in every way. Then I got to serve those same people. It gave me a great deal of respect for community. Now, I get to use that every single day while making a difference.