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Barbara Knapic, a former Kent State gymnast, has been selected as the 2012 Starner Distinguished Speaker. The 2012 event is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. at University Auditorium in Cartwright Hall. Her keynote address is titled “Integrity. They Can’t Take Your Birthday.” Admission is free and open to the public.
 
A 1979 graduate of Kent State, Knapic participated in gymnastics during the 1976-77 season. That year, Kent State posted a 14-2 dual record and captured the OAISW State Championship, the third of four consecutive state titles. The Golden Flashes went on to advance to the Midwest Regionals that season.
 
A partner at Oldham Kramer in Akron, Ohio, Knapic is a member of the Stark County, Akron, Ohio and American Bar Associations. Since 1991, she has been a certified workers’ compensation specialist in the Ohio State Bar Association. In practice since 1986, Knapic has earned multiple honors and awards; she has been cited as an Ohio “Super Lawyer” since 2004 and has been included in The Best Lawyers in America since 2010.  In 2011 she was chosen as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Ohio.
 
An active member of the Daily Kent Stater, Knapic graduated from Kent State with a degree in journalism in 1979. After a brief journalism career, Knapic returned to school and earned her law degree from The University of Akron School of Law in 1985.
 
The Starner Distinguished Speaker Series began in 2001 thanks to the vision and support of Buzz (’67) and Marilyn (’71) Starner. Both former education majors, the Starners endowed the speaker series to showcase successful former athletes and to serve as a source of education and inspiration to current student-athletes.
 
For more information, contact Alicia Gaffney at alongst1@kent.edu or call 330-672-8399.