The 91³Ô¹ÏÍø ToddCast
A Podcast by Kent State Today.
Hosted by President Todd Diacon
The 91³Ô¹ÏÍø ToddCast brings you candid conversations with the people who are shaping Northeast Ohio—and who often started their journeys at Kent State.
Hosted by President Todd Diacon, each episode features alumni, innovators, and community leaders as they reflect on their careers, values, and the impact of their work. These stories reveal how Kent State’s spirit lives on through its graduates and friends, inspiring progress across the region. Whether you’re tuning in for inspiration, insight, or connection, the ToddCast is a celebration of Kent State’s ongoing
Episode 1: Designing a Better Cleveland w/ Lillian Kuri
For the inaugural episode, President Diacon meets with Lillian Kuri, BS ’93, BArch ’94, a graduate of the Kent State architecture program. She is the president and CEO of the Cleveland Foundation, where she focuses on design and community and how to lift the individuals and neighborhoods in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.
Episode 2: The Science of Beauty w/ Valerie Patton George, 06
In this episode, President Diacon meets with Valerie Patton George, ’06, who studied biological chemistry at Kent State. She found her passion for hair color chemistry at Paul Mitchell, and now owns her own lab, Simply Formulas, Inc., which creates hair care formulas for global brands. George has been named one of Beauty Independent’s 30 Top Beauty Product Developers and co-hosts the popular Beauty Brains podcast.
Episode 3: Revisiting a Conversation with Jerry M. Lewis, Ph.D.
In this episode, President Diacon revisits a powerful conversation with Professor Emeritus Jerry M. Lewis, Ph.D., a faculty marshal and eyewitness to the May 4, 1970, shootings at Kent State. Lewis reflects on that tragic day, its lasting impact on the nation, and his decades-long commitment to preserving the memory of the students who were killed and wounded.