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Famous Flashes Celebrating 75 years of female alumni at kent state university stark campus

LAURA MOTTICE

Laura Mottice attended Kent State University Stark Campus in 1962 and then again from 1965-1970. Laura was known in the community as an Educator, beginning her career as a teacher. From there, she went on to fill the role of Reading Coordinator at Lohr and Reedurban Elementary schools in the Perry Local School District. Her commitment to education did not end with her retirement, however, as she went on to serve on the Perry Local Board of Education. To celebrate her accomplishments, she was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni of Kent State University Stark Campus in 2005.

LESA Rummel LAFORCE

Lesa Rummel Laforce attended Kent State University Stark Campus from 1975-1977, when, as a Sophomore she competed in and was crowned Miss Ohio. Ms. Laforce then went on that same year to represent the State of Ohio in the Miss USA pageant. Today, she is the CEO of About Faces Models and Talent in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Laforce was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni of Kent State University Stark Campus in 2008.

LYNNE S. DRAGOMIER

Lynne Dragomier attended Kent State University Stark Campus from 1968 to 1969. She has held Vice President positions at both the Hoover Company in North Canton, Ohio and Mercy Medical Center in Canton, Ohio. She has served on the Board of Trustees at Kent State University and been a member of the Stark Community Foundation. Mrs. Dragomier was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni of Kent State University Stark Campus in 2001.

DR. NORMA MARCERE

Dr. Norma Marcere attended Kent State University Stark Campus in the 1950's. Dr. Marcere authored two books and a play about her life, including time spent as a leader in the African-American community. Canton's first Black Psychologist, Dr. Marcere was a local pioneer in the advancement of women of color in medicine. Dr. Marcere was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni of Kent State University Stark Campus in 1997.

thELMA BARBER-POWELL

Thelma Barber-Powell attended Kent State University Stark Campus in 1935, only twenty-five years after the University was founded by President McGilvrey in Canton, Ohio. She began her career in education as a teacher in Paris, Ohio in 1937, becoming principal at New Franklin before retiring from Canton Local schools. Mrs. Barber-Powell was named Honorary Teacher of the Year by the Canton YWCA Hall of Fame and, in 1999, Distinguished Alumni of Kent State University Stark Campus.

SOURCES

Cover photo: Kent State University Fine Arts building (https://hasenstabinc.com/our-work/fine-arts-building-stark-campus/)

Individual biography photographs courtesy of Kent State University Stark Campus Distinguished Alumni wall.

Laura Mottice biographical information courtesy of Kent State University Stark Campus Alumni Association (https://www.kent.edu/stark/alumni-relations) and The Canton Repository (https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/cantonrep/name/laura-mottice-obituary?id=7372564).

Lesa Rummel Laforce biographical information courtesy of Daily Kent Stater, 15 February 1977 (https://dks.library.kent.edu/?a=d&d=dks19770215-01.2.13&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN) and Kent State University Stark Campus Alumni Association (https://www.kent.edu/stark/alumni-relations).

Lynne Dragomier biographical information courtesy of Stark Community foundation (https://www.starkcf.org/our-family-tree/category/Donor-Advised-Fund?page=8) and Kent State University Stark Campus Alumni Association (https://www.kent.edu/stark/alumni-relations).

Norma Marcere biographical information courtesy of The Canton Repository, 1 February 2016 (https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2016/02/01/stark-s-famous-norma-snipes/32588111007/) and Kent State University Stark Campus Alumni Association (https://www.kent.edu/stark/alumni-relations).

Thelma Barber Powell biographical information courtesy of The Canton Repository, 11 September 2009 (https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/cantonrep/name/thelma-powell-obituary?id=26403119) and Kent State University Stark Campus Alumni Association (https://www.kent.edu/stark/alumni-relations).