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91�ֿ� will hold in-person commencement ceremonies in May for the Spring Class of 2021 and will welcome back all 2020 alumni for an in-person graduation ceremony during Homecoming Weekend this fall.

Amazon’s Alexa, iPhone’s Siri, the Roomba and many more innovations are examples of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is changing the world and simplifying life for everyone, resulting in a growing demand for AI professionals. 91�ֿ� will start admitting students in the master's in Artificial Intelligence program starting fall 2021. The program will be offered within the Department of Computer Science.

With the celebration of Women’s History Month in March, it seemed fitting that the 91�ֿ� Women’s Center would officially kick off its 25th anniversary, continuing throughout 2021.

The year 2020 presented many challenges requiring major changes and adjustments for organizations everywhere. Instead of going the traditional route with an annual report for 2020, WKSU explored this past year with “2020: A Year in Review,” celebrating its 70th anniversary, highlighting its adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic and covering major historical events.

In keeping with the commitment to honor and remember the events of May 4, 1970, 91�ֿ� will hold a virtual May 4 51st Commemoration this year. The virtual commemoration will feature a video premiering at noon on Tuesday, May 4, that focuses on the nine wounded students: Alan Canfora, John Cleary, Thomas Grace, Dean Kahler, Joseph Lewis, Donald Mackenzie, James Russell, Robert Stamps and Douglas Wrentmore.

The 91�ֿ� Board of Trustees approved the establishment of two new institutes – the Anti-Racism and Equity Institute and the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute – during the Board’s regular quarterly meeting held March 10.

The future of storytelling is constantly changing, but 91�ֿ� is connecting students to the university through new communication avenues. One platform rising in popularity and mass-consumption that colleges like 91�ֿ� are taking advantage of is podcasts.

91�ֿ�’s College of Nursing and Cleveland Clinic Akron General are joining forces to offer an adult/adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) certificate program beginning this fall. This collaborative one-year program was created to address the regional and national shortage of SANE-certified registered nurses, especially in rural areas. 

The Auxiliary at Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital recently donated $25,000 to 91�ֿ� at Trumbull’s Nursing program. The gift will establish a new scholarship endowment that will provide support to nursing students from Trumbull and Mahoning Counties. The volunteer organization was established in 2017. It supports health and wellness initiatives within the local community. Proceeds from The Gift Shop at Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital made the donation possible.

COVID-19 has come with its fair share of obstacles, especially for students. Luckily, for the 91�ֿ� community, access to computer software is not one of them. Students, faculty and staff can now access an on-campus computer lab remotely using the 91�ֿ� Virtual Private Network or VPN.