The new Kent State Museum Society aims to increase student involvement with the Kent State University Museum with fun and educational events.
The museum holds a world-class collection of fashion and textiles. Its collection spans from the 1700s to the present day and features the work of award winners.
Before the creation of the Museum Society this year, the KSU Museum did not have a student organization dedicated to it.
The Museum Society and Sarah Spinner Liska, museum director and the society’s advisor, are pushing for more inclusion in museums and to get more students involved in the museum.
The new student organization is manned by sophomore co-presidents Chloe Brosch and Marissa Allen, and sophomore vice president Harrison Miller.
“Our Museum Society is based on student engagements and getting students involved in the museum,” Brosch said. “We have a world-class museum just down the hall from our classes.”
Hosting educational and fun events like the recent visit from costume designer Paul Tazewell is something the Museum Society is interested in continuing.
On Sept. 18, the Kent State Museum hosted the Tony, Oscar and Emmy-winning costume designer as a part of the Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Series.
Tazewell’s recent work from the film “Wicked” is also on display at the museum from Sept. 11 to Nov. 9.
“When there’s new pieces, sometimes we get the designers to come in and have talks about it,” Allen said. “You can be included in that.”
These events would allow students in the museum organization to meet a variety of well-known and talented artists.
They are also interested in the club exploring the museum’s archives and having students learn the behind-the-scenes of how the museum works.
The organization is for everyone, but fashion majors are encouraged to get involved.
The current members of the club are not just fashion-related majors. Brosch is a fashion merchandising major with a fashion media minor, while Allen and Miller are both art history majors, with Miller having an economics minor.
“We have a neuroscience major. We have a Spanish major,” Brosch said. “It’s for everyone.”
Currently, meetings are on Thursdays. There are general body positions available and a treasury position opening next semester.
However, the club is not a strict commitment.
“I think what we’re aiming for is a kind of renewed, casual interaction with the museum. It doesn’t have to be a rigidly planned thing,” Miller said. “You can kind of come and go as you please because the museum is a really great place on campus.”
A welcome party on Oct. 16 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. will provide interested students with free food and a private tour of the museum. It will be located in the museum director’s office.
The Museum Society hopes other students will explore their favorite parts of the museum and appreciate it the way they do.
Brosch’s favorite part of the museum is the “Sparkle: The Style and Jewelry of Aileen Mehle” exhibit, which features dresses and jewelry worn by society columnist Aileen Mehle. The exhibit runs from July 18, 2025, to Aug. 23, 2026.
Allen’s favorite part of the museum is Spinner Liska’s office because it contains the remains of the old president’s office before the building was turned into the museum. She described it as a time capsule back to the history of the museum.
Miller also appreciates the architectural details that remain from the old president’s office. He believes it adds to “how world-class it is.”
The Museum Society hopes people will come and explore all the museum has to offer.
“It’s an underutilized resource on campus. Our doors are kind of just open for people to peruse,” Miller said. “And we have everything from Tiffany jewelry to a pair of Queen Victoria’s underwear. It’s really amazing that we have this resource on campus and that we can utilize it whenever we want.”
To learn more about the Kent State Museum Society, visit its page on KSU Engage or its Instagram.
Loreal Puleo is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].