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The third annual Ethical Citizenship Conference, hosted by Kent State University at Stark, recently brought together local professionals and nonprofits for a day of collaborative instruction that honored the legacy of Stephen Joseph Ondrejas Jr. — former chief planner for the City of Canton and longtime educator with a strong interest in Greek philosophy.
Made possible with funding from the Lykeion Fund at Stark Community Foundation, the conference gathered local educators and explored new ways to inspire students and strengthen the community, with the philosophy Ondrejas felt passionately about at its core.
During his lifetime, Ondrejas dedicated his life to urban planning, education and philanthropy in Ohio and Texas, helping neighborhoods develop strategic plans, teaching the next generation of leaders and growing sustainable organizations.
With a strong interest in theology and theoretical cosmology, Ondrejas established the Lykeion Fund to benefit projects and initiatives in Canton and Corpus Christi, Texas — the two places he lived and taught—that encourage thoughtful discussion about citizenship, ethics and community through the lens of classical Greek ideas.
Although Ondrejas passed in 2020, his commitment to education and community leadership continues through projects the Lykeion Fund supports.
Since 2024, Kent State Stark has hosted this annual educators conference to teach local community members, educators and administrators about classical Greek ideas on citizenship, ethics and the common good.
“Ethical citizenship is not just one defined idea or dogmatic principle,” said Matthew Hollstein, Kent State associate professor of education. “Rather, it is how educators, students and the community believe they should apply their idea of ethics through their citizenship in direct action and in service to their communities.”
This year’s conference was focused on ethical citizenship and its place in contemporary classrooms and aimed to foster connections between teachers and local nonprofits.
Professors presented on topics ranging from social studies and literature to mathematics and environmental stewardship, explaining ideas of Greek thinking and identifying practical ways educators can integrate connections to citizenship and community in their lessons and classrooms.
Stephanie Sweany from the Stark County Hunger Task Force and Brad Pietzcker from the Veteran Service Commission of Stark County also presented, creating a space for educators and nonprofits to connect.
“The Lykeion Fund aligns with Kent State Stark’s goals through a belief in being an active part of the Stark County community while being in a position to serve through the various functions of our citizenship,” said Hollstein.
Over the past year, the fund has also supported two initiatives in Corpus Christi, where Ondrejas spent 22 years teaching business classes as a professor at Del Mar College.
Del Mar College received support for Del Mar Drama Day, an immersive program where local high school students explored the influence of classical Greek thought on Western civilization through theater, architecture and philosophy. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s theater department also received funding to present Luis Alfaro’s play “Electricidad” as part of its production season. The play encouraged audiences to consider how timeless ideas about responsibility, ethics and community still resonate today.
Through the Lykeion Fund, Ondrejas’ passion for education continues to connect teachers, students and communities across the country in meaningful ways.
Stark Community Foundation helps individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits achieve their philanthropic goals through a variety of charitable funds and strategic initiatives. Ranked in the top 10% of community foundations in the country, the foundation and its family of donors have granted nearly $300 million to nonprofits since 1963. Learn more at www.starkcf.org.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Kent Stark conference gathers educators to look for ways to inspire students
Reporting by Stark Community Foundation, Special to the Canton Repository / The Repository
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