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Since COVID-19 struck the nation, medical staff have been finding that personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks, gloves and gowns have become a commodity. That is why �������ֹ���’s administration, faculty and staff have stepped up to collect the university’s PPE to donate to local entities in dire need of medical supplies.

Here are some of their stories:

College of Arts and Sciences

A big part of Kara Barnett’s job as the Chemical Health and Safety Coordinator for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is taking care of the department’s PPE. Barnett sprang into action after watching one of Gov. Mike Dewine’s daily press conferences and approached Christopher J. Fenk, Ph.D, interim chair and professor, about donating supplies. He loved the idea and pushed it up to James L. Blank, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The supplies were donated March 27, 2020, to the Portage County Emergency Management Agency.

“It honestly started as me just trying to collect gloves (and other items) from the Chemistry Department as I intended to drop it off myself,” Barnett said. “However, i