Our friends and colleagues in the Division of Information Technology, Joseph Raftovich and Pat Wolf have separately been diagnosed with cancer. Donate to continue contributing to their medical expenses!

Pat Wolf

Pat has worked at Kent State for seven years. He's worked in the Service and Repair Center, Tech2You, AFS, and is currecntly working in the library as a Senior IT User Support Analyst. He spends his free time disc golfing, playing video games and board games, spending time with my child Kahlan, and hiking in Mill Creek Park.

As for his diagnosis, Pat says, "I have rectal cancer as a result of my Crohn's disease. It is early stage, I have undergone radiation treatments and will be undergoing four to six months of chemo that should be starting in August. As long as that all goes well, at the end of it I will have another surgery to remove any remaining cancerous tissue."

Note from a Colleague:

"Pat is one of the most polite, respectful, and honorable people I have ever known. Generous with his time, patient with his child, and compassionate to those in pain, it's no surprise he found himself supporting the staff and technology at Kent State's University Library. He moves from maintaining the largest lab on the Kent campus to helping the newest member of the library team with a smile on his face and an infectious spirit of joy. Pat believes in the service mentality and knows that by helping others, we improve ourselves.

In the pictures attached you will see Pat with his friends, his child Kahlan, his nephew, and some of his many friends. Pat is an avid computer and board gamer, role-player, and cosplayer in his spare time and shares his enthusiasm with Kahlan. He supports Kahlan's artistic talents and they inherited some of their ability from Pat. I am proud to call Pat a friend and look forward to seeing him back on campus making Kent State better though his contributions to his fellow Flashes. "

-Mark Meszar

Joseph Raftovich

Joseph has worked at Kent State for 23 years He began in 1999 as a contractor installing the NEC telephone system on the main and regional campuses. He was hired on full-time in 2003 and established the Telephone Communitcations Department which eventually merged with Network Services.

He lives in Kent where enjoys motorcycle riding and photography. He has a daughter Monica who lives in Berea, OH, a daughter Tara who lives in Buffalo, NY, a son Matthew who lives in Akron, OH and a son Brandon who lives in Kent, OH.

As for his diagnosis, Joseph says, "I have Esophageal Cancer, specifically adenocarcinoma, which is in the lower part of the esophagus. My cancer is stage 3."

Note from a Colleague:

"Joseph Raftovich has worked in Telecommunication and Network Services since 1999 (3 years as a contactor). He is the heart and soul of the department. He knows every closet, tunnel, and fiber junctions across the Kent Campus and can recall all of them in an instant. He does the dirty work for NTS and the DoIT. His job is thankless. He leads by example with his work ethic and dedication to the University. He takes the old military mind set of always leave a place better than when you first arrived. He has help me grow as a leader and a person. He is a people person who always wants to help and provide a solution to everyone’s problem. He is the heart and soul of NTS."

-Michael Geist