Portman to Receive Honorary Degree from YSU

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — U.S. Sen. Rob Portman will receive an honorary degree and speak at Youngstown State University’s Fall Commencement at 2 p.m. Dec. 13, in Beeghly Center.

Katina Darkadakis, who will receive a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising, with a minor in marketing, will be the student speaker at the ceremony.

Portman, R-Ohio, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010. He is a member of the Finance Committee, Committee On Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Committee on the Budget. He is also chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

Prior to his election to the Senate, Portman served 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, leaving in 2005 to become U.S. trade representative, a Cabinet-level position responsible for implementing and enforcing U.S. trade policy. A year later, he was asked to serve in another Cabinet post, director of the Office of Management and Budget.

He was born and raised in Cincinnati, where he lives today with his wife, Jane, and their three children, Jed, Will and Sally.

Darkadakis has held positions including treasurer and president of Students in Fashion and Interiors, which has aided with events such as Professional Attire Clothing.

She also has been employed on campus as a research assistant under the supervision of Taci Turel, associate professor of fashion merchandising. In that position, she analyzed sustainable self-heating garments, textiles produced using 3-D printing, and more recently the design parameters of police uniforms to improve the functionality of uniforms without compromising comfort. She presented her research at Quest 2014 and 2015.

Her internship at the Campbell Police Department led her to design and develop a prototype uniform. After graduation, Darkadakis hopes to pursue a master’s degree and continue her research into smart fashion or technological textiles.

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