Mark Mothersbaugh

Born and raised in Peninsula, Ohio, Mark Mothersbaugh kicked things off at Woodridge High, then dove headfirst into the creative chaos of Kent State University in the early '70s. He wasn’t there just to pick up a degree in art—he was basically assembling the puzzle pieces for what would become Devo, that weirdly brilliant avant-garde band that shook up the music scene through the late '70s and '80s. Kent State was more than just a backdrop; it was the breeding ground where Mark crossed paths with Jerry Casale and Bob Lewis, two guys who’d end up being his partners in creative crime. Mothersbaugh’s relationship with Kent State didn't just end when he snagged his degree (or, honestly, when he moved on to bigger things). In 2008, the university tossed him an honorary doctorate in humane letters, which is pretty fancy for a guy who spent years in yellow hazmat suits on stage. Mark isn’t one to just take an award and run; he’s given back, big-time. The guy’s handed over music, art, and, most importantly, his time—always popping up to hype Kent State in interviews, public talks, and media. He’s kept those roots alive, using every platform he gets to shout out the place that helped shape one of music’s true oddballs. Kind of poetic, really.