May 4 Commemoration
May 4's Legacy Lives on Through Scholarships, Students and Alumni
There are several scholarships dedicated to May 4, 1970. Four were established in 2020 to mark the 50th commemoration of the tragedy, one for each of those who lost their lives, Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra “Sandy” Scheuer and William “Bill” Schroeder. Others promote advocacy or majors in peace and conflict studies.
Kent State Marks 56th Anniversary of May 4, 1970, With Commemoration on the Commons
Fifty-six years after the Ohio National Guard opened fire on student protesters at , killing four and wounding nine, the university community gathered once again on the May 4 site at the Kent State Commons to bear witness, reflect and reaffirm its commitment to preserving the legacy of that day.
Annual Candlelight Walk and Vigil Marks May 4
As it has every year since 1971, the annual candlelight walk and vigil brought the Kent State community together to mark the anniversary of May 4, 1970.
Historian Brings Guardsmen's Voices to Kent State's Jerry M. Lewis May 4 Lecture
Fifty-six years after four students were killed and nine were wounded on the campus of , a historian from outside the university brought a rarely heard perspective to one of the most consequential days in American history – May 4, 1970.
Protector of History: Alan Canfora Collection to be Dedicated at Libraries
The largest private collection of documents and materials relating to the May 4, 1970, shootings at , amassed by survivor Alan Canfora, will be formally dedicated by University Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives on May
MEDIA ADVISORY: Kent State Remembers May 4, 1970, With 56th Commemoration
will hold its annual commemoration to honor the memory of May 4, 1970 – a tragic day when the Ohio National Guard opened fire on Kent State students during an anti-war protest on campus, killing four students and wounding nine others. May 4, 1970, marked a pivotal moment in American history.
Kent State Remembers May 4, 1970, With 56th Commemoration
This year’s May 4 Commemoration, to be held May 1-4, 2026, will include special remembrances of John Cleary, one of the nine wounded students, and Jerry M. Lewis, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Sociology, who served as a faculty marshal during the campus shootings and worked tirelessly to ensure that the legacy of May 4 would endure.
'Freedom Is Not Given, It Is Fought For'
Julian Grimes, a graduating senior and president of Black United Students (BUS), delivered an impassioned speech connecting the historical struggle for civil rights to current challenges facing higher education.
IN A FLASH: A Memorable Commemoration
The 55-year commemoration of the tragic events of May 4, 1970 at Kent State included an extensive schedule of presentations, the annual candlelight walk and vigil and the commemoration ceremonies on May 4.
Treating Others With Dignity During Stormy Times Must Be Part of University's Core Values
In a heartfelt address during this year's May 4 Commemoration, President Todd Diacon spoke about the challenges of leading during times of change and uncertainty while emphasizing a common theme – the university's commitment to its core values of kindness and respect.