May 4

IN A FLASH: Signs of Spring
With warmer temperatures and "April showers," vibrant spring colors have begun to emerge across Kent State's campuses.

Kent State Honors the Legacy of May 4, 1970, With 55th Commemoration
On May 2-4, 2025, Kent State University 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.

Teach Peace: Living Legacy to Kent State Shootings Honored with May 4 Visitors Center Exhibit
Professor Emeritus of Sociology Jerry Lewis, Ph.D., who devoted his career to ensuring the legacy of May 4, 1970, would remain vibrant, is being honored with an exhibit at the May 4 Visitors Center.

‘Sacrifice is a Silent Decision That Makes the Loudest Impact’
In getting into the role of the lead character in "Trial By Fire," a play about banned books and activism, a Kent State student keenly feels the connections between the themes in the play and the university’s history of activism.

Kent State Kicks Off 55th Commemoration of May 4 With Play on Student Activism and Book Bans
This year, Kent State University will hold the 55th commemoration honoring the memory of May 4, 1970, a tragic day when the Ohio National Guard fired on Kent State students during an anti-war protest on campus, killing four students, wounding nine others and sparking a turning point in American history. Kicking off the program for the annual May 4 Commemoration is a play that focuses on student activism and book bans.

Kent State Podcast ‘Legacy: May 4’ Receives Top Honors
Kent State University is proud to announce that “Legacy: May 4,” a podcast hosted by Stephen Ward, vice president for university communications and marketing, was awarded both a Gold and the Top Tactic Award by the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) at its recent Cleveland Rocks Awards ceremony.

IN A FLASH: Kent State in The Library of Congress
Bob Christy, senior photography coordinator for University Communications and Marketing captured these images inside the Library of Congress, where John Filo's iconic photo from May 4, 1970 was part of an exhibition there.

Working to Get Student Voters Informed and Engaged
The Kent State Votes initiative is working with organizations and departments across campus to help engage and inform student voters in advance of the coming elections.

Transportation Secretary Praises Kent State’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering as ‘Future of Aviation’
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Kent State University touring the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, and telling students that “the future of aviation leadership is in your hands.”

Keeping the Memory of May 4 Alive
A group of Kent State University professors recently returned from a visit to the commemoration of the Gwangju Uprising at Chonnam National University in Gwangju, South Korea, feeling inspired for the meaningful connections they made to the May 4, 1970, shootings at Kent State.