Kent State Remembers May 4, 1970
As we continue to honor the power of our voices, this year’s May 4 commemoration highlights the ongoing significance of free speech, activism, and education in shaping our collective history. The May 4 Education Committee has been working year-round to bring meaningful educational programming that reflects on the past and inspires present and future generations.
This year's commemorative programming began with the powerful play Trial By Fire, presented Feb. 7-9 in partnership with Kent State's May 4 Education Committee. Set against the backdrop of censorship and the fight for intellectual freedom, the play centers on a Kent State graduate who is put "on trial" for allowing her students access to banned books.
Through these programs, we continue to amplify the voices that challenge and shape the world around us.
New Exhibit Honors Jerry Lewis
On May 4, 1970, Professor Emeritus of Sociology Jerry M. Lewis was serving Kent State University as a professor and a faculty marshal. He witnessed the shootings and dedicated much of his career to researching, memorializing and lecturing about the days surrounding that tragic time at Kent State.
The new May 4 Visitors Center exhibit, "Teach Peace: The Life and Legacy of Jerry Lewis,"explores Lewis' impact and legacy at Kent State during his career as a professor (1966-96), faculty marshal, collector and historical chronicler who was driven by his dedication to May 4 and a passion for its preservation.
The exhibit is on display through June 3 in the May 4 Visitors Center, located at 147 Taylor Hall.
The Legacy of Peace Marshals at Kent State
On Wednesday, March 19 at 1 p.m., Molly Merryman, Ph.D., will present "The Legacy of Peace Marshals at Kent State" as the opening talk for the Jerry Lewis exhibit at the May 4 Visitors Center. The event is open to all. No tickets are required.
Inspired by the non-violent teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. and Ghandhi, Lewis organized the faculty marshal program at Kent State to promote peace during student marches and protests on campus. Merryman, an associate professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, will discuss the history of Kent State's peace marshal program and the lasting legacy contributed by Lewis and his colleagues.
Annual May 4 Commemoration
The annual May 4 Commemoration will occur at noon on May 4, 2025. Additional programs include the Jerry Lewis Lecture Series Luncheon on May 2, 2025, and the Candlelight Walk and Vigil on May 3. These events and the year-long educational initiatives help preserve the memory of May 4 while continuing the vital conversation about the power of activism and free speech. Additional programming and tickets will be announced in mid-spring.