May 4

Legacy May 4

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.

Filo photo 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. 

New Kent State Votes Banner

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. 

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg observes how College of Aeronautics and Engineering students are trained in air traffic control technology.

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.”

The Gwangju Uprising memorial mural in Gwangju, South Korea

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.

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Author, attorney and former South Carolina state lawmaker Bakari Sellers, in a recent interview with NPR, questioned whether the country has learned the lessons of the May 4, 1970, shootings at Kent State University.

Euihuack Kang, associate professor and chair of the Department of English Language and Literature at Chonnam National University in South Korea, takes part in a panel discussion on May 3, 2024.

A professor from Chonnam National University in Gwangju, South Korea, said his recent visit to Kent State University enabled him to experience his research into the May 4, 1970, Kent State shootings in a whole new way.

May 4 Commemoration 2024

This year's May 4 Commemoration remembered the fallen and recognized the spirit of activism that is part of Kent State's history and the university's foundational values. 

President Diacon at May 4 Visitor's Center

Watch as President Diacon visits the May 4 Visitor's Center and reflects on the legacy of May 4.

Dean Kahler, shot and paralyzed on May 4, 1970, rings the Victory Bell at the 54th Commemoration of the shootings.

Against the backdrop of a new generation of student activism, the Kent State community gathered to reflect and remember the student protesters killed and wounded on May 4, 1970.