30th Annual May 4 Commemoration records

May 4 Collection -- Boxes 130 and 130A

Finding Aid

Author: Nancy Birk
Revisions: Updated June 2009; February 2016; February 2017. Last Updated: March 2021.

Inclusive Dates: 1999-2000
Extent: 1.33 cubic feet (1 record storage box and 1 AV box)
Physical Location: 12th floor
Language of Materials: English

Historical Note: The 30th Annual Commemoration of the Kent State shootings included events spanning from January through July, 2000. The theme, "Peace: Learn It, Live It, Teach It," was reflected in the programming, which included speeches, panels, musical performances, and dance. President Carol Cartwright created and charged the 30th May 4 Commemoration Committee (30th M4CC) "to develop a theme for the 30th May 4 Commemoration activities which places this historic event in the life of the University and the nation within the broader context of the democratic values which are the foundation of American society. To develop a theme around which organizations and departments can plan a special week of remembrance and commemoration during the days surrounding May 4, 2000, that is in keeping with the words on the May 4 Memorial -- 'inquire, learn, and reflect'." The committee was composed of over 30 members of the faculty, students, and staff of Kent State University along with community members, and was co-chaired by Richard Bredemeier and John Jameson.

Scope and Content: The collection contains the records of the 30th May 4 Commemoration Committee, and other materials that document the 30th Annual Commemoration of the Kent State shootings. Included are agendas, minutes, and correspondence of the committee, and promotional materials related to the many events of the Annual Commemoration. The collection also contains video recordings of many of the 30th commemoration events.

Arrangement: The 30th Annual May 4 Commemoration records are organized into the following series:

• Series 1: 30th Annual May 4 Commemoration records
• Series 2: Audiovisual Materials

Related Material: The Annual May 4 Commemoration records include programs, promotional materials, and photographs from the 30th Annual May 4 Commemoration.

See also the records of the May 4th Task Force which was primarily responsible for organizing and coordinating annual commemorations.

There are audio-visual materials from selected commemorations in the following collections:

• Films and Videos related to the Kent State Shootings
• Non-Music Sound Recordings related to the Kent State Shootings

Significant collections of records related to other major anniversaries are available in the following collections:

• 20th Annual Commemoration records
• 25th Anniversary Coordinating Committee records

Sponsor: Digitization of the audiovisual materials in this collection was supported by a Recordings at Risk grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). The grant program is made possible by funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

May 4 Collection - Box 130
Folder -- Contents

Series 1: 30th Annual May 4 Commemoration records

1. 30th M4CC: Agendas, 1999-2000
2. 30th M4CC: Correspondence, e-mails, 1999-2000
3. 30th M4CC: General Information, 1999-2000
4. 30th M4CC: Minutes of Meetings, 1999-2000
5. 30th M4CC: Communications Subcommittee, 1999-2000
6. 30th M4CC: Community Relations Subcommittee, 1999-2000
7. 30th M4CC: Family Relations Subcommittee, 1999-2000
8. 30th M4CC: Program Subcommittee, 1999-2000
9. 30th M4CC: Student Relations Subcommittee, 1999-2000
10. 30th M4CC: Symposium Subcommittee, 1999-2000
11. 30th M4CC: Events: Planning, 2000
    Scope and Content: Includes schedules of events.
12. Events: Book Signing, 2000
13. Events: Cherubini Requiem, 2000
14. Events: Cohen, Bill, 1960s Coffeehouse, 2000
15. Events: Concert (May 4th Remembrance Concert), 2000
16. Events: Dance Alloy, 2000
    Related Materials: See also the May 4-related T-shirts collection for a t-shirt related to this event.
17. Events: Freedom of Speech and May 4, 1970: Then and Now, E. Liverpool Campus, 2000
18. Events: A Gathering of Readers, 2000
19. Events: Gospel Choir, May 5, 2000
    Scope and Content: Includes a CD recording of the concert.
20. Events: Halberstam, David, Lecture and Dinner, March 2000
21. Events: Print and Broadcast Journalism Alumni Reunion, 2000
22. Events: Kent Chorus, 2000
23. Events: Lakota Sioux Dance Theatre, April 2000
24. Events: Media Luncheon, January 28, 2000
25. Events: Ostaszewski, Piotr, Lecture, 2000
26. Events: Pontanima Interfaith Choir Concert, 2000
27. Events: Reflecting in Faith, 2000
28. Events: Perspectives on War Resistance, 2000
    Scope and Content: Includes papers presented by Carolyn Knox (Candy Erickson), Larry Gara, and Jerry Gordon.
29. Events: SDS Reunion, 2000
30. Events: Song in Sorrow, 2000
31. Events: Symposium, 2000
32. Events: Voices of the Holocaust, 2000
33. Publicity: 30th Commemoration, 1999-2000
    Scope and Content: Includes press releases and clippings.
34. Speakers: Abu-Jamal, Mumia, 2000

Series 2: Audiovisual Materials
Arrangement: Materials are arranged chronologically.
Physical Location: Original recordings now in storage as archival back-ups are shelved on the 11th floor.
Alternative Form Available: These recordings have been digitally captured and most are available online by clicking the title links below.
Restrictions on Access: Researchers should be directed to use the digital copies of these recordings as originals are not playable due to format and preservation concerns.

Box 130A
Folder--Contents

1. 2000 Commemoration: Weinglass, Leonard, April 26, 2000
   Scope and Content: Video recording of a speech given by Leonard Weinglass, lead attorney for Mumia Abu-Jamal, presented by Kent State Student Anti-Racist Action.
2. 2000 Commemoration: Musical Performances, April 30, 2000
   Scope and Content: Two miniDVs. The first tape includes a partial recording of the May 4 Choral Commemoration performance of Cherubini’s Requiem in C minor, conducted by Walter Watson. The partial recording of the performance is followed by an interview with Watson. Also on the first tape, and on the second tape, is a partial recording of “Coffeehouse of the 1960s,” featuring Bill Cohen playing guitar and singing folksongs.
   Restrictions on Access: This file contains recordings protected by copyright and cannot be published online at this time.
3. 2000 Commemoration: Panel Discussion, May 2, 2000
   Scope and Content: Video recording of a panel discussion on events that took place on other campuses in the 1960s and 1970s, including Jackson State College (now University), South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, Southern University, and the University of Kansas.
4. 2000 Commemoration: Dance Alloy Performance, May 3, 2000
   Scope and Content: Dance performance outside on the Kent campus, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of May 4, 1970. Choreographed by Mark Taylor (artistic director of Dance Alloy), with music composed by Dr. Walter Watson. The performance is the culmination of an 18-day residency by the Dance Alloy company at Kent State University. Performance includes the Kent State University Percussion Studio. The project was directed by Dr. Darwin Prioleau (Professor of Dance).
   Restrictions on Access: This file contains recordings protected by copyright and cannot be published online at this time.
5. 2000 Commemoration: Annual Candlelight Vigil, May 3, 2000
6. 2000 Commemoration: Footage of Various Events, May 4, 2000
7. 2000 Commemoration: “Peace: Learn it, Live it, Teach It,” May 4, 2000 (1 of 4)
   Scope and Content: Video recording of the commemoration event, "Peace: Learn It, Live It, Teach It," which took place at noon on the Commons on May 4, 2000. Includes performances by Country Joe McDonald, Alice DiMicele, Rob Kohler, and speeches by Russell Miller, Barry Levine, and Louis Cusella.
8. 2000 Commemoration: “Peace: Learn it, Live it, Teach It,” May 4, 2000 (2 of 4)
   Scope and Content: Includes speeches by Ellis Berns, Gloria Green-McKray, Gene Young, Chic Canfora, and Juliet Beck. Also includes a musical performance by Country Joe McDonald.
9. 2000 Commemoration: “Peace: Learn it, Live it, Teach It,” May 4, 2000 (3 of 4)
   Scope and Content: Includes speeches by Juliet Beck, Vernon Bellecourt, Julia Butterfly Hill, and Ramona Africa.
10. 2000 Commemoration: “Peace: Learn it, Live it, Teach It,” May 4, 2000 (4 of 4)
    Scope and Content: Includes speeches by Ramona Africa, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Noam Chomsky, and a musical performance by Alice DiMicele and Rob Kohler.
11. 2000 Commemoration: Various 30th Commemoration Events, May 2000
12. 2000 Commemoration: Fulton, Marianne and Howard Ruffner, May 2000
    Scope and Content: Video recording of Howard Ruffner and Marianne Fulton on a walking tour on the Kent State campus. Ruffner describes his experiences during the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970 while pointing out the locations where the events occurred. The video ends with footage from the 2000 Commemoration.
    Restrictions on Access: This file contains recordings protected by copyright and cannot be published online at this time.