25th Anniversary Coordinating Committee records

May 4 Collection - Box 126

Finding Aid

Prepared by Cara Gilgenbach, July 10, 1998; Updated February 2017

Inclusive Dates: 1994-1996
Extent: 1 record storage box, 1 cubic foot
Physical Location: 12th floor

Historical Note

The May 4 25th Anniversary Coordinating Committee was formed in 1994 "to coordinate, on behalf of the University community, a series of commemorative programs during Spring Semester 1995, with particular emphasis on the week of April 30 to May 7, to mark the milestone 25th anniversary of the events of May 4, 1970, in a manner that is healing, respectful, and inclusive and consistent with the University mission."* The committee was composed of 20 members, and was co-chaired by Jerry M. Lewis (Emeritus, sociology) and Daniel McCombs, the director of Alumni Relations at the time. Committee members included faculty, students, administrators, community members, and persons who were directly involved in the events of May 4, 1970 (including some of the wounded students). Also formed at this time was the May 4 25th Anniversary Symposium Committee composed of eight faculty members. This group worked closely with the Coordinating Committee, but was specifically charged with planning and organizing an international scholarly symposium on May 4. Lawrence Kaplan (Emeritus, history) served as chair of the Symposium Committee.

In addition to its overarching role of planning and overseeing the 25th anniversary commemoration, the Coordinating Committee facilitated the support of numerous projects and events related to May 4 by overseeing the disbursement of funding (usually for $500 or less) to groups and individuals. Interested parties had to submit an application for funding describing the proposed activity and reasons for requesting funding. A wide variety of programs and events, including several in the arts, were aided by funding from the Coordinating Committee.

A fuller description of the Coordinating Committee's goals, activities, and responsibilities can be found in the collection, particularly in the folders containing the committee's charge and mission statements.

*Excerpted from the "May 4 25th Anniversary Coordinating Committee Mission Statement" found in folder #2.

Scope and Content

This collection contains the papers of the May 4 25th Anniversary Coordinating Committee, as well as some from the Symposium Committee. Included are typical committee-related documents such as meeting minutes, membership rosters, and correspondence. The collection also includes clippings, press releases, funding applications, and events schedules and programs. The materials date from spring of 1994 through 1995.

May 4 Collection Box 126
Folder -- Contents

1. Catalog Text on May 4 (drafts), 1994
2. Charge and Mission, 1994
3. Cleveland Foundation Proposal, 1994
4. Clippings about Committee and Events, 1995
5. Correspondence, 1994
6. Correspondence, 1995
7. Fact Sheet, undated
8. Flyers for 25th Anniversary Events, May 1995
9. Funding Applications (blank forms), 1994
10. Funding Applications, 1994
11. Funding Committee, 1994
12. Funding Press Releases and Flyers, 1994
13. Funded Projects, Charts, 1994-1995
14. Funded Projects, Correspondence, 1995
15. Interactive Multimedia CD-ROM Presentation, Program, May 1, 1995
16. Interactive Videodisc Project, 1994
17. Kent Alumni Association Mailing, 1995
18. May 4th Symposium, Legacies of Protest, Schedule of Events Flyer, 1995
19. May 4th Symposium Committee, Meeting Minutes, 1994
20. Meeting Memos, Agendas, and Minutes of Coordinating Committee, April 1994-April 1995
21. Nametags, Selected Committee Members 1995
22. Northern Ohio Live's Awards of Achievement, September-October, 1995
23. Position Paper, "Preserving the May 4th Site," 25th Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee on the May 4th Site Preservation, June 1995
24. Press Release on formation of Coordinating Committee, April 15, 1994
25. Program of Events, March-May, 1995
26. Program, Press Release, Flyer: Dancy Alloy. May 4th Dance/Theatre Project, performed at E. Turner Stump Theatre, Kent State University, April 29, 1995
27. Program: The Serpent. Kent State University Theatre, 1995?
28. Proposed Arts Projects, 1994
29. Resolution of Appreciation to Jerry M. Lewis and Daniel L. McCombs, June 13, 1996
30. Rosters, Committee Members, 1994
31. Ticket Stubs for Peter, Paul and Mary Benefit Concert, May 4, 1995
32. 25th Anniversary Post Cards (created by students in Visual Communication Design as part of publication 105), 1995