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Emil Dansker May 4 papers

Special Collections and Archives

Emil Dansker May 4 papers

Special Collections and Archives

Emil Dansker May 4 papers

  • Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
  • Title: Emil Dansker May 4 papers
  • Inclusive Date(s): 1970-1995
  • Bulk Date(s): 1970-1972
  • Author: Finding aid prepared by Rennie Greenfield, November 2015
  • Creation: Finding aid encoded by Rennie Greenfield using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2015
  • Origination: Dansker, Emil
  • Extent: .33 cubic feet (1 document case)
  • Physical Location: 11th floor (May 4 Collection, Box 215)
  • Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0168
  • Abstract: This collection contains papers and research gathered by Emil Dansker regarding the Kent State shootings. It also has documents detailing the creation of the documentary Covering the Confrontation.
  • Language(s): The records are in English

Biography of Emil Dansker

Dansker is the founder and director emeritus of the National Conventions Project, which gives student journalists the chance to cover political conventions and presidential inaugurations. He was a founding member of the Cincinnati chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) in 1967. He supervised a project in 1971 with students at Bowling Green State University to produce a documentary on the Kent State University shootings the previous year, under the auspices of the SPJ. The documentary has been seen around the world. After years as a reporter for publications such as The Toledo Blade, The Dayton Daily News, and The Cincinnati Enquirer, Dansker taught journalism at Bowling Green State University for 16 years and Central State University for ten years. He retired in 1996.

Scope and Content

This collection looks at the events of May 4, 1970 through the lens of journalists who covered the story. It includes proposals, abstracts, notes, research, budgets, scripts, and promotional materials from the creation of the film Kent 1970: Covering the Confrontation. It also contains several articles and papers that show how journalists reported on the shootings and their aftermath. There are news clippings and press releases, as well as photographs and slides from the day of the shootings.

Statement of Arrangement

This collection has been arranged into the following five series:
  • Series 1: Covering the Confrontation
  • Series 2: Papers and Articles
  • Series 3: Clippings
  • Series 4: Press Releases
  • Series 5: Photographs


Preferred Citation

Emil Dansker May 4 papers. May 4 Collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information

Emil Dansker gave these papers to Jan Leach who donated them to the archives in 2010.

Subject Headings
The following subjects are found in this collection:

  • Subjects:
  • Kent State Shootings, Kent, Ohio, 1970
  • Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Protest movements
  • Kent State University--History
  • Kent (Ohio)--History
  • Persons:
  • Dansker, Emil
  • Cartwright, Carol A., 1941-
  • Lewis, Jerry M. (Jerry Middleton), 1937-
  • Michener, James A. (James Albert), 1907-1997
  • Windhauser, John W. (John William), 1943-
  • Organizations/Corporations:
  • Bowling Green State University
  • Functions:
  • Documentary films -- Authorship
  • Journalism
  • Occupations:
  • Journalists
  • Material Types:
  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
  • Correspondence
  • Photographs
  • Titles:
  • Kent 1970: Covering the Confrontation



Detailed Description of the Collection

Series 1: Covering the Confrontation, 1970-1995
  • Box 215 / Folder 1
  • Abstract, Proposal, and Summary, 1970-1971
  • Box 215 / Folder 2
  • Notes, undated
  • Box 215 / Folder 3
  • Scripts and Credits, 1970
  • Box 215 / Folder 4
  • Budget, 1970
  • Box 215 / Folder 5
  • Research Materials - Associated Press Wire Service, 1970-1971
  • Box 215 / Folder 6
  • Research Materials - General, 1970
  • Box 215 / Folder 7
  • Promotional Materials, 1970-1995
  • Box 215 / Folder 8
  • Correspondence, 1971
  • Box 215 / Folder 9
  • Correspondence, 1972-1974
  • Box 215 / Folder 10
  • Correspondence, 1975-1995
  • Box 215 / Folder 11
  • Correspondence, undated

Series 2: Papers and Articles, 1970-1995
  • Box 215 / Folder 12
  • "Reporting the Kent State Incident" American Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation, 1971
  • Box 215 / Folder 13
  • Bruss, James: "Commentary on May Activities University News Service", undated
  • Box 215 / Folder 14
  • Cartwright, Carol: "Inquire. Learn. Reflect. The Evolution of Student Activism", 1995
  • Box 215 / Folder 15
  • Krighbaum, Hillier: "Cluttering Up the News Picture", 1972
  • Box 215 / Folder 16
  • Lewis, Jerry: "Review Essay: The Telling of Kent State", 1971
  • Box 215 / Folder 17
  • Michener, James A: "Commencement Address delivered at Kent State University, 12 December, 1970", 1970
  • Box 215 / Folder 18
  • Weiser, John C: "Non-Commercial Radio Serves University in Crisis", 1971
  • Box 215 / Folder 19
  • Windhauser, John W: "How the Metropolitan Press Met the Challenge of Reporting the Kent State University and Other Campus Disorders", 1972

Series 3: Clippings, 1970-1995
  • Box 215 / Folder 20
  • Clippings: 1970, 1970
  • Box 215 / Folder 21
  • Clippings: 1971-1995, 1971-1995
  • Box 215 / Folder 22
  • Clippings: Foreign Language Newspapers, undated
  • Box 215 / Folder 23
  • Clippings: undated, undated

Series 4: Press Releases, 1995
  • Box 215 / Folder 24
  • Press Releases for the 25th Annual Commemoration, 1995

Series 5: Photographs, 1970
  • Box 215 / Folder 25
  • Photographs, 1970
  • Scope and Content
  • Photographs of National Guardsmen, students, and unidentified members of the press taken on the Kent State campus, May 4th, 1970.
  • Box 215 / Folder 26
  • Slides, undated