Finding Aid for the Sandra L. Scheuer family papers

Repository: Kent State University. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: Sandra L. Scheuer family papers
Inclusive Dates: 1967-2020
Author: Finding aid prepared by Liz Campion, April 2025
Origination: Scheuer, Sandra 1949-1970
Extent: 2.33 cubic feet (3 boxes = 2 record storage boxes and 1 AV box)
Physical Location: 12th floor (May 4 Collection, Boxes 50-52)
Abstract:  This collection consists of correspondence, news clippings, and other materials compiled by the Scheuer family. Sandy Scheuer was one of the four students killed at Kent State University on May 4, 1970. Most of the collection relates to the response of the Kent State Shootings and their aftermath.
Language: English
Descriptive Rules: DACS 2nd Edition

Biography of Sandra ("Sandy") Lee Scheuer

Sandra (“Sandy”) Lee Scheuer was born to Martin and Sarah Scheuer, on August 11, 1949. Sandy grew up near Youngstown and graduated from Boardman High School in 1967. She enrolled at Kent State University, majoring in speech therapy, became a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority, and was active in the Jewish community. 

On May 4, 1970, students gathered on campus to protest the expansion of the Vietnam war. Sandy was reported to have been walking between classes when the Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire, killing Sandy, Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, and William Schroeder, as well as wounding nine others. Sandy was shot and killed in the Prentice Parking Lot, near Taylor Hall at the age of twenty years old.  

Martin, Sarah, and Sandy’s older sister, Audrey, compiled various materials documenting the life and legacy of Sandy Scheuer.

Scope and Content

This collection contains papers compiled by Martin, Sarah, and Audrey Scheuer as it relates to Sandy’s death on May 4, 1970. This collection includes correspondence, news clippings, posters, subject files, and other materials related to the Kent State Shootings and their aftermath.

Statement of Arrangement

The Sandra L. Scheuer family papers are organized into four series:

• Series 1: Correspondence
• Series 2: News Clippings and Periodical Issues
• Series 3: Subject Files
• Series 4: Audiovisual Materials

Preferred Citation

Sandra L. Scheuer family papers. May 4 Collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Separated Material

Books from the personal library of Sandra L. Scheuer are shelved separately and are cataloged in KentLINK.

Acquisition Information

The materials in this collection were donated to Kent State University Special Collections and Archives by Audrey Scheuer and Alan Canfora.

Series 1: Correspondence, 1970-2019

Box 50
Folder -- Contents

1. Correspondence: Adams, John P., June 25, 1971
2. Correspondence: Banks, James, June 3, 1970
3. Correspondence: Bebinger, Craig, May 29, 1994
4. Correspondence: Cartwright, Carol, June 20, 2000
5. Correspondence: Davies, Peter, undated
6. Correspondence: Douglas, Alan, July 5, 1972 
7. Correspondence: Drucker, Steven, undated but likely 1972 
8. Correspondence: Finkelstein, Louis, 1972 
9. Correspondence: Gordon, Bill, April 9, 1987 
10. Correspondence: Grace, Tom and Schwartz, Michael, April 1990
11. Correspondence: Hoehne, Carolyn, October 16, 1991 
12. Correspondence: Johnson, Elinor, May 12, 1987 
13. Correspondence: Johnson, Ron, May 6, 1987 
14. Correspondence: Korol, Jonanthan, July 6, 1978 
    Scope and Content: The letter was enclosed with a transcript entitled, "Part Three, On My Own: (A Yanqui Teacher in the Cuban Schools)."
15. Correspondence: Koskinen, John A., November 3, 1972 
16. Correspondence: Lewis, Jerry, April 4, 1990 
17. Correspondence: Long, Ruthanna, August 8, 1973 
18. Correspondence: Olds, Glenn, May 7, 1975 
19. Correspondence: Payne, Gregory, May 3, 1978 
20. Correspondence: Rosen, Sanford Jay, August 1976 
    Scope and Content: The letter was enclosed with a copy of the KSU Witnesses' Brief in Opposition to Motion to Amend and Vacate Judge Young's Protective Order.
21. Correspondence: Schwartz, Michael, 1989-1990 
22. Correspondence: Shelton, William W., February 1, 1989 
23. Correspondence: Silverman, Shawna, undated 
24. Correspondence: Thiede, Janet L., 1990 
25. Correspondence: Warren, Beverly, March 27, 2019 

Series 2: News Clippings and Periodicals, 1970-2018

26. News Clippings: Various Sources, 1970-1977
27. News Clippings: Various Sources, 1981-1989 
28. News Clippings: Various Sources, 1990-1999 
29. News Clippings: Various Sources, 2000-2018 
30. News Clippings: Various Sources, undated 
31. Publication: The CPC Review, undated 
32. Publication: For the Record, vol. 6, no. 4, June 11, 1990 

Series 3: Subject Files, 1967-2020

33. Address Book, undated 
34. Boardman High School Yearbook, 1967 
35. Button: “Save Ohio: Stop Rhodes, USAR,” undated 
36. Emerson College Invitation to “Kent State-Jackson State 20 Year Retrospective,” March 1990 
37. "The Hi Brow You Better Believe It Book!" undated
38. Jewish National Fund Issued in Memory of Slain Students, 1972; undated
    Scope and Content: The Jewish National Fund issued one tree to be planted in the Victory Forest in Jerusalem by Mr. and Mrs. William Yale and family, in memory of Jeffrey G. Miller, Allison Krause, Sandra Lee Scheuer, and William Schroeder. A grove of 1,000 trees were also planted in the John F. Kennedy Peace Forest in memory of Sandy Scheuer, planted by parents and friends of the Scheuer family.
    Physical Location: Oversized material shelved in map case.
39. Kent State University Foundation Acknowledgment, April 20, 1988 
40. May 4 Individual Student Marker Dedication, September 8, 1999 
41. Photographs: Scheuer, Sandra, 1967-1969; undated 
    Restrictions on Use: Copyright is not owned by Kent State University. For research use only.
42. Photographs: Various Commemorative Events and Memorial Sites, 1995-2020; undated 
    Restrictions on Use: Copyright is not owned by Kent State University. For research use only.
43. Photographs: Alpha Xi Delta, 1969 
    Physical Location: Shelved in map case.
44. Plaque: “In Memory of Sandra Scheuer,” May 4, 1995 
45. Posters, 1970-1988
    Scope and Content: Includes Annual May 4 Commemoration posters and a State of New Jersey General Assembly Resolution.
    Physical Location: Shelved in map case.
46. Supplementary Medical Certification, October 19, 1977

Box 51
Folder -- Contents

1. Orange Hat and Hat Box, undated
   Scope and Content: Both items belonged to Sandy as she can be seen wearing the orange hat in the corresponding photograph dated February 1969.
2. Snoopy artwork, 1970
   Scope and Content: This artwork was created by Sandy Scheuer on the morning of May 4, 1970, as part of a speech class project. 
    

Series 4: Audiovisual Materials, 1971-2020

Scope and Content: These materials have been named according to what was written on their labels.

Restriction on Use: Kent State University does not own the copyright to these items. They are available for research use only.

Box 52
Folder -- Contents

1. Audio Recording: Peter Davies Interview [Beginning], 8:15-9:45PM, Edt. WBAI-FM Radio 99.5, September 8, 1971
   Format of Original: Audio Cassette Tape
2. Audio Recording: Peter Davies Interview [Conclusion], "Agst. Violence" [Kent State Portion] PBS Special Broadcast, May 19, 1971
   Format of Original: Audio Cassette Tape
3. Audio Recording: NBC-TV "Today" show news and Memorial Services at Kent State University, Message from Reece Morehead, May 4, 1972
   Format of Original: Audio Cassette Tape
4. Audio Recording: Dedication of Abraham & Isaac, Segal Dedication, Princeton University, October 6, 1979
   Format of Original: Audio Cassette Tape
5. Audio Recording: Unlabeled, undated
   Format of Original: Audio Cassette Tape
6. Video Recording: Unlabeled, undated 
   Format of Original: Kodachrome Movie Film
7. Video Recording: Annual Commemoration, May 4, 2020
   Format of Original: DVD