John C. Weiser papers

May 4 Collection -- Box 94

Finding aid

Prepared by Nancy Birk, November 1994; Updated February 2018

Inclusive Dates: 1961-1981
Extent: 3.33 cubic feet (1 document case + audio recordings)
Physical Location: 12th floor

Biographical Note: John C. Weiser was the Faculty Supervisor and General Manager of Radio Operations (WKSU) for many years. He also served as former Coordinator, Division of Telecommunications at Kent State University. Weiser died in 2003.

Scope and Content: The materials focus on the role and activities of the University radio station on and around the time of the Kent State shootings. The bulk of the collection is comprised of sound recordings made by WKSU during the time leading up to and in the months after the shootings.

Arrangement: The collection is divided into two series: Papers and Audio Recordings

Acquisitions Information: John C. Weiser donated this collection of materials to the Department of Special Collections and Archives on April 12, 1979.

Restrictions on Access: Some information included in this collection is restricted due to the presence of information protected by privacy laws. This information has been redacted where present on documents in the collection. Un-redacted originals, in all cases, have been retained by Special Collections and Archives.

Sponsor: Digitization of this collection was funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Series 1: Papers

Box 94
Folder -- Contents

1. AP: Press Releases: May 1, 1970
2. AP: Press Releases: May 2, 1970
3. AP: Press Releases: May 3, 1970
4. AP: Press Releases: May 4, 1970
5. AP: Press Releases: May 5, 1970
6. AP: Press Releases: May 6, 1970
7. AP: Press Releases: May 7, 1970
8. AP: Press Releases: May 8, 1970
9. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 2, 1970
10. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 3, 1970
11. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 4, 1970
12. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 5, 1970
13. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 6, 1970
14. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 7, 1970
15. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 8, 1970
16. Background and Notes for WKSU News Reports: Information on James Ahern: 1970-1971
17. Background and Notes for WKSU News Reports: Information on Julian Bond: 1966; 1970
18. Background and Notes for WKSU News Reports: Information on Dick Gregory: 1961; 1971
19. Background and Notes for WKSU News Reports: May-December, 1970
    Physical Location: Some items from this file are located in the map case.
20. WKSU Radio: General Policies, undated
21. WKSU Radio: Emergency Operations, Procedures: 1970-1971
22. WKSU Radio: Emergency Operations, Proposals and Recommendations for Emergency Communications, circa 1970-1971
23. WKSU Radio: Emergency Operations, Correspondence: 1970-1971
24. WKSU Radio: Emergency Broadcast System, Special Press Passes: 1971
25. Articles and Clippings: Student Movements, 1969-1970; 1981; undated
    Scope and Content: Includes an untitled piece of writing by James A. Michener regarding the Kent State shootings.
26. Reports: "Kent State...This is Where it Happened" by Greg Benedetti: 1971
27. Reports: "The Gatekeepers in Practice at WKSU-FM" by Richard D. Bernard: 1970
28. Reports: "Events Leading Up to Shootings At KSU" by William H. Eames: 1970
29. Reports: Address by John N. Mitchell: September 26, 1970
30. Reports: "Report on S.D.S. Problem--WKSU", October 26, 1968
31. Student Papers, Speech 674 "Contemporary Problems": 1970
32. Correspondence: Administrative, Faculty/Staff, Student: 1970-1971; 1977
33. List of People Who Responded with Offers of Housing and Transportation: 1970

Series 2: Audio Recordings

Arrangement: The recordings are listed here in chronological order.
Format of Originals: Original audio recordings are reel-to-reel audio tapes.
Restrictions on Access: Due to the fragility of the original recordings, researchers must access these recordings via digital format.

Reel -- Contents

1970:

1. Audio Recording: WKSU News Perspective, May 2, 1970
2. Audio Recording: WKSU Operation Information, May 3, 1970
3. Audio Recording: President White's Statement on Campus Disorders, May 3, 1970
4. Audio Recording: Political Science 110 Class Lecture and Discussion, May 4, 1970
   Scope and Content: A recording made by WKSU of Barclay D. McMillen's political science class, recorded at approximately 11:00 a.m. on May 4, 1970.
5. Audio Recording: Reactions After Shootings by Students and Others, May 4, 1970
6. Audio Recording: President White's Statement After the Shootings, May 4, 1970
7. Audio Recording: Press Conference with KSU Students Who Met with Nixon, May 6, 1970
8. Audio Recording: President White Meeting with KSU Faculty, May 8, 1970
9. Audio Recording: WKSU News Broadcast, May 8, 1970
10. Audio Recording: President White's Statement: "The Future of KSU," May 18, 1970
11. Audio Recording: President White's Statement After Meeting with Congressman J. William Stanton, May 18, 1970
12. Audio Recording: President White's Speech and Q & A with Advisory Board, May 22, 1970
13. Audio Recording: WKSU Talk Back Show, May 22, 1970
14. Audio Recording: WKSU Talk Back Show, June 10, 1970
15. Audio Recording: Interview with Ronald Beer, June 13, 1970
16. Audio Recording: Kent State University Commencement, June 13, 1970
17. Audio Recording: President White's Press Conference After Commencement, June 13, 1970
18. Audio Recording: Ohio State Legislative Hearings on Campus Unrest, July 1970
19. Audio Recording: Scranton Commission Hearings, August 1970
20. Audio Recording: Kent State Administrative Briefing, September 18, 1970
21. Audio Recording: President White Press Conference, September 25, 1970
22. Audio Recording: Fall Convocation and "WKSU Project '70," September 28, 1970
23. Audio Recording: Think Week: James Michener, September 29, 1970
24. Audio Recording: Think Week: Sargent Shriver, October 2, 1970
25. Audio Recording: President White's Address to Student Body Regarding Grand Jury, October 16, 1970
26. Audio Recording: William Kunstler Speaking at Downtown Meeting, October 19, 1970
27. Audio Recording: President White Addresses the Student Body, October 21, 1970
28. Audio Recording: President White's Comments on the Grand Jury, November 9, 1970
29. Audio Recording: Speech by John J. Gilligan, December 8, 1970

1971:

30. Audio Recording: Commentary: Kent State, One Year Later, April, 1971
31. Audio Recording: Kent State Memorial Observance: Julian Bond, May 2, 1971
32. Audio Recording: Kent State Memorial Observance: Dick Gregory May 3, 1971
33. Audio Recording: Kent State Memorial Observance: "Jesus Freaks," May 3, 1971
34. Audio Recording: Kent State Memorial Observance: Kent State Memorial Service, May 4, 1971
35. Audio Recording: Kent State Memorial Observance: Kingman Brewster, May 4, 1971
36. Audio Recording: President Olds' First Press Conference, August 1971
37. Audio Recording: Fall Convocation: President Olds' Opening Address, September 30, 1971
38. Audio Recording: Open Forum: Whither KSU: President Olds, October 4, 1971
39. Audio Recording: Open Forum: Whither KSU: Student-Faculty Relations, October 5, 1971
40. Audio Recording: Open Forum: Whither KSU: Student-Administration Relations, October 7, 1971
41. Audio Recording: Open Forum: Whither KSU: Final Program, October 8, 1971
42. Audio Recording: President White: "Question One," 1971
43. Audio Recording: President White "Answer One," 1971
44. Audio Recording: President White "Answer Two," 1971
45. Audio Recording: President White "Answer Three," 1971

1972:

46. Audio Recording: Kent State: Two Years Later, May 4, 1972

1973:

47. Audio Recording: Retrospect: May 4, 1970, May 4, 1973
48. Audio Recording: File Tape on May 4 Investigation, 1973

Undated:

49. Audio Recording: Song: "Deaths at KSU," undated
50. Audio Recording: WKNT Broadcast of Reaction After Guard Trial, undated
    Restrictions on Use: This recording is copyrighted by WKNT and cannot be accessed online at this time.