1982

The May 4 Task Force approached Kent State University President Brage Golding with the idea of building a memorial to the four students killed and nine others wounded.

1983

Dec. 9

The Kent Board of Trustees authorized the establishment of a May 4th Memorial Committee. The charge of the Committee was to determine the meaning of the events of May 4, 1970, to the University and to propose a suitable permanent memorial, if the Committee deemed that appropriate.

1984

Mar. 21

The May 4th Memorial Committee held its first meeting.

1984

Dec. 13

The May 4th Memorial Committee held its final meeting.

1985

Jan. 23

The Kent State University Trustees accepted the May 4th Memorial Committee's report which recommended the development of a "physical memorial" to commemorate further the May 4, 1970, tragedy at the University. After passing a resolution that formally accepted the Committee's report, the Trustees directed President Michael Schwartz "to initiate an appropriate competition" for the design of "a physical ... memorial in keeping with the philosophy and recommendations contained in the report."

1985

Feb. 6

Dr. William E. Shelton, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, sent a three-page letter to 15 of the largest foundations in the nation requesting an appointment to discuss the May 4 Memorial project in order to determine their possible interest in supporting the construction of the Memorial.

1985

Apr.

President Michael Schwartz requested that James Dalton, Director of the School of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent, develop a grant proposal to the National Endowment for the Arts for partial funding of a national design competition for a suitable memorial to the events leading up to and including May 4, 1970.

1985

May 4

United States Senator Howard Metzenbaum gave the keynote address for the annual May 4 commemoration activities.

1985

Sep. 3

A formal announcement of the national design competition was made. Registration deadline was set for Nov. 30, 1985.

1985

Oct.

A nationally recognized jury of architects, landscape architects, artists and an environmental author was chosen to review and judge entries submitted to the memorial design competition.

1985

Oct. 17

A press release was sent from University News and Information announcing the $85,000 grant received by the National Endowment for the Arts as partial funding for the national design competition for the Memorial.

1985

Nov. 5

President Michael Schwartz wrote the members of the competition jury thanking them for their participation and telling them of their responsibilities, schedule and honorarium.

1985

Dec. 2

The date the competition program was mailed out to all individual competitors and design teams.

1986

Feb.

A page-two article appeared in the KENT alumni magazine that was sent to all 85,000 graduates announcing the jury selection for the Memorial.

1986

Mar. 30

The design competition jury convened and elected Grady Clay, an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects and the American Society of Landscape Architects, as its chair. The jury also visited the site for the proposed memorial.

1986

Apr.

The cover story of the KENT alumni magazine was about the winning Memorial design. This issue went to dues-paid alumni.

1986

Apr. 4

A news conference was held to name the team of Ian F. Taberner of Michigan and Michael G. Fahey of New York as the winner of the national design competition. First prize in the competition was $20,000. A second prize of $10,000 was awarded to Bruno Ast of the firm of Ast and Dagdelen in Chicago, the team leader. The other team member was Thomas J. Rasmussen, a designer with the firm. Three Chicago architects who submitted an entry jointly were winners of the $5,000 third prize. They were Michael J. Wilkinson (team leader), Kevin A. Kemp and Scott D. Bernhard.

1986

Apr. 8

Dr. Michael Schwartz sent a letter to all faculty urging them to contribute to the May 4 Memorial.

1986

Apr. 16

Vice President William E. Shelton wrote Wyman Balfour, Director of Development, with the University's priorities for private fund raising. The May 4 Memorial was listed second of seven priorities.

1986

Apr. 28

Karl Rohrer Associates, Inc., presented a conceptual design estimate of $660,000 on the Kent May 4 Memorial design of Ian Taberner.

1986

May 10

Vice President William E. Shelton informed the Kent Alumni Board that there were 698 entries in the competition, that Ian Taberner would be paid as a consultant, that Taberner's partner had refused the first-place prize money and that private funds were being raised for the construction of the Memorial.

1986

June 16

Paul Spreiregen wrote President Michael Schwartz that he believed the University's interests were fully protected by the rules of the competition and that he believed Ian Taberner's design could still be used. Mr. Spreiregen outlined three alternatives: sue Taberner; negotiate with Taberner for the use of the design; or drop Taberner's design and use the second-place design.

1986

July 2

The Kent State University Board of Trustees unanimously affirmed the disqualification of the entry submitted by Ian Taberner. At the same meeting, the Board unanimously designated a design submitted by Bruno Ast and Thomas J. Rasmussen as the winning entry in the May 4 Memorial Design Competition. The entry had received second place. The Trustees also moved up to second place the entry submitted by Michael J. Wilkinson, Kevin A. Kemp and Scott D. Bernhard. That entry had received third place. The jury was polled and chose the submission of Peter Lindsey Schaudt for third place.

1986

July 11

President Michael Schwartz met with Bruno Ast about his design.

1986

July 15

Akron Beacon Journal cartoonist Chuck Ayres portrayed the Ohio American Legion as destroying the May 4 Memorial "dedicated to peace and understanding" while blindfolded. This is one of numerous editorial cartoons, editorials and columns by journalists across the country responding to the American Legion of Ohio's resolution.

1986

July 18

President Michael Schwartz mailed Michael Wilkinson the remainder of his second-place award. President Michael Schwartz went to Washington, D.C., and met with Ohio Senator Howard Metzenbaum and Representative Dennis Eckart looking for advice and leads on raising the needed construction funds for the Memorial.

1986

Aug. 12

State Representative Lynn R. Wachtman (80th District) wrote President Schwartz that his constituents disfavored the Memorial being built on campus and suggested that the site be moved to a park not owned by the taxpayers of Ohio.

1986

Oct. 3

Rock singer Joe Walsh stated at a news conference that he intended to assist in the fund raising for the May 4 Memorial by organizing a benefit concert. The news conference was part of the alumnus' return to campus to perform during Homecoming activities.

1986

Oct. 8

Bruno Ast signed the standard form of agreement between owner and architect for the building of the May 4 Memorial and its site development. Assistant Alumni Director Harry Tripp followed-up with Joe Walsh to see how the University could help with the benefit concert.

1986

Nov. 20

Vice President William E. Shelton wrote Joe Walsh confirming the University's pleasure that he is still interested in coordinating a benefit concert for the May 4 Memorial project and telling him that James R. Watson, Assistant Director of Legal Affairs, would be the University's contact person on the concert. Walsh never contacted the University.

1986

Nov. 25

The American Institute of Architecture Students adopted a policy statement and recommendation on the attribution and development of architectural design at their annual meeting. Through this statement, the AIAS advocated Taberner's design and advised that the sponsor and architect continue to seek a mutually acceptable contract.

1986

Dec. 4

Attorney Ralph Oates wrote President Michael Schwartz that he had been retained by Ian Taberner to pursue his various claims against the University, Board of Trustees and the President for damages as a result of the violation of his civil rights, breach of contract and possible defamation of his professional standing.

1987

Feb.

KENT alumni magazine featured a story and picture announcing the fund-raising campaign to the 33,000 Kent alumni from the classes of 1968-78. This issue went to all 85,000 graduates.

1987

Feb. 14

Vice President William E. Shelton informed the Kent Alumni Board of Legal Affairs Director Robert Beck's coordination efforts in the fund raising for the Memorial and that a mailing would be sent to alumni from 1968-78 in March asking for contributions.

1987

Feb. 27

Ian Taberner filed a $2 million lawsuit against the University alleging a breach of contract and violation of civil rights.

1987

Mar. 19

The May 4th Task Force overwhelmingly voted to end their position of neutrality and to endorse Ian Taberner and his Memorial design. A press release was issued by the Task Force.

1987

Mar. 24

Bruno Ast wrote Lisa Sanders that he was declining her invitation to speak at the May 4 commemoration ceremonies because he saw himself as an agent in the process, not a speaker on the subject.

1987

Apr. 1

Director of Facilities Planning Lowell Croskey wrote Bruno Ast that there was not suitable Ohio granite or marble for the monument.

1987

Apr. 22

Wyman Balfour, Director of Development, met with Sociology Professor Jerry Lewis about may 4 Memorial donor prospects. The list of 20 individuals and foundations was shared with Robert Beck and Vice President Shelton.

1987

May 8

The Daily Kent Stater reported that Ian Taberner was awarded $15,000 in settlement of his $2 million lawsuit against the University in U.S. District Court.

1987

June 15

Legal Affairs Director Robert Beck, Legal Affairs Assistant Director Jim Watson, and Director of University News and Information Janet Graber met with the publicity director and station manager for radio station WMMS in Cleveland for direction and advice concerning the promotion of a benefit concert in Dix Stadium and the possibility of the radio station's support with publicity. The station indicated the University must arrange for all the details, and take the financial risks. The station also indicated it would consider advertising the event.

1987

July 17

Vice President Shelton wrote to 19 foundations across the country which listed peace as one of their areas of interest asking them for financial support for the Memorial construction.

1987

July 30

Vice President William E. Shelton received a letter form a foundation expressing regret that they could not be of financial assistance in constructing the may 4 Memorial.

1988

Apr. 13

The Memorial Benefit Committee, a new student organization at Kent State University, sponsored an "Evening of Jazz" to raise money for the proposed May 4 Memorial. Approximately $369 ($368.88) was raised.

1988

Nov. 15

After the University failed to raise the now-estimated $1.3 million - originally $500,000 - necessary to build the May 4 Memorial designed by Bruno Ast, the Trustees passed a resolution limiting the cost of the Memorial to approximately $100,000. Bruno Ast told the Trustees he would design the new Memorial. Funds for the Memorial would come from approximately $40,000 already raised or pledged for the project and some $60,000 to be advanced from University funds.

1988

Dec. 22

May 4 Memorial donors were mailed a letter indicating only $32,385 actual dollars had been raised for the Memorial. With additional pledges, the total exceeded $40,000. Donors were notified that the Kent Board of Trustees had asked Bruno Ast to design a new Memorial not to exceed $100,000. The letter further asked for additional support. If the donor could not support the memorial, the University would respect their position.

1989

Jan. 25

A ground-breaking ceremony for a memorial to the events of May 4, 1970, was held on the future site of the memorial, next to Taylor Hall and overlooking the Commons area as the May 4th Memorial Committee recommended in 1985.

1989

Feb. 5

Attorneys for Kent State University asked the court to dismiss the preliminary injunction and the breach of contract case filed by the May 4 Task Force and a former faculty member.

1989

May 11

The Kent Board of Trustees authorized awarding a $149,900 contract to Carmen Construction of Tallmadge, Ohio, for construction of a memorial to commemorate the events of May 4, 1970. The company submitted the lowest bid of three firms that returned proposals.

1989

Sep. 25

The commission appointed by the Faculty Senate adopted the name May 4 Twentieth Anniversary Commission. Dr. Jerry Lewis, professor of Sociology, May 4 author and witness to the shootings, was named co-chair along with Myra West, assistant professor of Physics and chair of the Faculty Senate. Members of the Commission eventually included four faculty members, one emeritus professor, a member of the May 4 Task Force, the Undergraduate Student Senate, the Graduate Student Senate and an administrative staff member.

1990

Jan. 18

A news releases was issued announcing former U.S. Senator and 1972 Democratic nominee for president George McGovern had agreed to speak as part of the May 4 Memorial dedication ceremony.

1990

May 4

The May 4 Memorial Dedication Ceremony was held. Governor Richard F. Celeste, George McGovern, Dean Kahler, and Florence Schroeder were special members of the platform party. Faculty and administratration speakers included Myra R. West, Henry L. Halem, Richard A. Bredemeier, Jerry M. Lewis, Michael Schwartz, and William B. Risman. The establishment of four student scholarships named in honor of the slain students was announced. Governor Celeste apologized to the families of the students who were killed and to those who were wounded.