Today's Hours:
Ask Us
My Library Account
Robert C. Dix May 4 papers
Special Collections and Archives
Robert C. Dix May 4 papers
Special Collections and Archives
Robert C. Dix May 4 papers
- Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
- Title: Robert C. Dix May 4 papers
- Inclusive Date(s): 1944-1996
- Bulk Date(s): 1969-1972
- Author: Finding aid prepared by Rennie Greenfield, February 2011
- Creation: Finding aid encoded by Rennie Greenfield using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2011
- Origination: Dix, Robert C., 1908-1996
- Extent: .5 cubic feet (1 half size record storage box)
- Physical Location: 11th floor (May 4 Collection, Box 212)
- Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0121
- Abstract: This collection contains the personal papers of Robert C. Dix, member of the Kent State University Board of Trustees from 1941-1973. The materials mostly center around the events of May 4, 1970 and provide an inside look at the events from an administrative perspective.
- Language(s): The records are in English
Biography of Robert C. Dix
Born August 5, 1908 in Wooster, Ohio, Robert C. Dix received his undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and quickly joined the family business in publishing at the Evening Record in Ravenna. The paper soon merged with Kent Courier to become the Record-Courier and Dix took over as editor and publisher in 1939. Appointed to Kent State University's board of trustees in 1941, Dix served for 32 years before retiring in 1973. In 1961, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Kent State, and, on August 15, 1963, he was elected president of the board of trustees.
Scope and Content
Gifted to the University's Archives in late 1987, the Robert C. Dix May 4 papers include the personal correspondence (much of it involving Robert White, president of the university from 1963-1971), university documents, and internal communications of the longest serving member of Kent State University's board of trustees. The collection spans the years 1944 to 1996 but deals mostly with the lead up and aftermath of the Kent State shootings and the student unrest surrounding much of the late 1960s and early 1970s. These papers offer a unique glimpse into the University's response to the events of May 4, 1970 from an administrative perspective.
The collection also contains documents pertaining to the many legal proceedings following the Kent State shootings including the special Grand Jury called in September of 1970, the presidential commission on campus unrest and the Ohio General Assembly's legislative response to the events. Additionally, there is a collection of news clippings - most of which come from the first 20 days following the events of May 4, 1970.
Statement of Arrangement
This collection has been organized into the following five series:
- Series 1: Correspondence
- Series 2: Inter-Departmental Communications
- Series 3: Legal Proceedings
- Series 4: News Clippings
- Series 5: Biographical Materials
Preferred Citation
Robert C. Dix May 4 papers. May 4 Collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Acquisition Information
Robert C. Dix donated this collection of his papers on December 7, 1987 to the Department of Special Collections and Archives.
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
- Students for a Democratic Society (U.S.)
- Ohio. Municipal Court (Portage County). Special Grand Jury
- Scranton, William Warren, 1917-
- United States. President's Commission on Campus Unrest
- Kent (Ohio)--History
- Persons:
- White, Robert I., 1908-
- Hoover, J. Edgar (John Edgar), 1895-1972
- Functions:
- Universities and colleges--Administration
- Occupations:
- College administrators
- Material Types:
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- Correspondence
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Correspondence, 1944 - 1972
- Box 212 / Folder 1
- Correspondence, January 1944 - December 1949
- Box 212 / Folder 2
- Correspondence, May 1953 - September 1959
- Box 212 / Folder 3
- Correspondence, June 1960 - November 1962
- Box 212 / Folder 4
- Correspondence, June 1963 - April 1964
- Box 212 / Folder 5
- Correspondence, January 1965 - July 1967
- Box 212 / Folder 6
- Correspondence, September 1967 - December 1968
- Box 212 / Folder 7
- Correspondence, January 1969 - February 1969
- Box 212 / Folder 8
- Correspondence, April 1969 - December 1969
- Box 212 / Folder 9
- Correspondence, February 1970 - June 1970
- Box 212 / Folder 10
- Correspondence, July 1970 - August 1970
- Box 212 / Folder 11
- Correspondence, September 1970 - March 1972
- Box 212 / Folder 12
- Correspondence, undated
Series 2: Kent State University Inter-Departmental Communications, 1969 - 1970
- Box 212 / Folder 13
- Internal Communications, Feburary 1969 - May 1970
- Box 212 / Folder 14
- Internal Communications, May 1970 - September 1970
Series 3: Legal Proceedings, 1970 - 1971
- Box 212 / Folder 15
- Materials Relating to the 108th Ohio General Assembly, June 1970
- Box 212 / Folder 16
- Materials Relating to Portage County's Special Grand Jury, September 1970
- Box 212 / Folder 17
- Campus Tensions: Analysis and Recommendations, Report of the Special Committee on Campus Tensions, May 1970
- Box 212 / Folder 18
- Materials Relating to the Presidential Commission on Campus Unrest, June 1970 - January 1971
- Scope and Content
- Also known as The Scranton Commission
Series 4: News Clippings, 1958 - 1996
- Box 212 / Folder 19
- News Clippings, 1958 - 1965
- Box 212 / Folder 20
- News Clippings, May 5, 1970 - May 6, 1970
- Box 212 / Folder 21
- News Clippings, May 7, 1970 - May 8, 1970
- Box 212 / Folder 22
- News Clippings, May 9, 1970 - May 10, 1970
- Box 212 / Folder 23
- News Clippings, May 11, 1970 - May 25, 1970
- Box 212 / Folder 24
- News Clippings, August 1970 - June 1996
- Box 212 / Folder 25
- News Clippings, undated (1 of 3)
- Box 212 / Folder 26
- News Clippings, undated (2 0f 3)
- Box 212 / Folder 27
- News Clippings, undated (3 of 3)
Series 5: Biographical Materials, 1957 - 1996
- Box 212 / Folder 28
- Photograph and signature card, undated
- Box 212 / Folder 29
- Funeral program and memorial card, June 1996
- Box 212 / Folder 30
- University News Bureau Press Releases, 1957 - 1964
- Box 212 / Folder 31
- Honorary Doctor of Laws approval form, appointment to The Board of Trustees, 1961 - 1964
