East Liverpool Campus Holding May 4 Observances

Throughout the Spring 2020 semester, the East Liverpool Campus will join with the university to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the events of May 4, 1970, on the Kent State Campus. 

A series of events and activities is planned to focus attention on this historical time in American history. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate and/or attend these events. 

The current list of activities is listed below. Please note that additional events may be added throughout the semester or there may be slight changes to these events (times, locations) that may coincide with other campus activities.


Fire in the Heartland: Kent State, May 4th and Student Protest in America
Wednesday, Feb. 19
5:30 p.m.
Quiet Study Lounge, Purinton Hall
Open to public
This is a documentary film about a generation of young people who stood up against social injustice during some of our nation’s most turbulent and transformative years, the 1960s through the 1970s. This is an award-winning documentary that was written and produced by Daniel Miller, who was a student on campus that year. 


Fire in the Heartland: Kent State, May 4th and Student Protest in America (CANCELED)
Tuesday, April 7
11:30 a.m.
Library, Purinton Hall 


Community and Consensus: Preserving the History of May 4, 1970 (CANCELED)
Presentation by Dr. Laura Davis and Dr. Mark Seeman
Tuesday, April 7
3:30 p.m.
Library, Purinton Hall
Dr. Davis and Dr. Seeman worked tirelessly with the late Dr. Carol Barbato, communications professor at Kent State East Liverpool, to preserve the story and the site of the Kent State shootings. Hear how these three individuals completed four large and complex projects to secure this history and protect the space where the events occurred. This included creating the May 4 Walking Tour and the May 4 Visitors Center museum on the Kent Campus, as well as its ultimate recognition on the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark.

Memorial Dedication to Dr. Carole Barbato (CANCELED)
Tuesday, April 7
Following the presentation by Dr. Davis and Dr. Seeman
Purinton Hall Commons Area
The East Liverpool Campus will dedicate a space on the Commons Area in memory of Dr. Carole Barbato.


May 4, 1970: A Retrospective and Prospective (CANCELED)
Thursday, April 9
10:30 a.m.
Library, Purinton Hall
A panel discussion with Dr. Bob Walker, Francis Graham and Matt Stewart as they share their thoughts, experiences and perspectives about the events of May 4, 1970.

POSTED: Tuesday, January 14, 2020 02:28 PM
Updated: Thursday, March 12, 2020 03:32 PM