Honoring and remembering the events of May 4, 1970, and educating others about the tragic day at Kent State University remain an ongoing commitment by the university. On that day, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on Kent State students during an anti-war protest on campus, killing four students and wounding nine others. As the number of survivors and eyewitnesses of that pivotal moment in American history decreases, the importance of preserving the legacy and advancing the lessons learned from the events of May 4 increases in significance with the recent loss of two key individuals.
This year’s May 4 Commemoration, to be held May 1-4, 2026, will include special remembrances of John Cleary, one of the nine wounded students, who died Oct. 25, 2025, and Jerry M. Lewis, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Sociology, who served as a faculty marshal during the campus shootings and worked tirelessly to ensure that the legacy of May 4 would endure. Lewis died Feb. 11, 2026.
“The circle of witnesses is slowly narrowing,” said Roseann “Chic” Canfora, Ph.D., an eyewitness to and survivor of the May 4 shootings, following the death of Lewis. Canfora, who serves as professional-in-residence and assistant professor in Kent State’s School of Media and Journalism, works collaboratively with the Office of the President in planning the university’s May 4 Commemoration as chair of the May 4 Presidential Advisory Committee and the May 4 Commemoration Committee.
Canfora noted that the parents of the slain students and four of the wounded students, including her brother, Alan Canfora, have died. “Each loss is a reminder that those of us who were there will not always be here to share the truth we know,” she said.
“The Power of Our Voices" continues to serve as the theme for the May 4 Commemoration. “While John and Jerry are no longer physically with us, we’ll continue to echo their voices and keep them with us in spirit this year and in the years ahead,” Canfora said.
As the university looks toward the future, the 56th Commemoration affirms Kent State’s commitment to preserving the voices and lessons of May 4 for generations who were not there to witness it.
This year’s May 4 Commemoration events include:
Friday, May 1
At 10 a.m., Kent State’s May 4 Visitors Center will celebrate the student artists and designers featured in the exhibition “Still Standing: Dean Kahler and Disability Rights” in the center at Taylor Hall. The exhibition examines the legacy of May 4 through the life and activism of Dean Kahler, one of nine students wounded during the May 4 shootings. Paralyzed by a bullet fired by the Ohio National Guard, Kahler transformed personal trauma into a lifelong commitment to disability rights, peace, public service and democratic engagement. Central to the exhibition is a collection of artwork created by students from the Stark County Educational Service Center in collaboration with BZTAT Studios. Through this partnership, students reflect on their own experiences with disability, offering powerful contemporary perspectives that connect Kahler’s story to the lived realities of young people today.
At 11:30 a.m., Kent State will hold the Jerry M. Lewis May 4 Lecture Series and Luncheon. Now in its fifth year, the lecture and luncheon will be held in the Kent Student Center Ballroom and will include a special remembrance of Lewis. The lecture series was created to honor the legacy of Lewis and advance the scholarship of May 4 and the Vietnam War era. The 2026 speaker is David Strittmatter, Ph.D., associate professor of history at Ohio Northern University, who will present “The Guardsmen Speak: Tragedy and Memory 56 Years Later.”
The program will conclude with a special remembrance of Lewis, with remarks from Kent State President Todd Diacon; Alison Caplan, director of the May 4 Visitors Center; Richard O’Toole, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Sociology; and Lewis’ son, Damon Lewis. A dessert reception will follow immediately. This ticketed event is free and open to the public. Download tickets for the Jerry M. Lewis May 4 Lecture Series and Luncheon.
Saturday, May 2
At 7:30 p.m., the Kent Stage located at 175 E. Main St. in downtown Kent will present Harvest – The Ultimate Neil Young Tribute. Harvest celebrates the songwriting, electric jams and acoustic artistry of classic-era Neil Young. The band performs two long sets of classic Young, covering Young’s career from Buffalo Springfield; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; solo; and with Crazy Horse, through to Harvest Moon. Tickets are available for purchase.
Sunday, May 3
At 3 p.m., the dedication of the Alan Canfora May 4 Collection, donated by the Canfora family to Kent State University Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives, followed by a reception, will take place in the Harrick Garden Room, located on the first floor of University Library. During his journey to better understand what occurred on May 4, 1970, and its aftermath, Alan Canfora amassed the largest-known private collection of May 4 documents and materials. The dedication program will include words from Kent State President Diacon, Chic Canfora and the leadership of University Libraries. Select items from the Alan Canfora May 4 Collection will be on exhibit.
The annual Candlelight Walk and Vigil will begin at 11 p.m. This cornerstone of the commemoration began in 1971. Light refreshments will be available before the Candlelight Walk on the Kent State Commons and in the Prentice Hall parking lot, and there will be an online sign-up for the Candlelight Vigil.
Monday, May 4
The campus community and visitors will gather at noon on the May 4 site at the Kent State Commons to commemorate the moment that gunfire erupted 56 years ago. The commemoration will include remarks from university students and administrators, a tribute to John Cleary, the ringing of the Victory Bell and a moment of silence at 12:24 p.m.
The commemoration remembers those killed – Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer and William Schroeder – and those wounded – Alan Canfora, John Cleary, Thomas Grace, Dean Kahler, Joseph Lewis, Donald Mackenzie, James Russell, Robert Stamps and Douglas Wrentmore – on May 4, 1970.
Music on the Kent State Commons will precede the commemoration at 11 a.m. Guided walking tours of the May 4 site will occur at 3 p.m.
Additional Events
In addition to these university-sponsored programs, university departments and offices, the May 4 Task Force and the Kent community will hold related events and programs leading up to the commemoration on May 4.
Learn more about the May 4 Commemoration and events planned to honor and remember May 4, 1970.