50th Commemoration of May 4

McArevey and Elvis meet

When Kent State University President Todd Diacon first viewed the “Young Plato” documentary at this year’s Cleveland International Film Festival in March, he immediately knew that he wanted the film to be shown at Kent State. So, about a month later, as part of the university’s annual commemoration of May 4, 1970, the documentary film w...

Douglas Scott McKenzie with Amy Reynolds and Todd Diacon at May 4 Commemoration 2023

Tears, hugs, happy reunions and solemn remembrance marked the 53rd Commemoration of May 4, 1970. Donald Scott Mackenzie (center), one of the nine students wounded in the tragedy, walks with Kent State University President Todd Diacon (right) and Amy Reynolds, dean of Kent State's College of Communication and Information (CCI).  Mac...

2023 May 4 Candlelight Vigil

A prayer was read in Hebrew at the B'nai B'rith Hillel Marker on the May 4 memorial site as part of the annual candlelight walk and vigil on May 3. The silent walk around campus begins each year at at 11 p.m. and takes about 60 minutes. Afterward, at midnight, the vigil begins as one person with a candle stands in the each of the four...

Gracie Ford and Lulu on Daffodil Hill

Last week on the Kent Campus, Gracie Ford and her dog Lulu found a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the beauty of Daffodil Hill in bloom. Ford is a first-year digital production major from North Canton, Ohio. Want to see one of YOUR photos in “IN A FLASH?” Submit your Kent State-related photos to InAFlash@kent.edu and ...

Image for Leading Through Tragedy

UPDATE: Please note that this event originally scheduled for March 12 has been canceled. On Thursday, March 12, Kent State University’s College of Education, Health and Human Services will host “Leading Through Tragedy,” an event that brings together a panel of leaders who were impacted by campus violence from institutions such as Virgini...

Joe Walsh will perform with his band Barnstorm on May 2 at Kent State University for the May 4 50th Commemoration Benefit Concert. (Photo credit: Myriam Santos)

UPDATE: THE CONCERT IS SOLD OUT Tickets are on sale now for the May 4 50th Commemoration Benefit Concert featuring Joe Walsh (with Barnstorm – Joe Vitale and Kenny Passarelli) and David Crosby (with his touring band), two Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members with strong musical connections to the events of May 4, 1970. The benefit conce...

Logo for May 4 50 Years

*For media planning purposes, Kent State University is providing the below information that outlines all planned events for the upcoming month related to the 50th commemoration of May 4. For the latest updates on events, visit www.kent.edu/may4kentstate50/event-schedule. ‘A Second Moon’ Exhibit – Opening Reception (March 5, 5-7 p.m., Ce...

Joe Walsh will perform with his band Barnstorm on May 2 at Kent State University for the May 4 50th Commemoration Benefit Concert. (Photo credit: Myriam Santos)

UPDATE: Please note that this event and all May 4 50th Commemoration Weekend events originally scheduled for May 1-4, 2020, have been canceled. See www.kent.edu/kent/news/success/kent-state-may-4-50th-commemoration-weekend-events-canceled-response-covid-19-virus for more information. Kent State University is proud to announce th...

The May 4 50th Commemoration Advisory Committee appreciates the personal and meaningful responses we have received about the inclusion of activist Jane Fonda as one of several keynote speakers at the 50th Commemoration of the Kent State shooting. We take to heart the painful feelings expressed by those for whom Fonda’s visit to Hanoi as...

Kent State Wind Ensemble

Kent, OH — On Fri., Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music’s Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Wendy K. Matthews, will present “Strong” to commemorate the events of May 4, 1970 at Kent State. It will feature music exploring historical events when a person stood resilient in their beliefs. T...