Kent State to unveil landmark plaque on May 4 anniversary

The May 4 site on Kent State’s campus was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. The site was then officially recognized as a historical landmark, one of 76 locations in Ohio, in 2016.

University President Beverly Warren, along with members of the board of trustees, May 4 Task Force and the National Park Service, will unveil the plaque during a dedication ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Honors College Plaza.

At 7:30 p.m. Friday, journalist Dan Rather will appear at Kent State’s Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center as part of the Presidential Speaker Series. The former lead anchor of the CBS Evening News will reflect on his experiences as a journalist, news anchor and multimedia producer.

The speech is free and open to the public, but tickets are required.

This year’s May 4 commemoration kicks off with an event hosted by the May 4 Task Force at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Kent State Student Center Kiva. Several authors, including Thomas Grace, David Hassler, Susie Erenrich and Miriam Jackson, will discuss their books about the Kent State shootings and the aftermath of the events.

At 11 that night, people will gather for the candlelight vigil. Participants will march from the Victory Bell behind Taylor Hall to the Prentice Hall parking lot in memory of the four students who were shot and killed.

On Friday, a commemoration organized by the May 4 Task Force will take place at noon on the Kent State Commons.