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John C. Weiser papers

Special Collections and Archives

John C. Weiser papers

Special Collections and Archives

John C. Weiser papers

John C. Weiser papers

May 4 Collection -- Box 94

Finding aid

Prepared by Nancy Birk, November 1994; Updated February 2018


Inclusive Dates: 1961-1981
Extent: 3.33 cubic feet (1 document case + audio recordings)
Physical Location: 12th floor


Biographical Note: John C. Weiser was the Faculty Supervisor and General Manager of Radio Operations (WKSU) for many years. He also served as former Coordinator, Division of Telecommunications at Kent State University. Weiser died in 2003.

Scope and Content: The materials focus on the role and activities of the University radio station on and around the time of the Kent State shootings. The bulk of the collection is comprised of sound recordings made by WKSU during the time leading up to and in the months after the shootings.


Arrangement: The collection is divided into two series: Papers and Audio Recordings


Acquisitions Information: John C. Weiser donated this collection of materials to the Department of Special Collections and Archives on April 12, 1979.

Restrictions on Access: Some information included in this collection is restricted due to the presence of information protected by privacy laws. This information has been redacted where present on documents in the collection. Un-redacted originals, in all cases, have been retained by Special Collections and Archives.

Sponsor: Digitization of this collection was funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.


Series 1: Papers

Box 94
Folder -- Contents

  1. AP: Press Releases: May 1, 1970
  2. AP: Press Releases: May 2, 1970
  3. AP: Press Releases: May 3, 1970
  4. AP: Press Releases: May 4, 1970
  5. AP: Press Releases: May 5, 1970
  6. AP: Press Releases: May 6, 1970
  7. AP: Press Releases: May 7, 1970
  8. AP: Press Releases: May 8, 1970
  9. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 2, 1970
  10. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 3, 1970
  11. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 4, 1970
  12. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 5, 1970
  13. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 6, 1970
  14. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 7, 1970
  15. WKSU News Reports and Announcements: May 8, 1970
  16. Background and Notes for WKSU News Reports: Information on James Ahern: 1970-1971
  17. Background and Notes for WKSU News Reports: Information on Julian Bond: 1966; 1970
  18. Background and Notes for WKSU News Reports: Information on Dick Gregory: 1961; 1971
  19. Background and Notes for WKSU News Reports: May-December, 1970
    Physical Location: Some items from this file are located in the map case.
  20. WKSU Radio: General Policies, undated
  21. WKSU Radio: Emergency Operations, Procedures: 1970-1971
  22. WKSU Radio: Emergency Operations, Proposals and Recommendations for Emergency Communications, circa 1970-1971
  23. WKSU Radio: Emergency Operations, Correspondence: 1970-1971
  24. WKSU Radio: Emergency Broadcast System, Special Press Passes: 1971
  25. Articles and Clippings: Student Movements, 1969-1970; 1981; undated
    Scope and Content: Includes an untitled piece of writing by James A. Michener regarding the Kent State shootings.
  26. Reports: "Kent State...This is Where it Happened" by Greg Benedetti: 1971
  27. Reports: "The Gatekeepers in Practice at WKSU-FM" by Richard D. Bernard: 1970
  28. Reports: "Events Leading Up to Shootings At KSU" by William H. Eames: 1970
  29. Reports: Address by John N. Mitchell: September 26, 1970
  30. Reports: "Report on S.D.S. Problem--WKSU", October 26, 1968
  31. Student Papers, Speech 674 "Contemporary Problems": 1970
  32. Correspondence: Administrative, Faculty/Staff, Student: 1970-1971; 1977
  33. List of People Who Responded with Offers of Housing and Transportation: 1970

Series 2: Audio Recordings

Arrangement: The recordings are listed here in chronological order.
Format of Originals: Original audio recordings are reel-to-reel audio tapes.
Restrictions on Access: Due to the fragility of the original recordings, researchers must access these recordings via digital format.

Reel -- Contents

1970:

  1. Audio Recording: WKSU News Perspective, May 2, 1970
  2. Audio Recording: WKSU Operation Information, May 3, 1970
  3. Audio Recording: President White's Statement on Campus Disorders, May 3, 1970
  4. Audio Recording: Political Science 110 Class Lecture and Discussion, May 4, 1970
    Scope and Content: A recording made by WKSU of Barclay D. McMillen's political science class, recorded at approximately 11:00 a.m. on May 4, 1970.
  5. Audio Recording: Reactions After Shootings by Students and Others, May 4, 1970
  6. Audio Recording: President White's Statement After the Shootings, May 4, 1970
  7. Audio Recording: Press Conference with KSU Students Who Met with Nixon, May 6, 1970
  8. Audio Recording: President White Meeting with KSU Faculty, May 8, 1970
  9. Audio Recording: WKSU News Broadcast, May 8, 1970
  10. Audio Recording: President White's Statement: "The Future of KSU," May 18, 1970
  11. Audio Recording: President White's Statement After Meeting with Congressman J. William Stanton, May 18, 1970
  12. Audio Recording: President White's Speech and Q & A with Advisory Board, May 22, 1970
  13. Audio Recording: WKSU Talk Back Show, May 22, 1970
  14. Audio Recording: WKSU Talk Back Show, June 10, 1970
  15. Audio Recording: Interview with Ronald Beer, June 13, 1970
  16. Audio Recording: Kent State University Commencement, June 13, 1970
  17. Audio Recording: President White's Press Conference After Commencement, June 13, 1970
  18. Audio Recording: Ohio State Legislative Hearings on Campus Unrest, July 1970
  19. Audio Recording: Scranton Commission Hearings, August 1970
  20. Audio Recording: Kent State Administrative Briefing, September 18, 1970
  21. Audio Recording: President White Press Conference, September 25, 1970
  22. Audio Recording: Fall Convocation and "WKSU Project '70," September 28, 1970
  23. Audio Recording: Think Week: James Michener, September 29, 1970
  24. Audio Recording: Think Week: Sargent Shriver, October 2, 1970
  25. Audio Recording: President White's Address to Student Body Regarding Grand Jury, October 16, 1970
  26. Audio Recording: William Kunstler Speaking at Downtown Meeting, October 19, 1970
  27. Audio Recording: President White Addresses the Student Body, October 21, 1970
  28. Audio Recording: President White's Comments on the Grand Jury, November 9, 1970
  29. Audio Recording: Speech by John J. Gilligan, December 8, 1970

1971:

  1. Audio Recording: Commentary: Kent State, One Year Later, April, 1971
  2. Audio Recording: Kent State Memorial Observance: Julian Bond, May 2, 1971
  3. Audio Recording: Kent State Memorial Observance: Dick Gregory May 3, 1971
  4. Audio Recording: Kent State Memorial Observance: "Jesus Freaks," May 3, 1971
  5. Audio Recording: Kent State Memorial Observance: Kent State Memorial Service, May 4, 1971
  6. Audio Recording: Kent State Memorial Observance: Kingman Brewster, May 4, 1971
  7. Audio Recording: President Olds' First Press Conference, August 1971
  8. Audio Recording: Fall Convocation: President Olds' Opening Address, September 30, 1971
  9. Audio Recording: Open Forum: Whither KSU: President Olds, October 4, 1971
  10. Audio Recording: Open Forum: Whither KSU: Student-Faculty Relations, October 5, 1971
  11. Audio Recording: Open Forum: Whither KSU: Student-Administration Relations, October 7, 1971
  12. Audio Recording: Open Forum: Whither KSU: Final Program, October 8, 1971
  13. Audio Recording: President White: "Question One," 1971
  14. Audio Recording: President White "Answer One," 1971
  15. Audio Recording: President White "Answer Two," 1971
  16. Audio Recording: President White "Answer Three," 1971

1972:

  1. Audio Recording: Kent State: Two Years Later, May 4, 1972

1973:

  1. Audio Recording: Retrospect: May 4, 1970, May 4, 1973
  2. Audio Recording: File Tape on May 4 Investigation, 1973

Undated:

  1. Audio Recording: Song: "Deaths at KSU," undated
  2. Audio Recording: WKNT Broadcast of Reaction After Guard Trial, undated
    Restrictions on Use: This recording is copyrighted by WKNT and cannot be accessed online at this time.