Finding Aid for the Kent State University ROTC records

Author: Kristin Silvestro, March 2024

Descriptive Rules: DACS 2nd Edition

Origination:

Kent State University. Army ROTC
Kent State University. Air Force ROTC

Inclusive Dates: 1944-2006

Bulk Dates: 1970s-1990s

Extent: .5 cubic feet (1 box= 1 half size record storage box and 1 oversize flat folder)

Physical Location: 10th floor

Language of Materials: English

Abstract: This collection includes materials of the KSU ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps), covering both AROTC (Army) and AFROTC (Air Force) records. Included are documents related to the program's creation, administrative materials documenting the program's development over time, and materials related to cadet activities such as awards and commissions, newsletters, and events. 

History of KSU ROTC:

Kent State University’s relationship with the military goes back to WWII, when the University offered resources to the US Army Air Corps for training purposes. In 1947, the university established the Department of Military Science and Tactics and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program began that same fall with 110 men enrolled. A year later, in 1948, enrollment in the program increased to 440 men. Originally the ROTC program was designated as an infantry program for the Army, but by 1953, the Army ROTC (AROTC) was commissioning officers in all sixteen branches of the Army.  Another major change to the original program structure came in the fall quarter of 1951, when an Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) unit, was formed alongside the creation of the Department of Air Science and Tactics. The AFROTC was formed as Detachment 630 and continues as such in 2024. The AROTC is known as The Golden Eagle Battalion, a name adopted by the program in 1976.  

In 1971, the ROTC program shifted out of the College of Arts and Sciences to operate directly under the administration of the Provost as a program rather than a department. This meant students received credit for enrollment in ROTC courses but as electives or substitutes for other courses. In the 1990s, the KSU ROTC created a partnership program that included University of Akron, Youngstown State University, and Mount Union College. In 1998 the Akron program became autonomous from the KSU program. Both the AROTC and AFROTC programs continue to operate at Kent State as of 2024. 

Scope and Content:

The KSU ROTC records include administrative documents, awards and commission information, clippings, brochures and pamphlets, correspondence, flyers, foundational documents, handbooks, newsletters, program data, and rosters. The collection is useful for learning how the KSU ROTC program grew and evolved over time as well as about the experiences of ROTC cadets. There are some materials related to the ROTC program's evaluation by the Educational Policies Committee in the aftermath of the May 4, 1970, Kent State shooting. There are also records documenting the campus response to the Department of Defense's discrimination policy in the 1990s. Materials for both the AFROTC and AROTC are included in this collection, but the bulk of the collection pertains to the AROTC program. 

Statement of Arrangement: The collection is organized alphabetically by subject matter. 

Preferred Citation: Kent State University ROTC records. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Related Material:  Additional information about the history of ROTC on campus can be found in the May 4 Collection.

Acquisition Information: This collection was compiled by the Special Collections and Archives at Kent State University from a number of acquisitions and donations, many of which lacked specific acquisition and provenance documentation.

Box 1
Folder -- Contents

1. KSU ROTC: Award: Army Air Forces Training Command Certificate of Award, 1944 

   Physical Location: This item is filed in the map case. 

2. KSU ROTC: Cadet handbook, 1967
3. KSU ROTC: Clippings, undated
4. KSU ROTC: Clippings, 1987; 1990-1992; 1996-1997 

   Scope and Content: includes both published news clippings and ROTC correspondence with Kent State press and internal communications regarding press coverage.

5. KSU ROTC: Correspondence, 1984; 1990; 1994; 1996; undated
6. KSU ROTC: Department of Defense Policy of Discrimination: Campus Response, 1990s
7. KSU ROTC: Educational Policies Council: ROTC on Campus Review, 1970-1973
8. KSU ROTC: Events, 1981; 1985; 1996
9. KSU ROTC: Events: Awards and Commission Ceremonies, 1950; 1954; 1983; 1986; 1988-1993
10. KSU ROTC: Events: Dining Out, 1985-1986 
11. KSU ROTC: Events: Tri-Area Conclave, 1972
12. KSU ROTC: Flyers, 1973; undated
13. KSU ROTC: Personnel: Biography of James E. Boynton Jr., 1992
14. KSU ROTC: Personnel: Resume for Wayne Bernhardt, undated
15. KSU ROTC: Program: AFROTC Enrollment Trends, ca.1985
16. KSU ROTC: Program: AFROTC "The Changing Profession: Information for Counseling an AFROTC Cadet," undated
17. KSU ROTC: Program: AROTC and AFROTC New Legislation Summary, 1964?
18. KSU ROTC: Program: AROTC Scholarship Data, 1980s
19. KSU ROTC: Program: Creation, 1947-1948
20. KSU ROTC: Program: Departmental Status, 1980s
21. KSU ROTC: Program: Promotional Materials 1971; 1979; 1980s-2000s; undated
22. KSU ROTC: Program: Public Speaking Syllabus for the Army Air Forces College Training Program, 1940s
23. KSU ROTC: Promotions List, 1952
24. KSU ROTC: Publications: "Kent State University Bulletin: Reserve Officers Training Program," 1949; 1952-1959; 1960-1966
25. KSU ROTC: Publications: Newsletter: "Cadet Call", 1950-1952; undated
26. KSU ROTC: Publications: Newsletter: "ROTC In Review," 1973-1974
27. KSU ROTC: Publications: Newsletter: "The Torch", 1964-1965; 1972-1973
28. KSU ROTC: Publications: Yearbook: "The Tour," 1958
29. KSU ROTC: Regulations, 1948; undated
30. KSU ROTC: Societies and Groups: Angel Flight, undated
31. KSU ROTC: Societies and Groups: Pershing Rifles, ca. 1975
32. KSU ROTC: Societies and Groups: Scabbard and Blade, 1962
33. KSU ROTC: Staff Rosters, 1992-1993; 1995-1996