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Robert C. Dix May 4 papers

Special Collections and Archives

Robert C. Dix May 4 papers

Special Collections and Archives

Robert C. Dix May 4 papers

Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: Robert C. Dix May 4 papers
Inclusive Date(s): 1944-1996
Bulk Date(s): 1969-1972
Author: Finding aid prepared by Rennie Greenfield, February 2011
Creation: Finding aid encoded by Rennie Greenfield using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2011
Origination: Dix, Robert C., 1908-1996
Extent: .5 cubic feet (1 half size record storage box)
Physical Location: 11th floor (May 4 Collection, Box 212)
Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0121
Abstract: This collection contains the personal papers of Robert C. Dix, member of the Kent State University Board of Trustees from 1941-1973. The materials mostly center around the events of May 4, 1970 and provide an inside look at the events from an administrative perspective.
Language(s): The records are in English

Biography of Robert C. Dix

Born August 5, 1908 in Wooster, Ohio, Robert C. Dix received his undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and quickly joined the family business in publishing at the Evening Record in Ravenna. The paper soon merged with Kent Courier to become the Record-Courier and Dix took over as editor and publisher in 1939. Appointed to Kent State University's board of trustees in 1941, Dix served for 32 years before retiring in 1973. In 1961, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Kent State, and, on August 15, 1963, he was elected president of the board of trustees.

Scope and Content

Gifted to the University's Archives in late 1987, the Robert C. Dix May 4 papers include the personal correspondence (much of it involving Robert White, president of the university from 1963-1971), university documents, and internal communications of the longest serving member of Kent State University's board of trustees. The collection spans the years 1944 to 1996 but deals mostly with the lead up and aftermath of the Kent State shootings and the student unrest surrounding much of the late 1960s and early 1970s. These papers offer a unique glimpse into the University's response to the events of May 4, 1970 from an administrative perspective.

The collection also contains documents pertaining to the many legal proceedings following the Kent State shootings including the special Grand Jury called in September of 1970, the presidential commission on campus unrest and the Ohio General Assembly's legislative response to the events. Additionally, there is a collection of news clippings - most of which come from the first 20 days following the events of May 4, 1970.

Statement of Arrangement

This collection has been organized into the following five series:
Series 1: Correspondence
Series 2: Inter-Departmental Communications
Series 3: Legal Proceedings
Series 4: News Clippings
Series 5: Biographical Materials


Preferred Citation

Robert C. Dix May 4 papers. May 4 Collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information

Robert C. Dix donated this collection of his papers on December 7, 1987 to the Department of Special Collections and Archives.

Subject Headings
The following subjects are found in this collection:

Subjects:
Kent State Shootings, Kent, Ohio, 1970
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Protest movements
Kent State University--History
Students for a Democratic Society (U.S.)
Ohio. Municipal Court (Portage County). Special Grand Jury
Scranton, William Warren, 1917-
United States. President's Commission on Campus Unrest
Kent (Ohio)--History
Persons:
White, Robert I., 1908-
Hoover, J. Edgar (John Edgar), 1895-1972
Functions:
Universities and colleges--Administration
Occupations:
College administrators
Material Types:
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Correspondence



Detailed Description of the Collection

Series 1: Correspondence, 1944 - 1972
Box 212 / Folder 1
Correspondence, January 1944 - December 1949
Box 212 / Folder 2
Correspondence, May 1953 - September 1959
Box 212 / Folder 3
Correspondence, June 1960 - November 1962
Box 212 / Folder 4
Correspondence, June 1963 - April 1964
Box 212 / Folder 5
Correspondence, January 1965 - July 1967
Box 212 / Folder 6
Correspondence, September 1967 - December 1968
Box 212 / Folder 7
Correspondence, January 1969 - February 1969
Box 212 / Folder 8
Correspondence, April 1969 - December 1969
Box 212 / Folder 9
Correspondence, February 1970 - June 1970
Box 212 / Folder 10
Correspondence, July 1970 - August 1970
Box 212 / Folder 11
Correspondence, September 1970 - March 1972
Box 212 / Folder 12
Correspondence, undated

Series 2: Kent State University Inter-Departmental Communications, 1969 - 1970
Box 212 / Folder 13
Internal Communications, Feburary 1969 - May 1970
Box 212 / Folder 14
Internal Communications, May 1970 - September 1970

Series 3: Legal Proceedings, 1970 - 1971
Box 212 / Folder 15
Materials Relating to the 108th Ohio General Assembly, June 1970
Box 212 / Folder 16
Materials Relating to Portage County's Special Grand Jury, September 1970
Box 212 / Folder 17
Campus Tensions: Analysis and Recommendations, Report of the Special Committee on Campus Tensions, May 1970
Box 212 / Folder 18
Materials Relating to the Presidential Commission on Campus Unrest, June 1970 - January 1971
Scope and Content
Also known as The Scranton Commission

Series 4: News Clippings, 1958 - 1996
Box 212 / Folder 19
News Clippings, 1958 - 1965
Box 212 / Folder 20
News Clippings, May 5, 1970 - May 6, 1970
Box 212 / Folder 21
News Clippings, May 7, 1970 - May 8, 1970
Box 212 / Folder 22
News Clippings, May 9, 1970 - May 10, 1970
Box 212 / Folder 23
News Clippings, May 11, 1970 - May 25, 1970
Box 212 / Folder 24
News Clippings, August 1970 - June 1996
Box 212 / Folder 25
News Clippings, undated (1 of 3)
Box 212 / Folder 26
News Clippings, undated (2 0f 3)
Box 212 / Folder 27
News Clippings, undated (3 of 3)

Series 5: Biographical Materials, 1957 - 1996
Box 212 / Folder 28
Photograph and signature card, undated
Box 212 / Folder 29
Funeral program and memorial card, June 1996
Box 212 / Folder 30
University News Bureau Press Releases, 1957 - 1964
Box 212 / Folder 31
Honorary Doctor of Laws approval form, appointment to The Board of Trustees, 1961 - 1964