Finding Aid for the Carol Wilder papers

Repository: Kent State University. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: Carol Wilder papers
Inclusive Dates: 1970-2020
Author: Finding aid prepared by Liz Campion, January 2026
Origination: Wilder, Carol, 1944-
Extent: 0.33 cubic feet (1 box = 1 document case and 1 oversized map case file)
Physical Location: 12th floor (May 4 Collection, Box 44)
Abstract: This collection consists of correspondence, presentations, publications, and other documents related to May 4, 1970.
Language: English
Descriptive Rules: DACS 2nd Edition

Biography of Carol Wilder

Carol Wilder is an author, educator, and filmmaker who was a graduate student and Teaching Fellow in Rhetoric and Communication at Kent State University during the events of May 4, 1970. She later earned her Ph.D. from Kent State University. Her experiences surrounding the Kent State Shootings and their aftermath have remained a significant influence on her scholarly and creative work. Dr. Wilder was the 2017 recipient of The Centennial Award by the faculty in the School of Communication Studies at Kent State University. 

Dr. Wilder is Professor Emerita at San Francisco State University and The New School for Social Research, where she served as Dean of Media Studies and Film. Her career includes award-winning journalism, scholarly publications in communication and media studies, documentary filmmaking, international teaching supported by Fulbright awards, and long-term activism and public service.

Scope and Content: The Carol Wilder papers include correspondence, publications, lectures, and documents related to the events surrounding May 4, 1970 and its aftermath.

Statement of Arrangement: 

This collection is comprised of materials that have been organized by subject, category, or type of item. The Carol Wilder papers is organized into the following series:

• Series 1: Correspondence
• Series 2: Presentations and Publications
• Series 3: Subject Files

Preferred Citation: Carol Wilder papers. May 4 Collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Related Material: Carol Wilder contributed her narrative as part of the Kent State Shootings Oral History Project in 2010, which is accessible online. 

Separated Material: Please note that books from the personal library of Carol Wilder are cataloged in LIBRARYsearch.

Restrictions on Use: Kent State University does not own copyright to materials in this collection. 

Acquisition Information: The materials in this collection were donated to Kent State University Special Collections and Archives by Carol Wilder in 2025.

Controlled Access Headings
The following are found in this collection:

Subjects:
Wilder, Carol, 1944- --Archives
Kent State Shootings, Kent, Ohio, 1970
Kent State Shootings, Kent, Ohio, 1970--Anniversaries, etc.
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Kent State University--Awards

Functions:
Journalism
Journalism--Study and teaching

Occupations:
Journalists
College teachers

Material types:
Correspondence
Fliers (Ephemera)
Minutes (Records)
Photographs
Posters
Publications

Series 1: Correspondence, 1970-2017

Box 44
Folder -- Contents

1. Correspondence: Barbato, Carole, November 5, 2011
2. Correspondence: Grace, Tom, 2009-2011
3. Correspondence: Graham, Elizabeth, July-August 2017
        Scope and Content: Includes a letter informing Dr. Wilder that she was named the 2017 recipient of The Centennial Award by the faculty in the School of Communication Studies at Kent State University.
4. Correspondence: Harrison, Joyce, 2009-2011
5. Correspondence: Harwood, Carole, April 4, 2000
6. Correspondence: Heisey, Ray, 1970-1995
7. Correspondence: Lunine, Mike, January 18, 1998
8. Correspondence: Schlick, Carol, May-June 1970

Series 2: Presentations and Publications, 1975-2020

9. Presentation: Wilder, Carol, "The Map is Not the Territory? When the Map is Not Even the Map," May 2010
10. Presentation: Wilder, Carol,"Reflections on the 'Kent State Incident'," May 3, 2000
11. Presentation: Wilder, Carol, "Remembering Kent State in the Classroom," 1989
12. Presentation: Wilder, Carol, "Retro Rhetoric: Past as Present in Communication Studies," September 22, 2017
         Scope and Content: This includes the speech and corresponding slides as part of the Centennial award lecture.
13. Presentation: Wilder, Carol, "The Vietnam Project: Connecting the Dots from May 4th," May 3, 2010
14. Publication: Wilder, Carol, "Chapter 8: Murder on May 4th: The Case of the Missing Mob," by Carol Wilder, 2013
         Scope and Content: This is an excerpt from Dr. Wilder's book, "Crossing the Street in Hanoi: Teaching and Learning about Vietnam."
15. Publication: Cook, Russell J., "Dorothy Fuldheim's Activist Journalism and the Kent State Shootings," August 1991
16. Publication: The Commission on Freedom of Speech of the Speech Communication Association, "Free Speech Yearbook 1974," 1975
17. Publication: Wilder, Carol, "How Long is a Football Field? The Kent Shootings Reconsidered," May 4, 2020
         Scope and Content: These remarks were initially prepared for the panel, "Witness: The Pivotal Role of Students in Documenting the May 4 Shootings," scheduled for May 1, 2020; however, the in-person commemorative events were canceled  because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
18. Publication: Moore, Carl, "Reflections of a Cynical Faculty Member on the University's Response," May 1, 1990

Series 3: Subject Files, 1970-2017

19. Brochures and Flyers, 1980-2017
20. Commemorative Event Agendas and Schedules, 1990; undated
21. Concert Posters, 1970; 1975
         Scope and Content: Includes Blood, Sweat, and Tears Benefit Concert poster from November 14, 1970, and Eagles with Special Guest Dan Fogelberg Concert poster from May 3, 1975. The Eagles concert took place at Kent State University in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (formerly known as the Memorial Gym).
         Physical Location: Shelved in map case. 
22. Minutes of School of Speech Faculty Meeting, May-June 1970
23. Photographs, 1971; undated
         Scope and Content: Includes one black and white photograph with the following inscription on the back, "1971 May 4 Commemoration, Prof. Phillip K. Tompkins 1933-2024, Carol Wilder PhD 74', 1944-" and one color print out of an undated Annual May 4 Commemoration. 
24. Research Notes, undated
25. Vietnam: Rhetoric and Realities Course Description, 1990