Finding Aid for the Howard Ruffner papers and photographs

May 4 Collection - Boxes 190, 190A, 190B, 190C

Author: Prepared by Dyani Scheuerman, June 4, 2003
Revisions: Updated May 2017; February 2020. Last Updated: October 2022.

Origination: Ruffner, Howard
Inclusive Dates: 1970-1998
Bulk Dates: 1970-1971
Extent: 2.16 cubic feet (1 half-size record storage boxes; 1 record storage box; 1 document case; 1 AV box)
Physical Location: 12th floor
Language: English

Biographical Note: In 1970, Howard Ruffner was a second year student at Kent State University, majoring in broadcast communications. Prior to attending the University, he had spent four years in the Air Force, where he learned photography. Ruffner was on the staff of the Daily Kent Stater and the Chestnut Burr, editing the yearbook in 1971. He agreed to provide photographs for Life Magazine of the events on and surrounding May 4, 1970. One of his photographs became the cover of the May 15, 1970 issue of Life. Of the students who suffered that day, Ruffner stated, "I saw their faces and I could feel their pain, and I took their pictures so that no one would ever forget what happened at Kent State and the trauma that it caused for our nation." A number of his photographs ended up being used in the various legal proceedings dealing with the May 4 shootings. Ruffner is currently a freelance photographer in Los Angeles, California.

Scope and Content: This collection primarily includes photographs that appeared in the 1971 Chestnut Burr. Predominantly they involve the events surrounding May 4, 1970 (on and leading up to the date and also its aftermath), but several other subjects are represented as well. These photographs were taken by a number of different photographers, including Ruffner. Also included are various items related to Ruffner's involvement in photojournalism and the protest movement. Captions for photos have been supplied by Special Collections and Archives staff. Page numbers referring to placement in the 1971 Chestnut Burr are noted.

The collection also includes video recordings from the 1980s and 1990s on the subject of the Kent State shootings from major networks such as NBC, ABC, and CBS.

Arrangement: Photographs are arranged in the order in which they appear in the 1971 Chestnut Burr yearbook. Correspondence is arranged chronologically. Publications and other materials are arranged alphabetically by title or type of material. Audiovisual materials are arranged chronologically.

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.

Restrictions on Use: The photographs in this collection are not owned by Kent State University. Copyright is held by individual photographers and media organizations listed in the credits on page 392 of the 1971 Chestnut Burr. The photographs are available for research purposes only. The copyright for audiovisual materials in this collection is not owned by Kent State University. The photographs and audio visual materials are available for research purposes only.

Other Form Available: A digital viewing copy of the 1971 Chestnut Burr yearbook is available online.

Sponsor: Digitization of the audiovisual materials in this collection was supported by a Recordings at Risk grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). The grant program is made possible by funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

May 4 Collection - Box 190
Folder -- Contents

Photographs from 1971 Chestnut Burr

1. Lewis, Jerry M., Chestnut Burr, page 14, 1971
   Author: Ruffner, Marguerite (Heine)
2. Lewis, Jerry M., Chestnut Burr, page 14, 1971
   Author: Ruffner, Marguerite (Heine)
3. Lewis, Jerry M., Chestnut Burr, page 14, 1971
   Author: Ruffner, Marguerite (Heine)
4. Women at Computers, Chestnut Burr, page 16, circa 1971
   Author: Ruffner, Marguerite (Heine)
5. Tennis Player, Chestnut Burr, page 20, circa 1971
   Author: unidentified
6. Tennis Player, Chestnut Burr, page 21, circa 1971
   Author: unidentified
7. Track and Field, Chestnut Burr, pages 24-25, circa 1971
   Author: Likely Jim Peck
   Scope and Content: Contains 11 photographs.
8. Track and Field, Chestnut Burr, pages 26-27, circa 1971
   Author: Likely Howard Ruffner
   Scope and Content: Contains 13 photographs.
9. Long Jumper, Chestnut Burr, page 26, circa 1971
   Author: Ruffner, Howard
10. Long Jumper, Chestnut Burr, page 26, circa 1971
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
11. Runner, Chestnut Burr, page 27, circa 1971
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
12. Victory Bell, Chestnut Burr, page 32, May 1, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
13. Speaker at Rally on the Commons, Chestnut Burr, page 32, May 1, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
14. Rally on the Commons, Chestnut Burr, page 32, May 1, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
15. Speaker at Rally on the Commons, Chestnut Burr, page 32, May 1, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
16. ROTC Building Fire, Chestnut Burr, page 34, May 2, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
17. Burned ROTC Building, Chestnut Burr, page 34, May 1970
    Author: Likely Greg Hoey
18. Burned ROTC Building, Chestnut Burr, page 35, May 1970
    Author: Likely Greg Hoey
19. Burned ROTC Building, Chestnut Burr, page 35, May 1970
    Author: Tolliver, Lafayette
20. Burned ROTC Building, Chestnut Burr, page 35, May 1970
    Author: Tolliver, Lafayette
21. ROTC building, Chestnut Burr, page 36, May 1970
    Author: Likely Greg Hoey
22. National Guardsmen by Burned ROTC building, Chestnut Burr, page 36, May 1970
    Author: Tolliver, Lafayette
23. Damaged Campus Day Sign, Chestnut Burr, page 36, May 1970
    Author: Moore, Doug 
24. National Guardsmen by Military Vehicle, Chestnut Burr, page 36, May 1970
    Author: Likely Tom McGrew
25. National Guardsmen Surrounding ROTC Building, Chestnut Burr, page 36, May 1970
    Author: Moore, Doug
26. National Guardsmen by Military Vehicle, Chestnut Burr, page 36, May 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
27. Governor Rhodes at Kent State, Chestnut Burr, page 37, May 3, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
28. Governor Rhodes at Kent State, Chestnut Burr, page 37, May 3, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
29. National Guardsmen on Campus, Chestnut Burr, page 37, May 1970
    Author: Likely William Armstrong
30. National Guardsmen and Students, Chestnut Burr, pages 38-39, May 1970
    Author: Likely Greg Hoey
31. Students Talk to National Guardsmen, Chestnut Burr, page 38, May 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
32. National Guardsmen Talk to Students, Chestnut Burr, page 38, May 1970
    Author: Likely Tom McGrew
33. Woman and National Guardsman, Chestnut Burr, page 39, May 1970
    Author: Likely Tom McGrew
34. Silhouette of National Guardsmen with Rifles, Chestnut Burr, page 39, May 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
35. National Guardsman and Students, Chestnut Burr, page 40, May 1970
    Author: unidentified
    Scope and Content: Includes two photographs. One of the photographs does not appear in the Chestnut Burr, but appears to have been considered for page 40 of the publication.
36. Law Enforcement Officer with Gun, Chestnut Burr, page 41, May 1970
    Author: Likely Tom McGrew
37. National Guardsmen in Military Vehicle, Chestnut Burr, page 42, May 4, 1970
    Author: Davis, Jack
38. National Guard Personnel in Gas Masks, Chestnut Burr, page 42, May 4, 1970
    Author: Davis, Jack
39. Protesters, Chestnut Burr, page 42, May 4, 1970
    Author: McGuire, William
40. National Guardsmen, Chestnut Burr, pages 42-43, May 4, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
41. Protesters, Chestnut Burr, page 42, May 4, 1970
    Author: Davis, Jack
42. National Guardsmen in Gas Masks, Chestnut Burr, page 42, May 4, 1970
    Author: Davis, Jack
43. National Guardsmen with Rifles, Chestnut Burr, page 43, May 4, 1970
    Author: Davis, Jack
44. National Guardsmen with Rifles, Chestnut Burr, page 43, May 4, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
45. Reporters on Campus, Chestnut Burr, page 43, May 4, 1970
    Author: Davis, Jack
46. National Guardsmen and Students on the Commons, Chestnut Burr, page 43, May 4, 1970
    Author: Davis, Jack
47. National Guardsmen in Vehicle and Students, Chestnut Burr, page 45, May 4, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
48. National Guardsmen and Tear Gas, Chestnut Burr, page 48, May 4, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
49. Canfora, Alan Waves Flag, Chestnut Burr, page 48, May 4, 1970
    Author: Filo, John
50. National Guardsmen Advancing Up Hill, Chestnut Burr, page 49, May 4, 1970
    Author: McGuire, William
51. Students Running and Throwing an Object, Chestnut Burr, pages 48-49, May 4, 1970
    Author: Moore, Doug
52. National Guardsmen Advancing, Chestnut Burr, page 49, May 4, 1970
    Author: Filo, John
53. National Guardsmen Near the Pagoda, Chestnut Burr, page 50, May 4, 1970
    Author: Filo, John
54. National Guardsmen at the Taylor Hall Balcony, Chestnut Burr, page 50, May 4, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
    Scope and Content: Includes two copies of the photograph.
55. Students Running for Cover, Chestnut Burr, page 50, May 4, 1970
    Author: Moore, Doug
56. Vecchio, Mary Ann Crying above Jeffrey Miller, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
    Author: Filo, John
57. Frank, Glenn and Students, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
    Author: Moore, Doug
58. Miller, Jeffrey in Pool of Blood, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
    Author: Filo, John
59. National Guardsmen around Slain Student, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
    Author: Filo, John
60. Student Jumping in Pool of Blood, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
    Author: Moore, Doug
61. Cleary, John, Receiving First Aid, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
62. Circle of Students Surrounds Injured Student, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
    Author: McNees, Ronald P.
63. Shattered Car Windows, Chestnut Burr, page 52, May 4, 1970
    Author: Likely John Filo
64. Injured Person on Stretcher, Chestnut Burr, page 52, May 4, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
65. National Guardsmen in Formation, Chestnut Burr, page 52, May 4, 1970
    Author: likely John Filo
66. Faculty Speak into Megaphones, Chestnut Burr, page 52, May 4, 1970
    Author: likely John Filo
67. National Guardsmen and Highway Patrol, Chestnut Burr, page 52, May 4, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
68. National Guardsmen and Students, Chestnut Burr, page 53, May 4, 1970
    Author: Unidentified
69. Students and Law Enforcement Officers, Chestnut Burr, page 53, May 4, 1970
    Author: Unidentified
70. Lewis, Jerry M., Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 56, August 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
71. Canterbury, Robert H., Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 56, August 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
72. Court Stenographers, Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 56, August 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
73. Del Corso, Sylvester T., Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 56, August 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
74. Warren, George V., Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 56, August 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
75. Satrom, Leroy, Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 57, August 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
76. Scranton, William, Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 57, August 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
77. Alewitz, Meyer, Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 57, August 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
78. Ortique, Revius, Jr., Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 57, August 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
79. Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 57, August 1970
    Author: Likely Howard Ruffner
80. Scranton Commission Audience, Chestnut Burr, page 57, August 1970
    Author: Likely Joann Schulte
81. Lewis, Jerry M., Chestnut Burr, page 58, October 1970
    Author: Likely Ronald P. McNees
82. Student at Festival of Life, Chestnut Burr, page 62, October 1970
    Author: Likely Howard Ruffner
83. Student in Line to Purchase Food, Chestnut Burr, page 80, circa 1971
    Author: unidentified 
84. Registration Computers, Chestnut Burr, page 87, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
85. Registration Computers, Chestnut Burr, page 87, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
86. Registration Computers, Chestnut Burr, page 87, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
87. Registration Computers, Chestnut Burr, page 87, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
88. Registration Computers, Chestnut Burr, page 87, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
89. Monkey in Psychology Research Lab, Chestnut Burr, page 97, circa 1971
    Author: Likely Jim Hudak
90. Scene from Philadelphia Here I Come, Chestnut Burr, page 113, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
91. Scene from Philadelphia Here I Come, Chestnut Burr, page 113, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
92. Vicchy, Frank, Swimming Coach, Chestnut Burr, page 127, circa 1971
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
93. Gymnast, Chestnut Burr, page 131, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
94. Gymnasts, Chestnut Burr, page 131, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
95. Gymnasts, Chestnut Burr, page 134, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
96. Gymnast, Chestnut Burr, page 134, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
97. Gymnast, Chestnut Burr, page 135, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
98. Gymnast, Chestnut Burr, page 135, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
99. Fencer, Chestnut Burr, page 136, 1970
    Author: Ruffner, Howard
100. Blue Key Club, Chestnut Burr, page 245, circa 1971
     Author: Likely William McGuire
101. Campus Scene, Chestnut Burr, page 370, circa 1969
     Author: Ruffner, Howard
102. Ruffner, Howard, Chestnut Burr, page 386, 1969-1970
     Author: Likely Jim Peck
103. Ruffner, Marguerite (Heine), Chestnut Burr, page 391, circa 1971
     Author: Likely Howard Ruffner

Correspondence

104. May 2, 1975. Long, Phil. Kent, Ohio. To Howard. Thanks Ruffner for use of photograph.
105. October 14, 1977. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, VA. To Benjamin Civiletti. Requests that the documents regarding the burning of the ROTC building be released.
106. October 17, 1977. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, VA. To Howard Ruffner. Regarding Ruffner's desire to obtain copies of FBI files on himself.
107. January 28, 1978. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, VA. To Howard Ruffner. Regarding Bill Ferster's plan for a short film about Kent State.
108. January 31, 1978. Ruffner, Howard. Cleveland Heights, Ohio. To Bill Ferster. Gives permission for the use of several photographs in a film.
109. January 31, 1978. Thomas, Charles. To Andrea Biren. Discusses technical details about weapons which he believes dispute prior claims made by Guardsmen.
110. February 3, 1978. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, V.A. To Howard Ruffner. Discusses photographs of Ruffner's which he feel dispute prior claims made by Guardsmen, evidence from trial that went missing, Michener book.
111. February 14, 1978. Ruffner, Howard. Cleveland Heights, Ohio. To Charles Thomas. Encloses said photographs.
112. February 21, 1978. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, V.A. To Howard Ruffner. Response in agreement with Ruffner's letter.
113. March 30, 1978. Thomas, Charles. Washington, D.C. To Alan Freeman. Attempting to locate some of Ruffner's photographs which he feels belong in the National Archives.
114. April 10, 1978. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, V.A. To Howard Ruffner. Lists Ruffner's photographs included in National Archives. Notes discrepancy in the amount of photographs different sources claim there are.
115. December 1, 1978. Ruffner, Howard. Cleveland, Ohio. To Charles Thomas. Gives permission to use photographs in Gallery magazine.
116. February 28, 1979. Silber, Glenn. Madison. To Howard Ruffner. Regarding film documentary on the antiwar movement.
117. May 2, 1979. Munves, James. New York. To Howard Ruffner. Requesting photographs for Cover-Up at Kent State.; June 17, 1979. Munves, James. New York. To Howard Ruffner. Inquiring as to whether Ruffner received last letter.; June 22, 1979. Munves, James. New York. To Howard Ruffner. Includes photocopies of photographs he desires.
118. Undated. Charlie [Charles Thomas]. To Howard. Includes newsclip which discusses photographs of unknown origin which have just been released, and may be related to an attempted cover-up.

May 4 Collection - Box 190A
Folder -- Contents

Publications, papers, and documents

1. American Report, November 12, 1971
2. "An Appeal for Justice." June 21, 1971.
3. Civil trial interview of Ruffner. Part 1.
4. Civil trial interview of Ruffner. Part 2.
5. Civil trial interview of Ruffner. Part 3.
6. Civil trial interview of Ruffner. Part 4.
7. Contemporary, May 6, 1990.
8. Copyright registration form for Chestnut Burr
9. Criminal trial interview of Ruffner. November 7, 1974.
10. Deposition of Ruffner in Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 1. October 21, 1974.
11. Deposition of Ruffner in Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 2. October 21, 1974.
12. FBI file on Ruffner.
13. For the Record, June 11, 1990
14. Gallery, April 1979
15. High School Press Institute Review, August 21, 1970
16. Interview between Howard Ruffner and [Jeffrey] Zink. June 30, 1970.
17. Kent, June 1970
18. "Kent - Aftermath." by Jerry M. Lewis
19. "Kent State: Murder and Coverup." Charles Thomas (includes note from "Charlie"). June 9, 1978.
20. KSU Position Paper. Statement of Policy. October 14, 1970.
21. KSU Position Paper. Presidential Policy on Examination of Issues. October, 1970.
22. Life, May 15, 1970
23. "May 4, 1970 - Date Nation Won't Forget"
24. Newsclip: "KSU Photo Featured in Exhibit," Record Courier, September 18, 1970.
25. Newsclip: "Kent State and Watergate," World, June 5, 1973
26. Newsclip: "The Other Kent State Photographer: Howard E. Ruffner," Plain Dealer Magazine, April 29, 1979
27. Newsclip: Photograph of Ruffner
28. Newsweek, May 18, 1970
29. "Not a Great Deal of Error ... ?" by Carl M. Moore and D. Ray Heisey. Criticism of Kent State: What Happened and Why by James Michener.
30. Official Kent State University Bulletin, June 10, 1970
31. "On the Slain Collegians" by Herman Melville
32. Paper recommending emergency communication systems
33. Politics and Education, V.1.1.
34. The Post-American, Spring 1972
35. Reader's Digest Guidelines, March 1971
36. Report and recommendations to University Commission to Implement a Commitment to Nonviolence
37. "Reporting the Kent State Incident"
38. Restatement of University policy, October 19, 1970.
39. Rough draft script for Unnecessary, Unwarranted, and Inexcusable by Alva I. Cox, Jr.
40. Scranton Commission interview of Ruffner.
41. State Grand Jury interview of Ruffner.
42. Statement of Charles Thomas, National Archives, on possible coverup. December 18, 1978.
43. Subpoena for Ruffner's court appearance on September 23, 1970
44. Subpoena for Ruffern's court appearance on October 22, 1974
45. Subpoena for Ruffner's court appearance on December 19, 1978
46. Time, May 18, 1970
47. Trial proceedings of Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 1. December 19, 1978.
48. Trial proceedings of Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 2. December 19, 1978.
49. Trial proceedings of Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 1. December 20, 1978.
50. Trial proceedings of Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 2. December 20, 1978.

Miscellaneous items

51. Armband
52. Camera lens belonging to Ruffner, used by John Filo on May 4, 1970.
53. Catalog for Farrar Straus Giroux, Fall-Winter 1972-1973. Includes The Murders at Kent State by Peter Davies.
54. Certificate of excellence from "Cover '71" art exhibit, October 26, 1971.
55. Fliers for "Kent State: A Wake," Occidental College presentation.
56. Flyer for "Bearking Witness," an art exhibit featuring Ruffner.
57. Flyer for "To Heal Kent State" by Kim Sorvig
58. Flyer for Kent State: May 4, 1970
59. Invitation to 1971 Publications Banquet.
60. Invitation to "Cover '71" art exhibit. October 26, 1971.
61. Invitation to "Artists for Justice," May 19, 1974.
62. List of film production companies
63. Map of campus including area of protests
64. Map of campus showing where students were wounded
65. Maps showing Ruffner's position upon taking photographs
66. Press pass.
67. Press release, postcard, and seed packet for "Simple Gestures: A Commemorative Installation" by Eve Birch
68. Protest buttons
69. Reprints of Ruffner's photographs torn from book

May 4 Collection - Box 190B
Folder -- Contents

Miscellaneous items

1. Nikon F camera and Nikon Nikkor lens, used by Howard Ruffner on May 4, 1970.

May 4 Collection - Box 190C
Folder -- Contents

Audiovisual Materials
Physical Location: Original recordings in storage as archival back-ups are shelved on the 11th floor.
Restrictions on Access: Researchers should be directed to use the digital copies of these recordings as originals are not playable due to format and preservation concerns.

1. Audio: 1971 Chestnut Burr Record, May 1-4, 1970
   Format of Original: Reel-to-reel audiotape
   Alternative Form Available: A copy of this recording, located in the Bob Carpenter papers, has been digitally captured and can be accessed online.
2. Video: CBS News: “American Dream American Nightmare...The Seventies,” 1980
   Scope and Content: VHS recording of a CBS news special program titled "American Dream, American Nightmare...The Seventies," hosted by Harry Reasoner.
   Alternative Form Available: This recording has been digitally captured. There is also a DVD copy available for reference access to this recording.
3. Video: ABC: “Our World,” October 23, 1986
   Scope and Content: VHS recording on an episode of the television program Our World, titled "40 Days of Spring: 1970." The episode covers the invasion of Cambodia, Kent State shootings, student strikes, Apollo 13, and other topics. The show was anchored by Linda Ellerbee and Ray Gandolf.
   Alternative Form Available: This recording has been digitally captured. There is also a DVD copy available for reference access to this recording.
4. Video: NBC: “After the Headlines,” June 14, 1994
   Scope and Content: VHS copy of an NBC program hosted by Kathleen Sullivan titled After the Headlines which includes interviews with Mary Ann Vecchio and Jerry Lewis.
   Alternative Form Available: This recording has been digitally captured. There is also a DVD copy available for reference access to this recording.
5. Video: 25th Commemoration News Segment, 1995
   Scope and Content: VHS recording of interviews with Alan Canfora, Chic Canfora, John Filo, Dean Kahler, Commander John Martin, Robbie Stamps, and Mary Ann Vecchio. The source of this video footage is unknown.
   Alternative Form Available: This recording has been digitally captured. There is also a DVD copy available for reference access to this recording.
6. Video: Channel 2 KWGN: Ruffner, Howard, May 4, 1998
   Scope and Content: VHS recording of Howard Ruffner sitting down with reporters 28 years after the Kent State shootings to discuss the photographs he captured on May 4, 1970.
   Alternative Form Available: This recording has been digitally captured. There is also a DVD copy available for reference access to this recording.