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KSU LGBTQ+ Student Center records
Special Collections and Archives
KSU LGBTQ+ Student Center records
Special Collections and Archives
KSU LGBTQ+ Student Center records
| Repository: | Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives. |
| Title: | Kent State University LGBTQ+ Student Center records |
| Inclusive Date(s): | 2010-2023 |
| Author: | Finding aid prepared by Kristin Silvestro, November 2023 |
| Creation: | Finding aid encoded by Kristin Silvestro using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2023 |
| Origination: | Kent State University. LGBTQ+ Student Center |
| Extent: | 1.00 cubic feet (2 boxes = 2 half size record storage boxes and 1 oversize flat folder) |
| Physical Location: | 10th floor |
| Finding Aid Identifier: | OhKeUSC0227 |
| Abstract: | This collection consists of materials from Kent State University's LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Queer and Questioning) Student Center. It primarily contains records and artifacts pertaining to the center's programming, events, and other campus activities. |
| Language(s): | The records are in English |
History of the LGBTQ+ Student Center
The grand opening of the Kent State University LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Queer and Questioning) Student Center took place Thursday, March 11, 2010. The idea for the LGBTQ+ Student Center originated in the late 2000s out of conversations between Greg Jarvie, then interim Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and Molly Merryman, then Associate Professor for Justice Studies, during the search for the Vice President for the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. It was proposed as a collaborative project between Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the College of Arts and Science. The center, located in the Kent Student Center, was originally co-coordinated by Molly Merryman, and Daniel Nadon, School of Theatre and Dance, with volunteer staff from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies faculty. Its purpose was to serve as a liaison between LGBTQ+ students and the administration and faculty and to provide programming and events related to the LGBTQ+ community. The center also worked with students to determine the changing needs of the LGBTQ+ students on campus. In 2012, the center established a full-time coordinator's position, with Roxie Patton holding the position from 2012-2014. Also in 2012, the first Kent State University Lavender Graduation Ceremony, an officially supported commencement ceremony honoring the achievements of graduating LGBTQ+ students, took place. In 2014, the center established a full-time director's position, selecting Ken Ditlevson as the first director of the center.
Scope and Content
The LGBTQ+ Student Center records cover the history of the center from its opening in 2010 through 2023. It is divided into two series that are both organized alphabetically by material type. Series 1 Records contains articles, brochures, conference materials, correspondence, flyers, memorial service documents, newsletters, photographs, posters, programs, speeches, and trainings. The bulk of this series consists of the flyers for the center's various events and programs. Series 2 Artifacts contains bracelets, t-shirts, and stickers related to the center's activities and programming. Included in the artifacts series is a folder with the contents of a 2016 That Gay 5k race participant bag.
Statement of Arrangement
The Kent State University LGBTQ+ Student Center records is divided into two series both organized alphabetically by material type:
| Series 1: Records | |
| Series 2: Artifacts |
Preferred Citation
Kent State University. LGBTQ+ Student Center records. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Acquisition Information
Initial files from the LGBTQ+ Center were transferred to Special Collections and Archives in 2016 with additional materials deposited in 2018, 2019, 2023.
Accruals
Additional materials are added to the collection on an annual basis.
Controlled Access Headings
The following are found in this collection:
| Subjects: | |
| Kent State University. LGBTQ+ Student Center -- Archives | |
| College student development programs -- Ohio -- Kent | |
| Counseling in higher education -- Ohio -- Kent | |
| LGBTQ+ college students -- Ohio -- Kent | |
| LGBTQ+ people -- Education (Higher) -- Ohio -- Kent | |
| Sexual minority college students -- Ohio -- Kent | |
| Gay college students -- Ohio -- Kent | |
| Lesbian college students -- Ohio -- Kent | |
| Bisexual college students -- Ohio -- Kent | |
| Transgender college students -- Ohio -- Kent | |
| Kent State University -- History -- 21st century | |
| Persons: | |
| Jarvie, Gregory | |
| Merryman, Molly | |
| Ditlevson, Ken | |
| Functions: | |
| Student affairs services -- Administration | |
| Material Types: | |
| Fliers (Ephemera) | |
| Speeches | |
| Programs (Publications) | |
| Artifacts (object genre) | |
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Records, 2010-2023
| Box 1 / Folder 1 |
| Articles, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Box 1 / Folder 2 |
| Brochures, circa 2010-2023 |
| Box 1 / Folder 3 |
| Conference: Game Changer Conference Materials, 2016-2018 |
| Box 1 / Folder 4 |
| Correspondence: Alumni Chapter, 2023 |
| Box 1 / Folder 5 |
| Correspondence: Holiday Card, 2019 |
| Box 1 / Folder 6 |
| Correspondence: President Barack Obama letter to centers on LGBT Center Awareness Day, October 19, 2016 |
| Box 1 / Folder 7 |
| Display Items: Orlando Mass Shooting Tragedy Bulletin Board, 2016 |
| Box 1 / Folder 8 |
| Flyers, 2010s |
| Box 1 / Folder 9 |
| Flyers, 2012 |
| Box 1 / Folder 10 |
| Flyers, 2015 |
| Box 1 / Folder 11 |
| Flyers, 2016 |
| Box 1 / Folder 12 |
| Flyers, 2017 |
| Box 1 / Folder 13 |
| Flyers, 2018 |
| Box 1 / Folder 14 |
| Flyers, 2019 |
| Box 1 / Folder 15 |
| Flyers, 2020 |
| Box 1 / Folder 16 |
| Flyers, 2021 |
| Box 1 / Folder 17 |
| Flyers, 2022 |
| Box 1 / Folder 18 |
| Flyers, 2023 |
| Box 1 / Folder 19 |
| Memorial Services: MJ Eckhouse, 2020 |
| Box 1 / Folder 20 |
| Memorial Services: Amanda Kenner, 2017 |
| Box 1 / Folder 21 |
| Memorial Services: Dr. Dolores Noll, February 11, 2019 |
| Box 1 / Folder 22 |
| Newsletters: Equality Expose, 2016, 2018 |
| Box 1 / Folder 23 |
| Newsletters: Gayly Transpiring, 2016 |
| Box 1 / Folder 24 |
| Photographs: Lavender Graduation, 2015, 2016 |
| Box 1 / Folder 25 |
| Posters: Flashes of Pride, 2015-2019, 2021-2023 |
| Physical Location: These items are filed in the map case. |
| Processing Information | |
| Some of the posters have signatures from the students, faculty, staff, and community members pictured. | |
| Box 1 / Folder 26 |
| Posters: LGBT History Month Activity Flyer, 2010s |
| Physical Location: This item is filed in the map case. |
| Box 1 / Folder 27 |
| Presentation: "Reimaging the Kent Student Center 2nd Floor Renovations: Pitch to include the LGBTQ+ Center within the Market 2 area." by Ken Ditlevson, August 29, 2019 |
| Box 1 / Folder 28 |
| Programs: Free Speech or Hate Speech Discussion, October 18, 2017 |
| Box 1 / Folder 29 |
| Programs: Kent Rainbow Weekend, 2020, 2022, undated |
| Box 1 / Folder 30 |
| Programs: Laramie Project, April 13-14, 2017 |
| Box 1 / Folder 31 |
| Programs: Lavender Graduation, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023 |
| Box 1 / Folder 32 |
| Programs: LGBTQ+ Student Center: Grand Opening Reception, March 11, 2010 |
| Box 1 / Folder 33 |
| Programs: Queer Voices, April 7, 2017 |
| Box 1 / Folder 34 |
| Reports: "LGBTQ Center 2011-2012 Programming" Event Flyers and Evaluations, circa 2012 |
| Box 1 / Folder 35 |
| Speeches: Ditlevson, Ken notes for 2016 Coming Out Day, October 11, 2016 |
| Box 1 / Folder 36 |
| Speeches: Ditlevson, Ken notes for Homecoming, 2016, 2017 |
| Box 1 / Folder 37 |
| Speeches: Ditlevson, Ken notes for Orlando Mass Shooting Tragedy Vigil, June 13, 2016 |
| Box 1 / Folder 38 |
| Speeches: Ditlevson, Ken notes for Paul Daum Award, April 19, 2018 |
| Box 1 / Folder 39 |
| Speeches: Ditlevson, Ken notes for Pride Poster Campaign, 2017 |
| Box 1 / Folder 40 |
| Speeches: Ditlevson, Ken notes for QUEST Mentorship First Year Conclusion, undated |
| Box 1 / Folder 41 |
| Speeches: Ditlevson, Ken notes for Rainbow Run, 2018 |
| Box 1 / Folder 42 |
| Speeches: Ditlevson, Ken notes for Spring Kick-off Address, 2017 |
| Box 1 / Folder 43 |
| Speeches: Horwood, T.J., Lavender Graduation Student Keynote, April 2019 |
| Box 1 / Folder 44 |
| Speeches: Serwatka, Tom, Lavender Graduation Keynote, 2018 |
| Box 1 / Folder 45 |
| Training: "Safe Space: Ally Training", undated |
| Box 1 / Folder 46 |
| Training: "Safe Space: Trans 101", undated |
Series 2: Artifacts, 2014, 2016, 2020
| Box 2 / Piece 1 |
| Bag: Contents of "That Gay 5K" participant bag including flyers, condoms, lube, and pen, October 8, 2016 |
| Processing Information | |
| The lube and condoms were documented via a photograph which was added to the folder, and the original items were removed due to preservation concerns. | |
| Box 2 / Piece 2 |
| Bracelet: KSU LGBTQ+ Center (2 bracelets), undated |
| Box 2 / Piece 3 |
| Bracelet: "WWMJD?" MJ Eckhouse Memorial Fund bracelet, 2020-2021 |
| Box 2 / Piece 4 |
| Shirt: Laverne Cox T-shirt, November 5, 2014 |
| Box 2 / Piece 5 |
| Shirt: Pride Games Kent State Edition, 2014 |
| Box 2 / Piece 6 |
| Shirt: "That Gay 5K" worn by center director Ken Ditlevson, October 8, 2016 |
| Box 2 / Piece 7 |
| Stickers: Safe Space, 2010s |
| Box 2 / Piece 8 |
| Stickers: Spectrum Connecting Queer & Ally Faculty and Staff, 2010s |
