Finding Aid for the Norman V. Duffy Jr. papers

Repository: Kent State University. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: Norman V. Duffy Jr. papers
Inclusive Dates: 1970-1998
Author: Finding aid prepared by Liz Campion, March 2026
Origination: Duffy, Norman V., Jr., 1938-2025
Extent: 0.16 cubic feet (1 slim document case)
Physical Location: 12th floor (May 4 Collection, Box 66)
Abstract: This collection consists mainly of correspondence, news clippings, and speaking engagements in response to the Kent State shootings.
Language: English
Descriptive Rules: DACS 2nd Edition

Biography of Norman V. Duffy Jr.: Dr. Norman V. Duffy Jr. was a chemist and longtime faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at Kent State University. He joined the university in 1966 after earning his Ph.D. in chemistry from Georgetown University. Duffy was present on campus during the Kent State shootings and served as a faculty marshal on May 4, 1970. As a faculty marshal, he served as a liaison between administration and students during university-wide gatherings and campus unrest, to assist in maintaining order and resolution. For thirty years, Duffy served as professor and department chair until his retirement from Kent State University in 1996. 

Norman V. Duffy Jr. passed away on October 3, 2025.

Scope and Content: The Norman V. Duffy Jr. papers contain correspondence between Duffy and his chemistry students in response to completing their coursework and the events surrounding May 4, 1970 and their aftermath. The collection also includes speaking engagements related to the Kent State shootings.

Statement of Arrangement: This collection has been arranged alphabetically by subject.

Preferred Citation: Norman V. Duffy Jr. papers. May 4 Collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

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

Acquisition Information: The materials in this collection were donated to Kent State University Special Collections and Archives by Vincent Duffy in 2026.

Controlled Access Headings
The following are found in this collection:

Subjects:
Duffy, Norman V., Jr., 1938-2025
Kent State Shootings, Kent, Ohio, 1970
Kent State University--History--20th century
Kent State University--Students--Attitudes
Kent (Ohio)--History--20th century

Occupations:
College teachers

Functions:
Chemistry--Study and teaching
College teaching

Names:
White, Robert I., 1908-1990

Places:
Kent (Ohio)

Material types:
Clippings
Correspondence
Speeches
 

Box 66
Folder -- Contents

1. Correspondence: Adams, Kathleen, May 7-11, 1970
2. Correspondence: Butts, Jim, undated
3. Correspondence: Deal, Ted, May 22, 1970
4. Correspondence: Donah, Carol, May 7-11, 1970
5. Correspondence: Duffy Jr., Norman V., 1970
6. Correspondence: Harkness, Bruce, May 11, 1970
7. Correspondence: Kleinhans, Alice, July 25, 1974
8. Correspondence: Locke, Ralph, June 7, 1970
9. Correspondence: Lutz, Catherine, undated
10. Correspondence: Miller, Harold, May 6, 1970
11. Correspondence: Radke, Ronald, June 1970
12. Correspondence: Schlegel, Jerry, May 6, 1970
13. Correspondence: Stamm, Lynne, May 7-11,1970
14. Correspondence: Szesze, Michael, May 19, 1970
15. Correspondence: Weekley, Faye, 1970
16. Correspondence: White, Robert I., June 24, 1970
17. Correspondence: Witkowski, Andrea, May 6, 1970
18. Flyer: "Kent State Killings Continued," undated
19. News Clippings and Periodicals, 1970; undated
20. Speaking Engagement: Lewis, Jerry M., "The May 4th Rituals," May 4, 1982
    Scope and Content: These remarks were made by Dr. Jerry M. Lewis at the 12th annual commemoration. This copy includes a brief, handwritten note from Jerry to "Duff."
21. Speaking Engagement: Lewis, Jerry M., and Duffy Jr., Norman V., "The Kent State Tragedy: Two Eyewitnesses," March 24, 1998
    Scope and Content: This includes presentation notes, programming ephemera and email correspondence regarding Dr. Jerry M. Lewis and Dr. Norman V. Duffy's participation in Wheeling Jesuit University's series titled, "A Springtime of Peace and Justice."