Helen M. and John C. Friese, Papers, 1970-72

Finding Aid

Biographical Note

Helen M. Friese was an Executive Secretary in the Honors College at Kent State University and was on campus during the shootings. John C. Friese was Director of Food Services at the University and was responsible for feeding the National Guard, the state police and the students following the tragedy. The Frieses had been Kent residents for 12 years prior to 1970 and moved out of the area in 1972.

Scope and Content

These papers were donated to the University Archives on 27 October 1996. They will be of interest to scholars and researchers investigating what happened at Kent State on May 4 1970 and of particular interest to those interested in the aftermath and its effects on the university campus and community. Researchers should especially note folder 10, which contains a speech presented by John Friese at an annual meeting of the National Association College, Universities Food Services where he describes how food service employees coped with the crisis. Helen Friese's letters in folder 1 describe first-hand the effects on the community in the days following May 4.

May 4 Collection -- Box 120

1. Correspondence, Helen Friese: 1970
2. News clippings: May 1-3, 1970
3. News clippings, Letters to the Editor after the shootings: 1970
4. News clippings, local papers: May 5-6, 1970
5. News clippings, outside Ohio: 1970
6. News clippings: 1970-84
7. News clippings, gym protest: 1977
8. News clippings, docudrama: 1981
9. News clippings, articles written by Helen Friese: 1975-95
10. Speech, John Friese, Annual Meeting, National Association College, Universities Food Services, May 21, 1970
11. Subject Files, Commemorations, 1971-78
12. Subject Files, Commencement, 1970
13. Subject Files, Miscellaneous Documents, 1970