Ralph Solonitz, Papers and Artifacts, 1970-90

Inventory

Biographical Sketch

Ralph Solonitz was a student at Kent State University from 1968 to 1970. He was present at the shootings on 4 May 1970 and took color photographs of the events he witnessed. He was graduated from KSU in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. After leaving Kent, he opened his own advertising agency in 1975 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, where he presently lives
 

Scope and Content

Solonitz donated his materials to the Kent State University Archives on 4 May 1990 (U90/41), the 20th Anniversary of the shootings and the time of the dedication of the May 4 Memorial.

The collection consists predominantly of color photographs taken by Solonitz in May, 1970 of the events surrounding the May 4, 1970, shootings at Kent State. Also included in the collection is his personal record of the accounts of the May 4 Memorial and reunion for the class of 1970. Solonitz also designed the reunion button that was distributed to all alumni who attended the reunion. The button design has also been incorporated into a poster which was displayed at the memorial dedication service. Two business cards are also included in this collection.

All photograph captions provided by Ralph Solonitz.

This collection will be of interest to researchers exploring the impact of the May 4 shootings on individuals of the class of 1970. The personal account will also be useful for examining the impact over time on students of the 70s.

Solonitz has kindly donated to the Kent State University Archives whatever property and literary rights he possesses in this collection.
 

May 4 Collection -- Box 73

1. Report, personal: Solonitz's impressions of 4 May 1990
2. Artifacts: two buttons, class of 1970 reunion
3. Photograph. "May 4th - After the shootings, students in a state of shock, sitting, standing, surrounded by the National Guard.
   I hear students say 'Go home, get back to your dorms, they're going to charge again!'"
4. Photograph. "Photo just below Blanket Hill - Taylor Hall is on left out of view."
5. Photograph. "Near the Victory Bell. View of VanDeusen Bldg. Wooden bldgs -- in foreground."
6. Photograph. "Don't know who this girl was, she stared at the pool of splattered blood for a long, long time."
7. Photograph. "More of same location."
8. Photograph. "More of same."
9. Photograph. "May 4th"
10. Photograph. "Bullet that entered tree killed a student."
11. Photograph. "Entered and exited tree."
12. Photograph. "Photo taken from College Towers. Possibly Sunday May 3rd, evening. Helicopter light trails."
13. Photograph. "Photo taken from College Towers. Possibly Sunday May 3rd, evening. Helicopter light trails."
14. Photograph. "Photo taken from College Towers. Possibly Sunday May 3rd, evening. Helicopter light trails."
15. Photograph. "View from 825 1/2 S. Water Street, May 1st 1970. Test shot on this roll, upstairs of home."
16. Photograph. "My buddy Lewis Lapine came to visit campus Sunday May 3rd. He was a student at O.S.U. 60's influenced wagon."
17. Photograph. "Nat'l Guard on Sunday. (neg has damage) Students and guard exchange greeting and curious looks."
18. Photograph. "May 3rd. This captures the situation... The entrance to campus -- an occupied University."
19. Photograph. "Examing the Don Drumm sculpture"
20. Photograph. "Nat'l Guard examing the Don Drumm sculpture."
21. Photograph. "Bullet went into one side and out the other. Same '59 VW" as in next photograph.
22. Photograph. "Bullet riddled 59 VW. Bumber sticker says 'Vietnam Love it, or Leave it' 1/4 to 1/2 mile from Taylor Hall"
23. Photograph. "Student killed here?"

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