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ALLISON BETH KRAUSE

April 23, 1951 - May 4, 1970

Participating in the protest | Shot in the chest | Age 19

Allison the Activist

From the time she volunteered at a mental hospital in high school to the time she helped organize a campus wide march against the Vietnam War as a freshman, it was clear that Allison Krause was an activist.

Even though her family moved every few years for her father’s job, Allison found a home in Kent. She remembered fondly the times she traveled with her mom, dad and younger sister to eat at the Robin Hood, the only “white cloth” restaurant in the area.

While she was a good student and wanted to attend Kent State, she was worried about how she would be perceived if she joined the Honors College (see letter excerpt on panel at right).

Allison the Activist included photos and samples of homework, as well as images and films of her marching in protests.

At her funeral, one of her high school teachers ended his eulogy by stating, “In her own quiet way, she symbolized the best in young people.”

Alienation is common among all people. Many problems develop when communication between people is difficult or non-existent. It is the root of all violent outbreaks, war and all general disharmony. We live in a world with many fellow human beings and to realize that each person is not entirely alone will make alienation an obsolete human characteristic. 

—Allison Krause

JEFFREY GLENN MILLER

March 28, 1950 - May 4, 1970

Participating in the protest | Shot in the mouth | Age 20

Our Brother Jeff

Jeff Miller was a psychology major, but his passions also led him to study the environment, criminal justice and African American history. He was also passionately against the war, as his mom wrote, “I expected my son to be against the war.” According to her, he had a great sense of humor and liked the Mets, music, math and motorcycles.

Jeff and his older brother Russ were close, especially after their parents divorced. Jeff followed Russ to Michigan State and left for Kent State after Russ graduated. Even when they disagreed, they shared a love for music. Jeff, who was not tall, briefly ran his own radio show, “Short Mort,” at Michigan State University.

While he only spent one semester at Kent State before he was killed, he had made many friends, including Allison Krause and Sandy Scheuer, who were also killed during the shootings.

Our Brother Jeff included personal items loaned by his brother, Russ, along with vinyl records, photographs, Jeff’s letters, and excerpts from his mother’s recollections.

The War Without a Purpose
marches on relentlessly,
not stopping to mourn for
ts dead,
content to wait for its end.

But all the frightened parents
who still have their son
fear that
the end is not in sight.

—Jeff Miller

WILLIAM KNOX SCHROEDER

July 20, 1950 - May 4, 1970

Walking to class | Shot in the chest | Age 19

Bill: An All-American Boy

Bill Schroeder was athletic, loyal and extremely patriotic. He was the captain of his high school basketball team, a member of the marching band and Lorain’s youngest Eagle Scout. In 1968 he left for the Colorado School of Mines on a full Reserved Officer Training Corp (ROTC) scholarship.

In the fall of 1969, he transferred to Kent State and changed his major to psychology. As his mother wrote, “he decided that the presence of a trained psychologist on the military front could be as important as a soldier’s rifle or a chaplain.”

A member of the Army ROTC, he received awards for academic achievement and excellence in history, and he joined the Geology Club. His future plans had included combining military service with graduate school.

Bill: An All-American Boy gave visitors an intimate look into his life, including loving letters to his mother, photos with friends, his Boy Scout sash and Eagle Scout badge.

Learning from the past is of prime consideration. Your many influences shall linger and last, To be passed on through me to the next generation.

—Bill Schroeder

SANDRA LEE SCHEUER

August 11, 1949 - May 4, 1970

Walking to class | Shot in the neck | Age 20

Sandy’s Scrapbook

In an era before social media, Sandy Scheuer chronicled her life in the pages of her scrapbooks. Her candid photographs, personal letters and lovingly selected mementos paint a story full of friendship, family and adventure.

At Kent State, she was a speech therapy major and honors student, a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and active in the Jewish community. She was a beloved daughter, sister and friend.

Bruce Burkland, her high school boyfriend, wrote, “To begin to describe what a beautiful person Sandy was would take forever, but there is one thing that I want people to know about her, which is that she was not a reactionary student and was not involved in the demonstrations at Kent State.

“Sandy was not the type to cause or incite such events, but rather she always spread joy, happiness and laughter in people’s hearts wherever she went. She was the ultimate in life, especially of my life.”

In the last photo of her, taken on May 2—later published in Time magazine—she was looking at the burned-out ROTC building and holding onto a stray dog, using a ribbon as a leash. As a friend noted, “Sandy felt sorry for any stray animal or lonesome person and had compassion for everyone.”

Sandy’s Scrapbook included photos of family trips, friends and proms, concert programs, a paddle from her sorority and while-you-were out messages.