From the Nominator

"Legacy: May 4" targets two key audiences: the extended Kent State University community seeking to understand the positive evolution from tragedy, and the global audience that continues to make Kent State's top internet search topic the 1970 shootings. The podcast strategically links historic events to Kent State's evolution as a student-centered institution and global leader in peace education. This series reveals how the desperate student voices of 1970 shaped a university that now prioritizes students while demonstrating how these lessons have never been more relevant as history echoes across today's campuses. Masterfully weaving three powerful narratives—May 4 brought to life through evocative historical audio, Kent State's eventual transformation into a nationally recognized model for student success, and its global impact, particularly through the School of Peace and Conflict Studies (a May 4 legacy unto itself)—the podcast creates an immersive journey through "theater of the mind" techniques, witness testimonies, and reporting from campus and initiatives in Rwanda, Brazil, and Cambodia. Launched strategically heading into the 54th anniversary across multiple platforms, university communications and marketing's first podcast achieved strong engagement: 1,132 sessions with 62.54% homepage engagement, 940 plays with 82.6% listener retention on Apple Podcasts, and 793 plays on Spotify. "Legacy: May 4" demonstrates how universities can transform difficult history into authentic storytelling that reinforces institutional identity. It showcases the development of a values-driven institution making a global impact, proving that understanding history is essential for navigating today's divided society in which higher education again finds itself at the center of societal tensions.

From the Judges

"Legacy: May 4" masterfully transforms a painful chapter in campus and U.S. history into a meaningful narrative that bridges the past and present. This exceptional podcast goes beyond a simple history lesson and ties into what is happening today, creating an engaging experience that stands on the strength of its audio storytelling and archival content. Even without visual aids, the production still captivates listeners through immersive sound design and thoughtful storytelling and serves as a model for how institutions can authentically honor difficult history while reinforcing their values and mission.