Rhodes Tower, the largest building at Cleveland State University and one of the most recognizable buildings in the Cleveland skyline, is named after the governor who ordered the National Guard on Kent State University in 1970. It received this name in 1981, eleven years after the Kent State shootings that left four college students dead. Rhodes Tower is one of the most recognizable symbols of higher education in Cleveland, yet has an etymological connection to the murder of college students. Rhodes Tower should be renamed.

On May 4th, 1970 at 12:24 p.m., the Ohio National Guard opened fire on a peaceful rally of students protesting against the expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia.

Four students were shot and killed:

• Jeffrey Glenn Miller, 20 years old
• Allison Beth Krause, 19 years old
• William Knox Schroeder, 19 years old
• Sandra Lee Scheuer, 20 years old

James A. Rhodes Tower, more commonly known as Rhodes Tower, was constructed between 1968 and 1971. It was known as University Tower until it was renamed to Rhodes Tower in 1981, eleven years after the shootings at Kent State, during the fourth term of Governor James A. Rhodes. You can find my original article (including citations) on my blog.

One of the most recognizable symbols of higher education in Cleveland is named after a man whose legacy includes the death of four college students. Urge the administration of Cleveland State University and representatives of the City of Cleveland to rename Rhodes Tower to better reflect Cleveland's values and honor the memories of the students who were killed.