While the nation turned its eyes to the tragedy at Kent State University in 1970, tensions were also elevated in Athens. Ohio University began the decade of the 1970s still torn over the Vietnam War.
The 1970s included a budget crisis and dropping enrollment early in the decade, the first Athens Film Festival in 1973, the first university-approved Halloween party in 1976 and the beginning of the six-week winter break in 1977.
On May 15, 1970, after two days of Uptown protests turned into brick-throwing riots, President Claude Sowle called in the National Guard and closed the university.
It was very frightening
said lifetime Athens resident Lana Jeffers. We were tear-gassed out of our dorm. Jeffers lived in Lindley Hall and graduated in 1971 with a bachelor of arts in French.
We certainly had a voice said 1974 graduate Barry Adams. Adams majored in journalism and later returned to earn a master's degree in Southeast Asian studies at OU. He said Athens City Council meetings were jammed with students and lasted for hours.
In 1972, three OU students sat on Athens City Council and voter registration in Athens skyrocketed with high student participation. The opposition to the war also brought students together.
Charles Grant graduated in 1971 with degrees in English literature and creative writing.
He said that the two things that helped bring different groups of students together were music and a feeling of helplessness over the war.
He said Motown music was played by all different students during his days in Bush Hall, giving students who ordinarily did not interact a common interest.
As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha and the black student coalition, Grant said OU had one of the greatest entertainment committees, and he recalled shaking hands with Muhammad Ali on campus.
Students packed the Convocation Center for the Spring Music Festival, which brought in such legendary performers as The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Hope, Santana and Boston to name a few.
People literally got trampled trying to get in to The Convo said David Wilhelm, a 1977 graduate and current chair of the OU Alumni Association.
Other popular entertainment options were hockey games. I would go one hour early to get the seat I wanted
said Barry Adams about the then varsity hockey games, there were snowball fights in the line for tickets. Adams also said Baker Center was a popular hangout, and because the legal drinking age was 18, beer was available there usually afternoon.
His favorite Uptown spots were The Union, The Lantern (which was located near the corner of State and Court streets) and the Longhorn Saloon, which was in an alley near the courthouse.
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Kevin Ziegler
