Kent State University

Stories

Stories are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location. This section could also contain research notes as well.

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There are several paranormal reports from all over the campus. The following is a listing of some of those reports:

Allyn Hall—The first floor of Allyn Hall is haunted by a little girl named Sarah. She roams the halls, tugging on bed sheets, and asks people to play with her.

Clark Hall—Being attached to Allyn Hall, Sarah is also said to roam this building.

Engleman Hall—Built as an all-girl dorm in the 1930s, the ghost of a girl who was reportedly raped and murdered there in the 1940s-50s is said to wander the halls at night. She sometimes appears behind you as a reflection in the mirror.

Koonce Hall—The building’s namesake, Judy Koonce, is said to haunt the building. She died while saving a child during a flood years ago. Today her ghost opens elevator doors and is respectful towards people she likes. She isn’t friendly to those who are loud or destructive.

Moulton Hall— A ghostly blue light is often seen floating around on the third floor, causing police to respond multiple times.

Music and Speech Building—Room B-005 is said to be haunted by multiple ghosts. One of the ghosts who haunts the room is that of G. Harry Wright, the original theater director at the university. When his ghost is present, the smell of cigar smoke lingers, even though the facility has been smoke-free for over a decade.

Stopher Hall—This building was haunted by the ghost of a student who committed suicide. Students who got sick would blame the ghost. Objects moved on their own, and a figure could sometimes be seen out of the corner of your eye. The original building was demolished and replaced with a new building in 2006. No further experiences have been reported since then.

Stuart Hall—This abandoned dorm, not far from the student center, is said to be haunted. Windows are broken, bars secure the doors to discourage trespassing, and vines grow up the side of the building. Strange noises are heard coming from inside, and light can sometimes be seen coming from a window even though no one has been in the building for several years.

Van Campen Hall—This residence hall is full of ghostly activity. Giggling and laughter can be heard constantly at night, along with the sound of marbles hitting the floor. Mysterious reflections have even been seen in the bathroom mirrors.

Added by: sdonley on 05/02/2025 DB#: 1701
Source(s): https://www.ohioexploration.com/paranormal/hauntin...

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Kent State University in Ohio has a rich history, and like many older campuses, it has its share of ghost stories and legends. Some of these stories are tied to tragic events in the university’s past, including the infamous May 4, 1970 shootings. Here are a few of the most well-known ghost stories associated with Kent State:

The Ghosts of May 4th—One of the most commonly mentioned hauntings at Kent State centers around the May 4, 1970, shootings, where four students were killed by the National Guard during a protest against the Vietnam War. People claim to see shadowy figures or feel cold spots near the memorial site or on Blanket Hill. Some have reported hearing unexplained gunshots or voices crying out. Paranormal investigators and some students believe the intense emotional energy of the event left a lingering spiritual presence.

Kent Hall - one of the oldest buildings on campus—is rumored to be haunted. Witnesses have reported hearing footsteps, whispers, and doors opening or slamming shut. Some think the phenomenon may be due to the building's use during wartime training periods or its proximity to the May 4th events.

Terrace Hall—This residence hall, now demolished, was also a source of ghost stories. Students once reported lights flickering, objects moving, and disembodied voices. A common tale involved a girl who supposedly hanged herself in one of the rooms.

Rockwell Hall-Home to the School of Fashion Design, this building is said to be haunted by a female spirit. The elevators move on their own, mannequins turn or move slightly, and people feel like they are being watched late at night.

The Haunted Tunnel—an old steam tunnel system—runs under parts of the campus and has its lore. Urban legends say people have heard strange noises and seen apparitions in the tunnels. Some stories suggest students disappeared after entering.

Added by: sdonley on 05/02/2025 DB#: 1702
Source(s): Various

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Paranormal Claims

Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.

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Claim #	Added	Added By	Claim
3782	05/03/2025	sdonley	The apparition of a little girl is seen in Allyn Hall.
3783	05/03/2025	sdonley	The apparition of a little girl is seen in Clark Hall.
3784	05/03/2025	sdonley	The apparition of a woman appears behind some at Engleman Hall.
3785	05/03/2025	sdonley	The apparition of a woman is respectful to those she likes, but not happy with those who are loud and destructive in Koonce Hall.
3786	05/03/2025	sdonley	Police have been called several times to Moulton Hall for a mysterious floating blue light.
3787	05/03/2025	sdonley	Cigar smoke is detected in Room B-005 of the Music and Speech Building.
3788	05/03/2025	sdonley	Stopher Hall, now demolished, had several paranormal claims.
3789	05/03/2025	sdonley	Strange lights and sounds have been heard coming from Stuart Hall, although it has been abandoned for years.
3790	05/03/2025	sdonley	Giggling and laughing has been heard at night at Van Campen Hall.
3791	05/03/2025	sdonley	The sounds of marbles hitting the floor have been heard at Van Campen Hall.
3792	05/03/2025	sdonley	Mysterious reflections in mirrors have been witnessed at Van Campen Hall.
3793	05/03/2025	sdonley	Sounds of gunfire and screams have been heard at the May 4th shooting locations.
3794	05/03/2025	sdonley	Footsteps, whispers, and doors opening or slamming shut have been witnessed at Kent Hall.
3795	05/03/2025	sdonley	Elevators move on their own, mannequins turn or move slightly, and people feel like they are being watched late at night in the Rockwell Hall.
3796	05/03/2025	sdonley	Strange noises and apparitions have been heard and seen in the tunnels under the campus.

Additional Resources

This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.

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Wikipedia Entry Added: 05/02/2025 By: sdonley	Wikipedia entry for this location.
my lil ghost buddy from kent state university Added: 05/02/2025 By: sdonley	A ghost report posted on Reddit.
Portage County Hauntings & Legends – Ohio Exploration Society Added: 05/02/2025 By: sdonley	Information about paranormal activity is listed on OhioExploration.com.