Kenneth West is a former managing editor of The State Journal of Lansing, Michigan. The collection contains papers from the various activities he participated in professionally and in connection with the newspaper.

Included is correspondence between West and Earle Pitt, a Former State Journal writer, both personal and in connection with a series Pitt was to write for the paper. Also, a June 1951 issue of Czechoslovak Life and a letter written by West to the editorial staff denouncing their claims of freedom and property in Czechoslovakia; speeches given at police training at Michigan State University and the State Police Department and letters between sponsoring State Police officials and Michigan State University professors; correspondence and articles concerning the controversial Kinsey Report, 1953: correspondence dealing with the handling of McNamara's announcement for re-election and correspondence with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

In 1954, West was a member of a press delegation invited by Pan-America on a promotional trip to Europe before instituting regular service. Correspondence involves pre-trip arrangements, articles written for The State Journal, and a speech given about the trip to the Daughters of the American Revolution.

On April 28, 1955, The State Journal published its centennial issue. Included is correspondence dealing with its preparation, congratulatory letters on its success, and the Press and People section of the issue.

Also included is correspondence, newsletters and committee reports of various professional organizations and their committees in which West was involved: American Society of Newspaper Editors; Associated Press Managing Editors Association and its Writing Committee; a 1962 working on a report of Southeast Asia; and a Sigma Delta Chi and its Freedom of Information Committee.

As a correspondent for the newspaper, West attended the 1948 Democratic and Republican Conventions, as well as the 1952, 1956 and 1960 Republican Conventions. Materials from the conventions include pre-trip arrangements, tickets and receipts, news-release copies of speeches, pamphlets on convention activities, delegate listings, platform information, West's personal notes, news copy and newspaper clippings.

In addition, miscellaneous correspondence (1946-1961), newspaper clippings, pamphlets and speeches are included.