Howard Ruffner was a broadcast journalism major at Kent State University and became a photographer for the yearbook and school newspaper, roaming the campus to take photographs at every opportunity. During the tragic events of May 4, 1970, he was a stringer for Life magazine and received the Polk Award for photographs that appeared on the cover and interior pages of Life's May 15, 1970, issue. His professional life has encompassed stints both as a corporate executive and an English and journalism teacher in secondary schools.