Ivan "Doc" Lake collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-0096

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The papers of Ivan "Doc" Lake were part of the University Archives until separated and treated as a manuscript collection in 1980. The papers consist largely of newspaper clippings on the university and printed material about various university functions. The items in the collection date from 1911-1971.

Dates

Creation: 1911-1971

Extent

0.92 Cubic Feet (2 legal manuscript boxes)

Creator

Lake, Ivan (Person)
Bowling Green State University (Organization)

Scope and Contents

Much of the Ivan "Doc" Lake collection lies in the newspaper clippings and the printed material on the university. The newspaper clipping run from the 1910s to 1960s. The printed material consists of information about early university activities dating primarily in the 1920s and 1930s, and copies of the Bee Gee News. However much of this material is scattered throughout those years. The Bee Gee News is primarily from the 1920s, with scattered issues for the 1930s; some of the years included do not have a full run of the paper.

The collection also includes correspondence and manuscripts. The correspondence deals with some early university functions. The manuscripts deal primarily with the history of BGSU and early BGSU activities, a few speeches and a radio play are also included.

Biographical / Historical

Ivan "Doc" Lake was born on March 24, 1901 to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Lake in North Baltimore, Ohio. They did not stay long in North Baltimore however, moving to Bowling Green, Ohio two years later. Ivan Lake enrolled at Bowling Green Normal College (now Bowling Green State University) in the year 1919, and later graduated in the 1923.

Ivan "Doc" Lake helped bring several firsts to the university, one of which was the celebration of Homecoming which first was held in 1922. He also coined the name "Falcons" as the mascot and nickname of the university, and also "Bobcats" for Bowling Green High School. Ivan Lake was a member of the first football team to win a game at the university, a member of the first male quartet club, an editor for the Bee Gee News, member of the first glee club, and a member of the Five Brothers Fraternity (and was later instrumental in bringing Sigma Alpha Epsilon to the University).

After his graduation Ivan Lake worked for the Sentinel-Tribune newspaper in Bowling Green as a telegraph editor, sports editor, and the managing editor. Ivan Lake also helped lead the fight against Governor Davey when he wanted to close the university and make it a welfare institution in the1930s. Later on Ivan Lake was secretary and later president of the Alumni Association at BGSU.

Ivan Lake left the Sentinel-Tribune in 1953 to work as a reporter for the San Diego Union in California, and remained there until his death on October 15, 1967.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.