Brad Phalin photograph collection

The material in the collection relates primarily to Phalin’s role as yearbook photographer for BGSU’s The Key from 1987-1989. Highlights from the 1987 portion of the collection include photographs of musical performances on campus, the “Great Peace March,” the “Free South Africa” Union Oval protest, and President Richard Nixon arriving at Woody Hayes’ funeral in Columbus. A highlight from the 1988 portion is images from an INXS concert on campus, and highlights from 1989 include images of President Reagan’s visit to campus and images from off-campus student parties. An index to The Key images compiled by Phalin can be found at the beginning of Box 1.

The collection also includes photographs and negatives taken by Phalin for class assignments during the same time period, including photo essays such as “Green House” and “Little Red Schoolhouse.” Other subjects include local musicians, community members, city scenes, and campus life. Personal portfolio and free-lance projects, including images from local professional sporting events, are also part of the collection. Color snapshots and negatives of images of campus life, Greek events and sporting events complete the collection. Phalin’s three day-by-day calendars, also part of the collection, contain notations regarding photo assignments, homework deadlines, and other personal activities from his college career.

The fact that these photographs are taken from a student’s perspective, where Phalin had access to aspects of student life not normally recorded by official university press, gives the collection its unique qualities. Researchers interested in images of everyday student life and local Bowling Green city scenes during the late 1980s will find this collection useful.