Center for Archival Collections

Introduction | Historical Sketch | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

 Introduction

The BGSU Oral History collection consists of over two (2) linear feet of transcripts and audio tapes of interviews with people associated with the University. In total, seventy  (70) interviews with sixty-six (66) individuals are represented in the collection.

The majority of the material was collected by Drs. Stuart Givens and Michael Marsden and their students during a 1985 fall semester course “Oral History of BGSU,” offered in conjunction with BGSU’s 75th anniversary. After the course ended, the material was transferred to the Center for Archival Collections (CAC) and other interviews were added to the collection after that time.

Some restrictions exist on individual interviews within the collection. For all others, interviews may be cited and quoted for publication. Dana Nemeth, Library Associate II, completed the register in March 2009 and updated it in March 2011.

 Historical Sketch

The course “Oral History of BGSU” was offered as a History 400/580 and Popular Culture 470 course in the fall of 1985, in which eight students were enrolled. The students, as well as the course’s professors Stuart Givens and Michael Marsden, interviewed at least thirty-six (36) individuals, ranging from retired university presidents to clerical staff. Some of the interviews were transcribed as part of the coursework. After the course ended, the transcripts, tapes, and computer media were transferred to the CAC.

More individuals were interviewed in the spring of 1986 by students and by Drs. Marsden and Givens. It is unclear if these were part of the course work or done as separate projects. In the late 1980s, the CAC staff had business students transcribe the majority of the remaining interviews. All of this material is also part of the collection.

Material from several interviews conducted in the 1990s, some of which appear to have been conducted by CAC staff, is also part of the collection. In total, sixty-seven (67) interviews with sixty-four (64) individuals are represented in the collection.  Audio tapes and printed material from Clif Boutelle’s five year history project for Sidney Ribeau (completed in 2001), were donated to the CAC in 2010 and added to the collection in 2011.  In total, seventy (70) interviews with sixty-six (66) individuals are represented in the collection.

 Scope and Content

Audio tapes and/or transcripts for seventy (70) interviews are included in the collection, ranging in date from 1985 to 2001, with the majority being conducted in 1985 and 1986.  The collection includes transcripts for fifty-six (56) interviews.  Four individuals were interviewed twice:  Richard Eakin, Michael Ferrari, J. Paul Kennedy, and Paul Olscamp.  Some of the transcripts appear to be incomplete, specifically those for interviews with Don Cunningham, Richard Eakin, and Michael Ferrari.  The audio tapes for transcribed interviews with Eddy Friess, Doyt Perry, and Michael Ferrari’s first interview are missing from the collection.  In addition, only one of the interviews with J. Paul Kennedy has been transcribed.

Although the collection includes audio tapes from a 1997 interview and a 2001 interview with Sidney Ribeau, they have not been transcribed.  The collection contains questions and planning notes for the 1997 Ribeau interview and the interview questions and the final report for Ribeau’s 2001 five year history project.  

Please note that the collection includes audio tapes for interviews with an additional fourteen (13) individuals that have not been transcribed: Warren Allen, Galen Ash, Alva Bachman, Robert Bashore, Suzanne Crawford, Wes Hoffman, Julianna Holt, Charles Lakofsky, Virginia Platt, Elden T. Smith, Marion Steller, Willard Wankelman, and Esther Waugh.  

Computer disks containing transcripts are filed at the end of the collection.  It should be noted that their formats are outdated and the files may no longer be able to be retrieved.  However, in general, it does seem that all the transcripts from these disks have been printed out and are filed within the collection.  A complete list of interviewees and information about their files is available online in pdf format.

In addition, a folder containing donation forms, some of which include restrictions, is filed at the end of the collection.  At the time this register was revised, one of the restrictions was still active.  Please consult the donation forms for the restrictions.

In some cases, a list of questions and biographical information about the subject are attached to the donation form.  Unfortunately, two interviews seem to be completely missing from the collection or were perhaps never conducted, as the donation forms are signed, but no transcripts, tapes, or computer media were found for these people (Harold Klotz and Norma J. Stickler). A folder with the course requirement sheet and a newspaper clipping about the “Oral History of BGSU” class is filed at the end of the collection.  

Based on the transcripts, the interviews seem somewhat limited in scope by focusing primarily on individuals’ impressions of the various university presidents and do not go into much detail about daily life on campus.  Generally, the student interviewers did not delve beyond the set questions assigned to them.  However, researchers interested in learning more about the history of the university may find the interviews useful as they do give some insight into BGSU from the 1910s through 2001.

 Series Description

LITERARY PRODUCTIONS

TRANSCRIPTS AND INTERVIEW NOTES
1985-1988, 1990, 1996-1997, 2001 (1 l.f.)
Arranged alphabetically by last name of interview subject.

LEGAL DOCUMENTS

DONATION RECORDS
1985- 1988, 1997 (1 folder)
Arranged alphabetically by last name of interview subject. Original receipts transferring ownership of interviews to the CAC. A list of questions and some biographical information is included with some of the donation forms.

PRINTED MATERIAL

PRINTED MATERIAL
1985, 1986  1 folder
Arranged chronologically. Includes course handout, blank donation form, and a newspaper clipping about the oral history class. 

AUDIO VISUAL MATERIAL

AUDIO RECORDING TAPES
1985-1988, 1990, 1997, 2001 (1 l.f.)
Arranged alphabetically by last name of interview subject. Audio tapes for interviews not transcribed are arranged alphabetically at the end of this series.

COMPUTER MEDIA

COMPUTER MEDIA
[c. 1985-1988, 1990] (.5 l.f.)
Arranged by format, and then alphabetically by last name of interview subject.

 Inventory

Box 1

Folder

1. Iris Andrews December 16, 1985
2. Charles Barrell November 5, 1985
3. Bruce Bellard October 7, 1985
4. Don Bowman November 8, 1985
5. Ray Browne February 24, 1986
6. Ashel Bryan [December] 18, 1985
7. Joseph Buford September 27, 1985
8. Charles Codding November 14, 1985
9. Samuel Cooper October 30, 1985
10. Don Cunningham [incomplete?] [October 4 or 9, 1985]
11. John and Ruth Davidson February 15, 1986
12. Richard Eakin December 13, 1985
13. Richard Eakin [incomplete?] January 8, 1986
14. Nora Fauley November 24, 1985
15. Michael Ferrari [incomplete?] March 1, 1986
16. Michael Ferrari March 18, 1986
17. William Ficken, Jr. January 27, 1986
18. Betty Firsdon December 16, 1985
19. Lyle Fletcher April 10, 1990
20. Eddy Friess n.d.
21. Patricia Gangwer September 2, 1988 (Restricted until January 1, 2015)
22. David Glasmire December 3, 1985
23. Monty Greene March 4, 1986
24. Garnet Gross December 13, 1985
25. Carl Hall December 16, 1985
26. Heinlen Hall September 1985 (sic)
27. George Howick October 28, 1985
28. William T. Jerome November 11, 1985
29. Melvin Jones February 26, 1986
30. Paul Jones October 22, 1985
31. Robert Keefe November 4, 1985
32. J. Paul Kennedy December 11, 1985
33. Ervin Kreischer October 23, 1985
34. Lowell Leland December 13, 1985
35. Robert McKay December 10, 1985
36. Marian Moore December 6, 1985
37. Edward Morgan April 17, [1986]

Box 2

1. Paul J. Olscamp January 9, 1986
2. Paul J. Olscamp November 10, 1988
3. Doyt Perry October 22, 1985
4. Virginia Platt March 3, 1986
5. Richard Powers [December 9]1985
6. John Raney December 6, 1985
7. Sidney Ribeau [notes, interview questions, and five year history project final report], 1996-1997, 2001
8. Elton Ringer October 9, 1985
9. Earl Rupright December 3, 1985
10. Sidney Stone November 15, 1985
11. Galen Stutsman November 26, 1985
12. Amy Torgerson November 6, 1985
13. Father James Trautwein November 1, 1985
14. Duane Tucker February 27, 1986
15. Robert Twyman April 16, 1986
16. Glen Van Wormer October 9, 1985
17. Karl Vogt November 22, 1985
18. Phillip Wigg [November 7, 1985]
19. Raymond Yeager November 7, 1985
20. Charles Young November 7, 1985
21. Donation Forms 1985-1988, 1997
22. Planning and Clipping File 1985-1986

Box 3

1. Iris Andrews interviewed by Anelia L. Olvera, December 16, 1985
2. Charles Barrell interviewed by Anelia L. Olvera, November 5, 1985
3. Bruce Bellard, October 7, 1985
4. Don Bowman, interviewed by “Rob,” [November 8, 1985]
5. Ray Browne, [February 24, 1986]
6. Ashel Bryan, [October 18, 1985 or December 18, 1985 (also available on CD, see Box 5)]
7. Joseph Buford interviewed by Michael Marsden and Stuart Givens, October 4, 1985
   [Note: date on tape is later than date on transcript]
8. Charles Codding interviewed by “Rob,” [November 14, 1985]
9. Samuel Cooper, October 30, 1985
10. Don Cunningham interviewed by Jim Nieman and Amy Thomas, October 9, 1985
    [Note: date on tape is later than date of donation form]
11. John and Ruth Davidson, [February 15, 1986]
12. Richard Eakin, [December 13, 1985]
13. Richard Eakin, two tapes, [January 8, 1986]
14. Nora Fauley, n.d., [November 24 or 25, 1985]
15. Michael Ferrari, two tapes, March 18, 1986
16. William Ficken, Jr., [January 27, 1986]
17. Betty Firsdon interviewed by Anelia L. Olvera, December 16, 1985
18. Lyle Fletcher, two tapes, [April 10, 1990]
19. Patricia Gangwer, two tapes, September 2, 1988 (Restricted until January 1, 2015)
20. David Glasmire, [December 3, 1985]
21. Monty Greene, March 4, 1986
22. Garnet Gross, [December 13, 1985]
23. Carl Hall, December 16, 1985
24. Heinlen Hall, [September or October 25, 1985]
25. George Howick, [October 28 or December 18, 1985]
26. William T. Jerome, [November 11, 1985]
27. Melvin Jones, [February 26, 1986]
28. Paul Jones, [October 22, 1985]
29. Robert Keefe, [November 4, 1985]
30. J. Paul Kennedy, [December 11, 1985]
31. Ervin Kreischer interviewed by Anelia L. Olvera, October 23, 1985
32. Lowell Leland, two tapes, [December 13, 1985]
33. Robert McKay, [December 10, 1985]
34. Marian Moore, [December 6, 1985]
35. Edward Morgan, [April 17, 1986]

Box 4

1. Paul J. Olscamp, two tapes [January 9, 1986]
2. Paul J. Olscamp, two tapes, November 10, 1988
3. Virginia Platt, two tapes [March 3, 1986]
4. Richard Powers [December 9,1985]
5. John Raney, December 6, 1985
6. Elton Ringer interviewed by Rob Patty [October 9, 1985]
7. Earl Rupright [December 3, 1985]
8. Sidney Stone interviewed by Rob First [November 15, 1985]
9. Galen Stutsman interviewed by Anelia L. Olvera, November 25, 1985
10. Amy Torgerson, November 6, 1985
11. Father James Trautwein interviewed by “Rob” [November 1, 1985]
12. Duane Tucker, two tapes [February 27, 1986]
13. Robert Twyman, two tapes [April 16, 1986]
14. Glen Van Wormer [October 9, 1985]
15. Karl Vogt [November 22, 1985]
16. Phillip Wigg, November 7, 1985
17. Raymond Yeager interviewed by “Rob” [November 7, 1985]
18. Charles Young with photographic portrait [November 7, 1985]
19. Warren Allen, December 14, 1987
20. Galen Ash, December 13, 1985
21. Alva Bachman [December 13, 1985]
22. Robert Bashore [November 12, 1985]
23. Suzanne Crawford [February 21, 1986]
24. Wes Hoffman [January 23, 1986] (also available on CD, see Box 5)
25. Julianna Holt [December 5, 1985]
26. J. Paul Kennedy, December 1, 1987
27. Charles Lakofsky interviewed by Anelia L. Olvera, December 12, 1985
28. Sidney Ribeau, May 27, 1997
29. Sidney Ribeau, two tapes, March 26, 2001
30. Elden T. Smith, October 14, 1990
31. Marion Steller [November 17, 1985]
32. Willard Wankelman, October 24, 1985
33. Esther Waugh, October 22, 1985

Box 5: Computer Media

1. Twelve (12) floppy disks, 5 1/4" square, Multimate format (all undated):
   • Iris Andrews
   • William H. Ficken
   • Eddy Friess
   • David Glasmire
   • Monty Greene
   • Carl Hall
   • Melvin Jones
   • J. Paul Kennedy
   • John Raney
   • Earl Rupright
   • Raymond Yeager
   • Charles Young
2. Eight (8) floppy disks, 5 1/4” square, Display Write format:
   • Don Cunningham
   • Betty Firsdon
   • Edward Morgan
   • Elton Ringer
   • Amy Torgerson
   • Robert Twyman
   • Glen Van Wormer
   • Phillip Wigg
3. Eight (8) floppy disks, 3 5/8” square, Word Perfect 5.0 format:
   • Dr. Charles Barrell
   • Bruce Bellard
   • Ray Browne
   • John and Ruth Davidson
   • Richard Eakin
   • Lyle Fletcher
   • Garnet Gross
   • Paul Jones
4. Nine (9) floppy disks, 3 5/8” square, Word Perfect 5.0 format:
   • Lowell Leland
   • Robert McKay
   • Doyt Perry #1
   • Doyt Perry #2
   • Richard Powers
   • Sidney Stone
   • Jim Trautwein
   • Duane Tucker
   • Karl Vogt
5. Six (6) floppy disks, 3 5/8” square, Word Perfect 5.0 and 5.1 formats:
   • Pat Gangwer (2 disks – restricted until January 1, 2015)
   • Paul Olscamp (5 disks)
6. Four (4) floppy disks, 3 5/8” square, Word Perfect 5.1 format:
   • Michael Ferrari
7. Four (4) floppy disks, 3 5/8” square, Word Perfect 5.1 and unknown formats:
   • W. Heinlen Hall
   • George Howick
   • William Jerome
   • Ervin Kreischer
8. CD with two audio tracks:
   • Ashel Bryan, [December] 18, 1985
   • Wes Hoffman January 23, 1986

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