40cake

The CAC celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a program of presentations by our researcher-friends, a social hour and dinner on September 10, 2009. The event was held at Nazareth Hall in Grand Rapids, Ohio.

40biss1Dr. James Bissland, our keynote speaker, discussed the ways in which the CAC’s collections had helped him write his new book, Blood, Tears, and Glory: How Ohioans Won the Civil War.

40gerdaDr. Janice Gerda’s presentation focused on the continuing usefulness of CAC’s National Student Affairs Archives in her research and in the development of her profession.

40danz1Dr. Edmund Danziger was “there at the birth” of the CAC and recalled its founding. The CAC provides a unique opportunity for his students to use primary sources in their classwork.

40ransomBrenda Ransom, now Wood County Records Manager, recounted the history of the CAC’s relationship with the local governments in our region and the vital service performed in microfilming and making their records accessible to the public.

40daleyDr. Matthew Daley of Grand Valley State University was a graduate student at BGSU when he learned about the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes. He described his continuing research in our collections and the excitement of introducing others to the discoveries to be made there.

40cocktailsA social and cocktail hour followed the speakers, allowing guests to mingle and renew old friendships. In addition to donors and academics, colleagues past and present were able to chat at length. A multimedia presentation was available, highlighting the people and events of the CAC’s past.

40dinnerThe finale of the evening was a dinner for participants, allowing further conversation.