Iowa State University Alumni Association| online edition | summer 2008

SUMMER 2008
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Change the world

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Soggy end to a yearlong party

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LETTERS

The tradition of the swans
We read the article “150 Years of Philanthropy” (winter 2008) and think some Iowa Staters might like to know the origin of the swans, Lancelot and Elaine, as our father, Robert (Bob) Blumenschein (’35 engineering and economics) told our family.

He had been chairman of the 1935 musical theatre production (SOV) for VEISHEA, and, after expenses were paid, the profit of only $200 was given to the VEISHEA Central Committee. Wanting to leave a legacy for the college with that money, they solicited suggestions. Dad had seen swans swimming in a Marshalltown lake and thought they would be a unique addition to Lake LaVerne, which had recently been dredged. Luckily, the swans were priced at $100 each, and his idea was selected. A contest seeking names followed, and Dad’s submission of Sir Lancelot and Elaine was chosen.

Not many know that these names were inspired by a love story. Our parents, both Ames residents who had loved the campus since childhood, had begun to plan for their upcoming marriage. Mother, Margaret Elaine Larsen (’35 history), was the inspiration for the name Elaine. Dad envisioned himself as Sir Lancelot, the loving, attentive, virtuous knight from King Arthur’s Round Table.

They did gracefully glide together through 70 beautiful years of marriage before their deaths last year. And they were delighted that “their swans” had become a lasting tradition and a frequently used logo at ISU.

Barbara Blumenschein Stam**
’59 home management
Fallston, Maryland

Gary L. Blumenschein**
’65 distributed studies
Lakewood, Colorado

Susan Blumenschein Marsh**
’71 family environment
Omaha, Nebraska