Lake Lavern

Lake LaVerne, the home of Lancelot and Elaine, was created with a $10,000 donation in 1916 by LaVerne W. Noyes. Noyes, a wealthy Chicago philanthropist and member of the first graduating class of 1872, funded a lake in what had been a three-acre marsh area, fed by College Creek.

Two of the swans were named Lancelot and Elaine by student Jean Nesinwanger, who won $10. Since that time, there have been numerous Lancelots and Elaines. Iowa State tradition says if you walk around Lake LaVerne three times in silence with your beloved, you are destined to be together.