Augsburg College - Augsburgian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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♦ ♦ Lillehci (1919—). David Lysnes was appointed professor in 1890. but died before he could enter upon his work.. In the College and Academic Departments: Caesar Boeck (1869-72?). Jorgen Jensen (1875-77), J. Lavik (1878-80), R. T. Xewton (1878-82), H. U. Sverdrup (1878-79), P. A. Paulson (1880-82», W. W. Wraaman (1882-85), R. Daa (1883-85), J. II. Blegen (1885-1916). J. T. Buggc (1885-91). Theo. S. Reimestad (1885-1900), Wilhelm Pcttersen (1886-1910). A. M. Hove (1887- 1901), J. L. Xydahl (1891—). II. X. Hendrickson (1900—), S. O. Severson (1904-1915). Win. Mills (1907—). P. A. Sveeggen (1915—). R. B. Kell (1916—), Elmer I). Busby (1919—). The following have been presidents of Augsburg Seminary: August W'eenaas (1869-76), Georg Sverdrup (1876-1(X)7), Sven Oftedal (1907-11), George Sverdrup (1911—). The yearly attendance, all departments included, has varied from 19 (1870-71) to 201 (1899-1900). The average attendance from 1869 to 1875 was 2 ); from 1875 to 1890, 115; from 1890 to 1893. 174; from 1893 to 1919, 153. The average yearly attendance from 1869 to 1919 has been 128. The aim of the founders of Augsburg Seminary was to meet the demands of our Lutheran immigrants for earnest, consecrated ministers of the gospel. But if this aim was to be attained the very foundations of the school would have to be a true and living Christianity. Lutheran profession, and a close alliance with the congregations. Such a school could not find a model in the Established Church of Xorway, as these were designed to educate ministers who were the servants of the government. It was necessary to reach the desired end thru personal experience, and the history of Augsburg Seminary is. therefore, the story of the trials and struggles and the final success of its founders in their efforts to establish a school that should meet the urgent need of faithful and earnest pastors in a free Lutheran Church While the curriculum of the school has been broadened and perfected in the course of time, still there has been no disposition to deviate from its original purpose. Altlto Augsburg Seminars is primarily a divinity school, established and maintained for the education of Christian ministers, teachers, and mission- aries, its leaders have not been unaware of the circumstance that not all the students in the preparatory departments intend to become ministers. For this reason the courses both in the Academic and College Departments have, as the curriculum shows, been arranged so as to meet the needs also of young men who are seeking a thoro secondary and college education, based upon and permeated by Christian ideals, yet fitted to whatever calling they may intend to follow later on. In a four-year course the Academic Department of Augsburg Seminary offers a first-class high school course. Whenever necessary, special classes are organized for students who are behind in different subjects. The four-year College Course is mainly classical; but a number of PAGE EIGHTEEN

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 and east wing were erected in 1874-75. The building is 60x120 feet in dimen- sions, with the wings three and the center four stories high, and basement under part of the structure. I'ntil 1602. when the new building was occupied, the old Main served partly for school purposes and partly as dormitory for the students. It was then remodeled and has since been used exclusively for student rooms and boarding club, while the ground floor of the west wing has been arranged for family apartments. The construction is frame and brick veneer. A professors’ residence, accommodating three families, was erected in 1874. and in 1884 a dormitory, three stories high and of frame construction, was erected. The ground floor was for several years used for class rooms and a book store. After being remodeled in 1(H)2. it has been used ex- clusively as a dormitory. In 1888. another professors’ residence, accommodating two families, was built. Like the old Main Building, this is also of frame and brick veneer construction. In 1601 a new and commodious school building was erected. It is of light brown brick and has a very pleasing appearance. The dimensions are 68x108 feet, two stories and basement. Besides class and lecture rooms there are the necessary offices, chapel, gymnasium, library and reading rooms, museum, and laboratory. The central heat- ing plant, which serves all the buildings of the Seminary, is also located in this building. The value of the property, including grounds, buildings, and equipment, may be conservatively placed at about $135,000. An endowment fund was started in 1877 and brought up to about $52,000. This fund was. by mutual agreement, surrendered to the I’nited Norwegian Lutheran Church in 1898. A few years ago a new endowment fund was started, which now amounts to $47.(XX). During the fifty years of its existence Augsburg Seminary has had a large number of professors and instructors, many of whom have, however, served for a short time only, or as substitutes during vacancies. 'The follow- ing list contains only the names of those regularly appointed: In the Theological Department: August Weenaas (1869-76), Sven Ofte- dal (1873-1904), S. R. Gunnersen (1874-83). Georg Sverdrup (1874-1607 , B. B. Gjeldaker (1876-77). M. O. Bdckman (1890-93). F. A. Schmidt (1890-93), E. G. Lund (1891-93), H. A. Urseth (1899-1909), Andreas Holland (1905—). George Sverdrup (1908—), J. O. Evjen (1909—). E. P. Harbo (1909—). Lars RKV. OLE PAULSON PAGE SEVENTEEN

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electives are offered. Students who have completed the course receive upon graduation the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and are admitted to the graduate departments of universities both in America and Furope. Augsburg Seminary endeavors to awaken and nourish the spiritual life in all its students. For this reason it not only makes attendance in classes of religious instruction obligatory, but it also seeks to surround the young men entrusted to its care with a truly Christian atmosphere. Kach class in the Academic and College Departments is given religious instruction two hours a week, and besides this a voluntary class for the study of missions has been maintained for several years, led bv one of the Facultv members. Kvery morning, except Sunday, all stu- dents arc required to attend chapel exer- cises. which are led by one of the professors. Frequently visiting pastors and others are invited to speak to the students in chapel. Prayer-meetings are held several evenings a week, either by the student body or by smaller groups of students. Xo Sunday services are held at the Seminary, as the students attend the serv- ices in the different churches of the Lu- theran Free Church in Minneapolis, where a large number of them also take active part in Sunday school work, young people’s work, and church choirs. The 'I'heological Department of Augs- burg Seminary offers to its students a three- year course of study. The aim is to give them a thoro knowledge of the Bible, the history of the Christian Church, and the teachings of the Lutheran Church, and also a practical training in dealing with the principal questions that arise in pastoral life and in the pastoral leadership of the congregation. As far as possible the Bible is studied in the original. It is clearly realized, however, that mere knowledge is not all that is necessary for the complete equipment of a worker in the vineyard of Our Lord. The all-important consideration is to awaken and foster in the student true loyalty to Christ and absolute obedience to the Holy Spirit; for without these qualities no man can become “a good and faithful servant in God’s house. The majority of the 'I'heological students of Augsburg Seminary are naturally preparing themselves for service either in the home Church or in foreign mission fields. But many of the students in the Academy and College also have the same calling in view. For this reason many of them are engaged in Church work during their vacations, and. KKV. HANS A. L’ltSETH PAGE NINETEEN