Augsburg College - Augsburgian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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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

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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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as far as compatible with efficient work at school, also during tin- school year. A number of student organizations have been formed, and several of them have attained a very respectable age. 'I'he Students’ Society and the Boarding Club arc among the oldest. Literary, debating, oratorical, and athletic societies, as well as musical organizations, library societies, and other associations, have all had their share in shaping the development of the school, and in increasing its usefulness. The Students’ Missionary Society, organized in 1885, deserves special mention, as it has done much to foster the missionary spirit among Norwegian Lutherans in America. The Augsburg Alumni Association was organized in 1891. It meets once a year, generally the day after the College Commencement. Its function is mainly of a social character; it endeavors to further good-fellowship among the graduates of the school. It also seeks to create a greater interest in the work and aims of their Alma Mater. In 1870 two young men were graduated from the Theological Department of Augsburg Seminary. I'he total number of graduates from this depart- ment up to and including 1920 is 431. Almost all of these have become pastors, teachers, or missionaries, and a great majority of them are serving the Church at the present time both at home and in foreign lands. 'Phe preparatory curriculum of the school had a steady development during the first years of its existence, class after class being added, until in the year of 1879 five voting men were graduated as Baccalaurci Artium. The total number of College graduates up to and including 1920 is 273. more than 55 per cent of whom have subsequently taken up the study of Theology. Among the other graduates from the College are teachers, physicians, lawyers, and men in other callings of importance and trust. PAGE TWENTY