Augsburg College - Augsburgian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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 AUCSBUHCIAN OUR FIRST COF.DS Katherine Kleven Hilda Oatlie Clara Nybroten Anna Oudal Lillian Olaon Coeducation . Lillian Olson DKFOK, the Englishman, said at the close of the seventeenth century: It is one of the most barbarous customs in the world, considering us as a civilized and a Christian country, that we deny the advantages of learning to women.” Although, when this statement was written, it seemed a very radical one, yet to us living in the twentieth century it has become not only a verv natural idea, but also a common practice. The fall of 1921 marked the initiation of this old and well-tried idea at Augsburg Seminary, and gave rise to a new epoch in the history of our school. Coeducation at Augsburg is no longer a vague dream, but a reality, and as such it will be met, we arc confident, by the clear, broadminded intellect of Augsburg’s constituency. We may be thankful that there are men and women among us who look into the future with as broad a vision as Defoe’s, and with keen insight into our needs. PACK TWENTY 922 •:

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AUGSBURG! AN Society is always demanding something new; it is the law of progress, of development. Progress means, if anything, the adaption of the age to rising and ever-changing needs and conditions. In accordance with this principle a new situation has arisen among us Lutheran I'ree Church people. Our girls have asked for the advantages of a college education and their appeals have not been ignored or slighted. Put together with the new privileges have come added responsibilities. We girls are not unaware of this fact We can no more seek excuse in ignorance; we can no longer be exempt from active participation in our bather's extensive fields of labor. Neither shall we desire it otherwise. We are daily becoming more and more acquainted with the principles of our Lutheran faith, and with the work which is being done by our church. Put alx ve all. under a Christian atmosphere we arc growing to a fuller realization of the numerous duties and res]x nsibilitics which rest upon us. Nevertheless, we accept the responsibilities quite as thank- fully as we do the more carefree benefits of our school life. I think we girls are already as sincere lovers of Augsburg as the Im vs. ()thei colleges are now only of secondary interest to us. We feel at home here at Augsburg; it is our school and worthy of our loyalty. Do I hear the whisper. Put what if coeducation proves a failure?” There is only one possibility of failure, and that is if we girls should fail to see our duty and to take our places in the ranks for the betterment of society. Put if we join our petitions with the prayers of all true Lutherans for guidance in this matter instead of trying to shoulder the responsibility alone, the future of Augsburg is safe. I l • » l • I I l I I I « I I I PAGE TWKXTV-ONK