Augsburg College - Augsburgian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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Prexy Speak MEN OF CONVICTION Men of conviction shape the world. While others waver and hesitate, they act. Not always in the outer world seen and observed by men. often in the inner world of the spirit; yet they act, and frequently with far-reaching results. Until we have convictions we are tossed about hither and thither, exerting no decisive influence for or against the causes that move mankind. Until we have convictions we are intellectual and spiritual weather vanes, reflecting the trends of prevailing opinion but directed by no strong inner principle. But men of conviction are pillars, not weather vanes. A Christian college and seminary is a place for the formation of men and women of conviction. Through deep grappling with many phases of truth and falsehood, the stu- dent should gradually learn to take his stand—and to maintain it. The world is most powerfully influenced.'' someone has said, by those who have the courage to renounce the world.'' That is. as long as a person's conduct is controlled by the opinions of the world around him he will have no firm footing as a basis for chang- ing that world. Such a footing is gained only through the possession of truth. The truth shall make you free applies also here. Truth, therefore, and the convictions that arise from its possession—convictions about God and man, about religion and government, about human society and human free- dom. and about a thousand other important realities—these constitute major goals in a college and seminary education. Concerning the personalities pictured in this volume, both the graduating classes of this year and those of the years to come, the most significant question that can be asked is this: What are their convictions, and how earnestly will they seek to deepen and purify these, and contend for them in the struggle of life? Augsburg can minister to the unspeakable tragedy of today's world only in the degree in which the right answer can be given to this question. It is because Christian education believes firmly that freedom in both Church and State, as well as in the life of the individual, is fully consonant with, yes is inseparably bound up with strong devotion to definite convictions, that it strives to develop per- sonalities marked by this quality above all others. 15

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DR. BERNHARD CHRISTENSEN President E love the school where we belong” because of the many factors which make up the home-like atmosphere. Augs- burg's heritage being that of a Christian home for college and Seminary students can be traced to the guiding hands which shape the institution's policies. To our beloved Presi- dent. Dr. Bernhard Christensen, we credit much of the spirit which prevails here at Augsburg. His tireless efforts have brought “the school we love to the fore scholastically, and have at the same time kept the spirit of Christ predominant.

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CO-ORDINATE Ethel Ingebredtsen. Secretary to rresider Manage Auggie Business In order that any school may function smoothly and orderly, there must be a group of people whose work is more or less behind the scenes. This group contacts the outside world and brings it in connection with the school. Even though the ma- jority of the students never see. and much less realize, the amount of work accomplished by those in the business life of the school, there can be little doubt that without this co- ordinating force our institution would be sadly lacking in unity. Our business manager. Rev. Olaf Rogne. has done a mar- velous work since coming to Augsburg a year ago. His efforts in behalf of the school have meant more than most of us as students realize. Usually, after having his case settled in the Registrar's Office, every student walks quietly into the room labeled Treasurer's Office. From this domain no one leaves with- out quietly slipping a few silver certificates under the glass window to smiling Miss Sverdrup or friendly Miss Dahl. Yet. no one emerges from this office with any feeling of remorse. It is all a part of school life. 16