Bethany College - Daisy Yearbook (Lindsborg, KS)

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1 Dr. Carl Swensson , Swensson-to the alumnus of Bethany the name is rich in fond recollections, that grow dearer with the passing years. W Tho now gone four years, the memory of the stalwart figure, the thoughtful brow, the kindly blue eyes, the sonorous, sympathetic voice are as if they were but of yesterday. By precept a.nd example he inspired a type of manhood that asserts itself in the great body of young people who came in touch with his great personality. This limited space renders possible only a meagre recounting of the events in a career, brief in years, but rich in achievement. On Mid- summer's day 1857. he was born in Sugar Grove, a quiet little village of Western Pennsylvania. His father, Jonas Swensson, was pastor among the pioneers, who in the fifties emigrated from far-away Scandinavia to seek homes in the new world. A man of unusual intellectual power, and endowed with the gift of leadership, the elder Swensson early as- sumed a prominent rlace among that little body of devoted men who, eschewing the future offered them in the established church of the Fatherland, followed their countrymen to the wilds of the great VVest in the new land. ln the home of the pioneer preacher the lad learned the lessons of plain living and high thinking. Prepared for college by priva.te tutors he matriculated a Freshman at Augustana College 1873 and was graduated with high honor, 1877. For the ministry he had been dedicated by his parents, and thither tended his inclinations. Studying Theology for two years he was ordained in 1879. His first and only pastorate was at Lindsborg, which he served for more than a. quarter of ag century. The limited field of the village parson was not sufficient to satisfy his youthful energy. He foresaw that the people to whom he ministered could assume their place in the upbuilding of the new country only by education. If the sons of the Swedish pioneer should take their place with the native born youth, they must be trained that the battle might be equal. This led to the founding of Bethany College in 1881. The story of Bethany College is H19 life Work of Dr. Swensson. The mention of the one irresistibly suggests the men- Page Six

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tion of the other The monument reared by his own efforts will far surpass those wrought 1n marble by other hands His pre eminence as an orator, writer, educator and public man received recognition at home and abroad He served as the President of the General Council of the Lutheran Church, a member of the Kan sas Legislature of the National Republican Convention 1896 The Royal University of Upsala conferred on him its Ph D 1893 Several institutions of learning conferred on him, Doctor of Divinity. In 1901 the King of Sweden made him Knight of the Royal Order of the North Star. He died February 16th, 1904, in Los Angeles, California. President Swensson was a man of unusual versatility. Few were as rich in resource. Without funds, and frequently with only a few friends, he built from the most meagre beginnings an institution which now commands respect as one of the strongest in the South West. Familiarity breeds contempt is an old adage, which however in the case of Dr. Swensson has no application. To those who knew him best lie was the greatest. The irresistible charm of his magnetic per- sonality drew all, who came near, within its magic circle. The boys and girls who studied at Bethany during Swensson's days cherish him above all others and their mourning at his untimely demise was as the sorrow for a father. o ' . . Q x L. . - f , , ' , 1 o n n V , -' oi ' , A . A C L 1 . ' O Q I N 7 . . v ' I ' A I I ,, f , n 0, 0 Q Q 0 . . - . . I Page Seven