Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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 The - - BETH ANN UAL - - IV 32 wsssssssss' In 1922 a long felt need was realized in the establishment of a Missionary and Bible Training School. Miss Esther Sabel was called to this work and became at once a valuable leader in this department. This work has developed and become ever more important with the passing of the years. FIRST ACADEMY BUILDING But still another need was voiced off and on. namely that of a Junior College. This, too, was realized last fall. Professor Walfrcd Danielson, a former teacher at Bethel, who had spent several years as educational missionary in Assam, was called to head up this department. This augurs well for the future. We should not neglect to say that the Music Department of the school has been a stay and an inspiration to all the other departments. The glee club and the large mixed chorus have done much credit to the school. Professor George Hultgren has headed up this department for a number of years. Nincu'cn V

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The - - BETH ANN UAL - - 1932 f$C£ : I‘t,r time it seemed that the Seminary was to have no permanent abiding place. At first its home was in Chicago; then, in 1844 it moved to Sr. Paul, Minnesota, where it remained only one year. Then, upon the favorable invitation of the church at Stromsburg, Nebraska, it moved to that place. However, after three years’ sojourn DR. ALEXIS EDGREN in Stromsburg, it returned to Chicago, where i: became affiliated with the University of Chicago. Dr. C. G. Lagergren was for many years the able Dean of the institution. Later Dr. G. Arvid Gordh was elected Dean; and then Dr. Karl J. Karlson. The Academy was founded in 1905 with Elim Swedish Baptist church as its first home and with Dr. G. Arvid Gordh as its first principal. Two years later, the new Academy building at Como and Carter Avenues, St. Paul, became a more convenient home. Here the Academy remained until 1914. Professor A. J. Wingblade was elected principal in 1912. In 1913 Dr. G. A. Hagstrom, then pastor of the First Swedish Baptist church of St. Paul, was elected President of the entire school system of the denomination. Through his able leadership a new site was acquired on North Snelling Avenue in St. Paul, and soon two commodious buildings were erected. The Seminary was then moved from Chicago to St. Paul. Now both departments launched into a period of happy growth. The Seminary enrollment increased year by year, and the attendance in the Academy passed the three hundred mark. For several years a business college department was maintained in connection with the Academy. The dream now was to acquire an endowment to safeguard the future of the school. At the present time this is approximately $160,000. Eighteen

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 The - - BETH ANNUAL - - 1932 + + + + + + Bethel Institute is, in a sense, unique among schools. It is private; it is denominational; it is Christian. But, most of all, it is a mission school. Though comparatively small, its influence has gone far. From the time of the founding of the first department up until the present time, one missionary, on an average, has gone to foreign shores each year. And during the last five years alone, fifteen missionaries have sailed. Tin's should be a source of joy to those who have given the work their support. After all, a school is known best through its alumni. It is for the students who arc here today to go forth and give expression to the ideals of the school in daily living and in daily service. Then shall Bethel continue truly to grow. By HENRY WIXGBLADE. DR. GORDH