Gustavus Adolphus College - Gustavian Yearbook (St Peter, MN)

Page 24 text:

COLLEGE PRESIDENT DR. EDGAR M. CARLSON OOD fortune came to Gustavus Adolphus Col- lege when Dr. Edgar Carlson chose to accept the call to administer its affairs. There were some at the time who were puzzled that a brilliant young Lu- theran theologian should elect to become president of a liberal arts college. There were others who asked how a gifted preacher of the Gospel could have been persuaded to exchange his pulpit for an administrator's desk. Actually, there was no inconsistency in his decision. It must always be remembered that this college, namesake of the pre- server of the Reformation, is an institution of the Church, having been cre- ated and now being sustained by it. The church is dedicated to the cause of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The college shares this dedication. Our college exists - and Dr. Carlson says this over and over again - for the primary purpose of maintaining a Christian witness in the field of higher education. His years of accomplishment at Gustavus - the ele- vation of academic standards, the strengthening of the faculty, the provi- sion of new and better facilities for teaching - are evidence that he also regards it as important that this witness be strong and untarnished by any stain of mediocrity. Dr. Carlson has followed his vocation well and, in so doing, has bright- ened the name of both his church and his Alma Mater. He has, thereby, done it also to his own. Robert W. Holmen, M.D., '28 Meniber of the Executive Counczl Augustana Lutheran Church 18

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