St Olaf College - Viking Yearbook (Northfield, MN)

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SOME BITS OF HISTORY HRISTIAN idealism embodying itself in an institution-tlrat, in epitome, is the story of the St. Olaf College. Her founder, the Rev. B. J. Muus, was a true idealist, in the original meaning of the word, for he had the open eye for the needs and possibilities of his people. As he moved about among the people of his vast parish in southern Minnesota and saw how they were being engrossed in the age old struggle for material prosperity, he recognized the danger of spiritual destitution that threatened them. 'fWe need in our midst a Christian institution of learning where the young men and women among our people, by the help of consecrated teachers, may be led up from the plains to the higher levels of the mind and soul, and from which they may return to live usefully and, with the light of Cod in their faces, to help save our people from dying the death of the soul. Such were his thoughts, but in Llre realm of visions, alone they were not permitted to remain. He won others to his point of view and associating with himself O. K. Finseth, K. P. Haugen, O. Osrnundson, and Har'ald Thorson, proceeded to action. On November 6, 1874, these men exe- cuted a document which gave to St. Olaf College a corporate existence. That is why i'November Sixth is known as uFoundation Day and Homecoming Day has become an event of such signihcance in every school year. With two teachers and thirty-six students the school began operation January 8, 1875, in frame buildings previously utilized by the public schools of Northfield and located on the site of the present Congregational church. Professor Th. N. Mohn was the principal and remained at the head of the institution for twenty-five years. The down town location was merely a temporary home for the school. Rev. Muus continued aggressive efforts to raise money for permanent grounds and a new building. Manitou Heights were secured and at the beginning of the school year in September, 1878, the 'iOld Main opened its doors to students for the first time. The building was fully paid for and was dedicated with impressive ceremonies on November 6, of that year. The down town buildings were torn down and rebuilt on the hill into a dormitory for'women. later to be used as a music hall. This first building and the new Administration building, stand- ing side by side, strikingly picture the progress of Hfty years. For twelve years St. Olaf was an academy only and was known as St. Olaf School. In, 1886 the institution became an officially recognized school of the Anti-Missourian Brotherhood, on the condition that a college department be established. The first college class, consisting of three members, was graduated in June, 1390. In the same year was formed the United Norwegian Lutheran Church by a union of the Anti- Missourian Brotherhood, the Norwegian Conference, and the Augustana Synod, and St. Olaf was recognized as one of the Colleges of the new body. This connection brought both additional support and an enlarged student body. But there was hard sledding ahead. A sharp disagreement arose within the church body concerning the scope of college training to be carried on by the church. A considerable element did not believe in the broad program to which St. Olaf was committed. In an effort to prevent the disruption of the church body, the official connection with St. Olaf was severed and Hnancial support withdrawn. ' This situation involved the college in a crucial testing. Many friends and supporters frankly advocated giving up the college department, but President Mohn stood out determinedly against such a proposal. With the wisdonr of a seer he looked forward to the possibilities of the future and with heroic coinage he, with his faithful corps of teachers labored self-sacrifieingly under heavy handicaps to carry the college through these hard years. This, too, was the period that revealed the sterling qualities of Professor Halvor T. Ytterboe. To him was assigned the thankless task of raising funds with which to finance the college. He gave up his teaching and for six years journeyed from congregation to congregation and from house to house collecting small sums of money from a constituency suffering from the effects of a severe economic depression. The firm stand of President Mohn and the faithful work of Professor Ytterboe were de- termining factors not only in securing for the college the essential funds to continue its life, but also in winning for the school a host of life long friends. Seventeen