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Page 26 text:
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By 1899 the situation within the United Church had been clarified to such an extent that St. Olaf was again officially adopted by the church and joy reigned on Manitou Heights. Strength was added also by the action of the church in transferring to St. Olaf the academy and college departments of its theological Seminary, hitherto located in Minneapolis. This brought a large reinforcement of teachers, students and equipment. The presidency of Dr. J. N. Kildahl began at this time, and during the fifteen years of his leadership the college enjoyed a rapid growth. Concentration by the church on one college, profound confidence in the integrity, ability, and piety of its president, sympathy with the cause of the college won through the years of struggle, and the loyalty of students and alumni wie significant factors reinforcing the efforts of a hard working faculty to build a substantial co ege. The college plant: was increased by the erection of Ytterboe Hall, in 1900, a residence for the president, now Manitou Cottage, 1901, Steenslancl Library, 1902, Hoyme Chapel, 1906, the hospital, 1908, and Mohn Hall, 1911. An endowment fund of 352501100 was raised in a campaign conducted personally by President Kildahl. Internally the period was marked by the establishment, in 1899. of a scientific course in addition to the classical, and in 1908 were added a classical-scientific and a literary course. These courses yielded in turn to the group system in 1914. A ln his profound influences upon students and teachers in the direction of devotion to solid scholarship and consecrated Christian living, President Kildahl left to the college a legacy, the value of which can never be measured. Professor L. A. Vigness was President from 1914 to 1918. During these years the college made steady progress. ln 1917 occurred the union of the Norwegian Synod, I-lauge's Synod, and the United CllLl1'Cll, resulting in the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, and St. Olaf College came under the auspices of this new body. The articles of union removed the academy department to Red Wing Seminary and the college department of Red Wing Seminary to St. Olaf. Witli the wider field opened up to the college in the larger church body, attendance grew steadily. ln the midst of 'the world war, Professor L W. Boe was called to the presidency and faced immediately the difhcult task of organizing the college on the S. A. T. C. basis. An armory was urgently needed and modified plans gave the college the present gymnasitun, in 1919. The close of the Wo1'lfl War brought an influx of students beyond the capacity of the college to handle. The situation became serious indeed when the heating plant was badly damaged by fire in 1922, and Hoyme Chapel was destroyed in the fall of 1923, depriving the college of several class rooms in addition to the chapel auditorium. ln the meantime there had been left to the college, by the death of Mr. Harald Thorson, the bulk of his estate. This large gift enabled the college authorities to think of future building opera- tions on a new scale. Following the plans of the college architects, Coolidge and Hodgdon of Chicago, a heating plant, distinguished both by its architecture and its efficient equipment, was completed in 19244. Following the burning of Hoyme Chapel an appeal was made for funds for a new building, and the response from faculty, students, and supporters of the college was so generous that the handsome new Administration building could be dedicated June 5, 1925, without debt. The venerable Dr. H. C. Stub, who p1'esided on the opening day of school fifty years ago, performed the act of dedication. The summer of 1925 saw also the beginning of the erection of a new music hall, more adequately in keeping with the place that music has come to hold at St. Olaf. For several years it has been necessary strictly to limit the attendance, but in spite of the efforts in that direction the year 1925-26 bids fair to pass the thousand mark. There isn't room in these Bits to speak of many important things: the pervading Christian spirit of the institution, the growth of the ideal of scholarship, the quiet work of faculty and students, the achievements in literature, forensics and athletics, the work of Dr. Christiansen and the St. Olaf Choir, the record of the Band, the' business management of Professor Holland. the beautifying of the college campus, the achievements of the college farms-but certain it is that could Founder Muus revisit the Hill today, his thoughts wottld find expression in some such words as these: lt is the Lordis doingg it is marvelous in our eyes. MAIITIN HEGLAND. Eighteen
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Page 25 text:
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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
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