St Olaf College - Viking Yearbook (Northfield, MN)

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INCE a Christian Liberal Arts education is being challenged intellectually and financially as never before, it seemed fitting to stress the meaning of such an education in the 1962 Viking. The purposes and content of Christian Liberal Arts schools are often defined in contradictory terms, if at all. Trite phrases in the school catalog, stuffy banquet speeches, and pompous newspaper oratory are used in an attempt to bring glory to the old Alma Mater. In general, the speeches lack vitality and the definitions are cold and wooden. Yet many would admit that they have met people at St. Olaf who have made its cause seem alive and who motivated them to play an active role as a student, a thinker, and an alumnus in supporting this type of edu- cation. Dr. William H. K. Narum has been such a living symbol for many people at St. Olaf. Dr. Narum has always combined a strong Christian faith with academic vigor. After graduating from St. Olaf, he attended seminary and lectured and studied in Ger- many on a Fulbright research scholarship. Students are at first frightened by his rapid-fire lectures in English and Greek, Latin and German. But as they talk more with him, they discover a sympathetic friend with a warm sense of humor who stresses basic principles and personal inter- pretation in his courses. One also becomes accustomed to a well-organized, open presentation of secular and anti- Christian positions, followed by an intellectual rejoinder to each point listed. Though a philosophy and religion profes- sor, he does not ignore other fields in his presentation or personal study. His appreciation for the well-rounded scholar has been indicated in many of his articles, for example, he discussed the nature, purpose and curriculum problems of the liberal arts college in Christian Faith and the Liberal Arts. His theoretical acumen is matched by practical concerns. He is active in many areas, in teaching and seeking appli- cation of ideal principles. He has been instrumental in studying the trimester plan for St. Olaf. Recently he jour- neyed to New York as one of seven Lutherans discussing doctrinal differences with Presbyterians. And currently, he heads the Editorial Council of Dialog: a new Iournal of Theology. He is equally at home lecturing business execu- tives or discussing Christian vocation with a student group. All of these activities are tackled with typical Narum gusto. He incites those around him to join in the quest for truth and academic excellence. He is an example of the free man-free from the tyranny of ignorance and stale boredom. He is open to lifeis experiences and equipped to deal with them. He daily uses his intellect to confront culture on its own terms with the Christian proclamation. He is an example of all that the Christian Liberal Arts can mean and be. It is with a sense of humility and gratitude that we dedicate the 1962 Viking to Dr. William H. K. Narum. . nz, E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E

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