C. K. (Christian Keyser) Preus Presidential Papers

C. K. (Christian Keyser) Preus Presidential Papers, 1866-1951 | Luther College Archives

By Sasha Griffin

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Collection Overview

Title: C. K. (Christian Keyser) Preus Presidential Papers, 1866-1951

ID: LCA/RG02/2nd President

Primary Creator: Luther College (Decorah, Iowa)

Other Creators: Preus family, Preus, C. K. (1852-1921)

Extent: 12.1 Linear Feet. More info below.

Arrangement: This collection is arranged into one series, Correspondence and Subject Files.

Subjects: Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - College Finances, Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Curricula, Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Faculty and Staff, Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - History, Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Students, Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, Norwegian Synod, United States, Universities and colleges, World War, 1914-1918

Languages: English, Norwegian, German

Abstract

A collection of correspondence and subject files from 1859 to 1951 from the office of C. K. Preus, second president of Luther College.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection contains correspondence and subject files from 1859 to 1951 from the office of C. K. Preus, second president of Luther College, during his administration. These materials include personal and official correspondence with family members, students, and college and church associates; purchasing invoices; files regarding the Koren Library campaign; and information about World War I and the Student Army Training Corps (SATC).

Collection Historical Note

C. K. (Christian Keyser) Preus, the second president of Luther College, was born on October 13, 1852 in the Spring Prairie parsonage of Wisconsin to Herman Amberg Preus and Caroline (Linka) Keyser Preus. He had connections with the Norwegian Synod from childhood through his father’s involvement with the church. Preus entered Luther College as a student in 1865, but typhoid fever forced him to temporarily withdraw. He resumed his studies in 1868 and graduated from Luther College in 1873. He had been on Luther's first baseball team in 1872.

He later graduated from Concordia Seminary in 1876. He was ordained that year and soon went to Spring Prairie, Wisconsin, to help his father at his congregation. He split his time between Spring Prairie and Our Saviour's Church in Chicago during the span of time between 1893-1895. Even after his father passed away in 1894, Preus continued to work at the Spring Prairie parish until 1897, when his own health faltered. Preus married Louise Augusta Hjort in 1877. Her father was Ove Jakob Hjort, who was a pioneer pastor like his own father.

Preus moved to Decorah in the summer of 1897 and moved into "Sunnyside" house. In 1898 Preus accepted a teaching job in the preparatory department at Luther College, where he was an instructor in both religion and Norwegian. Even after assuming the presidency of Luther in 1902, he continued to teach Latin, Norwegian, and religion.

The changes to the curriculum and campus under Preus were momentous. In 1915, the college was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and tuition was charged for the first time: twenty dollars per semester for the college department. Hebrew was dropped as a required course in 1919 and the curriculum revised to allow more electives and “majors.” The physical campus also changed. The gymnasium tripled in size with the addition of an auditorium in 1903. Larsen Hall was built in 1907 providing dormitory, office, and classroom space. In 1909-1910, Jens Jensen, a prominent landscape architect, suggested new landscape designs for the campus and in 1921 the cornerstone was laid for the Koren Hall Library and Museum. Luther also celebrated its 50th anniversary, survived World War I, participated in the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, sent its Concert Band to Europe in 1914, and expanded the faculty and student enrollment during the Preus presidency.

While overseeing many administrative aspects of the college, Preus was also active in the Norwegian Synod which later evolved into the Norwegian Church in America. During Preus' presidency, the relationship between Luther College and the Norwegian Synod shifted. In 1917, the uniting of the various synods to form the Norwegian Lutheran Evangelical Lutheran Church of America meant that was no longer the main school supported by the church. Now it "became one of two colleges (the other being St. Olaf) to which the church was fully committed; and it was not many years before it found it was one of four, eventually five colleges, which laid claim to the church's support" (Nelson 169-170). Luther soon learned that the attention and funds were moving towards the other few sponsored schools rather than just themselves. The need to become more self-sufficient was evident.

Preus was a leader in other respects, as well. He was a charter member and the first Iowa District president of the Choral Union of the Synod, which was organized in 1903. In addition, he was was vice-president of the Norwegian Synod since 1911, vice-president of the Iowa District of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America since 1917, president of the Winneshiek County Old Settlers' Association in 1913, and the first president of the Educational Association of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. (Christian Keyser Preus 142-143)

C. K. Preus died on May 28, 1921.

Biographical Note

Located in the small northeast Iowa town of Decorah, Luther College is an undergraduate liberal arts institution of about 2,500 students. The college is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Founded in 1861 by Norwegian immigrants, Luther offers more than 60 majors and preprofessional and certificate programs leading to the bachelor of arts degree. Its mission statement emphasizes faith, leadership, and community service. Luther College provides equal opportunity for all qualified persons in its educational programs and activities.

Subject/Index Terms

Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - College Finances
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Curricula
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Faculty and Staff
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - History
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Students
Norwegian Lutheran Church of America
Norwegian Synod
United States
Universities and colleges
World War, 1914-1918

Administrative Information

Repository: Luther College Archives

Alternate Extent Statement: 36 boxes

Access Restrictions: All materials are available for research.

Use Restrictions: Though we may hold the property rights, Luther College Archives does not hold the copyrights for all materials. Individuals may use materials for non-commercial, private use, but commercial users must secure permissions from the copyright holders and/or Luther College Archives to reproduce, publish, or quote protected materials and photographs. For more information about the Luther College Library and Information Services copyright and fair use policy, please visit http://lis.luther.edu/about/policies/copyright.

Preferred Citation:

Cite unpublished materials: Christian K. Preus Presidential Papers, RG02 Office of the President, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa

Cite published materials as required by your chosen citation style (Chicago, MLA, APA, etc.).

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: General Correspondence, 1873-1890],
[Box 2: General Correspondence, 1891-1894],
[Box 3: General Correspondence, 1894-1896],
[Box 4: General Correspondence, 1897-1914],
[Box 5: General Correspondence, 1862-1923],
[Box 6: Correspondence, 1879-1907],
[Box 7: Correspondence, 1908-1914],
[Box 8: Correspondence, 1914-1925],
[Box 9: Correspondence, 1926-1932],
[Box 10: Correspondence and Notes, 1873-1913],
[Box 11: Copy Books, 1907-1909],
[Box 12: Correspondence, 1878-1919],
[Box 13: Correspondence, 1897-1915],
[Box 14: Correspondence, 1897-1915],
[Box 15: Correspondence, 1892-1914],
[Box 16: Correspondence, 1902-1914],
[Box 17: Correspondence, 1897-1920],
[Box 18: Correspondence, 1902-1921],
[Box 19: Correspondence, 1903-1921],
[Box 20: Correspondence, 1875-1897],
[Box 21: Correspondence and Subject Files, 1876-1929],
[Box 22: Subject Files, 1902-1924],
[Box 23: Subject Files, 1916-1932],
[Box 24: Subject Files, 1918-1930],
[Box 25: Correspondence and Subject Files, 1822-1920],
[Box 26: Subject Files, 1905-1922],
[Box 27: Correspondence and Subject Files, 1888-1924],
[Box 28: Correspondence and Subject Files, 1895-1922],
[Box 29: Correspondence, 1912-1922],
[Box 30: Correspondence and Subject Files, 1861-1922],
[Box 31: Correspondence, 1877-1931],
[Box 32: Correspondence and Subject Files, 1880-1920],
[Box 33: Correspondence and Subject Files, 1859-1951],
[Box 34: Norway - 100th Anniversary University of Kristiania - Norse-American Centennial, 1911-1925],
[Box 35: Correspondence, 1866-1917],
[Box 36: Oversized, Application for Accreditation by Iowa Educational Board of Examiners, List of Pastors Contributing to Endowment Fund, 1909],
[All]

Box 18: Correspondence, 1902-1921

Folder 1: Student Correspondence, C, 1918-1921: Accession Number 4:141
Folder 2: Student Correspondence, D, 1912-1921: Accession Number 4:142
Folder 3: Student Correspondence, E, 1918-1921: Accession Number 4:143
Folder 4: Student Correspondence, F, 1918-1920: Accession Number 4:144
Folder 5: Student Correspondence, G, 1918-1920: Accession Number 4:145
Folder 6: Student Correspondence, Ha-He, 1903-1920: Accession Number 4:146
Folder 7: Student Correspondence, Hi-Hu, 1906-1920: Accession Number 4:147
Folder 8: Student Correspondence, I, 1918-1921: Accession Number 4:148
Folder 9: Student Correspondence, J, 1918-1921: Accession Number 4:149
Folder 10: Student Correspondence, K, 1902-1919: Accession Number 4:150