J. W. Ylvisaker
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Johannes Wilhelm Ylvisaker was the fifth President of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
Early life[edit]
J. W. Ylvisaker was born on April 18, 1900, to Johannes Ylvisaker in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.[1] He attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, graduating in 1921.[1] Ylvisaker then studied at Luther Theological Seminary, and graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1926 with a Master of Theology degree.[1]
After graduating, Ylvisaker served as pastor in Northwood, Iowa, and at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[1]
President of Luther College[edit]
In 1948, Ylvisaker was elected as the fifth president of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.[2] Under Ylvisaker's presidency, Luther College grew. Several building projects were undertaken, including Brandt Hall, the rebuilding of Main, Olson Hall, Valders Hall of Science, and the Dahl Centennial Union.[3] Enrollment continued to grow, peaking at 1,357 students in 1961, compared to 910 in 1948 when Ylvisaker assumed the presidency. Ylvisaker also oversaw the transition from the 10-member Board of Trustees to the 21-member Board of Regents in 1958, and the centennial celebrations of the college in 1961. During Ylvisaker's final year, shortly after the homecoming celebrations, Preus Gymnasium burned.[3] It was a devastating blow to the college, since the gymnasium and its classrooms were the home of several departments on campus. Ylvisaker retired at the end of the 1961-1962 academic year.
During his presidency, Ylvisaker also served as president of the Association of Iowa College Presidents, president of the Iowa College Foundation 1953-55, and president of the National Lutheran Educational Conference in 1959.[2]
Personal life[edit]
Ylvisaker married Lucille Torgerson in 1930. They had two children.[1] Ylvisaker died in 1981.[citation needed]
Legacy[edit]
In 1964, a new residence hall was built, named Ylvisaker Hall in honor of J. W. Ylvisaker.[3]