Established on 07.13.1991 by Dr. John J. Gisvold
Rev. Porter A. Gisvold was born in Ada, MN. He was raised in Galesburg, ND, where he graduated from high school. He then attended Concordia College graduating in 1926. Marion G. Julsrud was born and raised in Rushford, MN, where she finished high school and then had her college education at St. Olaf College. They met at Twin Valley, MN, where they were both on the high school faculty. Porter then entered Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. While there, he and Marion were married in 1929. Porter’s first call was to the Lutheran church in Beach, ND. While there, three of their children, Anita ‘52, Doris ‘55, and John ’56 were born. They moved to Wahpeton, ND, in 1935, when Porter accepted a call from Bethel Church. While there their fourth child, Mary Ann ‘63, was born. They had an excellent life in Wahpeton and Porter was pastor at Bethel for 25 years. After retirement, Porter and Marion moved to Moorhead, MN. They greatly enjoyed activities at Concordia as they had while living in Wahpeton.
All four of their children were Concordia graduates. A number of their children and grandchildren are also graduates. So the Gisvold name is very strong at Concordia. This scholarship was started by son, John, and his wife, Sonia, who is also a Concordia graduate. They have been strong Concordia supporters all of their lives. They live in Rochester, MN, where John was on the Mayo Clinic staff for 40 years. They are very encouraging about the college and its students and are happy to provide financial help to worthy ones who need it. They have been the agent for the class of 1956. Sonia was in the class of 1957. John and Sonia were married in 1957 when John was a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania. They have four children, two of whom are Concordia grads, Carrie ’82 and Dan ‘92. Lisa graduated from Gustavus Adolphus and Peter from Montana State University.
The Porter and Marion Gisvold Memorial Endowed Scholarship is awarded to one or more students of any class year. The scholarship is awarded to either students from North Dakota or pre-seminary students. Selection is further based on financial need and scholastic achievement.