Over the past 130 years, only 11 individuals have served as president of Concordia College. In Concordia’s first two decades of operation, three leaders made significant contributions to the college and to society.
I. F. (Ingebrikt Fretheim) Grose served as Concordia College’s first leader. When Concordia opened its doors in the fall of 1891, the institution was officially an academy though “college” was in its name. As an academy, Concordia offered two-year programs of study including a business course, practical course, and classical course. Thus, the title of the head of the college was principal rather than president though the function of the position was synonymous. Grose came to Concordia from St. Olaf where he was a faculty member from 1886 to 1891. When he arrived at Concordia in September 1891, he moved into Bishop Whipple Hall to commence his duties as principal while the building was renovated. Grose later reminisced in an Oct. 27, 1939, Concordian article: “It was in this building and at this time, I believe that when I had gone to bed, I could hear mice undistubedly [sic] hold their nightly frolics. They must have pulled off marathon races throughout the building.” I. F. Grose remained the school’s principal until 1893; he continued to serve Concordia in other roles, including treasurer and instructor, until 1896. Grose Hall is named in his honor.
Hans H. Aaker served as Concordia’s principal after I. F. Grose stepped down. Prior to arriving at Concordia College, Aaker led the commercial department at Willmar Seminary in Willmar, Minn. Using this experience, Aaker helped form the commercial department at Concordia, which he supervised until he assumed the presidency in 1893. Aaker served as Concordia’s second principal from 1893 to 1902. In 1902, Aaker resigned from Concordia and opened a business college in Fargo. He remained in charge of the business college until 1918 when he moved to Grand Forks to operate a similar school. In addition to his leadership in founding such schools, Aaker also served as mayor of Moorhead.
Hans H. Aaker
Rasmus Bogstad came to Concordia in 1891 and assumed the presidency in 1902. He was the first leader to serve as “president” when the position title changed in 1906. The change from principal to president was a significant point in Concordia’s history as it signified the goal of developing a four-year program rather than operating as an academy. Bogstad was a firm believer in the liberal arts, and he played an instrumental role in guiding the institution in that direction. During his tenure, Bogstad persuaded the Northwestern Lutheran College Association to expand the classical course to include college-level courses. Bogstad also knew that Concordia would need to add more facilities to accommodate a college program, and thus he embarked on a campaign to build what is now Old Main. The building was his conception, and he secured monies from Andrew Carnegie to fund part of the project. Bogstad also had the foresight to purchase the land upon which the structure now sits so it would be available for the building project. Bogstad wrote one of the first histories of the college and titled it "The Early History of Concordia College: A Record of the School from 1891-1910." This work was later expanded and the title changed to "Concordia College through Fifty Years." Bogstad Manor and Bogstad East are named in his honor.
Rasmus Bogstad
Concordia’s first three leaders each played an important role in propelling the institution forward. As we look to the past and celebrate where we have come from, we also look to the future and the contributions that President Craft has, and will continue to make to the history of Concordia College as its 11th president.
Contributed by Lisa Sjoberg, former college archivist, and Allison Bundy, archives associate