Northwestern College (Fergus Falls, Minnesota) facts for kids
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Northwestern College was a school in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. It was open from 1900 to 1932. The school was started to help children of Scandinavian immigrants. They needed a local place to learn.
Northwestern College taught many subjects. These included academics, business, music, and art. A church group called the Augustana Synod helped fund the school. Northwestern was one of four similar schools. These schools were more like high schools than colleges. They were all connected to the Augustana Synod church. They helped Scandinavian immigrants learn about American culture.
More than 500 students graduated from Northwestern. About 1,500 students attended the school in total. Many students later went to Gustavus Adolphus College. About one-fifth of the students who finished the academic program became Christian ministers.
History of Northwestern College
The University of Minnesota recognized Northwestern's studies. This meant students could go to the university without taking entrance exams. Each student dorm had a student council. Staff members also helped students with their studies in the evenings. All students were expected to act like polite young people.
Student Life and Activities
Northwestern College did not have many students. In 1907, it had its highest number with 178 students. But the students were very active. They joined two literary clubs. One was called Aurora, and the other was Tegnerförbundet. The Tegnerförbundet club was run in Swedish.
Students also joined prayer groups, the chorus, and the band. They had an orchestra and a Mission Study Class. There was also a debating club called Gladstone. Other groups included the Glee Club and the Athletic Association. They also had the Handel Oratorio Society. The school did not have its own gym. So, students rented a local high school gym once a week. They played basketball and sometimes had two baseball teams. They also played tennis on the school's two tennis courts.
Challenges and Closure
The school closed for two weeks in 1918. This was because of a widespread flu sickness. In 1919, a tornado damaged the school building. A fire in 1924 caused another two-week closing.
Northwestern College often struggled with money problems. The school did not earn enough from tuition fees. It needed more money to run the property, which was worth $40,000. The church group held three meetings to help pay off the school's debt. They raised $20,000 in 1915. They also raised $5,000 in both 1924 and 1925.
In years with fewer students, some classes were only offered every other year. One year, students even had to clean the school themselves. Even with donations, like $6,000 from railroad leader James J. Hill, the debt continued. The church group eventually stopped helping the school. This forced Northwestern College to close. All the school's debts were paid off. The campus was sold in the 1940s for $12,500. The money from the sale went to help church charities. A Lutheran Bible school later used the campus. Later, the former Northwestern College campus became part of Lutheran Brethren Seminary. This institution is part of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America.
