Extensive Repairs and Renewals Being Completed on College Heights This Season.

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CHEMICAL LABORATORY ENLARGED AND MOVED

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Enrollment for Fall Term

Commencing September 2 Larger Than It Was Last Year.

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Extensive improvements have been made at the Dr. Martin Luther college in this city during the summer months, and the work is nearing completion at this time. These betterments, comprising mostly repairs and renewals, and made at a cost of approximately $5,000, were ordered by the board of directors at a session held some time ago, and were carried out under the supervision of Prof. H. R. Klatt, bursar of the college. It is planned to have everything in readiness for the opening of the fall term, September 2, this year.

Laboratory Enlarged, Moved

The chemical laboratory of the college has been exactly doubled in size and facilities to accommodate the ever increasing demand for this equipment. Heretofore, 36 individual chemistry and physics tables have been in use, and through the enlargement made during the summer, this number has been increased to 72. In addition thereto, the most modern apparatus and equipment obtainable have been installed. The chemical laboratory has occupied a portion of the second floor of recitation hall, but is now being housed on the third floor of the same building. The remaining space on the third floor has been fitted up as a study room for those young lady students who board down town.

Steel Seats, Pipe Organ

The rooms on the second floor, which heretofore were occupied by the laboratory, have been equipped with the most modern steel seats for use as recitation rooms by the various college classes. The pipe organ donated to the college by the Lutheran congregation of St. James, some time ago, is now being rebuilt by Ernest C. Vogelpohl of this city, and will be utilized for practice purposes. This is the fifth pipe organ to be placed at the disposal of the students. The generous gift is greatly appreciated.

Another betterment which the students will find at the college when the fall term opens next month, is an increase in the number of shower baths in the boys’ dormitory, as well as the improvement of equipment previously used in that section.

Larger Enrollment

While it is impossible to secure final figures at this time, due to the fact that some new students will be enrolled shortly before the beginning of the fall term, nevertheless, it can be stated that this year’s enrollment will be considerably larger than it was last year, when 230 students were in attendance. A conservative estimate places the enrollment for 1925-1926 at approximately 275. The steady increase in attendance indicates that the college is doing excellent work for its students, offering them exceptional opportunities to acquire a thorough knowledge of the branches which are taught.

Board of Directors

The college board of directors comprises the following members: Rev. William Sauer, Watertown, S. D., chairman; Prof. Herbert Sitz, New Ulm, secretary; W. H. Graebnei, Milwaukee, Wis., treasurer; F. H. Retzlaff, New Ulm; R. Rohrke, Hoskins, Nebr.; Rev. E.G. Fritz, Fairfax; Rev. Gerhard Hinnenthal, New Ulm; O. Stindt, Menomonie, Wis. Rev. G. E. Bergemann of Fond du Lac, Wis., president of the Ev. Lutheran Joint Synod of Wisconsin and other states, is ex-officio member of the board. Rev. Gerhard Hinnenthal and O. Stindt constitute the board of visitors, while the executive board is composed of F. H. Retzlaff, Prof. Herbert Sitz and Rev. E. G. Fritz.

Members of Faculty

Prof. E. R. Bliefernicht is president of the college, and gives instruction in Religion and Education. The other members of the faculty and the subjects taught by them are: Prof. G. Burk, Music; Prof. M. J. Wagner, Classics; Prof. R. M. Albrecht, Pedagogy and German; Prof. H.R. Palmbach, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Athletics; Prof. H.R. Klatt, History; Prof. Carl L. Schweppe, English; Prof. A. Schaller, German and Classics; Prof. O. Leverson, Norse and English; Prof. Emil D. Backer, Music; Prof. A.C. Stindt, Pedagogy, and Prof. R.J. Janke, Mathematics and German. The faculty officials are: Prof. E.R. Bliefernicht, president; Prof. H.R. Palmbach, secretary and athletic director; Prof. M.J. Wagner, inspector; Prof. R.M. Albrecht, registrar; Prof. H.R. Klatt, bursar; Prof. A. Schaller, librarian; Mrs. H. Goeglein, matron.

Brief Historical Sketch

Dr. Martin Luther college was founded in 1884 by the German Ev. Lutheran Synod of Minnesota, mainly with a view to supply ministers for the church body’s mission fields. Besides the theological, a normal, a classical and an academic training were provided. When the Minnesota synod combined with the synods of Wisconsin and Michigan to form a joint synod in 1893, the college was then changed into a Lutheran normal school with a two years course and with a three years’ preparatory department. A commercial course, which originally had been offered, was discontinued in 1901. In its stead, a four years’ ancient classical course was introduced in 1903. By action of the synod at its session in 1919, the preparatory department was enlarged into a high school, offering an ancient classical and a normal preparatory course. To this a two years’ normal course has been added. By resolution of the synod, the institution was made co-educational and is now open to young ladies as well as to young men.

Well Equipped College

The college is well fitted to provide instruction in the various branches taught, possessing not only an able and efficient faculty, but also the necessary quarters and equipment. The recitation building contains the class rooms, the laboratory, the library and the faculty room. In the large and well-lighted basement are the kitchen, the dining room and the steward’s living apartments. The boys’ dormitory, a four-story, fire-proof building, modern in every respect, can accommodate about 110 students. It is electrically lighted and steam heated. Each story is provided with ample wash rooms and complete toilet arrangements. The girls’ dormitory, with accommodations for 30 young ladies, is housed in the former president’s residence, which was remodeled for this purpose several years ago.

Complete Music Hall

The music hall is furnished, for practice and concert purposes, with a magnificent two-manual pipe organ of 24 speaking stops, provided with all modern improvements in the technical and tonal line. Other instruments include a fine Steinway grand piano for concert purposes, a piano for choir practice, nine mostly new pianos for pupils’ practice, and an array of orchestral instruments. In addition, four pipe organs and five pianos for practice purposes are located in other college buildings.

3,700 Volume Library

The library, situated on the main floor of the recitation building, contains at present over 3,700 volumes, systematically catalogued. It is constantly being enlarged through purchases and donations. The library of music comprises 800 volumes on church music, vocal and instrumental training.

The college possesses a very interesting collection of mounted birds, animals and other natural objects.

$7,462 Endowment Fund

Various bequests have been made to the college, of which several have been combined into one group, totaling $6,407.61. The proceeds of this fund are used to purchase teaching equipment. The interest of another fund of $1,055 accrues to the library.

Courses of Study

In the high school department, comprising the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades, the course of study varies slightly for teachers and divinity students. The course of study for the normal department covers a two-year period. The Norse section includes three classes.

Brown County Journal,

Aug. 14, 1925

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