by Concordia College students in History 112HU, Fall 2016
Paul J. Dovre Campanile - Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
As the United States has progressed in the past century, there has been an increased need to educate the leaders, educators, workers, and other professions of the future. With this development in competition for higher education institutions, college campuses need to be more accepting of all students and their diversities. An examination of a rephotograph of the Paul J. Dovre Campanile and surrounding area demonstrates that Concordia College has evolved throughout the course of its history, but through the transition, has been able to maintain the school's intended identity. Concordia College's mission has been tested through the institution's history, particularly regarding the influence and practice of religion on campus for all denominations. Colleges across the United States have struggled balancing higher education and religious differences, in their respective institution's learning community.
According to historian Carroll Engelhardt, when Concordia College's first academic year commenced, the campus consisted of "three professors, twelve pupils, one building, and two city blocks." Compared to the early years of the college, the campus now has drastically expanded to over one hundred and twenty acres and developed into a modern-day institution.[1] Hundreds of students have attended and graduated from this esteemed private school, while numerous buildings have been erected across campus to meet the needs of these students. Concordia has continually updated facilities around campus to create a more contemporary and sustainable college, as seen in the rephotograph. In the lower right portion of the photograph taken in 2016, one can see the construction area for the update of the Ivers and Jones buildings. These pictured additions are just part of the entire renovation of the science and math buildings, which will be accessible to students in the fall of 2017. The improvements to the Jones and Ivers buildings are simply the most recent illustration of Concordia College continually upgrading facilities in order to effectively meet the demands of educating college students.[2]
In addition to the architectural changes, Concordia has adapted towards religious acceptance of all denominations in the college community. The school held its first classes on October 15, 1891. Concordia College was founded by Norwegian settlers with the initial intent of creating an institution that valued education as well as religious heritage. These two specific ideals set by the college's founders, supported Concordia's growth and advancement.[3] This aspect of the institution allowed the private liberal arts college to thrive in northwestern Minnesota. Concordia College finally adopted a distinct mission statement in 1960, which read, "The purpose of Concordia College is to influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life."[4] Throughout the school's history, this recognizable statement has guided Concordia College in educating young people towards improving the world.
Darrell Jodock, the Drell and Adeline Bernhardson Distinguished Professor of Religion at Gustavus Adolphus College, discusses the three paths of religion within higher education in his article "Vocation of the Lutheran College and Religious Diversity." The first route is classified as "sectarian," which describes an institution that is strictly a single denomination and is not accepting to other religions, while the "nonsectarian" approach is explicitly inclusive and not derived from a specific faith. Jodock then deliberates on the third path of a Lutheran college. This college direction is difficult to explain due to the institution being grounded to the Lutheran denomination, as well as accepting all other religions. According to Jodock, "A person deeply rooted in one tradition is more likely to respect the importance of religion in the life of the deeply rooted member of another religion."[5] This quote accurately portrays the present environment at Concordia College as the students and faculty work actively to create a better interfaith community.
Some consider Concordia College to be a "sectarian" institution because the school is sponsored by Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); however, this claim is misleading since the school has a definite focus of embracing every faith. One distinct example of this objective is a student-led organization called "Better Together." This Concordia club focuses on building the interfaith community on campus as well as educating students on the importance of accepting all and excluding none. The group plans and hosts meetings that discuss topics that differ in faith, such as holiday celebrations or church practices. The "Better Together" organization is only one example of how Concordia College works to create a campus more welcoming to the entire student body.[6]
One major and distinctive architecture structure is the Concordia campanile. This bell tower, titled the Paul J. Dovre Campanile, was constructed in 1991, during the institution's centennial year. Former Concordia College President Paul J. Dovre, stated the towering and unmistakable feature is considered to be "a front door...to welcome generations of new students."[7] The welcoming bell tower has become a marquee aspect of Concordia's identity. There is much significance revolving around components of the structure in addition to the welcoming nature of the Concordia campanile. The prominent cross on the Paul J. Dovre Campanile has meaningful symbolism portraying Concordia's mission and purpose in the world. The gold plated cross atop the towering structure represents the institution's distinct Christian denomination and connection to the ELCA. Being a private college associated with a specific religion, Concordia College has been forced to adapt over time to ensure acceptance of students practicing other religions. Although the college's statement contains the phrase "dedicated to the Christian life," the college welcomes all denominations and attempts to foster relationships between these differences in religious practices with a beneficial and educational approach.[8] This aspect is pertinent to the institution's specific purpose to serve all young men and women who attend Concordia.
In addition to the distinct gold cross, the famous grand bells in the Paul J. Dovre Campanile have merit as the inscriptions on the bells cite the Lutheran aspect of the college. The engraving on the largest bell reads "Dedicated to the glory of God and to all who have built and continue to sustain Concordia College." This inscription is important because it discusses the "glory of God," but includes dedication to all who have helped the college educate young men and women, regardless of their religion.[9] The phrase on the largest campanile bell reiterates Concordia's Lutheran mission along with the acceptance of all, to benefit the college community.
Colleges across the nation have also had to adapt and meet the needs of all students, regarding the basis of religion. According to Johnathan P. Hill, a professor of sociology and social work at Calvin College, religious institutions better fulfill the religious needs of students, allowing the medium of higher education to mold a more rounded individual. The emphasis of relating faith to education, no matter the religion, is important in correlating classroom lessons to the real world. Along with this aspect, believing in a higher power during the stresses of college will allow the individual to better overcome future hardships.[10] Successful collaboration between religion and curriculum helps create a more significant bachelor's degree at religious-based institutions, such as Concordia College. Darrell Jodock's testimony is reiterated through Hill's opinion, which helps portray the importance of an esteemed degree from a private religious institution.
Paul J. Dovre Campanile rephotograph helped uncover adaptions to Concordia College over its hundred and twenty five years, but also showed how the college has remained the same. Concordia will continue to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of its students, faculty, and alumni while following the initial intentions of the college's founders. The ELCA religion-based college will maintain its effort in leading students of Lutheran and other religious and non-religious beliefs, to actively influence society by becoming better responsibly engaged in the world. Other religious colleges have struggled with balancing denominations on campus, but Concordia College proves to be a leader in creating an interfaith community that will enhance the world.
Author: Tate Hovland
Date: December 5th, 2016
Footnotes:
[1] Carroll Engelhardt, On Firm Foundation Grounded: The First Century of Concordia College (1891-1991) (Concordia College, 1991), 361.
[2] Concordia College, "Science: Coming in 2017," Concordia College, accessed December 1, 2016, https://www.concordiacollege.edu/about/science-facility/.
[3] Carroll Engelhardt, On Firm Foundation Grounded, 13.
[4] Carroll Engelhardt, On Firm Foundation Grounded, 221.
[5] Darrell Jodock, "Vocation of the Lutheran College and Religious Diversity," Intersections 2011, no. 33 (2001), 5-6, https://concordiacollege.edu/files/resources/vocation_of_the_lutheran_college_and_religious_div.pdf.
[6] Concordia College, "Student Organizations," Concordia College, accessed December 1, 2016, https://www.concordiacollege.edu/studentlife/student-organizations/b/1/.
[7] "Bells Have Significant Meaning for Borup Couple," 25 August 1991, Campanile File, 3. Biography Files Collection. Concordia College Archives.
[8] "Bells Have Significant Meaning for Borup Couple," 3. Concordia College Archives.
[9] "Bells Have Significant Meaning for Borup Couple," 3. Concordia College Archives.
[10] Johnathan P. Hill, "Higher Education as Moral Community: Institutional Influences on Religious Participation During College," Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 48, no. 3 (2009): 515-534, Academic Search Premier.
Photograph Credits:
Photograph by Concordia College, "Concordia College Gives Computer Science Program a Second Look," Emerging Prairie, 16 December 2015, Emerging Prairie, Fargo, MN, https://www.emergingprairie.com/concordia-college-gives-computer-science-a-second-look/.
Photograph by unknown, "Campanile Bell Tower, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN," 1991, Campanile File (P02848). Building Photograph Collection. Concordia College Archives, http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/uw-cord/id/473/rec/2.
Photograph by Tate Hovland. 25 September 2016.
Photograph Credits:
Photograph by Concordia College, "Concordia College Gives Computer Science Program a Second Look," Emerging Prairie, 16 December 2015, Emerging Prairie, Fargo, MN, https://www.emergingprairie.com/concordia-college-gives-computer-science-a-second-look/.
Photograph by unknown, "Campanile Bell Tower, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN," 1991, Campanile File (P02848). Building Photograph Collection. Concordia College Archives, http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/uw-cord/id/473/rec/2.
Photograph by Tate Hovland. 25 September 2016.