Christian Keyser Preus

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Christian Keyser Preus (October 13, 1852 - May 28, 1921) was an American Lutheran Minister who served as the second President of Luther College.

Background

Born in the Spring Prairie parsonage of Wisconsin to Norwegian immigrants Herman Amberg Preus and Caroline (Linka) Keyser Preus, he had connections with the Norwegian Synod from childhood through his father’s involvement with the church. Preus was an 1873 graduate of Luther College, and 1876 graduate of Concordia Seminary.^[1]

Career

Preus first became a minister at the historic Spring Prairie Lutheran Church. In 1898, Preus accepted a teaching job in the preparatory department at Luther College. Preus would become President of Luther College in 1902 and served until his death in 1921.^[2]

The changes to the curriculum and campus under the presidency of Preus were considerable. In 1915, the college was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The physical campus also changed. The gymnasium tripled in size with the addition of an auditorium in 1903. Larsen Hall was built in 1907 providing dormitory, office, and classroom space. In 1909-1910, prominent landscape architect Jens Jensen, suggested new landscape designs for the campus and in 1921 the cornerstone was laid for the Koren Library and Museum.^[3]

Preus was a charter member and the first Iowa District president of the Choral Union of the Synod, which was organized in 1903. Preus was also active in the Norwegian Synod which later evolved into the Norwegian Church in America. In addition, he was vice-president of the Norwegian Synod since 1911, vice-president of the Iowa District of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America since 1917, president of the Winneshiek County Old Settlers' Association in 1913, and the first president of the Educational Association of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.^[4]

C. K. Preus died in 1921, 40 days after the cornerstone for Koren Library and Museum was laid. His Personal Papers and records are maintained in the Luther College Archives. His son, Ove Jacob Hjort Preus would serve as president of two colleges, Augustana College in South Dakota and Luther College, serving as Luther’s fourth president from 1932 to 1948.

Selected works

• Hvilken Retning og Mod Hvilket Maal Bor Luther College Udvikles for Bedst at Tjene Synoden? (Decorah, IA: Lutheran Publishing House, 1904) Norwegian

References

Other sources

• Luther College Faculty, Luther College Through Sixty Years, 1861-1921 (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1922)
• Nelson, David Theodore, Luther College, 1861-1961 (Decorah, IA: Luther College Press, 1961)

Other readings

• Tingelstad, Oscar Adolf and Olaf M. Norlie Christian Keyser Preus, 1852-1921 (Augsburg Publishing Co. Minneapolis: 1922) Norwegian

External links

• Preus Library at Luther College
• The Preus Circle. Luther College. Donor Recognition Programs
• Christian Keyser Preus Family at Spring Prairie Parsonage