FINDING AID

Luther Junior College and Academy (Wahoo, Neb.) records, 1903-1961

COLLECTION SUMMARY

Collection Title:    
Luther Junior College and Academy (Wahoo, Neb.) records

Collection Number:    
I/O:20

Dates:            
1903, 1908, 1923-1935, 1957-1961 and undated

Size:            
1 box (.25 linear feet)

Language:        
English (bulk), Swedish

Creator/Collector:    
Luther Junior College and Academy (Wahoo, Neb.)

Subject Headings:    
Luther College and Academy (Wahoo, Neb.)
Universities and Colleges 
Wahoo (Neb.)
Nebraska
Basketball
Photographs
Choirs (Music)
Midland Lutheran College (Fremont, Neb.)

Repository:    
Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois.

Abstract:    
Luther Junior College and Academy was founded in 1883 in Wahoo, Nebraska. In 1962, Luther Junior College and Academy merged with Midland College in Fremont, Nebraska, and changed its name to Midland Lutheran College. In 2010, Midland Lutheran College changed its name to Midland University. This collection includes a historical essay titled “Luther Junior College and Academy,” various school newsletters and publications, a brochure for prospective students, school choir promotions, and black and white photographs, including some of the basketball team.

RIGHTS AND ACCESS

Conditions Governing Access:    
Collection is open for research.

Reproduction and Use:    
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the Swenson Center and the copyright holder. 

Preferred Citation:    
[item identification], in I/O:20 Luther Junior College and Academy (Wahoo, Neb.) records, Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois. 

ACQUISITION AND RELATED MATERIALS

Provenance:    
Note in collection file: “Found among transfer and storage materials on stack level 6--collection possibly from LCA archives.” Received fall 1982.

Related Materials:    
I/O:50 Luther Academy records 
MSS P:3 Samuel Magnus Hill Papers

Processed By:    
Processed by Kermit Westerberg, 1980s. Finding aid written by Shelby Jensen, 2018.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE

Administrative/Biographical History:    
Luther Junior College and Academy was founded in 1883 in Wahoo, Nebraska. Classes began that year in October with only five enrolled students, and one teacher, Martin Noyd, whom was also president. Martin Noyd remained president until 1 January 1887, when he resigned due to the college’s financial problems. The campus developed and expanded and by 1953, 10 buildings were erected. Following him, Samuel Magnus Hill accepted a position at the college as acting president and teacher until 1915 when he relocated to Colton, Oregon. In 1962, Luther Junior College and Academy merged with Midland College in Fremont, Nebraska, and changed its name to Midland Lutheran College. After the merger, the original campus was taken over by John F. Kennedy College until its closing in 1975. Midland Lutheran College changed its name once in again in 2010 to Midland University.

Scope and Content:    
This collection includes a historical essay titled “Luther Junior College and Academy,” various school newsletters and publications, a brochure for prospective students, school choir promotions, and black and white photographs. 

System of Arrangement:    
Materials kept in original order.

Collection Inventory:    

Box 1:

Folder 1: Essay

• Typed essay on school’s history titled “Luther Junior College and Academy,” undated, circa 1953, unsigned, English.

Folder 2: Flyers and Publications

• Newsletter “From Luther,” including commencement information, April 1961, English.
• One page from a book with tribute to Dr. Samuel Magnus Hill (former president) and Dr. Martin Noyd (first president), on occasion of the school’s 40th anniversary, 1923, English.
• Advertisement for Luther Academy, circa 1903, English.
• Program for the Chaminade Chorus of Luther College, 1935, English.
• Notice of payment due for Board dues, Hjalmar Jackson, 24 November 1908, English.
• Flyer for Chaminade Chorus of Luther College with photograph and attached list of names, 1935, English.
• Booklet with schedule titled “Diamond Jubilee Convocation,” November 1958, English.
• School publication “Luther College Advocate; A Blatant Need,” by A.T. Seashore, undated, Swedish.
• School publication “Ett Öppet Bref till Föräldrar” [An Open Letter to Parents] by A.T. Seashore, undated, Swedish.
• Newsletter “From Luther,” March 1960, English.
• Concert program titled “The Luther A Cappella,” 1960, English (bulk) and Swedish.
• Article by Dr. Robert B. Nemeschy, president, titled “Small, Private, Christian, Liberal Arts,” January 1960, English.
• Advertising material: “The Luther College Story,” undated, circa 1950s, English.
• A booklet for prospective students, undated, circa 1940s, English.
• Flyer for Luther Junior College A Cappella Choir, undated, circa 1940s, English
• A letter to Luther College from Föreningen för Grafisk Kost [The Association for Graphic Arts], May 1960, Swedish.

Folder 3: Photographs (black & white)

• Luther College Basketball team, 1928
• Luther College Basketball team, 1930
• Luther College Class of 1941, female student with suitcases, titled “Heading up the Triangle,” circa 1941
• Titled “Annual May Day Festivities Luther Campus,” circa 1940s
• Luther College choir, circa 1940s
• President Rev. Theodore Johnson (1953-1958), circa 1958
• Rev. Norman Erickson on Luther College’s 75th anniversary, 1958