Pastor Viljo K. Nikander

Pastor Nikander was elected president of the synod.The need for founding an institution of learning for the preparation of ministers for the Synod was expressed at this first meeting and provision made for it in the first constitution.

Beginnings of the College

Mr. G. F. Bergstadi of Minneapolis showed a keen interest in the proposal for a college, and already in 1890 suggested some sites in St. Paul.A committee of three, consisting of J. W. Eloheimo, K. L. Tolonen and J. H. Jasberg, was chosen by the consistory to study the possibilities there.
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Pastor Nikander made a tour of the churches in the interests of the project.
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Pastor Nikander had, in preparation for his duties as acting president, visited Augustana at Rock Island to observe its work at first hand, and adopted much of its program.

The beginnings were very humble.While the College was the only church college of the Finnish people at the time, we must remember that the small beginning not only labored under the handicap of open and passive resistance from different circles, but had the competition of Valparaiso College at Valparaiso, Indiana, which was especially, catering to students of limited means and to the ambitious young immigrants of the middle west.Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, Michigan, was also in the field.They subsequently attracted a considerable number of Finnish students through their advertising in the Finnish papers.In addition there was the Finnish "Kansakoulu" at Calumet having as many as sixty students at the turn of the century.Later the College was to meet competition in the "Kansanopisto", founded in 1903 in Minneapolis, later moved to Smithville, Minnesota, and continuing in its later years as an I. W. W. school until 1941.
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Dr. Viljo K. NikanderPresident since 1937

Dr. Viljo K. Nikander, the son of the first president, became president in August, 1937.He is a graduate of the academy and theological seminary, Carthage College (A.B.), University of Chicago (A.M.) and Harvard (Ph.D.).He had previously taught at Carthage and at Waterloo Colleges.

Impacts

Since the College was originally founded for the training of the clergy of the Suomi Synod, it is natural to expect that its greatest impact has been on the church.This influence has been felt most directly in the seventy-seven ministerial graduates of the College and Seminary.Not only is it to be found in the clergy, but in the laity as well.A not insignificant number of laymen in the churches are graduates of some department of the College and have taken positions of leadership.