Clarence Woodrow Sorensen papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 6

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Clarence Woodrow Sorensen papers, 1947-1979 and undated, is arranged into three series levels. Correspondence, 1962-1975, includes letters received and sent by Sorensen during his presidency. Subject Files, 1947-1979 and undated, contains materials related to the various activities, organizations, and interests that Sorensen engaged with inside and outside of the college. Of particular interest are the materials related to the Black Power Symposium, a public event organized by the Afro-American Society (now named the Black Student Union) at Augustana College’s Centennial Hall in February 1969. Sorensen’s papers include both positive and negative responses from Augustana affiliates and community members, as well as his communication and notes about the symposium. Speakers at the symposium included Dick Gregory, Andrew Hatcher, Roy Innis, Jesse Jackson, Roy Morrison, and C.S. Smith. This series also comprises personal papers, such as biographical accounts, photographs, newspaper articles, personal correspondence, addresses and speeches, publications, and synod papers. 1984 Addendum (unprocessed), 1955-1983 and undated, consists of mostly administrative materials, such as the Board of Directors minutes, development and campus planning documents, and general presidential materials.

Dates

Creation: 1947-1983 and undated

Creator

Sorensen, C.W. (Clarence Woodrow), 1907-1982 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

For the minimially processed boxes (1984 addendum), please contact Special Collections well in advance of any planned research visit. Be advised that preparing some of the unprocessed materials within this collection may take several days or weeks.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder

Biographical / Historical

Clarence Woodrow Sorensen, the sixth president of Augustana College, was born in central Nebraska in 1907. Sorensen earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in geography from the University of Chicago. He later studied and traveled all over the world, producing fifteen books about his geographical studies, before coming to Augustana College. In 1962, Sorensen became the first Augustana College president who was not ordained before or during his term.

President Sorensen oversaw many changes across campus, including the political and social conversations that occurred across many colleges during the 1960s and 1970s. In addition, Sorensen created a development office that increased the financial stability of the college and in turn, developed student enrollment. His presidency also saw the creation of the Faculty Senate, Augustana Campus Church, and new campus facilities such as the Roy J. Carver Center for Physical Education and the John Deere Planetarium. Sorensen resigned from his position in 1975.

Sorensen married Edna Louisa Schaus in 1938. He preceded her in death on August 17, 1982, at the age of 75.

Extent

48.60 Cubic Feet (/ 141 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Clarence Woodrow Sorensen, the sixth president of Augustana College, was born in Nebraska in 1907. He studied and traveled all over the world, producing fifteen books about his geographical studies, before coming to Augustana College. Sorensen assumed the presidency in 1962, and became the first Augustana College president who was not ordained before or during his term. He oversaw many changes to the campus, and helped to increase donations to the college. Sorensen resigned from his position in 1975. His collection contains his presidential papers, which include papers relating to faculty, organizations, and departments in the college, papers relating to organizations outside of the college, and annual presidential reports. The collection also includes personal papers, such as biographical accounts, photographs, newspaper articles, personal correspondence, addresses and speeches, publications, and synod papers.

Other Finding Aids

A partial, legacy index of this collection is available at http://www.augustana.edu/files/2018-05/MSS6index.pdf

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Majority of the collection received from Doris Johnston (secretarty of the President Thomas Tredway), June 1984. The 1984 addendum was transferred by Edna Schaus Sorensen via Dr. Roald Tweet in December 1984.