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Papers of Robert A.L. Mortvedt, President at Pacific Lutheran University, 1962-1969. This collection contains correspondence, speeches, and clippings from Mortvedt’s time at several different universities including the University of Kansas City, Bethany College, and Pacific Lutheran University.

Contents are arranged by subject, and whenever possible, the original order has been preserved. Within the files, materials are ordered chronologically. This collection is arranged into thirteen series, outlined below. Much of the collection pertains to Dr. Mortvedt’s years as president of PLU, but there are also materials regarding his undergraduate and graduate work, his years at the University of Kansas City, his presidency at Bethany College, his work with the Board of Education of the Lutheran Church, and his activities after retiring from PLU. There are also materials concerning his father, A.O. Mortvedt, and other relatives. This collection also includes numerous documents concerning the Higher Education Fund Committee and the Independent Colleges of Washington Association. Also included (in Series 11-13) are artifacts, oversized documents, and taped interviews in PLU’s Oral Histories collections regarding Dr. Mortvedt’s time as University President.

This file contains the following speeches and papers given by Mortvedt from 1923-1943:
“Give Me My Pound!” (1923), “Lincoln” (St. Olaf College, 1928), “Education Without Graduation” (Commencement at St. Olaf College), “A Stroll the Emmaus Road” (Sermon for Chapel, January 19, 1934), “Youth’s Place to Stand”, “Edmond Rostand”( St. Stephens College), “We Seek a Country” (Augustana College, June 6, 1939), and “Measurement of Progress” (Stephens College).

Correspondence during Dr. Mortvedt's time at the University of Kansas City (UKC) concerning editorials written by Dr. Mortvedt, faculty employment, administrative questions, speakers at UKC, and Dr. Mortvedt's role as acting President. Letters are from the mayor of Kansas City, faculty, president Decker, other university administrators, and friends. There are also copies of letters sent by Dr. Mortvedt during this time period.

During his trip to Scandinavia in 1950, Dr. Mortvedt wrote many articles about his experiences and the culture: "The Marshall Plan Really Works in Denmark", "Oslo Celebrates Independence Day and The Nine-Hundredth Anniversary of the City", "Colony Gardens in Denmark and Norway", "The Lighter Side of Traveling in Scandinavia", "ECA program in Sweden", "The Midsummer Festival at Leksand, Dalecarlia, Sweden", "The Fourth of July in Oslo, Norway", "Midsummer Festival at Leksand, Sweden", "Norway Tries to Come Back", "ECA Program in Norway", and "A Recipe for Jaded Appetites in Kansas City". In addition to the typed essays, there are also the clippings from the Kansas City newspapers in which they appeared.

Reports from president Decker to UKC Board of Trustees, between Dr. Mortvedt and members of the Board of Trustees, letters to Board of Trustees from members of the academic and local community, memos to the faculty, and a definition of the vice president's authority. Also included are the documents regarding the UKC scandal/crisis: letter of resignation from Dr. Mortvedt, correspondence with the board, correspondence between Dr. Decker and the Board, letter of termination from President Decker to Dr. Mortvedt, letters from alumni to the Board, statement made by Dr. Mortvedt regarding the events, a study of problems confronting university made by a temporary committee of alumni, an Interim Report made by president Decker to the Board, and Dr. Mortvedt's response.

Programs and clippings from St. Olaf College's 75th anniversary in 1949 including an anniversary address given by Dr. Mortvedt ('24) entitled "Perspectives and Focus."

Correspondence with friends, former president of Bethany (Emory Lindquist), Lutheran Mutual Life Insurance, The Bethany Press, Dean Hadley, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower regarding the omnibus farm bill. There are also memos from the Board and correspondence to and from Dr. Emory Lindquist.

File includes the Bethany College Bulletin and Alumni News from 1954-1958. Each issue includes remarks from Dr. Mortvedt with the last issue announces his retirement from Bethany College.