When Luther began to experience distress and controversy in the 1960s, one man stepped in to positively alter the course of the college. Former President Elwin Farwell transformed Luther throughout his 19 years as president and was recognized by the college with “Farwell Fest,” a 90th birthday celebration May 1.

When Farwell became president in 1963, Luther seemed to be stuck in a rut. The auditorium and physical education facility, Preus Gymnasium, had burned down in November of Luther’s centennial year, 1961.

Luther’s centennial was also plagued by faculty controversy, which resulted in the resignation of most religion department faculty and the hiring of new faculty in both the religion and biology departments. Also, enrollment began declining in the years before Farwell’s arrival, with little hope for change.

Despite the low morale of the college, Farwell stepped in as President with a positive outlook for Luther’s future.

“Farwell came with a thoroughly upbeat point of view with respect to the condition and future of the college,” Wilfred Bunge (‘53), professor Emeritus of religion and classics, said. “He performed a kind of rhetorical revival of the college, speaking in bold language about what was possible for the future. His actions matched his words.”

These actions began with Farwell’s goal of attracting 600 new students for the 1964 fall semester. Farwell’s ability to motivate and inspire his co-workers allowed everyone to work together towards increases in enrollment and student scholastic achievement.

The late 1960s was a difficult period for Luther due to student unrest from the anti-Vietnam War and Civil Rights movements. Farwell responded with efforts to increase diversity at Luther. Particularly focusing on African-American students, Farwell tried to increase enrollment of students who had not been represented at Luther before.

“Farwell’s clear vision for Luther’s future and his determination and strong leadership helped shape the college’s character and direction from the mid-1960s to today,” current President Richard Torgerson said. “Good leadership requires authenticity, transparency and a vision and plan that can be embraced by most and supported by all that adds value to every dimension of the ‘student experience.’”

To improve this experience and support the increase in enrollment at the college during Farwell’s time, more resources and faculty were needed. During his time as president, Farwell initiated construction of many major buildings, including the Center for Faith and Life, Preus Library and the Carlson Stadium, along with additions to the Centennial Union and further construction on Ylvisaker, Miller and Dieseth Halls.

Farwell also strengthened the liberal arts curriculum by changing the academic calendar to the 4–1–4 system practiced today and introducing Paideia in 1977.

“The years I spent here were wonderful years,” Farwell said. “We worked very hard, but it was worth it. We’ve had the best students in the world at this place, and the college today is doing really well with academic and faculty leadership.”

After retiring in 1982, Farwell served as temporary president of Dana College in Nebraska and as acting bishop in the western United States. Farwell currently resides in Decorah with his wife, Helen.

Because of his contributions to both the academic and physical aspects of the college in spite of hard times, Farwell’s legacy lives on at Luther today.

“Luther is a community with healthy diversity of opinion, but with a remarkable record of pulling together through good and difficult times,” Bunge said. “This neither started nor ended with Farwell, but he continued it, nourished it, sustained it. We all benefit from that. It is the undercurrent of our lives together.”