Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Douglas Gary Larson '70
"During my senior year at Concordia, I was accepted into the Peace Corps. I was to be sent to Bolivia to work with farmers in community education and forming cooperatives for them. ... With my History and International Relations majors, I have always enjoyed the historical aspects of the Christian faith and Old Testament theology. I think those majors encouraged me to "go someplace you wouldn't go otherwise" for seminary internship. My wife and I moved to New York City, living on Staten Island and working in a church there and a hospital in Brooklyn. ... So [I] began a life of seeing the larger world and traveling extensively. ... I have served eight congregations through forty-two years of ministry. ... In all of them, I used my History major in teaching classes and in preaching, bringing relevant historical facts and information to bear on the subject. ... So my history background has served me well in ministry. I have found it invaluable! ... I have tried to bring the lessons of history and the awareness of needing to understand history and its importance to my years as a ELCA pastor... I still love history and read and study it now."
Verlyn D. Anderson '56
"After graduation I taught English and Latin at high schools in Hawley and Waconia, Minnesota. During that time I attended the University of Minnesota in the summers and late afternoons. I earned Master's degrees in English and Library Science. In 1962, I joined the Concordia College faculty as assistant librarian. After four years, I was given leave so I returned to the University of Minnesota for two years and earned a Ph.D. in American Studies. I then returned to the Concordia faculty, was promoted to Library Director and held that position until I retired in 1998."
Floyd R. Anderson '55
"I taught American, World and American Government history in Glendon, MN. I taught world history and geography in Atkin, MN ('60-'62) and was later assistant principle there. I attended graduate school in physical education and coached freshman basketball, got masters degree, and moved to Bemidji. I taught physical education at lab school at Bemidji State ('63-'66). In 1967, I moved to Cedar Falls, IA and taught K-12 physical education and coached high school basketball until 1976. I became a district representative for Lutheran Brotherhood-Thrivent and retired in 1995."