I. M. Anderson
Professor of Greek, 1904-1944
Isaac Morene Anderson was born in Princeton, Illinois, on April 30, 1868, to Aaron and Elna Anderson, both immigrants from Sweden. Aaron Anderson had been an early supporter of 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ and Theological Seminary, and had contributed to the campaign to raise money to build Old Main.
Gustav Rast, the husband of Anderson's sister, Joanna, encouraged the young Isaac Anderson to get an education, something for which Anderson expressed great appreciation in later years. Rast also helped Anderson to find a teaching position in Pepin, Wisconsin, and helped pay for his college education.
Anderson graduated from 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ in 1892. After graduating from 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@, he taught for two years at Red Wing Seminary. He then took a position teaching Greek at Gustavus Adolphus 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ in St. Peter, Minnesota, where he taught for nine years. Although he had not stressed Greek in his undergraduate work, Anderson pursued graduate study in the subject at Harvard, the University of Chicago, and the University of Wisconsin.
In 1904 Anderson returned to 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ to teach Greek. He was known as a gifted teacher and as a supporter of student success both inside and outside the classroom. Anderson was a member of the 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ Book Concern Board from 1906-1927, the China Mission Board, the 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ Pension and Aid Fund, the Student's Aid Fund, and the Student's Foreign Missionary Society. At the Synod convention in 1919 he was elected to the board charged with the revision of the Synod's constitution.
Anderson spent the years 1913 and 1914 in Chicago, working for the Mutual Trust Life Insurance Company, but returned to his position at 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@. In 1932, Anderson was awarded an honorary doctorate by Gustavus Adolphus 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@.
He wrote three books of stories and poems for children: "The Lord is My Light," "Joy to the World" and "The Rock of My Salvation," all published by the 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ Book Concern. He also co-authored "a history of China mission work, "Our First Decade in China, 1905-1915."
Anderson was married twice. His first wife, Dagny Marie Dahl, passed away in 1901 after three years of marriage. On July 20, 1904, he married Susie I. Strauch, and together they had three children: Leroy Paul, Lois Florence, and Grace Helena. Anderson died in his home on January 10, 1952.