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Kaufman, Edmund G. (1891-1980): Difference between revisions
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Kaufman was Bethel's president for 20 years, from 1932 to 1952, and continued teaching religion and philosophy on the North Newton campus until 1964. As an administrator, he is credited with guiding the school through the extreme financial difficulties of the Depression years and gaining North Central Association accreditation in 1938 — the earliest such recognition achieved by a Mennonite college. | Kaufman was Bethel's president for 20 years, from 1932 to 1952, and continued teaching religion and philosophy on the North Newton campus until 1964. As an administrator, he is credited with guiding the school through the extreme financial difficulties of the Depression years and gaining North Central Association accreditation in 1938 — the earliest such recognition achieved by a Mennonite college. | ||
Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at the Bethel College Mennonite Church with Pastor John Esau officiating. | Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at the Bethel College Mennonite Church with Pastor John Esau officiating. Among those giving reflections on the life of the president emeritus were: H. A. Fast, former Bethel professor and a contemporary of Kaufman; Robert Kreider, dean of the college and former president of Bluffton (Ohio) College; and Harold Schultz, current Bethel president. Kaufman's daughter Mrs. Karolyn Zerger of Kansas City, Mo., spoke on behalf of the family. | ||
'''BETHEL COLLEGE''' was heavily in debt when Kaufman was named president, and through a combination of stringent cost control and persistent fund raising he managed to generate the support necessary for its survival during the early years of his administration. | |||
Principal buildings added during his presidency were Memorial Hall, dedicated in 1942; the Franz Farm Shop, 1947; and the Library, completed in 1952. Kaufman was instrumental in founding a number of Bethel enterprises, including the Mennonite Historical Library and Archives, the Bethel College Press (which later became Mennonite Press) and in securing the Kauffman Museum collection from the Kauffmans of South Dakota. | |||
He authored seven books, including ''Basic Christian Convictions,'' a summary of the required Christian ethichs course he taught to several generations of college seniors. | |||
Revision as of 14:29, 3 February 2025
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1980 Feb 21 p. 3
Birth date: 1891 Dec 26
Text of obituary:
President Emeritus of Bethel College Dies at 88
Guided School through the Depression
NORTH NEWTON, KAN. — Dr. Edmund G. Kaufman, president emeritus of Bethel College, died Thursday, Feb. 14, at Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton. He was 88.
Kaufman was Bethel's president for 20 years, from 1932 to 1952, and continued teaching religion and philosophy on the North Newton campus until 1964. As an administrator, he is credited with guiding the school through the extreme financial difficulties of the Depression years and gaining North Central Association accreditation in 1938 — the earliest such recognition achieved by a Mennonite college.
Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at the Bethel College Mennonite Church with Pastor John Esau officiating. Among those giving reflections on the life of the president emeritus were: H. A. Fast, former Bethel professor and a contemporary of Kaufman; Robert Kreider, dean of the college and former president of Bluffton (Ohio) College; and Harold Schultz, current Bethel president. Kaufman's daughter Mrs. Karolyn Zerger of Kansas City, Mo., spoke on behalf of the family.
BETHEL COLLEGE was heavily in debt when Kaufman was named president, and through a combination of stringent cost control and persistent fund raising he managed to generate the support necessary for its survival during the early years of his administration.
Principal buildings added during his presidency were Memorial Hall, dedicated in 1942; the Franz Farm Shop, 1947; and the Library, completed in 1952. Kaufman was instrumental in founding a number of Bethel enterprises, including the Mennonite Historical Library and Archives, the Bethel College Press (which later became Mennonite Press) and in securing the Kauffman Museum collection from the Kauffmans of South Dakota.
He authored seven books, including Basic Christian Convictions, a summary of the required Christian ethichs course he taught to several generations of college seniors.
The Mennonite obituary: 1980 Mar 11 p. 174
Text of obituary:
Edmund G. Kaufman, president emeritus of Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas. He was 88. Kaufman was Bethel's president for 20 years, from 1932 to 1952, and continued teaching religion and philosophy on the North Newton campus until 1964. Born 26 December 1891 near Moundridge, Kansas, Kaufman grew up in the Eden Mennonite Church community. Kaufman earned the master's degree at Bluffton (Ohio) College in 1917 and then served for eight years in China as an educational missionary under the foreign mission board of the General Conference. Survivors include his wife, Edna; a son, Gordon D., Lexington, Massachusetts; a daughter, Karolyn Zerger, Kansas City, Missouri; two brothers, Ray J., Newton, and Paul D., Moundridge; and a sister, Elsie Schrag, Moundridge.