This guide is for anyone looking to conduct research on the history of Augustana College using Swenson Center resources.

The Swenson Center is located at Augustana College and is a national and international research center for the study of Swedish-American history and relations. 

Most of the founders of Augustana College were Swedish immigrants and members of The Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod. The Swenson Center has some materials relating to the founding members of Augustana College, and pastors of the Augustana Synod. However, Augustana College Special Collections holds many more book and manuscript materials that address the history of the college as well as the papers of past Augustana presidents. Please contact Special Collections for more information. 

Early Augustana College History

Keywords / Search terms:

Here are some search terms to try in the library catalog or other search areas.

• Augustana College
• Augustana Book Concern
• Augustana AND Lutheran
• Augustana Synod
• Augustana Seminary
• Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod
• Clergy

Possible research questions:

• Who were the founding members of the Augustana College and Lutheran Synod, and what were their contributions?
• What are the lasting influences and impacts of Augstana’s Lutheran roots?
• What is the publication legacy of the Augustana Book Concern?
• How did the Augustana College and Church create and contribute to a sense of community for Swedish Americans in the area?
• How did the college and church grow and change its goals and priorities throughout different eras of leadership?