Ben G. Gustafson Papers

Collection

Identifier: OGLMC-485

Scope and Contents

The Ben G. Gustafson Papers date from 1924 to 1982 and cover the span of Gustafson's life from when he was a student at Jamestown College to his activities following his retirement. The materials include papers, notes and statistical computations from courses in which he was a both a student and instructor. Also included is material related to the organizations Gustafson was involved with, such as the North Dakota Academy of Science, the National Retired Teachers Association, the American Association of Retired Persons, the National University Extension Association, and the National Association of State Universities and Land Grand Colleges. Political correspondence with North Dakota politicians Mark Andrews, Quentin Burdick, Arthur Link, and Milton Young, as well as miscellaneous personal files, are also included.

Dates

created: 1924-1982
Other: Date acquired: 00/00/1978

Creator

Gustafson, Ben G. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

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Ben G. Gustafson was born on September 8, 1903, in Foxholm, North Dakota. He graduated from Turtle Lake High School in June 1920, and then continued his education at Jamestown College, Jamestown, North Dakota, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1926. He served as the Superintendent of Schools in several North Dakota communities: Cleveland (1926-28), Steele (1928-30), and Linton (1930-38). In 1938, Gustafson began his college teaching career at the State School of Forestry at Bottineau, North Dakota. Two years later he transferred to the University of North Dakota, where he taught chemistry. From 1957 to 1964, he served as Director of the General Extension Division on Continuing Education. During this time period Gustafson was active in establishing branch centers of the University of Williston and Ellendale, North Dakota. In 1969, he resigned as Dean of the Division of Continuing Education and remained active in community and state affairs. After his resignation, he served as Coordinator of Research and Development for the Division of Continuing Education and held positions in senior citizens organizations, the American Association of Retired Persons, the Governor's Committee on Aging, North Dakota Council on Extension, North Dakota Economic Development Commission, North Dakota Council on Human Resources, and as a State Senator from Grand Forks. Ben G. Gustafson married Ruth Louise Corell on July 18, 1928, and they had two children. He died on November 9, 1982, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. In May 1980, the refurnished Phi Delta Theta building on the University of North Dakota campus was dedicated in honor of Gustafson.

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