Alexis, Gerhard Theodore. Correspondence, Teaching, and Publication Materials, 1937-1993.GACA Collection 94
Alexis, Gerhard Theodore. Correspondence, Teaching, and Publication Materials, 1937-1993.
GACA Collection 94. 1 Records Center Carton.
ABSTRACT:
The Gerhard T. Alexis collection consists of correspondence, teaching materials, writings, and some miscellaneous documents. Alexis served as a Professor of English at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. In addition to his duties in English, Alexis helped initiate courses in American Studies. Materials in the collection primarily concern his literary publications and teaching duties. While there are gradebooks documenting student grades in his English and American Studies courses, the bulk of course material relates to his teaching about the American West, the wilderness, and an Elderhostel program following his retirement.
HISTORICAL NOTE:
Gerhard Theodore Alexis was born on 20 January 1918. He obtained his bachelor’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota. His graduate studies were interrupted in the 1940s when he joined the military. Alexis became an English Professor at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota at the age of 29 in 1947. Prior to coming to Gustavus, he served as an English instructor at the University of Minnesota from 1934-1937. He was active in Phi Beta Kappa, the Modern Language Association, the American Studies Association, the Minn-Dakotas Group, and was a president of the Gustavus Chapter of the American Association of University Professors. In addition, he created American Studies courses at Gustavus. Alexis retired in 1983. He remained active by teaching Elderhostel sessions in connection with the college. Gerhard Alexis died on 31 January 1993.
SCOPE AND CONTENT:
The Gerhard Alexis collection is divided into four series of information. These consist of Correspondence, Miscellaneous, Teaching, and Writings/Publications.
- Correspondence, 1969-1993: These materials are organized into either incoming or outgoing folders. Incoming letters are listed alphabetically by the sender. There are some letters from governors, representatives, and senators. Outgoing correspondence is organized by date.
- Miscellaneous, 1974 and 1993: There are two folders in this series. These contain Alixis’s curriculum vitae, a list of publications ending in 1974, and copies of condolence letters sent to his widow following his death.
- Teaching, 1947-1991: Documents in this series consist of course planning materials, lecture notecards, gradebooks, and Elderhostel teaching plans. There are some gaps in the gradebooks that correspond with periods that Alexis was on leave from the college. Gradebook access is restricted.
- Writings and Publications, 1937-1984: This series pertains to works that were produced by Alexis or that he used to help advance his writings. His Ph.D. dissertation (labeled thesis) is included.
RESTRICTIONS:
There are some restrictions on use of this collection for research purposes. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
COLLECTION CITATION:
Alexis, Gerhard Theodore. Correspondence, Teaching, and Publication Materials, 1937-1993.
GACA Collection 94. Gustavus Adolphus College Archives, St. Peter, Minnesota.
ACQUISITION:
Nancy Alexis and Susan Alexis de Caballos donated this collection during 1993 and 1994.
PROCESSED BY:
Jeff A. Jenson processed this collection and developed the finding aid during February 2009.
SUBJECT HEADINGS:
Alexis, Gerhard Theodore, 1918-1993.
Environmental education.
Gustavus Adolphus College--Faculty.
Gustavus Adolphus College--Faculty publications.
Gustavus Adolphus College--English Department.
Gustavus Adolphus College--Environmental Studies.
Older people--Education.
GACA Collection 94 |
Box |
Folder |
Correspondence, 1969-1993 |
||
Arnold J. Ryden to John S. Kendall, 1985 (Mentions Alexis) |
1 |
3 |
Incoming, A-K, 1969-92 and undated Anonymous, undated Anthony L. Anderson, 17 January 1985 Julie J. Anderson, undated Nina Archabal, 8 March 1991 (encl: "Policies and Procedures for Selection of Works of Art for the Capitol" (leaflet)) Rev. Ralph W. Bagger, 9 June 1988 Harold Beaver, 18 October 1973 Debby Becker, 4 February 1985 Mary Berg, 13 March 1991 Linda Berglin, 23 April 1985 Lorraine Bergstrand, 26 February 1985 Lorraine Bergstrand, 4 March 1985 (encl: Normandale Lutheran Church pamphlet) Lorraine [Bergstrand], 7 March 1985 Rudy Boschwitz, 28 July 1987 Rudy Boschwitz, 20 June 1989 Rudy Boschwitz, 26 July 1990 (encl: Boschwitz to Robert Byrd, 2 May 1990) Ellen M. Bruzelius, 28 March 1983 Bruce Carlson, 25 February 1985 (encl: Ordway seating guide) Herbert W. Chilstrom, 5 January 1984 (encl: "Questions about Legalized Gambling") Jack [Clark], 5 November 1989 Ronald D. Clark, 26 September 1984 Ronald D. Clark, 22 December 1987 Ronald D. Clark, 9 November 1992 Colorful Images, 22 February 1992 Colorful Images, 4 March 1992 Alex E. Conrad, 18 November 1985 (encl: Herbert W. Chilstrom to Pastors of the Minnesota Synod, August 1985; Lowell O. Erdahl to Fellowship of Evangelical Lutheran Laity and pastors, 26 July 1985) Sue Crowley, 3 April 1990 (encl: Hymn board slides catalog pages) Dave Durenberger, 5 August 1987 Dave Durenberger, 22 June 1989 Dave Durenberger, 22 August 1990 (encl: Durenberger to Robert C. Byrd, 7 May 1990) Dave Durenberger, 13 January 1992 C. D. Dyer, 11 June 1991 (encl: Dyer to Ty Ty Gardens, 11 June 1991) Stephen Eckman, 20 March 1969 Sue A. Ellingwood, 26 December 1985 Emmer Engberg, 11 August 1983 Dola Francis, no date Dola Francis, 22 October 1984 Nelson T. French, 1 December 1992 Russell Fridley, 1 April 1985 (encl: "How to Make the Minnesota History Center a Reality") E. B. Haddon, 25 July 1988 John K. Hall, 30 December 1988 John Hallberg (incomplete), undated Cherie Harkenrider, undated Sandra J. Hayes, undated Helen, 23 May 1985 Harold Higgins, 20 December 1984 Chuck Hoffman, 23 March 1984 Paul L. [Holner], 28 September 1988 Deborah Howell, 2 October 1987 Donald H. Juel, 29 February 1988 Chester [Johnson], 28 November 1989 David Johnson, 15 December 1989 Marlys Johnson, 1 August 1958 Bob [Karsten], 27 November 1990 John Kawamoto, 8 June 1987 John S. Kendall, 8 January 1990 John S. Kendall, 19 December 1990 (encl: Faculty Notes, 1989-90, no. 6; Kendall to The Editor, Faculty Notes, 19 December 1990; Kendall to Horst Ludwig, 19 December 1990) John S. Kendall, 11 February 1991 (encl: Kendall to Horst Ludwig, 11 February 1991) |
1 |
4 |
Incoming, L-Z, 1966-92 and undated Lisa Lynn Lackmann, 14 January 1987 (encl: Supporting Statement; Transcript) Gary Laidig and Harriet McPherson, 10 April 1992 (encl: Questionnaire Results) Ilene Linnerooth, 27 June 1977 Laurie Madison, no date Margaret, 13 April 1969 Carol Martell, no date Gregory H. Mason, 25 April 1985 (encl: Program, Sigma Tau Delta Banquet, 3 May 1985; Laura J. Hauer, "Allegory and Epic Romance: Two Threads in the Spenserian Tapestry") Harriet McPherson, 1 April 1985 Harriet McPherson, 30 April 1985 Harriet McPherson, 6 May 1985 Harriet McPherson, 21 January 1988 Harriet McPherson, 31 July 1990 Harriet McPherson and Gary Laidig, 10 April 1992 (kept under Laidig) Clair N. McRostie, 10 April 1985 Clair N. McRostie, 25 March 1987 Roger D. Moe, 1 May 1984 Bob Moline, 10 February 19?? J. L. Morrill, 14 March 1960 Zola Murdock, 12 February 1992 (encl: CNN schedule) Mary Nelson, 12 July 1961 Cornell Norby, 24 December 1988 Cornell Norby, 19 November 1989 Fred Nyquist, 12 November 1989 (unfinished) Barbara K. Lindblom Patrick, September 1980 Joyce Pedersen, 14 February 1984 Rudy Perpich, 31 July 1984 James L. Peterson, 9 January 1985 Robert A. Peterson, 8 November 1990 Warren P. Peterson, 30 August 1968 Mary Prosser, 14 January 1988 Nancy E. Reid, 4 April 1986 J. Donald Rice, 5 June 1989 R. J. Rosendahl, 10 October 1968 Susie Sandberg, 17 September 1981 John Schiltz, 7 February 1992 Sylvia L. Sheldon, 1 June 1968 Carolyn Shimek, 16 October 1985 (encl: Roman Meal pamphlets) Florence L. Sponberg, 6 February 1966 Doug Stone, 2 February 1988 Doug Stone, 8 August 1988 Delphine Swanson, no date Elaine Ellertson Tohal, no date Julie Tuel, 1 July 1987 Robert Vanasek, 23 February 1990 T. H. Watkins, 27 January 1983 Phyllis Webster, no date (encl: 55 Alive/Mature Driving Completion Certificate) Jeanne Weigum, no date (encl: ANSR catalog; MCIAA; MCIAA complaint form) Jeanne Weigum, no date Jeanne Weigum, no date Paul David Wellstone, 14 June 1991 Paul David Wellstone, 17 June 1991 Janet Baker Westegard, 5 May 1977 David L. Wettergren, 4 January 1990 Dave Wicklund, 11 January 19?? Anita N Wollon, no date Randall Wreghitt, August 1986 Mitsuko Yoshitamu, no date Otis Zanders, no date |
1 |
5 |
Outgoing, 1974-93 (Organized by Date) Professor Hershel Parker 10 June 1974 (encl: Alexis, "Two Footnotes on a Faceless Whale," American Notes & Queries, March 1973. (copy) ) Ilene Alexis, 23 June 1977 The Wilderness Society, 18 January 1983 Harper's Magazine Foundation, 7 February 1983 Representative Chuck Hoffman, 18 March 1984 Senator Roger Moe, 20 March 1984 Governor Rudy Perpich, 26 July 1984 Mr. and Mrs. David Robb, 4 September 1984 Ronald D. Clark, 25 September 1984 St. Croix Valley Press, 8 October 1984 Dorothy Gimmestad, 12 October 1984 Nora Nelson & Associates, 18 October 1984 Russel T. Lund, 2 November 1984 John Easton, 13 November 1984 Nora Nelson & Associates, 19 November 1984 Jack Kennelly, 28 November 1984 Jeff Hamel, 4 December 1984 The Salvation Army, 4 December 1984 Denise Deters, 12 December 1984 Harold Higgins, 17 December 1984 Jim, 6 January 1985 James L. Peterson, 6 January 1985 Deborah Howell, 17 January 1985 Senator Gary Laidig, 20 March 1985 Representative Harriet McPherson, 20 March 1985 Representative David Jennings, 16 April 1985 Senator Gary Laidig, 16 April 1985 Manager, Burger King, 16 May 1985 Duane Tangen, 26 May 1985 Don Boxmeyer, 27 May 1985 Bridgeman's, 27 May 1985 Jerry, 23 July 1985 David Junker, 26 September 1985 Senator Gary Laidig, 4 October 1985 Representative Harriet McPherson, 4 October 1985 Almanac, KTCA-TV, 15 October 1985 Suburban Chrysler-Plymouth, 14 November 1985 Steve M. Wilson, 9 December 1985 Art [Arthur Huseboe], 13 December 1985 Kate Sheetz, 14 December 1985 Representative David Jennings, 13 January 1986 Swedish Food Products, 17 January 1986 Nancy Reid, 20 June 1986 (encl: Newsletter) Sandra Samuelson, 20 June 1986 Seattle Filmworks, 28 June 1986 Seattle Filmworks, 14 July 1986 Gurney Seed & Nursery Company, 26 July 1986 Rivertown Excavating, 11 August 1986 Randall Wreghitt, 9 September 1986 Stillwater Gazette, 17 November 1986 Representative Gordon Voss, 18 December 1986 University of Minnesota, Office of Graduate Admissions, 21 January 1987 Cub Comments, 14 February 1987 Tom Triplett, 25 February 1987 (encl: Tom Triplett to St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch, 21 February 1987 (clipping)) Rudy Perpich, 27 February 1987 David Johnson, 2 March 1987 Clyde's Restaurant, 27 July 1987 Dr. David Nelson, 27 July 1987 Deborah Howell, 28 September 1987 Reid Johnson, 16 December 1987 Senator Roger Moe, 7 January 1988 Don Juel, 19 February 1988 Roy M. Close, 24 March 1988 Doug Stone, 23 May 1988 Fortress Press, 2 June 1988 Rand McNally & Company, 2 June 1988 Bob Utecht, 29 June 1988 John K. Hall, 24 December 1988 (encl: Alexis, "Bluebirds in Washington County") Rick [Richard Cory], 10 April 1989 Minnesota Professional Firefighters, 13 October 1989 John K. Hall, 14 December 1989 David Wettergren, 28 December 1989 Proctor-Silex, Customer Service Department, 16 January 1990 Senator Roger Moe, 27 January 1990 Lee Ann Owens, 2 March 1990 Lawrence A. Severson, 21 March 1990 Sue Crowley, 7 April 1900 Deborah Howell, 11 April 1990 Edgar R. Trexler, 11 April 1990 David Hartwell, 22 May 1990 Senator [Rudy] Boschwitz, 28 June 1990 Senator Dave Durenberger, 28 June 1900 Representative Harriet McPherson, 28 June 1990 Darwin, 8 August 1990 (encl: Anthem list, list of readings for Sundays of Advent) John [Kendall] 5 December 1990 (encl: Kay Smallzried, "Of Thankfulness" (photocopy) ) John [Kendall], 21 December 1990 Nina M. Archabal, 14 February 1991 Mary Berg, 14 March 1991 Senator Gary Laidig, 28 April 1991 Representative Harriet McPherson, 28 April 1991 Representative Bruce Vento, 10 May 1991 KC Publishing, Inc., 20 May 1991 Walker Lundy, 7 December 1991 (encl: Dennis Anderson, "Minnesota fares poorly in new U. S. wetlands definitions") Gregory Peck, 7 December 1991 Phyllis Webster, 11 January 1992 Dan Kelly, 13 January 1992 Lake Elmo Inn, 22 January 1992 Cable News Network, 5 February 1992 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, 13 February 1992 Linda Anderson, 15 February 1992 Colorful Images, 28 February 1992 SuperAmerica Group, Inc., 24 March 1992 Larry Millett, 9 September 1992 Nelson T. French, 4 November 1992 Larry Millett, 9 November 1992 Editor, Stillwater Evening Gazette, 9 November 1992 (encl: editorial, Stillwater Evening Gazette, 9 November 1992; Alexis to editor, 16 November 1992 (clippings)) Allan Klein, 19 November 1992 (encl: "Minnesota Wetlands Conservation Act: Public comments on proposed rules needed" (leaflet) ) Paul Hendrickson, 23 November 1992 Cornell Norby, 27 January 1993 |
1 |
6 |
Miscellaneous, 1974 and 1993 |
||
Letters of Condolence to Family, 1993 (Photocopies) |
1 |
1 |
Vita and Bibliography, 1974 |
1 |
2 |
Teaching, 1947-1991 |
||
Ancient Times: Historical Sketch of Man-Nature Relationship in the Western World; Trails West: Companion to University of Minnesota Television Hour, Transcript, 1966 |
1 |
7 |
Correspondence Course titled “Two Forces in American Culture: Interpretations of Puritanism and the Myth of the West,” Lecture Notecards and Fouan Family Genealogy, 1962 |
1 |
8 |
Course Syllabi and Related Materials, 1957-81 |
1 |
9 |
Course Planning for a new course on wilderness, Correspondence with and Syllabi from Dr. Roderick Nash at University of California, 1974-76 |
1 |
10 |
Elderhostel, Instruction Materials for Day One, undated |
1 |
11 |
Elderhostel, Instruction Materials for Day Two, undated |
1 |
12 |
Elderhostel, Instruction Materials for Day Three, undated |
1 |
13 |
Elderhostel, Instruction Materials for Day Four, undated |
1 |
14 |
Elderhostel, Instruction Materials for Day Five, undated |
1 |
15 |
Elderhostel, Promotional Materials and Miscellaneous, 1989-91 |
1 |
16 |
Gradebooks, 1947-48 and 1948-49 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
17 |
Gradebooks, 1949-50 and 1950-51 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
18 |
Gradebooks, 1951-52 and 1952-53 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
19 |
Gradebooks, 1953-54 and 1954-55 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
20 |
Gradebooks, 1955-56 and 1956-57 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
21 |
Gradebooks, 1957-58 and 1958-59 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
22 |
Gradebooks, 1959-60 and 1960-61 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
23 |
Gradebooks, 1961-62 and 1962-63 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
24 |
Gradebooks, 1963-64 and 1965-66 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
25 |
Gradebooks, 1966-67 and 1967-68 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
26 |
Gradebooks, 1968-69 and 1969-70 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
27 |
Gradebooks, 1970-71 and 1971-72 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
28 |
Gradebooks, 1972-73 and 1973-74 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
29 |
Gradebooks, 1974-75 and 1975-76 and Fall 1976 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
30 |
Gradebooks, 1977-78 and 1979-80 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
31 |
Gradebooks, 1980-81 and 1981-82 and 1982-83 (RESTRICTED) |
1 |
43 |
Instruction Materials, Transparencies of Western Maps and Slides, undated |
1 |
32 |
Instruction Notecards and Papers, c. 1970s and 1980s |
1 |
33 |
Writings and Publications, 1937-1984 |
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“Calvinism and Mysticism in Jonathan Edwards,” Ph.D. Thesis, 1947 |
1 |
34 |
“Dr. L.A. Hocanzon: The Story of His Family and Pastoral Experiences hand-written in Swedish for His Children translated by his granddaughter, Corinne Dahlen in May and June 1982” (includes correspondence) |
1 |
35 |
“Farrell Since Our Days of Anger,” 1967 (Mostly Correspondence) |
1 |
36 |
“First Lutheran Church of St. Paul, Minnesota, Centennial 1854-1954,” Booklet, 1954; Swedish-Lutheran Heritage, |
1 |
35 |
“James Fenimore Cooper: The Conservative Gentleman as Social Critic,” undated |
1 |
37 |
“Moberg’s Trilogy on the Swedish Immigrant: A Dubious Conclusion,” 1956-66 (Bulk is Correspondence) |
1 |
38 |
“Naturalism in Literature,” undated |
1 |
39 |
“The Romanticism of William Gilmore Simms,” 7 December, 1937 |
1 |
40 |
“Why Does the Wilderness Howl?,” Includes versions of Deuteronomy and Definitions of Wilderness, undated |
1 |
41 |
“Wilderness Landscape and Human Values,” 1984 (includes Correspondence) |
1 |
42 |