Emory Lindquist


Dr. Emory Kempton Lindquist was the president of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas and Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. He also served as a professor and authored many articles and books, especially regarding Swedish-American history.

Early life

Emory K. Lindquist was born in Lindsborg, Kansas. He was the son of Harry Theodore Lindquist and Augusta Amelia Peterson Lindquist and was the grandson of Swedish immigrants. He graduated from Bethany College in 1930 and won a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to University of Oxford in England where he received another bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Jesus College, Oxford and then returned to Bethany to teach in 1933. Lindquist received his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 1941. In 1942 Lindquist married Irma Winifred Eleanor Lindquist, an alumna of Bethany and a nurse, whom he met at a college reunion.

Career

Lindquist served as President of Bethany College from 1943 to 1953. From 1953 to 1978 he served as professor at Wichita State University. During this period he also served as a Dean and then President of Wichita State University from 1963–1968. While president, Lindquist was a member of the Urban League board and added African American staff and faculty to the university. Lindquist continued writing into his retirement and died in 1992 and was buried in the Smoky Hill Cemetery.

Honors