Caledonia Argus

Family, friends pay tribute to Andersen on 95th birthday

Posted: 6/22/04

by Howard Lestrud,
ECM Online Managing Editor

Family and friends estimated at more than 300 attended a special 95th birthday celebration on Friday, June 18 at the Elmer L. Andersen, University of Minnesota, the day following Andersenís actual birthday. The celebration featured the former Gov. Andersen and his wife Eleanor graciously greeting the many guests prior to and following an organized program.

During the program University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks announced creation of a new leadership position in University Libraries in Andersenís name to provide strategic direction for the librariesí archives and special collections.

Andersen talked at length about his love for books which began at a young age. He donated a large collection to the University of Minnesota and had the Elmer L. Andersen Library on the West Bank dedicated in 2000. He said those in attendance ìmade an old man very happyî by coming to his birthday party.

Bruininks said that when people read and reflect and study the part Andersen has played in the development of University Libraries, they will find the power of love. The collection at the Andersen Library provides raw material for learning and research, Bruininks said.

Bruininks read part of a state proclamation by Gov. Tim Pawlenty naming June 17 as Elmer L. Andersen day. Andersen thanked Pawlenty for the proclamation and joked, ìHe must have swallowed hard in doing thatÖ he really means well but he hasnít caught the vision yet.î

Andersen said books ì are the mirror of culture and societyî and there are many kinds of books and all have meaning and value. He talked about the value of Afro American literature and said there are many splendid authors writing on a variety of subjects.

Lori Sturdevant, editorial writer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, editor for two of Andersenís books, acted as moderator of the program. She called Andersen a man with constancy of purpose.

Andersen took the audience through his years of reading books and collecting them ever since he was a small boy. Andersen said he still reads with the help of his wife Eleanor reading to him. He said if everyone read from 15 minutes to one hour a day, they would be surprised how much they could learn. He said he recently has read books on John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Gustavus Adolphus and is currently reading a 790-page volume on Alexander Hamilton.

Andersen, speaking of his age, said now that he has reached 95, ìa hundred doesnít seem so far away.î He said Eleanor stopped counting birthdays sometime ago, saying she is 39 and holding.î She has ìbeen holding for quite awhile,î Andersen laughed.

He talked with love and ease about his love for books and told about ending up with duplicate books, often because he had forgotten he had previously bought a certain book ìThereís one book I must have liked a lot because I ended up with seven of them,î he chuckled. He also told about having to let Eleanor know that he picked up a large collection, one containing more than 800 books.

Andersen outlined four reasons for his involvement with books and the University: to help teach students, to help with research, doing community service and providing archival benefits. He said he was happy to see the University be a depository of revealing literature. The libraries are not just for students but also for college teachers and for the system in general.

Collecting books helps give an insight to life of the times, Andersen said. Andersen said he was pleased to learn of the position created in his name at the University to provide direction for archives and special collections. ìI can surely appreciate the need for information and resources,î he said.

Andersen said we are living in a time where some libraries are cutting hours and others are closing. Andersen said he was pleased to learn of the Chisago County Board appropriating $3 million to provide library service for the communities of Lindstrom, Wyoming, Chisago City, North Branch and other communities in the county. He also said he recently was asked to help fund a library drive in Milaca.

Sturdevant encouraged those in attendance to make gifts of cash, stock or even donate book collections to the University.

In a brief question and answer session following the program, Andersen proved to be the beneficiary of praise rather than questions. Malcolm McDonald asked people to join him in making a commitment to helping improve the archives at the University. Josie Johnson, community activist, congratulated Andersen on his 95th birthday and also complimented him for his broad, diverse appreciation for all people. In thanking everyone for their support over the years, he said, ìThereís great good in everyone and a capacity for evil in everyone. We have our good moments and some we would like to obliterate.î Andersen encouraged everyone to be their best and help improve equal rights for all, fair housing for all, medical care for everyone and educational opportunity for all.

Gerald B. Fisher, President and CEO of the University of Minnesota Foundation, presented Andersen with a book signed by those in attendance at his party. Wendy Pradt Lougee, University Librarian and McKnight Presidential Professor, praised Andersenís strong commitment to the University library system.

Fisher led the audience in singing Happy Birthday to Andersen. The group was accompanied by a trio of violinists who played music at the dessert reception. Seeing a cake made into an open book, Andersen related his continued desire to collect books saying, ìYou shouldnít really eat it.î

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