NCC: H.J. Kiekhoefer papers

Herman Julius Kiekhoefer was president of North-Western College from 1889 to 1910. Kiekhoefer, a native of Stettin, Germany, was born on August 10, 1849 and relocated with his family to Wisconsin when he was thirteen. Kiekhoefer received his education at a Methodist university in Wisconsin and at North-Western College. After years of services as a minister, Kiekhoefer returned to Naperville as a professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Union Biblical Institute. Kiekhoefer was appointed president of North-Western College in 1889 and served until his resignation in 1910. President Kiekhoefer’s administration oversaw the expansion of North-Western College as intercollegiate athletics, debate and oratorical societies, and extra-curricular activities all emerged during Kiekhoefer’s tenure. During Kiekhoefer’s presidency, the physical plant of the College also expanded from only Old Main to include a gymnasium, library, science lab, and heating plant.

After his resignation, Kiekhoefer was a pastor in the Illinois Conference until his relocation to Pasadena, California in 1929. Kiekhoefer passed away on January 31, 1937 in California.