The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-08-07
KERFo0T IS THE PRESIDENT
Minnesota Divine Was Elected to
the Presidency of Dakota
Wesleyan University.

the PRESIDENCY OF Dakota
Wesleyan University.
Contrary to the expectations of
certain members OF the board OF
trustees of Dakota Wesleyan Univer.
Isity, a president for the institution
was unanimously elected late We'd
nesday afternoon in the person of
DR.. Samuel f. Kerfoot, of Man.
kato, Mum.
when the trustees began to reach
the city Wednesday morning it was
given out by n or two OF the
men that there was no likelihood
that a president would be elected at
the meeting for the reason that
there seemed to be a diversity of
opinion as to the different men aud
that ne M MAJ had really teen
agreed on. After the trustees got
together in the afternoon and had
discussed the men who stood in the
libIelight OF the presidential appoint
ment, the atmosphere seemed to
Clarity to a consi ]erable extent and
the indications pointed stronger
every moment owaru the selection
OF a president. There were 81 mem
bers of the board present and on
an informal ballot DR.. Kerfoot
received all but two votes, and on
the formal ballot he was declared the
unanimous choice Of the board for
the presidency OF Dakota Wesleyan.
DIR. Kerfoot came down from Man.
kato on the morning train aud
appeared befofe the board for a short
tine. In conversation with one Of
the members he stated that the
entile membership expressed them
selves as being highly impressed with
DR.. Kertoot ia a personal way and
with regard to his fitness for the
position to which he had been
elected.
Some very strong letters of endorse.
ment we're written to the trustees
urging the election of Dr. Keffoot,
from which we are able to learn some
facts with reference to his career.
He Is a Canadian by birth and has
a wife and five children. Mr.. Ker.
foot is about AZ years OF age and is
strong physically. He secured his
degrees from Hamline University,
aud from Drew Theological seminary
lat Madison, New Jersey. graduating
FROM Hamline in 1889. and from the
theological seminary in 1892, thus
having been in the ministry Of tue
church for the past sixteen years.
In this collegiate work he main
tanned a high standing in his classes
and graduated with honors from
both institutions. g
For nine years DR.. Kerioot was
the pastor of the Methodist church
at Winona, Mimi, which is the
largest church Of that denomination
In that state, aud where he gained
a tine reputation for his platform
and pulpit ability. One OF the
achievements of DR.. kerfoot in
financial matters for the church was
the raising of s65, 900 in the state Of
Minnesota in one year for the super
%annuated preachers. One OF the
supporters OF Or. Kerfoot, Rev.
Frank Il. Cowgirl, of st. Paul, thus
writes Of him:
ole is a strong, noble, beautiful
character, very sympathetic. I'M
|seliishly devoted to the happiness
and we'll being of others. He is
sauve and jngratiating. not as a
matter of policy. but because his
nature is gentle, loving. winsome.
He can be, and is all this. and at
, tile same tine dignitied aud courtly
in manners. He knows how to show
appreciation of things done and said,
) and to meet dn emergency with
appropriate act and speech. *** 1t
) is my JUDGMENT that Or. kerfoot
would be thoroughly successful In
), dealing with faculty and students -
{ Since DR. kerfoot has finished his
work OF raising the S65, 600 for the
, sup 'rannnated preachers, he has
t been filling the position of distlict
superintendent of the MankaJc
, district of the Methodist church. AT
the meeting of the General Confer.
s ence OF the Methodist church this
summer, DR.. Kerfoot was a candid
ate for secretary OF the board OF
: education, the same position tc
! which DR.. Nicholson was elected.
4 Taking all things into consider.
ation-the presence Of DR.. kerfool