J. L. Rendahl

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Headshot of J.L. Rendahl , c. 1947

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Rendahl accepting an award for Pi Gamma Mu, c. 1979

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Rendahl dressed up for the 1978 Homecoming festivities

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Rendahl and O.E. Dolven talking at Communiversity, 1989

J. L. Rendahl (b. 1903 – d. 1997)

  • Dean of Admissions 1945-1970

  • Executive Vice President 1970-1972

Biography

Perhaps no other person in Concordia’s history has held as many job titles at once as Junald Rendahl. Upon arriving at Concordia in 1945, Rendahl’s positions included Dean of Admissions, Alumni Secretary, Director of Public Relations, News Bureau and Publications, and Assistant for Fundraising. Eventually, he became Executive Vice President, a title he held until his retirement in 1972. During his tenure enrollment increased from 449 in 1945 to 2,439 in 1972.  

Born near Fillmore, ND, he graduated from Concordia Academy in 1920. Rendahl earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia in 1923 and attended Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul from 1925 to 1926. In 1929, he earned a Master of Science degree in education from the University of North Dakota. Among his many achievements, Rendahl received an honorary doctorate from Concordia in 1972, the Sioux Award from UND’s Alumni Association in 1984, and Concordia’s Alumni Achievement Award in 1991. At his funeral, President Dovre stated that “he was the complete Cobber” and that “in his early years J. L. would choose the College, and in mid-career the College would choose him.”