Cyrus M. Running

Cyrus Running (b.1913 – d.1976)

  • Art Professor 1940-1972

  • Art Department Chair 1940-1972

Biography

Born in Veblen, SD, Cyrus Running began teaching art at Concordia in 1940 where, for a number of years, he was the only faculty member in the department. Running had obtained a Bachelor of Arts in history and biology from St. Olaf College, studied at the Yale School of Fine Arts, and earned his Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa. Before arriving at Concordia, he taught high school music and history in Wisconsin and at the University of Omaha.

In addition to developing Concordia’s Art Department and carrying a full teaching load, Running also directed area choirs and painted houses and signs. Running showed skillful devotion to any task put before him. He designed the Concordia Christmas Concert backgrounds for thirty years and his murals can be seen in various buildings on campus. In addition to being a highly talented artist, Running also possessed great musical ability and humor, which he combined in a parody titled “I Hate Music” that was performed for civic, college, and church groups. In 1974, the campus art gallery was renamed the “Cyrus M. Running Art Gallery” in his honor.