Title
MS 02. Heemstra, Jacob (1888-1957). Papers, 1909-1955. .417 linear ft.
Document Type
Abstract
Date Added to Repository
2016
Abstract
Jacob Heemstra was born in 1888 in northwest Iowa. Heemstra graduated from Northwestern Classical Academy of Orange City, Iowa, in 1906, and later earned a degree from Hope College, Holland, Michigan. He also attended Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, and Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Michigan, before teaching education, religion and psychology at Central College, Pella, Iowa. In 1928 he became the first president of Northwestern Junior College, Orange City, Iowa. Heemstra was instrumental in keeping the college afloat during the depression years, even doing his own secretarial and janitorial work. He also fought for fair and adequate financial support from the Reformed Church in America. During his 23-year presidency, he hired faculty, enabling many to obtain their doctorates, and raised money for building a Science Hall (1948) and Heemstra Hall (1950). He retired in 1951, but taught in the Religion Department for six more years. The collection comprises lecture notes from Hope College (1909) and Western Theological Seminary (1912), notebooks on Hugh’s World History, additional lecture notes, and biographical material. Original personal correspondence includes the 1914 letter for licensure and letter to the Board of Trustees.
Letter from Jacob Heemstra to Reverend Lubbers requesting examination for licensure, April 8, 1914.
Request for Examination for Licensure 1914.pdf (107 kB)
Photo of Jacob and Hannah Heemstra at construction site of Heemstra Hall, 1944.