KNUTSON, Gerald L.

KNUTSON, SMOOT, RUCH, HOUGH

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/17/2016 at 05:45:19

BIOGRAPHY ~ Gerald L. Knutson
Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa

Gerald L. Knutson was born in McLean, Texas, on June 8, 1929. He became the tenth person to serve as president of Graceland College, present-day Graceland University.

Knutson graduated from Graceland in 1949. He obtained his B.S. in sociology and psychology in 1955, and his M.S. in education in 1956 from Central Missouri State University. Knutson completed his Ph.D. in educational psychology and measurement in 1968 from the University of Oklahoma.

Knutson was selected as Graceland's president in April of 1975, succeeding Acting President Velma Ruch on July 1 of the same year. One month later, Graceland's Board of Trustees gave him an additional assignment of president of Park College in Parkville, Missouri, a position Knutson held for 18 months.

As Graceland's president, Knutson helped develop and complete the fund-raising campaign for the Roy A. Cheville Chapel, and assisted in the planning and groundbreaking ceremony for that building. Knutson also saw annual alumni contributions double during his administration.

On April 1, 1977, Knutson went on a leave of absence, and resigned effective June 30 of that year. He was succeeded as president by Frank Hough.

Since leaving Graceland, Knutson became active in the RLDS Church as an evangelist and worked in consulting and training for several companies.

Gerald Knutson married Audette Smoot in 1953. The daughter of Earl and Mildred Smoot, Audette was born near Eagle City, Oklahoma, on February 26, 1927. The Knutsons eventually moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where Audette died on January 5, 2011.

SOURCES:

Goehner, David. "The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z." p. 423. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.

Audette (Smoot) Knutson obituary

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2016

Decatur Biographies maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen