Title: Dr. W. E. Koenker Papers, 1951-1976

ID: OGLMC366

Primary Creator: Koenker, William E. (1911-1992)

Extent: 2.5 Linear Feet

Subjects: University of North Dakota - Faculty

Languages: English

The Dr. W.E. Koenker Papers date from 1951 to 1976 and have been divided into two series:

Series 1:  Correspondence

Series 2: Research

William Ernest Koenker was born on January 6, 1911, on a farm near Regent, North Dakota. He graduated from the North Dakota State Teachers College in Dickinson in 1934. He was a social studies teacher and principal at Dodge High School, in Dodge, North Dakota, from 1934-1937. He next attended the University of North Dakota, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in 1938. His thesis was entitled "The Rural Land Tax Problem in North Dakota with an Appraisal of the Income Value of Land as a Measure of Taxation." Following graduation, he acted as principal of the Walsh County Agricultural High School from 1938-1942.

Koenker entered the United States Army on July 16, 1942. He acted as an infantry instructor in Texas for over three years, before separating on January 14, 1946. Koenker became an instructor in Economics at UND in 1946. He soon began taking summer courses in economics at Ohio State University in Columbus. He took leave during the 1948-49 school year to complete his dissertation, entitled "Banking Trends in North Dakota, 1922-1947." In 1949, upon completion of his Ph.D., he was promoted to Assistant Professor.

In 1952, he was appointed chair of the Economics Department and promoted to Associate Professor. As department head, he was instrumental in the founding of Bureau of Business and Economic Research. He was further promoted to the rank of Professor in 1954. He received an Outstanding Teacher Award from the UND Alumni Association in 1958.

In 1962, Dr. Koenker was appointed to the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs. He served the University in this position until his retirement in June 1976. New programs in aviation administration, computer science, and Indian Studies were established during these years. The Center for Teaching and Learning, as well as the Institutional Research Program were created during his tenure. He also took an active role in the hiring of several college Deans, and steered the University through accreditation. Following his retirement, he worked part-time for several years in Washington, D.C. soliciting research funds for UND.

William E. Koenker died on November 16, 1992, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

University of North Dakota - Faculty

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: W. E. Koenker

Acquisition Method: Donation; the original acquisition records are unavailable

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item).  Dr. W.E. Koenker Papers.  OGLMC 366, Box #, Folder #.  Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid migrated to Archon in November 2014.