Administrative/Biographical History
Ernest Victor Wenner was born September 20, 1906, in Malung Township, Roseau County, Minnesota. Wenner graduated from Roseau High School in 1924. He attended the University of North Dakota, and paid his way through school by working various jobs in Roseau and Grand Forks. While at UND, Wenner pledged and joined Sigma Nu fraternity, and was a member of Sigma Delta Chi, Delta Phi Delta, Blue Key, Iron Mask, and Phi Epsilon. Wenner graduated from UND with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education on August 8, 1935. He also received his Master's degree in Journalism from the University of Minnesota. In 1935, his article "Publicity for Fraternities" was published in several Greek organizational magazines.
During World War II, he served with the infantry in the South Pacific and at the Corps of Engineers Officer Candidate School in 1942-43. He served in combat as an Army Military Intelligence Officer.
Wenner worked as a professional artist rendering portrait and mural work in California and North Dakota. In September 1947, he came to UND as an assistant professor. In June 1954 he became an associate professor of Engineering and Drafting. Wenner was very active in fraternity affairs during his years at UND, both as a student and professor. During rush, he would donate his artistic skills and never missed alumni functions. He was an active and supportive sports fan, who never missed a hockey or football game. He was a member of UND's Athletic Board of Control.
Ernest Wenner died July 1959 at the age of 53.
