Archives West Finding Aid

Arthur J. De Jong, the sixteenth president of Whitworth College, was born February 24, 1934 in Paterson, New Jersey. The son of a minister of the Reformed Church in America, De Jong grew up in Michigan and Iowa. He graduated from Central College, Pella, Iowa, in 1956 with degrees in geography and political science; then went on to earn a bachelor of divinity degree in pastoral psychology from Western Theological Seminary in 1959. Three years later he received his master of theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. In 1971 De Jong was granted a doctor of science of theology degree by San Francisco Theological Seminary. In 1978 De Jong became president of Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio. This Presbyterian-related institution was in financial difficulty. In De Jong’s nine and one-half year term the situation was reversed and De Jong presided successfully over a $19 million fund-raising campaign. In addition, under his leadership, the faculty at Muskingum developed a new basic education curriculum and designed a college-level program for students with learning disabilities which became nationally recognized. Joyce Van Doorn De Jong, his wife, earned a degree in elementary education at Hope College, Holland, Michigan. The De Jongs raised five children. Elected to the Whitworth presidency after a national search, Dr. De Jong took office on February 1, 1988. He resigned from the position in June 1992, leaving a balanced budget and a successful $15 million centennial capital fund campaign. In addition to the usual folders recovered from the presidential office, this file includes a interesting section containing the invoices covering the expenses of that office. These invoices offer a clear picture of the many activities and responsibilities of the president of Whitworth College.