author
Alfred G. (Alfred Gilmeiden) Arvold
1882–1957
A pioneering teacher, theater builder, and storyteller, this North Dakota author helped bring drama and public speaking to rural communities long before they were common parts of campus life. His work reflects a practical faith in local culture, education, and the power of performance.
1 Audiobook
The little country theater
by Alfred G. (Alfred Gilmeiden) Arvold
About the author
Born in Whitewater, Wisconsin, on January 15, 1882, Alfred Gilmeiden Arvold studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earning his B.A. in 1905. After teaching in Eau Claire, he joined North Dakota Agricultural College in 1907, where he built a long career in speech, drama, and community cultural life.
Arvold is especially remembered for founding the Citizen’s Lecture Course in 1910 and the Little Country Theatre in 1914. NDSU archival records describe these as central parts of his forty-five years at the college, alongside his work directing plays, pageants, and other public programs intended to connect education with everyday community life.
He retired from the college in 1953 and died in Fargo, North Dakota, on April 16, 1957. Archival descriptions also note honors including a Doctor of Humanities from UND, and his legacy remains closely tied to the growth of theater and public speaking at what is now North Dakota State University.