Concordia Magazine

Sharon Hoverson

Sharon Hoverson '68 started her career at Concordia in the curriculum library working from 1973 to 1977 in the days of typewriters, carbon paper – and the card catalog. She rejoined the library as the first college archivist in 1985 where she built up the collections and shepherded the expansion of the archives into its present home on the fourth floor of the Carl B. Ylvisaker Library. In 1991, the collection grew significantly with donations of records and artifacts as part of the creation of the college’s centennial history and exhibit.

Hoverson earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Concordia in 1968. She also did coursework in archival theory and management at North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D., and earned a master’s degree in library science in 1996 from Emporia (Kan.) State University, Emporia.

Hoverson taught English at Bismarck (N.D.) High School from 1968 to 1969, was a teacher and librarian at a high school in Lae, New Guinea, from 1969 to 1971, and was an English teacher and librarian for Westhope (N.D.) High School from 1971 to 1973.

In 2003, she assumed duties as interim director of the library and took on the permanent directorship full time in 2004. In her decade as director, Hoverson was a tireless and persistent advocate for the library. It was her mission for faculty and the administration to understand the importance of the library and the librarians to Concordia’s teaching mission.

Hoverson was instrumental in making sure the librarians were at the table during the planning process for the Inquiry Seminar program and, as a result, the Ylvisaker Library is a teaching library where librarians and staff have a positive impact on the growth and development of students.

She has had numerous publications and presentations throughout the years, belonged to several professional organizations and is active in the community as a member of Olivet Lutheran Church, Fargo, N.D., the Chamber of Commerce and vice president and co-owner of Specials Delivery Inc., a direct mail company. She was also a member of several committees at the college including an academic dean search committee, chair of a special awards college committee and captain of the United Way Campaign.

Hoverson is also known on campus for her long-standing interest in farm-to-table food, an interest that long pre-dates the current trend.

“She knows everything,” says Laura Probst, the new director of the library. “It’s quite daunting to follow someone who has such a long history with this institution – even more so given that Sharon served as the college archivist for more than 20 years. I have learned to never mess with an archivist. If an archivist doesn’t know where the bodies are buried, she at least knows who buried them. She has left her mark on the institution and on our community.”

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