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From research done by Ruthmary Penick, Carleton College Archivist:
"Carleton did not seek Van Bergen. He applied, much as one would for a position at the College. He stated in his initial inquiries that his daughter was planning to attend Carleton and he hoped he could do some of the architectural work when needed to help offset costs of her continuing education. Ultimately, President Cowling indicated that he was actively seeking funds for a much needed women's gymnasium, and he approached Mr. Van Bergen to draw up a preliminary sketch, probably to be used in the process of seeking donors. President Cowling's hopes for this particular facility never materialized during his term as president. However, evidence that his dream never faded exists in the new Recreation Center for Women, dedicated in May, 1965 to his wife, and realized largely under the auspices of their daughters.
"Never completely giving up his endeavors to satisfy the needs, he then requested Mr. Van Bergen to sketch plans for a small wooden structure to serve as a dance studio in lieu of a gymnasium. There was no evidence in the material I was researching that this idea ever became a reality. (I assume you are aware that we are talking about the Depression Years.)
"Correspondence reveals that occasionally the president recommended and referred Mr. Van Bergen to professors considering building and remodeling projects in their residences. Evidence that specific negotiations ensued did not appear...There is a chance that he designed the house that Professor Diebold built, and if so, It might fit into the "noteworthy" feature department, as neighbors and friends in jest, have made various references to it over the years. One neighbor recalls that they called it the S.S. Diebold since it somehow reminded them of a "boat floating down the river." I recall wondering what was meant by a reference to a house called "the ship," when I first came to the campus.
"Burton Dormitory (Men's) constructed in 1915 (Patton, Holmes & Flinn) underwent a remodeling of the fourth floor around 1938, for which Mr.Van Bergen presented the specification and plans.
"The agreement for the president's residence included the financial arrangements reached for crediting the largest percentage of payment toward the daughter's education, included also the architect's responsibility for letting the contracts and his own expenses.
"On October 1, 1939, he was appointed to serve for one year as Superintendent of Buildings. This appears to have been an interim appointment. During this time he reviewed the needs of Laird Hall of Science in terms of remodeling and maintenance construction. During 1943-44 academic year he taught Mechanical Drawing and was supervising architect from August, 1944 to June, 1945, at which time the College was considering engaging a Minneapolis firm to study and handle the overall needs of campus development."
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