Aakers Business College was founded in 1902 by Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Aaker. Hans H. Aaker (1862-1929), founder of the Aaker's Business College, was President of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, from 1893-1902. As a faculty member of Concordia, Aaker had emphasized "practical" courses such as accounting and business. Mrs. Aaker was the Dean of Women at Concordia College.

Aaker was elected mayor of Moorhead in 1900 on the prohibition ticket. Aaker's administration made the first serious attempt to clean up "The Wickedest City in the World.'' Shortly after his election, the mayor narrowly escaped death from an assassin's bullet. From then on he used police protection in the evenings and after council meetings. When the Concordia College board of directors let Aaker know that his political interest took too much time and energy, he resigned. Aaker was a Populist candidate for Congress and member of the Non-Partisan League. The early postcard advertisement on the right shows both the Fargo and Grand Forks schools. The postcard below is from Professor Aaker's candidacy for Governor of North Dakota.

Aakers Business College was located at the southwest corner of Roberts Street and Second Avenue North. In 1905, a second college was opened in Grand Forks. In 1912, the College closed its Fargo school and focused on its Grand Forks college.

In 1931, Mr. R.C. Hadlich purchased the college after Mr. Aaker's death in 1929. Mr. Hadlich served as President and Administrator of the college until 1992, when his sons Mark and Robin assumed leadership.

The college was purchased from the Hadlich family in 1998 by Robert W. Nemitz and Kristi A. Waite, the principle owners of Rasmussen College in Minnesota.

On November 9, 1998, the school in Grand Forks was closed and Aakers College returned to Fargo. The College is now located at 4012 19th Ave. S.W. (near West Acres Shopping Center). The Fargo college has an enrollment of approximately 300 students. Find information about Aakers Business College at their web site.

The early postcard advertisement on the right shows both the Fargo and Grand Forks schools. The postcard below is from Professor Aaker's candidacy for Governor of North Dakota.

Bottom postcard courtesy of Don Schiele at www.back-n-front.com. Thanks also to Jennifer for her help.