Winneshiek County IAGenWeb  Luther College through sixty years, 1861-1921 Pictures and Biographical information courtesy of Sharyl Ferrall

Oscar L. Olson

Luther College biography, Presidents and Principals, pg 80

Dr. Oscar L. Olson

Oscar Ludvig Olson was born February 2, 1872, in Chicago. Illinois. His father was Andrew Olson, and his mother Guroe (nee Larson). He entered the Preparatory Department of Luther College in 1886 and graduated in 1889; he continued in the College Department, and received the degree of A. B. in 1893. He taught at Bode Academy, Bode, la., 1893-95; at Bruflat Academy, Portland, N. Dak., 1896-98; at Luther Academy, Albert Lea, Minn., 1898-01; and in 1901 he became a member of the faculty at Luther College, and has served as professor ever since except for intervals when he has been away for study. He attended the University of Minnesota, 1895-96, and was granted his master's degree. The summers of 1904 and 1907-11 he studied at the University of Chicago; and after spending the school year 1913-14 there, he received the degree of Ph. D. He is the author of "The Scandinavian Origin of Beowulf" (thesis for M. A.), 1903; "Beowulf Kvadet" in "Symra", May, 1912; "Beowulf and the Feast at Bricriu" in "Modern Philology", Born November 26, 1863 in Northwood, Iowa. Parents, Gabriel Johnson Halland and Anna P. Bye. Married Leonore M. Biel, 1890. Residence, Fargo, N.D.

When upon the death of Prof. C. K. Preus on May 28, 1921, the Board of Education within our Church appointed Dr. Olson to serve Luther College as acting president, it did so because Dr. Olson was clearly the one man who was rather fully acquainted with the work and otherwise ready to step right into the position until a permanent president could be elected at the next general meeting of the church body. Dr. Olson has spent more than half of his years at Luther College, and whenever Prof. Preus was traveling about in the interests of the College, Dr. Olson really served as acting president. But Dr. Olson, too, has served Luther College out in the field; because of his ability as a public speaker he has become well and favorably known among the supporters of Luther College everywhere.

Luther College faculty biography, pg 100

Oscar Ludvig Olson, 1901—. Third President (Acting). A. B., Luther College, 1893; Teacher, Bode (Iowa) Academy, 1893-1895; Student, University of Minnesota, 1895-1896; Teacher, Bruflat Academy, Portland, N. Dak., 1896-1897, Principal, 1897-1898; Teacher, Luther Academy, Albert Lea, Minn., 1898-1901; Professor of English and Oratoricals, Luther College, 1901-1906, Latin, 1901-1918, Gymnastics, Penmanship, 1901-1905, Geography, 1901-1902; A. M., University of Minnesota, 1903; Student, University of Chicago, summer 1904, summers 1907-1911, 1913-1914; Professor of English Language and Literature, Luther College, 1906—; Ph. D., University of Chicago, 1914; Secretary, Luther College Faculty, 1916-1921; Secretary, Board of Trustees of Luther College, 1917—; Acting President, Luther College, 1921—present.

He is also pictured in the 1922 Luther College Faculty photo.

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