Luther College and Academy Achievement Awards

Olson, Seagren Honored by Midland Lutheran College

Midland Lutheran College presented Luther Alumni Achievement Awards to alumni of the former Luther College and Academy in Wahoo on June 25.

Receiving the Luther College and Academy Achievement Awards during Lutherfest 1999 were Paul A. Olson and Alan T. Seagren.

Olson earned an associate of arts degree in English from Luther in 1950, a bachelor's degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., a master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a doctoral degree from Princeton University in Princeton, N.J.

Olson has spent his career as an English professor at UNL. He has written dozens of articles for publications, 44 volumes of "A Curriculum for English," and numerous books including "Broken Hoops and Plains People" and "The Struggle for the Land." He has directed more than 65 individuals as they prepared their doctoral dissertations.

His awards and recognitions include preparing grant applications which brought in $6 million in grants, Fulbright Scholar, 1953-54, and a Guggenheim Scholar 1962-63, chairing many federal programs, founding and serving as first director of the Great Plains Center at UNL and receiving the Outstanding Reseach and Creative Activity award. He received the Midland Lutheran College Alumni Achievement Award in 1970.

Olson has served on the Indian Center board for 25 years and was a member of the board for the Center for Rural Affairs for 20 years.

Seagren graduated from Luther College in 1951, and went on to earn bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in educational administration from UNL.

Seagren has spent the majority of his career at the university, serving in a variety of capacities including professor, department chair, assistant vice chancellor, vice president for administration, and currently as professor of educational administration and Center for Curriculum and Instruction. He also is the director of the Center for the Study of Higher and Post Secondary Education. He coordinates and teaches courses in the educational leadership and higher education doctoral program and directs the research and practicum activities of the CSHPE.

Seagren has participated in international education activities in Australia, Japan, Sweden, Germany and Malaysia. He has conducted numerous research projects, has written over 50 articles, and has served as a presenter and consultant all over the world.

He is active in a variety of professional organizations and has served as a member of the Midland Lutheran College Board of Trustees. He received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Midland in 1998.