SRJC President Dr. Frank Chong will award the President’s Medallion to Stephen Olson during the President’s Address to the community 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. May 30 in Haehl Pavillion.
Though Olson retired in 2007, his diligent 37-year dedication to SRJC and the community caused Dr. Chong to choose Olson as this year’s recipient of the prestigious medallion.
Olson was surprised when he heard the news of his award.
“I guess I would summarize my response to Dr. Chong’s call informing me of my selection as this year’s medallion recipient as ‘flabbergasted’ and ‘shocked.’ It is still difficult for me to accept the fact that my name is being added to the list of recipients of this very prestigious award,” Olson said.
Students may be surprised by the endless list of contributions Olson made to SRJC though they have been vital in the development of popular programs on campus.
In 1988 Olson served as dean of instruction for special programs and services where he implemented new programs into the college.
“I established the first college-wide work experience program, a 2+2 program linking the curriculum of local high schools with their counterparts at SRJC and a study abroad program that included opportunities for students to study in London, Paris, Florence, Madrid, Costa Rica, Beijing and Mexico,” Olson said.
Additionally, Olson helped create the first “tele-courses” at SRJC, the forerunners to the online courses offered today.
Olson also assisted with the establishment of the agriculture/natural resources department and in 1972 helped develop Shone Farm alongside President Roy Mikalson, Vice President Brook Tauzer, Dean Charles Belden and fellow faculty member John Edwards.
His 39-year tenure as a Rotarian played a significant part in his personal and professional life. Invited to join Rotary in 1968, Olson said he continues to be an active member of the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa, where he has served as club president, chief assistant governor and chair of the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Foundation.
Olson said his position as a dean at SRJC provided him the opportunity to become deeply involved in the community. He served on the board of directors of various local organizations including the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, Northern California Advocates for Global Education, Sonoma County 4H Foundation, Kellogg Foundation Food and Fiber Futures Project and Sonoma County Task Force on Hunger.
One might think the list of contributions would end there, however Olson hasn’t stopped helping since his retirement.
“I continue to be involved in a number of ways. I serve as a trustee of the SRJC Shone Farm Foundation and serve on the SRJC Foundation Ag Trust Committee. I co- chaired Dr. Agrella’s Retirement Celebration Committee and continue to be available to advise administrators and faculty of the college whenever needed,” Olson said.
Managing the President’s Address, Carolyn Cole-Schweizer said the event is a chance for Chong to address the community and give a state of the college. It’s purpose is to also “acknowledge and recognize somebody from the community who has had a large impact on the college and this year it’s Steve Olson,” Cole-Schweizer said.
The President’s Address to the community is a public event and individual tickets are $40. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. To register, go to https://santarosajc.ejoinme.org.