For his many contributions to Midland University over the years, Midland is recognizing Dale Olson with the 2023 Impact Award. Olson will be honored during the Alumni & Legacy Brunch October 22nd at the Wikert Event Center.

“Midland University is such a great part of our community and it’s hard to imagine Fremont without Midland,” Olson said. “The financial impact on Fremont has been of great importance, and Midland has brought many great people to our community who go on to retire here.”

Olson graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and would later co-found Valmont Industries, where he served as an engineer for 38 years.  Olson also serves on the board of directors for RVR Bank (formerly First State Bank & Trust) and as president of Fern and Dale Inc. 

Olson and his wife, Fern, became heavily involved in the Fremont community over the years. Their involvement reached many organizations, including the Fremont Area Community Foundation, First United Methodist Church, Fremont Family YMCA, The Salvation Army of Fremont, Fremont Area United Way, Fremont Area Art Association, Fremont Rotary Club, and of course, Midland University. The Olsons were recognized in 2012 with the Mulliken Award for philanthropy by the Fremont Area Community Foundation.

The Olson family’s contributions to Midland over the years have helped fund the Refounding of Midland University, Olson Student Center, Olson Village Apartments, as well as helping with the renovation of the dining hall in 2017 and numerous other projects across campus.

Dale spent one semester at Midland before enlisting in the U.S. Navy for a 2 ½ year stint. He got involved with Midland in the mid 1980s during construction of the Anderson building and has been a supporter since.

“The intangibles are what matter most at Midland,” he said. “It’s the people and the culture that make Midland the place it is.”

Olson is grateful his contributions over the years have helped make many opportunities available to students. “Seeing Midland flourish is gratifying to me,” he said. “Midland is alive and well, and that’s the most important thing.”