Scott Olson 2011 - Iowa State University Alumni Association

Scott Olson 2011

Scott E. Olson

BAR Architecture ‘69
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Scott Olson has been a real estate broker/architect with Skogman Commercial Group since 1993, and prior to that (1979) he was the co-founder/principal of OPN Architects, Inc. In 1973, he helped establish the non-profit child welfare agency Four Oaks, Iowa's largest children's agency, which today helps more than 14,000 children and families throughout the state. In 1995, he helped establish the Ecumenical Community Center to provide humanitarian service to the core neighborhoods of Cedar Rapids. And in 2008, after Cedar Rapids was devastated by severe flooding, Olson donated space and real estate/architectural services to help those affected.

On campus at ISU, Olson has given back to the ISU Alumni Association, where he is a past board of directors president; to the ISU Foundation, where he is a governor and was a member of the Campaign Iowa State: With Pride and Purpose national committee; and to the College of Design, where he has served on the architecture department’s advisory council, dean’s advisory council, and as a member of the college’s campaign committee.  In 2005, Olson created a leadership and community service scholarship to recognize architecture students for activities outside the college.

Besides continuing service to Four Oaks and ECC, Olson is active with such organizations as Rotary, Methwick Retirement Community, International Facility Managers Association, the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce, the Discovery Living, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Among the awards he has received are the Cedar Rapids Jaycees’ 1977 Distinguished Service Award, the ISU Alumni Association’s 1978 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award and 1996 Service Key Award, the Iowa Association of Realtors’ 2003 Good Neighbor Award, the ECCF/Green Square/Witwer Senior Center 2009 Pillar of Community Achievement Award, and ISU’s 2010 Beardshear Medallion.

Olson is an ISU Alumni Association lifetime member and sustaining life donor, as well as a member of the Cyclone Club and Order of the Knoll. He and his wife, Penny Olson, have two children: Scott E. Olson II and Jill Olson.

 

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