Ken Olson
English Professor
College of Arts and Sciences
Why did you choose to come to River Falls?
I grew up in Wisconsin, in a rural resort area, but I went to the University of Baltimore as an undergraduate and to Kent State University in Ohio for graduate school, and after being away from Wisconsin for about seventeen years, I decided it was time to return. I met someone from UW-River Falls at a conference in Columbus, Ohio, and I was invited to apply for a position at UW-River Falls, which I did. I came here in the summer of 1976 as the Director of Housing. I also taught one Freshman English Class whenever I could. I would have gone to any university in Wisconsin, but I’m thankful in many ways that I came to River Falls. It is a great area, with some outstanding trout streams, and I’m very glad that I could spend this many years at UW-River Falls.
What are three characteristics of a successful student in your class?
The answer to this question is somewhat difficult, as it is limited to only three characteristics. However, I feel three characteristics of a successful student are commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm to learn. I also find that sincere and unlimited curiosity helps a great deal.
What is the most rewarding part of your job and why?
I was the Director of Housing here at UW-River Falls for twenty years, and I was a Resident Director, Area Coordinator, Ass’t Director of Housing and, my last year at Kent State, I was the Director of Housing. This was a large housing program, with thirty-one residence halls and 8,000 students living on campus, and a student enrollment of about 23,000. It was very challenging, considering that I was a graduate student in English nearly all that time, but quite rewarding. Then, I came to River Falls and worked in Residence Life for twenty years. There were many rewarding, memorable experiences, but also some terribly challenging ones as well. I started teaching in the English Department full time in 1996, and I love it. I am doing what I prepared for in undergraduate and graduate school, and I truly love what I do.
Where is your favorite place to go in town and why?
I used to love the Book Press in River Falls, now a sports store. It was pure magic, so exciting and a great place for poetry readings. I like the Whole Earth Store in town. It is a great place to shop and to visit, the staff members are great and the coffee is cosmic. My favorite place in town, however, has always been the Kinnickinnic River, both the upper and lower sections: beautiful, tranquil, peaceful, and a wonderful place to fly fish for trout.
What is something you wish someone told you about UWRF before you first arrived?
I heard some very good things about UWRF from the person I met in Columbus, Ohio. When I came here to interview for a position, I was truly impressed with the city and the University. It is a beautiful and dynamic campus. There was nothing else I needed to know about it.
What is something you wish someone told you about college before you went?
My expectations of what college would be like were surely met and even exceeded by my experiences at the University of Baltimore. It was a great place to be and I made the most out of the educational opportunities made available to me. The UofB was a “city university” with the streets of Baltimore as our campus. The campus is much better now than it was in 1965. Kent State University was something quite different. It was and is a beautiful campus, rolling hills, historical buildings, and the black squirrels. Beautiful. I loved it. UW-River Falls has its own unique, special qualities, and how fortunate we are to have the South Fork of the Kinnickinnic running through campus. However, I think that it is extremely important for incoming students to get as much information as they can about UW-River Falls and its programs before they attend their first class. The information is available in many forms, particularly on line.
Did you always know you wanted to be a professor? Why or Why not?
Yes. I knew when I was quite young that I wanted to write and to teach. Here I can do both.
Why did you decide to teach at UWRF and how has your experience shaped you into who you are today?
My world and my experience with higher education changed on May 4,1970, my first year at Kent State, when National Guard soldiers shot thirteen students, killing four. I was a first year graduate student and a hall director. It changed the way I see some things and also the way I teach and work with students. I came to UWRF because I loved it and felt that it was where I should be. My feelings over many years have been reinforced year after year.
Tell us about a unique classroom experience.
There are so many, but every time I see the spark of sincere interest light up inside a student, and every time a student improves their writing and thinking skills, it takes its place in what amounts to a continuing “unique classroom experience.” Without it, I don’t think I could teach. It gives me enthusiasm and energy and a desire to reach out in even more effective ways.
What place/park/event do you think everybody should see? Why?
I think that students should attend as many programs and events that they can. Concerts and events, visiting scholars and lecturers, writers, and artists all contribute to the college experience. Once a month, there are student readings held in the Breezeway of Davee Library. I recommend it without reservation. I also recommend long walks on the walking trails and along the banks of the Kinnickinnic River. You may find me there walking our Cocker Spaniel, Riley, and our Siamese cat, LooLoo, who often joins us on our walks.
Tell the story of an out-of-classroom encounter- either social or academic with one of your students. How did this strengthen the student-faculty relationship or present the student in a new light?
I have taken students to Ireland every January Term for the last eight years. There, our classroom is Ireland, and it is truly rewarding to observe students experiencing and learning about the literature, art, music, politics, and history, and the landscape and culture of this beautiful country. One out-of-class experiences that will also stand out for me is that of a student who wrote to me after having had me in classes ten years earlier. He wrote about how his exposure to literature in my classes changed his life and resulted in a life-long interest in good literature. That, and also every time I get a thank you card, letter, or e-mail from a student after the class is over. To write that that is rewarding is quite an understatement. It is much more than that.
What was your first job out of college?
I went directly to graduate school after I graduated from undergraduate school, and I was hired before coming to Kent State University as a hall director.
If you were a student how would you be involved on campus?
There are a great many opportunities available at UWRF in which students can become involved. When I was an undergraduate, I was feature’s editor on the college newspaper and assistant editor of the literary magazine. I attended as many school events and programs that I could, even though I was working a lot of hours as an undergraduate. Taking advantage of one or more of the many or the academic and other opportunities available on campus is very important in helping students to make a connection to the University.
If you could change any part of your job what would it be and why?
I wish I had more time to read, research, and write, as well as more time to spend with students. I am challenged and satisfied with teaching in the English Department. I have great colleagues, which makes teaching even more exciting and rewarding. I know quite a few faculty and staff on campus, and I am encouraged to know so many who make a difference for students and who contribute to making this a University community.
Go back to Spotlight index
