The Daemen College Board of Trustees announced Wednesday that President Gary Olson has signed a five-year contract that will allow Olson to continue to lead the college until 2021.
“We are very pleased with Dr. Olson and all he has done to lead Daemen College to new levels of excellence and national visibility,” said Dale Demyanick, chairman of the Daemen College Board of Trustees Demyanick. “The college is thriving despite the many challenges that colleges are facing nationwide.”
Olson arrived at the college in February of 2013. Prior to his presidency, Olson served as provost and vice president at Idaho State University. He was also dean of Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University
Olson has made changes at the college in Amherst that included a beautification initiative on campus, the creation of a new institutional website and the naming of Daemen as the only NCAA Division II institution in the region. Another project completed under Olson’s leadership included the renovation of the former YMCA building on Main Street near the college creating a $5.6 million Academic and Wellness Center.
“Daemen is a very special college, and I am pleased and humbled to have the opportunity to contribute to its growth and prosperity,” said Olson. “It has truly become a college of national distinction.”
Olson is also a celebrated scholar and author. He writes a column on higher education for the Huffington Post.
