Paul J. Olscamp
Encyclopedia
Dr. Paul J. Olscamp is a retired Canadian-American academic and university administrator. While attending the University of Western Ontario
, Dr. Olscamp was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. He received his Bachelor of Arts
and Master of Arts degrees in 1958 and 1960, respectively. He received his doctorate
in philosophy
from the University of Rochester
in 1962, the first such degree awarded there. His continuing love of the subject was evident during his time at Bowling Green State University
(BGSU) because he taught a philosophy course almost every semester, despite managing all his duties as president.
Dr. Olscamp served as president of Western Washington University
for seven years. While president of BGSU, he held a position on the Board of Directors
of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities
. He was appointed to the National Council on the Humanities by President Ronald Reagan
in 1987. In 1989 he was elected as the Mid-American Conference
representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Presidents' Commission. Following his retirement from BGSU in 1995, Dr. Olscamp served as interim president of the University of South Dakota
and then went on to hold the same position at Mayville State University
in North Dakota
.
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
, Dr. Olscamp was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. He received his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and Master of Arts degrees in 1958 and 1960, respectively. He received his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
from the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
in 1962, the first such degree awarded there. His continuing love of the subject was evident during his time at Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
(BGSU) because he taught a philosophy course almost every semester, despite managing all his duties as president.
Dr. Olscamp served as president of Western Washington University
Western Washington University
Western Washington University is one of six state-funded, four-year universities of higher education in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in Bellingham and offers bachelor's and master's degrees.-History:...
for seven years. While president of BGSU, he held a position on the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities is an organization of state-supported colleges and universities that offer degree programs leading to bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees...
. He was appointed to the National Council on the Humanities by President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
in 1987. In 1989 he was elected as the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Presidents' Commission. Following his retirement from BGSU in 1995, Dr. Olscamp served as interim president of the University of South Dakota
University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota ', the state’s oldest university, was founded in 1862 and classes began in 1882. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, USD is home to South Dakota's only medical school and law school. USD is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and its current...
and then went on to hold the same position at Mayville State University
Mayville State University
Mayville State University is an institution of higher learning in Mayville, North Dakota, part of the North Dakota University System....
in North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
.