Everett V. Olsen, Sr. graduated from Chelmsford High School with the Class of 1935. He participated in many extracurricular activities ranging from chemistry to the Democracy and International Relations Clubs, to drama and the orchestra, where he played trombone.

He continued his education at Bradshaw Business College and also took evening courses at Lowell Technological Institute, one of the predecessors of the current UMass Lowell. This connection to Lowell Tech would prove to be one that lasted an entire lifetime.

Following service in the U.S. Army during World War II, Mr. Olsen began his affiliation with the higher education aspect of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He started out as the Chief Personnel Officer of Massachusetts State College at Fort Devens – a branch that was created to take the heavy burden off veterans seeking a college education under the G.I. Bill. After that, he progressed through the ranks and was named President of Lowell Technological Institute in 1972. After a time as Acting President when the University of Lowell was created in 1975, he resumed his position of Executive Vice President and Assistant to the President of the new institution. He retired in 1981 and was named President Emeritus of Lowell Technological Institute.

At one very special event Mr. Olsen became Dr. Olsen, as the Board of Directors of Lowell Technological Institute awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Science in recognition of “his building of the Institute.” Ten years later Everett V. Olsen Hall, a new arts and sciences building, was dedicated in his honor. The graduating seniors in 1979 chose him as their commencement speaker. His contributions to the development of Lowell Technological Institute and its successors brought it from a small local textile institute with four academic buildings and one dormitory to a state university with an international reputation and a sprawling campus spread out over the city of Lowell and extending into Chelmsford.

Dr. Olsen’s wife and family of four children and ten grandchildren are so glad that his memory will be honored in such a special way. The establishment of the Everett V. Olsen, Sr. Memorial Scholarship means that his contributions to higher education in the area continue with the academic careers of the recipients in the years to come.