James C. Olson (1917-August 17, 2005) was an author and school administrator whose duties included being president of the University of Missouri System
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Olson was born in Bradgate, Iowa. He received a bachelors degree from Morningside College in 1938 and an MA and PhD from the University of Nebraska in 1939 and 1942. During World War II he was a historian for the United States Army Air Force.[1]
After the war he was director of the Nebraska State Historical Society from 1946 to 1956. He taught at the University of Nebraska where he became chair of the Department of History, dean of the Graduate College, director of Graduate Program Development, and vice chancellor for Graduate Studies and Research. During this time he wrote several books on Nebraska history.[2]
In 1968 he became chancellor of the University of Missouri-Kansas City until 1976 when became president of the University of Missouri system until 1984.[3]
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by C. Brice Ratchford |
President of the University of Missouri System 1976-1984 |
Succeeded by C. Peter Magrath |