Mining Journal photo by Antonio Anderson Christopher J. Olson, set to be the new president of Northern Michigan University, at his public forum last week.

MARQUETTE — In a unanimous decision by the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees Thursday, Chris Olson, has been named as president of NMU, He is set to start in the position Jan. 1. BOT Vice Chair Melissa Holmquist was the person who brought first the motion and was the first to comment on Olson as president.

“First I wanted to thank our presidential search committee for bringing forward some excellent candidates, and a thank you to Tami Seavoy who led that committee,” said Holmquist. “Dr. Olson really has an extensive impressive background in several areas of higher education, leadership and management. So I am confident based on his wide ranging experience and really his constant connection with students and collaboration with leaders on campus, the state, and the region. He will be an excellent choice to lead Northern as its next president.”

The process of selecting the NMU president started with a pool of around 80, which was whittled down to four and then finally to Olson.

“I want to start with a sincere thank you to the BOT with their confidence to lead such a great university,” said Olson. “From beginning to end this has been a great process, with Gavin Leach and with Marquette. They did a tremendous job of conveying why people talk about campus like a family. We felt that on and off campus… This is the only presidency I have ever interviewed for and one of the only places I have considered. I am happy to make this a home for years to come. I can’t stop smiling, I am very proud to have this position.”

One of the leading reasons why Olson was chosen was his focus on student success and how to make students successful.

“Everyone needs something,” said Olson. “Student success is matriculating and getting started on what will be a successful career and careers. It is whatever students need to be academically successful and graduating on time. We (NMU) can do a lot: academic support, emotional support. The challenge is everyone needs something different.”

Another reason why Olson was chosen was his thorough background in academia. Olsen serves as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Indiana State University. Previous to his current position, he was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for five years and chairperson of the Department of History for 14. He earned his PhD at the University of Florida in 1996 in United States history, with minors in Colonial Latin America and Political Culture Theory.

His previous degrees are from the University of Nebraska (MA, 1990) and North Dakota State University (BA, 1988). His academic work examines the history of 19th-century United States, focusing on politics and political culture. Originally from North Dakota, he and his family lived in several parts of the U.S. before settling in Indiana. In their spare time, they enjoy hiking and traveling as much as possible, according to his biography provided by NMU.