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Wilson named Kenneth Bjork Distinguished Professor

By Kari VanDerVeen
August 3, 2011

Professor of Religion Charles A. Wilson '69 has been named the Kenneth Bjork Distinguished Professor, an appointment that honors his service to the college as a teacher, scholar, and colleague.

Wilson began teaching at St. Olaf in 1973. Since then his academic postings have included serving as senior faculty director, college registrar, and associate dean for humanities. In addition to the Religion Department, Wilson has taught in the Paracollege and in the Great Conversation. He has led the St. Olaf Term in Asia and delivered a Mellby Lecture. Other service to St. Olaf includes membership on various college committees and task forces. A Ludwig Feuerbach scholar, Wilson is currently writing a book on the theological use of historical Jesus research.

The St. Olaf Board of Regents established the chair honoring Kenneth Bjork in 2006. Bjork taught history at St. Olaf from 1937 to 1974 and served as editor for the Norwegian-American Historical Association (NAHA) from 1960 to 1980. He is the author of Saga in Steel and Concrete: Norwegian Engineers in America and West of the Great Divide: Norwegian Migration to the Pacific Coast.

Contact Kari VanDerVeen at 507-786-3970 or vanderve@stolaf.edu.