King Olav V Chair in Scandinavian-American Studies
Established in 1992 through a gift from the Norwegian government and the Kenneth O. Bjork Endowment Fund, the King Olav V Chair in Scandinavian-American Studies was created to ensure the continued study of Scandinavian and Scandinavian-American history at St. Olaf College. The holder of the chair also serves as editor for the Norwegian American Historical Association (NAHA) whose archives are located on the St. Olaf campus. The first holder of this chair was Odd S. Lovoll, professor of history and Norwegian.
Dr. Nichol,’74, is an expert in the congregational life of Norwegian-American immigrants. A member of the history department at St. Olaf College, he helps coordinate undergraduate research opportunities for students in the arts and humanities. A former professor of church history at Luther Theological Seminary, Dr. Nichol received the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit in 2006 from King Harald V of Norway. He recently edited Interpreting the Promise of America: Essays in Honor of Odd Sverre Lovoll and Churchways: Patterns of Congregational Life Among Norwegian-Americans.
