Support Bowdoin
Stories of Support
Stories of Support
- A Gift Inspired by the Common Good
- Supporting The Bowdoin Campaign
- Gift Given in Honor and Memory of Robert de Sherbinin
- Artists Fund Provides Financial Resources for Studio Art Students
- Professorships Keep Bowdoin in Top Tier
- Family Scholarship Fund Covers Four Years of Tuition for a Student
- New Fund Supports Student Research
A Gift Inspired by the Common Good
“Literary institutions are founded and endowed for the common good.” –Joseph McKeen, first president of Bowdoin College, 1802
President McKeen’s vision has always inspired David Olsen ’59, and it provided motivation for the gift that he and his family made to Bowdoin in conjunction with the upcoming Class of ’59 50th reunion.
“We asked the Bowdoin staff to help develop a plan for our gift that would be useful to the College, while also fitting in with our dedication to the common good,” says David. “This resulted in the Olsen Family Fund – Center for the Common Good.”
The new Center for the Common Good advances the College’s legacy of service, by encouraging community engagement and leadership opportunities. Funding helps expand the concept of public service, by developing community service opportunities for students.
After majoring in economics and government, David spent his professional life in insurance brokerage, retiring in 1997 as Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Higgins. He is currently a Director of Marsh & McLennan Companies. After his retirement, the Olsens created The Olsen Family Foundation, which is dedicated to making gifts to the arts and education.
David and his wife, Bobbie, live in Salisbury, Connecticut. Bobbie earned her degree from Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia and was a copywriter for several New York advertising agencies. They have two children, Brad ’89 and Amy (St. Lawrence University ’90). Among Brad’s volunteer activities at Bowdoin was teaching creative writing in the Brunswick public schools; this led to his current career as Assistant Professor of Education at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he lives with his wife Jeanine. Amy lives in suburban Chicago with her husband Steve and three children, after having worked in TV network sales for many years. She has been volunteering for various organizations since high school.
Bobbie and David have served non-profit organizations everywhere they have lived: California, Illinois, Texas, New York, Connecticut, and Florida. David has served Bowdoin in many volunteer capacities, including 17 years as Overseer and Trustee. He is currently gift co-chair for his 50th reunion.
“I thank the Bowdoin staff for working with me to develop a plan that fits with my commitment to the common good,” says David. “Our gift is just one example of the many creative ways to give.”