|
"Our goal is to produce good kids."
For forty years that has been the motto and effort of Dr. Joseph P. Olson. Dr. Olson came to Athens Bible School in the fall of 1971 after graduating from Western Kentucky. After teaching and coaching for 8 years, he was appointed as Assistant Principal. In 1980 he received his Master's Degree and that summer was appointed Principal of Athens Bible School. He served as Principal and President for 27 years.
During those 27 years he initiated Homespun, which became a successful fundraiser for the school for over 30 years and remains to this day a highlight among community events in Athens. In 1982 he revived the senior trip, on which over 700 students have traveled to various places like Philadelphia, Williamsburg, New York City, and Washington D.C. to take in the history and culture of our nation. During his tenure as chief administrator, 21 National Merit Students have graduated from ABS, 12 of those being National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalists. He has seen the school through numerous SACS reviews, ensuring the school's accredidation and progress toward offering a better education. He guided the ABS Beta Club to numerous State and National Championships.
His successful guidance of Athens Bible School has also led to his appointment to a number of other distinctive positions with educational organizations such as the State President of National Beta Club, 7 chairs of review teams for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and a position on the Presidential Search Committee for Athens State University.
In 2001 he returned to school to aquire his EDS degree and in 2004 completed his Ph.D. for the University of Alabama.
However, with all of the accolades, degrees and accomplishments, what is closest to the heart of Dr. Olson are the students of Athens Bible School and living for Jesus Christ. His passion for the educational and spiritual success of young people is unmatched.
Continuing in his passion for young people, Dr. Olson has been appointed as a professor at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, KY. Despite his departure, he will always have a permanent place of honor in the Athens Bible School family. We will miss his presence but never forget his contributions.
| 
