Margaret H. O’Leary, Associate Dean for Humanities and King Olav V Chair of Scandinavian-American Studies at St. Olaf College, was awarded the rank of Office of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit on September 16. Norwegian Ambassador to the United States, Kare Åas, conferred the award. O’Leary received the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit due to her continuous commitment to strengthening ties between Norway and the U.S.
O’Leary spent nine years teaching the Norwegian language and culture at the University of Oslo International Summer School. She specializes in language pedagogy, particularly the use of technology in teaching Norwegian. Currently, O’Leary resides in Northfield, Minn., where she has been a professor at St. Olaf College since 1977. This past summer she led a St. Olaf Study Travel program to Oslo where she had the opportunity to have dinner with Knut Brakstad, private secretary to His Majesty, King Harald V.
Congratulations, Margaret, on your award and thank you for your 40 years of dedication to enhance the knowledge of Norwegian education, culture and social engagement.