Norwegian Adult Leader Honored

Dr. Verlyn Anderson, instructor for the Norwegian Elderhostel program, received the St. Olav medal in June 2008 from the Norwegian government “in recognition of his great service to Norway,” in particular for his active work to promote knowledge and appreciation of Norwegian culture, language and history in the United States.

Anderson served for 36 years at Concordia as director of the library and professor of history and Scandinavian studies. He continues to lead tour groups to Norway and to research and write extensively about Norwegian genealogy and Norwegian emigration to the U.S.

The impetus for Anderson’s recognition came from native Norwegians who work with him on the massive Hadeland Immigrant Identification Project, which is creating a database of more than 10,000 Norwegians who emigrated from the Hadeland region between 1843 and 1930.

“It’s unbelievable to get an award like this, for doing what I love to do,” says Anderson. “In Norway the awarding of these medals is quite a big event. I feel very honored.”

Anderson was awarded the medal during a two-week tour of Norway with his wife. They also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Norway with their three daughters, three sons-in-law and three grandsons. The ceremony was held in Hadeland at the medieval Nicolai Church in the Gran parish where Anderson’s great-grandfather was baptized in 1854.
In a signed order by His Majesty King Harald V, Anderson’s recognition includes his many years of teaching the adult Norwegian program at Skogfjorden, the Norwegian Language Village; for leading at least 50 tours to Norway, many sponsored by the Smithsonian Museums and the National Trust for Historic Preservation; and his long service to the Norwegian-American Genealogical Center in Madison, Wis.; and as a visiting professor at Hedmark University College in Hamar, Norway.

King Haakon VII instituted the St. Olav’s medal in 1939 to recognize “outstanding service” in strengthening the bonds between Norwegian-Americans and the homeland of their ancestors. 

clv@cord.edu
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