December 22, 2014
Life really does begin at 40
As a child, David Olsen visited his grandfather鈥檚 Venezuelan health clinic during summer breaks. The elder doctor was a gifted internist who often volunteered his services to treat those in need. As Olsen swept the floors, he observed how one person can truly make a difference.
David Olsen in the lab where he participates in research.
鈥淚t was amazing to see people arrive in pain and then leave happy and feeling better. As a kid, watching my grandfather work was like seeing Superman,鈥� says Olsen.
Olsen is a superhero inspiration himself. Now 40 years old, a helping hand from the Martin Family Foundation empowered him to pursue boyhood dreams of serving others and earning a college degree. He graduates from the 91探花in 2015 with a degree in biology and commences medical school in the fall. Olsen is a 2012 Martin Honors Scholar. The program provides tuition to exceptional Washington state community college students to complete their baccalaureate degrees at the UW.
鈥淭he scholarship is one of the greatest forms of encouragement and validation I鈥檝e ever received,鈥� says Olsen.
Born in Venezuela, a four-year-old Olsen moved to Michigan with his mother as she completed her Ph.D. in environmental science. He was always surrounded by learning as a child. As a teenager, he read over 50 books a summer, from Sophocles to Sigmund Freud. He attended one year of college before putting his formal education on hold to support his newborn daughter. He worked 16 years as a carpenter before injuries and the economic downturn compelled a career change.
Supporting Community College students
The , dedicated to assisting talented Washington state community college students who wish to pursue a college degree at the 91探花, exists through the generosity and vision of Benn and Claribel Martin.
The Martin Achievement Scholarship helps fund students early in their community college career with demonstrated signs of exceptional ability in art, humanities, and/or leadership, supporting their study and eventual transfer to the 91探花Seattle campus.
Awarded to community college students of exceptional ability and outstanding achievement, the Martin Honors Scholarship helps students complete their baccalaureate degrees at the 91探花Seattle campus, often within the Honors program.
Meet the
鈥淎t first, I thought I was way too old to go back to school but I鈥檝e discovered a newfound purpose. I love caring for people and want to be in a field where I can make a significant difference in people鈥檚 lives,鈥� says Olsen.
His grandfathers鈥� legacies 鈥� both were physicians 鈥� partially inspired his decision to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. At 35 years old, he enrolled at North Seattle Community College and took to it like 鈥渁 duck to water.鈥� Teachers encouraged him to apply for the Martin Honors Scholarship and he transferred to the 91探花after completing a two-year associate degree.
The 91探花has expanded his horizons both in and outside the classroom. He鈥檚 participated in numerous undergraduate research opportunities and classmates mentor Olsen in the general art of being a college student 鈥� popular new bands and how to use social media. In return, his presence also broadens their worldview.
鈥淢any young people make assumptions about people 鈥� community college students, the working class, those of color, older people,鈥� says Olsen. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important that students are exposed to a diversity of personalities and life experiences. Otherwise, you鈥檙e learning on a scholastic level, but not growing culturally or in maturity.鈥�
He hopes to eventually work with Doctors Without Borders and return to Venezuela to volunteer as his grandfather did.
鈥淎bove all, I want to represent community college students in a positive light,鈥� says Olsen. 鈥淚 want to show people that students don鈥檛 go to community college simply because they couldn鈥檛 get in anywhere else. There are different paths to take.鈥�