Community Awards Spotlight: James Olsen ’54

The annual Cretin-Derham Hall Community Awards celebrate several alumni and friends from Cretin, Derham Hall, and Cretin-Derham Hall, honoring their significant achievements and contributions. 

Each month, we will spotlight one or two of these award recipients. The full list of 2025 Community Award winners can be found on our website. Please consider nominating members of our community for a 2025 Community Award.

James Olsen ’54 (click for video)

James “Jim” Olsen ’54 grew up across the street from St. Mark’s parish, where faith and family were at the center of his life. After graduation from Cretin High School, he pursued aeronautical engineering, earning degrees from the University of Minnesota and The Ohio State University. His career began with Douglas Aircraft and later took him to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he advanced groundbreaking research in aerodynamics and structural dynamics. Rising to the role of Chief Scientist for the U.S. Air Force, the highest civilian grade in federal service, Jim also completed both a master’s and a PhD at Ohio State. Among his many professional highlights was his work with NATO’s Research and Technology Organization, fostering international collaboration and friendship through science.

Following retirement, Jim continued sharing his expertise as a professor at universities including Notre Dame and the University of Rome. Together with his late wife, Marcia, he raised three children:  Anne, John, and Mary. Inspired by Marcia’s example and dedicated to Catholic education, Jim established a scholarship for young women at Cretin-Derham Hall to help make Catholic education accessible for more families. 

In recognition of his remarkable career, lifelong service, and enduring faith, Cretin-Derham Hall proudly honors James Olsen ’54 with the 2025 Bishop Cretin Award.

Bishop Joseph Cretin Award

This award is presented annually to a distinguished Cretin alum in recognition of his outstanding service to the community and to Cretin-Derham Hall, and for his achievements in his profession exemplifying the highest and best traditions of Cretin High School. This award is presented in memory of the school's founder Bishop Joseph Cretin, the first Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.