Marquardt Memorial Scholarship

Sometimes the real heroes are the ones who stake their faith in a cause just because they believe it’s the right thing to do. This is certainly true of Olga Marquardt, who in 1968 entrusted a young California Lutheran College with a gift of stock valued at $13,244. The gift was a large one in CLC’s early years, and it was given to establish a scholarship in memory of her husband Herman.

In some ways, Olga was a woman well ahead of her times. Born in 1892 in rural South Dakota, she attended Augustana College, Yankton College and the University of Minnesota. After graduation she taught in several rural schools and later in public schools in Aurora, South Dakota. In 1940 she married Herman Marquardt, owner of a brokerage business in Wallace, Idaho. Two years later Herman died suddenly, and Olga returned to her teaching. She never remarried.

Olga did, however, find a new career later in life. She became a house mother in a college dormitory in Tacoma, Washington. When she heard of a similar opening at CLC, she latched onto the opportunity. As a confirmed Lutheran, she felt that this was the position for which God had been preparing her all along.

Olga spent several happy years at CLC and made many friends. It was in 1967 that she decided to create a scholarship in memory of her husband. Because of Herman’s success as a stock broker, Olga was able to make several gifts of stock to fund the scholarship. She designated the Marquardt Memorial Scholarship for students planning to enter the ministry or missionary service. Recipients are to have completed their junior year of academic work.

Needless to say, many students through the years have received encouragement and financial assistance from Olga Marquardt’s generosity and confidence in CLU.