Greg Olson

When Greg Olson first arrived in Cairo in 1978 as a determined graduate student, he couldn’t have imagined how deeply Egypt would impact him. Decades later, his bond with the University remains as strong as ever. That’s why he chose to leave a legacy gift to AUC so the University can continue transforming lives, just as it did for him. “I cannot think of anything more worthwhile than supporting AUC.”

Born into a family of Swedish and Norwegian heritage, Olson grew up in a small Wisconsin town where, for many years, his father was the only physician. Family vacations to Latin America, filled with visits to ancient ruins, sparked his lifelong fascination with history and culture. Attending Macalester, a distinguished liberal arts college in Minnesota, allowed him further exposure where he met students from around the world and traveled extensively, including to Scandinavia and the Soviet Union. 
 

When friends raved about their experiences at AUC, Olson was determined to study there. Undeterred by an initial rejection for a teaching fellowship, he flew to Cairo and enrolled as a graduate non degree student. His persistence paid off — when a spot opened in the teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) program, he was offered the fellowship. 

“My two years at AUC were transformational, magical,” Olson recalls. At a time when few Americans were in Egypt, he taught English, explored ancient sites and even attended a garden tea for American professors and students at the home of former first lady Mrs. Jihan Sadat. The friendships he forged and the experiences he gained deepened his love for the region. 

After earning his master's degree, Olson taught English in Egypt’s Red Sea oil fields before moving back to the U.S. in the early 80s. His career then took him across the globe — managing English programs for UAE Air Force cadets, earning an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management and working with the Peace Corps and USAID in Yemen, Egypt and post-conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. 

In Egypt, he managed projects ranging from marine conservation in the Red Sea to rural sanitation in Luxor, deepening his appreciation for the country’s culture and people. “I was so fortunate to have been able to spend so much time in Egypt: One can get such a good grounding there in the Middle East and Islam,” he says. 

Today, Olson splits his time between restoring Cairo’s historic American Cemetery and working on cultural heritage projects with the American Research Center in Egypt. Living in Egypt for many years now, his passion for Egypt's culture and heritage grows stronger. “For many years now, I have taken weekly Friday-morning walks with friends in historic Cairo. In the warm summer months, I head for the beach in the old Alexandria beach community of Agamy, where I share an apartment with former AUC classmates.”

Why Give to AUC?

Olson's decision to name AUC as a beneficiary of his retirement account stems from gratitude and a belief in the University’s impact.

“I owe a great deal to AUC for the full fellowship I received when I did my master’s degree, and so I think it natural that I should give others the generosity that the University gave me. My time at AUC was transformational for me. As with my gifts to the AUC Fund each year, my legacy gift will support whatever AUC needs most.”

But his support goes beyond personal appreciation. “AUC contributes so greatly to Egypt, a country I care about deeply.”

His legacy gift, unrestricted to meet the University’s greatest needs, ensures that future generations will benefit from the same opportunities that shaped his life.