Neva Foster Olsen

Neva Foster Olsen, a resident of Baton Rouge and native of Fulton, passed away at her home on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011. at 6:57 a.m. She was surrounded by her two daughters, Catharine Dianne Kennedy and Brenda Susan Olsen, granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Grimshaw, dear cousin, Judy Hicks, and loving friend, Cynthia Tasco. Her two grandsons, Christopher Michael Kennedy and Stewart Collin Grimshaw also survive Dr. Olsen. Born Nov. 12, 1926, to Pearl Carver and George Walter Foster, Neva graduated from Louisiana Tech in 1947, received her master's degree from LSU in 1961, and her Ph.D. from Texas Women's University in 1976. She became an instructor at LSU in 1961, teaching textile science and doing research. In 1979, Dr. Olsen became director of the School of Home Economics. Under her directorship, the school became the School of Human Ecology to reflect its expanding programs, and student enrollment at the school increased significantly. During her tenure, pertinent undergraduate curricula were fully accredited, the dietetic master's program was initiated, the apparel design program and pre-medicine option in human nutrition were added, and the Ph.D. program was established. Dr. Olsen served on university, state and national committees and boards, leading research and administrative associations and agencies in higher education, including as president of the Gulf Coast Section of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, president of Gamma Sigma Delta, vice president and secretary of the National Council of Administrators of Family and Consumer Sciences, and the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Administrators. She served on the panel for the Furniture Industry Consumer Advisory Panel, member of the American Family&Consumer Sciences Council for Professional Development, member of the National Human Ecology Subcommittee of Experiment Station Committee on Policy, Family Relations Council, Omicron Nu, Phi Upsilon Omicron, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Sigma Xi. She also received many honors from both academic and professional associations, including the Distinguished Home Economist, Louisiana Home Economics Educators Association South Central District, Distinguished Contributor to 4-H Clubs, National Agricultural Alumni&Development Association's volunteer award, Who's Who of American Women, and Who's Who in the South and Southwest. Since her retirement in 1992, Dr. Olsen maintained a high level of interest in and devotion to the School of Human Ecology at LSU, especially by her service to the Friends of the LSU Textile and Costume Museum, serving as president from 1999-2001 and continuing to serve on the board; she worked actively as a fundraiser and student recruiter for the school. She was greatly respected by her students and colleagues for her management skills and humanitarian efforts. Her family extends a special thank you to the angels of Hospice of Baton Rouge and C&E Assisted Living: Eloise Battieste, Cynthia Tasco, Michelle Rollins and Gloria Baker for their amazing loving care and dedication. Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 8, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St. Memorial service at University United Methodist Church on Friday, Sept. 9, at 2 p.m. Interment following at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to the Dr. Neva F. Olsen Scholarship Fund, LSU Foundation, 3838 W. Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, (225) 578-3811.