About Professor Roy E. Olson
Professor Roy Olson stands as a leading international scholar on soil behavior and its applications to geotechnical engineering practice, as well as a deeply dedicated engineering educator. As a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering, he is widely considered the catalyst behind the remarkable success of the geotechnical program at The University of Texas at Austin.
In 1970, Professor Olson joined the Department of Civil Engineering at UT Austin, where he would spend the next forty years working tirelessly to elevate the department to national prominence. Under his leadership, the geotechnical engineering program at UT Austin rose to become one of the leading programs in the country, recruiting outstanding faculty and developing a program with strengths in virtually all aspects of geotechnical engineering.
Academic and Professional Journey
Roy Olson’s academic journey began in Minneapolis, where he attended public schools before earning his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Minnesota. Throughout his higher education, he worked summer jobs for various prestigious organizations, including the U.S. Army Snow Ice and Permafrost Research Establishment in Northern Greenland and renowned geotechnical firms across the United States. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1960, where he began his academic career as an assistant professor, quickly rising to full professor by 1966 before joining UT Austin in 1970.
Legacy of Excellence
Professor Olson’s greatest pride has always been the accomplishments of his former students, many of whom have become influential leaders in geotechnical engineering. His leadership in building the program included recruiting notable faculty such as Kenneth Stokoe, Stephen Wright, David Daniel, and Robert Gilbert, each of whom made remarkable impacts on the geotechnical profession.
In 2003, Professor Olson was elected to the National Academy of Engineering “for furthering our understanding of the properties of clays and for contributions to geotechnical engineering design.” Throughout his distinguished career, he assumed high-level leadership roles in professional societies while actively teaching and mentoring students, including chairing several important committees within the Geotechnical Engineering Division of the ASCE (now the Geo Institute).
Recognition and Honors
Professor Olson has been widely recognized for his professional accomplishments, receiving numerous prestigious awards including the Huber Research Prize, the Croes Medal, the Norman Medal, the Terzaghi Lecture, and twice receiving the ASTM Hogentogler Award.
The Spirit of the Olson Award
The Roy Olson Award for Outstanding Performance and Community Contribution honors students who exemplify Professor Olson’s dedication to excellence in geotechnical engineering and commitment to fostering a vibrant academic community. Recipients of this award demonstrate not only technical proficiency but also the collaborative spirit and dedication to advancing the field that defined Professor Olson’s remarkable career.
This award celebrates students who:
- Demonstrate exceptional academic performance in geotechnical engineering
- Contribute significantly to the vibrancy of our community through mentorship, leadership, and collaboration
- Show promise of continuing Professor Olson’s legacy of excellence and innovation
- Embody the practical application of theoretical knowledge that was a hallmark of Professor Olson’s approach
Award Recipients
We are proud to recognize these outstanding individuals who have exemplified the values and standards set by Professor Olson:
2025: To be announced
2024: Ashish Ajit Govindan
2023: Hassan Alzoaby
2022: Audrey Lea Housson
2021: Mohamad Mahdi Hallal
2020: Reihaneh Hosseini