Photo: Darian M. Noll with grandparents Karin and Ronald T. Noll
MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University alumnus Galen B. Nielsen ‘66, embarked on a journey of education and service that would span four generations at Western.
In 1965, Nielsen and his wife, Louise, moved to Monmouth, Ore. with their four daughters where he completed his degree in mathematics at Western. He then went on to receive his master’s degree at Oregon State University while teaching at Western and then became the head of the math department at Linn-Benton Community College. In 1973, Nielsen joined the Saudi Arabian Coast Guard and lived and worked in Saudi Arabia with his family for the next 15 years before he retired.
Nielsen’s two eldest daughters, Carole and Karin, attended Western in 1972. In 1974, Karin joined her parents in Saudi Arabia for a few months and met her husband Ron. They returned to Monmouth in 1977 for her to complete a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, then moved back to work in Saudi Arabia. In 1983, they returned to Monmouth once again, this time for Karin to earn her master’s degree in education.
In 2003, Karin’s daughter Katherine attended Western and graduated with a degree in earth science. She then moved to China and taught biology for 14 years.
The fourth generation of the family, Katherine’s son Darian, began his educational journey at Western in 2020. “My first day of school was actually in 2003 when my mother dropped me off at daycare on campus as she had a full schedule of classes to attend. Sixteen years later I was able to be a student and play baseball this time. I felt at home being on Western’s campus and I miss it every day,” shared Darian. He adds that it was important for him to attend Western because three prior generations of his family received their education and started their families at Western. “This university has helped shape me and my family into the people we are today. Thank you Western for the hospitality. Go Wolves!”
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.
