Established on 06.01.2011 by Maria Green Cowles and Rebecca Green
This endowed scholarship honors Dr. David R. Green and Marilyn Green who graduated from Concordia in 1953 and 1956 respectively. Dr. David R. Green spent most of his career as Professor and Chair of the French Department at Concordia, was an instrumental leader in the early years of the Concordia Language Villages, led numerous May seminars, and co-developed the International Business program at Concordia. Marilyn was an outstanding teacher who taught in numerous places in the United States and France, created the Odyssey of the Mind program in Moorhead, and developed the secondary gifted program for the Moorhead, MN, school system. Both were wonderful educators who cared deeply for their students. They were also great friends with countless individuals (including Concordians) in Fargo-Moorhead, at “the lake,” and around the world. Most importantly, they were wonderful parents and grandparents.
It is with joy that their daughters – Maria Green Cowles (’84) and Rebecca Green (’87) – have created this scholarship in their honor. The scholarship will assist students who wish to pursue French studies – whether in the Concordia classroom or at the International Language Villages – and learn not only the importance of language, but also art, culture, literature, and travel in the world. David and Marilyn were strong believers in the liberal arts – no matter what vocation one pursued. They instilled in their children – and their students – the importance of thinking critically, broadening one’s understanding of the world, being open to diverse views, and exploring larger issues of beauty, truth, justice, and faith.
Dr. David R. Green
David Royle Green was born in Audubon, MN, on May 20, 1931. He was the only child of Iver and Ethelyn “Eddy” Orstad Green, who ran a general store. He was confirmed at First Lutheran Church and attended high school in Fargo, ND. He married Marilyn Olson, from Havre, MT, on July 24, 1955.
After graduating from Concordia College in 1953, David served in the Army during the Korean War with the Counter Intelligence Service in Tokyo, Japan. He earned his Master’s degree in French from Northwestern University, was awarded a Fulbright scholarship in France, received a diploma from the University of Paris Sorbonne, and earned his doctorate at the University of Minnesota.
Joining the faculty at Concordia College, David served as chair of the Modern Languages Department and as one of the first directors of the Concordia Language Villages. He initiated the teaching assistant program and French House, led May seminars to France, and co-created the International Business major. He was selected president of the Minnesota Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Governor Arne Carlson later appointed him to the State of Minnesota Board of Teaching. Yet, “Professor Green” was dedicated above all to Concordia’s mission and to his students.
David’s community work included serving as president of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Moorhead and Cormorant Lutheran Church in Cormorant, MN. He worked on public school task forces and volunteered in developmental programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. With Rotary, David was president of the Moorhead chapter and Governor of Rotary District 5580. In recognition for his work with Rotary’s “Polio-plus” program, David was selected for the “Service Above Self Award” – Rotary International’s highest award.
For those who knew him best, “Dave” lived his faith and loved his family and friends – especially his lake family, ski trip friends, and golf buddies. He enjoyed traveling overseas and exploring foreign cultures. He loved most any sporting event and was the voice of Concordia football games for many years. He loved to tease, was known for his “Ole and Lene” jokes, and was the last person to leave church every Sunday morning. And, he loved his chocolate.
Marilyn Green
Marilyn Jean Olson Green was born April 25, 1934, in Havre, MT, to John Paul Olson and Mayetta Eggen Olson. She spent her early years on a farm near Joplin, MT, and regularly visited her Norwegian maternal grandparents who had first homesteaded in the area. She graduated from Havre High School in 1952 and from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, in 1956, where she was a proud member of the Concordia Concert Choir. On July 24, 1955, she married David R. Green at First Lutheran Church in Havre, MT. Together they raised two daughters, Maria and Rebecca.
Marilyn loved teaching and she loved her students. She taught school at U.S. Air Force schools in France; in Elgin, IL; in Robbinsdale, MN; at Ben Franklin in Fargo, ND; and at the secondary schools in Moorhead, MN. Marilyn took graduate studies at Moorhead State University, focusing on teaching the gifted. She enjoyed developing gifted programming at Moorhead High School. As one of seven regional directors for Odyssey of the Mind (OM), Marilyn served on the MN State Board for OM. She received OM’s “Outstanding Performance” award. Marilyn was also selected as Education Teacher of the Year by the Fargo-Moorhead YWCA Women of the Year Awards.
Marilyn was active in community work, participating in the Fargo-Moorhead Junior League, later serving on the FM Junior League Board. Her primary projects focused on ecology along with acting/puppeteering events. Marilyn’s faith was strong. She loved her church, directing Christmas pageants, singing in the choir, and teaching Sunday School.
Being at the lake home with her family and her ‘lake family’ was always special. During the winter months, Marilyn and David went on wonderful ski trips with family and friends. Marilyn loved to travel. Living in France for a year allowed her and David to visit 11 different European countries. She went to Norway five times to visit her cherished Norwegian relatives. She was pleased whenever relatives came to MN to visit or stay with her. Marilyn and David also traveled due to David’s involvement in Rotary, making lasting friendships along the way. Marilyn instilled her love of travel in her family with whom she went on many adventures.
Marilyn and David divided their time during their retirement years between their lake home in MN and their winter home in Mesa, AZ. Genealogy, bridge, travels, reading, and visiting family and friends were her favorite pastimes. Marilyn was an unabashedly proud grandma, feeling happiest when attending the theatre performances, sports activities, music concerts, and recitals of her three granddaughters.