Robert C. Oliver

When the Board of Trustees announced its decision to hire Robert C. Oliver as Augustana's twenty-third president, the campus and Sioux Falls communities' response was predictably and overwhelmingly positive. Rob Oliver was no stranger to either community, and his leadership and passion for life and learning are hallmarks of his career.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Rob attended public schools and entered the University of South Dakota in 1971. He obtained a B.S. in Economics in 1975, and, while employed by Norwest Bank in Rapid City, began coursework to receive his MBA in 1977.

As Norwest Bank completed its transition, becoming Wells Fargo & Co., Rob continued his progression through a variety of positions with the firm. He has had experience as a Personal Banker, Commercial Banker, became manager of the Business Banking Department in Sioux Falls, and in 1987 was named President of the Sioux Falls Market banks. He expanded the operations of the then Norwest Bank franchise in Sioux Falls to include 16 locations. In 1999, he was named Southeast District President, responsible for 27 banking locations in 13 communities in southeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota.

Rob's "free time" during his years at the bank included coursework at The Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He taught classes for the University of South Dakota School of Business, both in their undergraduate and MBA programs in Sioux Falls. He also instructed for the American Institute of Banking and the Institute for Financial Education.

Believing that service to one's community is as important as one's career, Oliver became well-known throughout the area as a model Board member and volunteer. His area involvement has included the Avera McKennan Hospital Board of Trustees (Chair); Augustana Board of Regents (former Chair); member of the Board of Directors of Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota; board of Communication Services for the Deaf; past chair of the Sioux Empire United Way Board; and board member of Volunteers of America. In addition, Rob has served Forward Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Main Street Sioux Falls, YMCA, Threshold Youth Services, the Civic Fine Arts Center, and the Sioux Empire Red Cross. Rob is a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

Following Rob's passion and interest for higher education, he retired from banking in 2004 and joined the Augustana faculty as an associate professor and chair of the Department of Business. While his tenure within the department was brief, his dedication to students and excellence in the classroom were soon well-known.

Oliver and his wife, Angela, are the parents of two daughters, Andrea and Laura.