John W. Olson, a third-year student at the University of Wisconsin Law School, has been named the recipient of a $10,000 Ford Leadership Award for 2004. The Ford Motor Company created the award to recognize law students in their second or third year who demonstrate significant leadership skills and make a positive difference for the community.

Criteria used to select the winning students nationwide include originality, independent judgment, self-confidence, commitment to quality, and maintaining inspiration, focus, and persistence, even under adversity.

Other schools participating in the awards process include Michigan, Wayne State, Howard, Georgetown, Harvard, Northwestern and the University of Chicago.

Prior to law school, Olson established himself as an advocate for persons with disabilities through his service on the Wisconsin Governor's Committee for People with Disabilities and the Wisconsin Rehabilitation Council, and as an advocate for numerous individuals with disabilities.

As a law student, he has distinguished himself as a mentor to numerous other students, as an able advocate for clients of the Consumer Law Litigation Clinic and Legal Defense Program, and as a spirited and encouraging leader of many class discussions.  In September 2001, Olson spearheaded a fund-raising drive among members of the Law School community that raised approximately $25,000 for families of firefighters who died in the terrorist attacks.

Submitted by on May 5, 2004

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