Distinguished alumni

Dr. Dick Van Holland ’58 Distinguished Service to Northwestern

Dick was a longtime business professor at Northwestern College, retiring in 2011 after 29 years of teaching at his alma mater. During his tenure at NWC, he was awarded the college’s Excellence in Teaching Award twice. He was also named the Outstanding Iowa Post-Secondary Business Educator by the Iowa Business Education Association and won the National Outstanding Advising of Students Award from NACADA, the National Academic Advising Association. As a member of Northwestern’s faculty, he advised the Business Club, led the college’s 125-year anniversary committee, chaired the business department, and wrote NWC’s accreditation report. Three of his four children are NWC graduates. Dick earned a bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls after graduating from Northwestern Junior College. He also holds a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of South Dakota.

Award year: 2024