James Opsahl Scholarship

This scholarship is established in memory of James F. Opsahl by the Winona State University Biology Department from funds bequeathed to the department by Dr. Opsahl. Dr. Opsahl received his E.A. degree in biology from the University of California at Berkeley in 1949. His M.A. degree (zoology, 1951) and Ph.D. degree (animal ecology, 1959) were awarded by the University of Illinois. He was a professor of biology for 30 years at Winona State University prior to his death on August 19, 1987.

James Opsahl was held in the highest regard by his colleagues and his students. Although his primary interest was teaching, he believed that his teaching must be supplemented by research which involved students. He personally paid the expenses of many students to travel to Alaska two months every summer for field study. Hard work was a standard for him. In a personal statement he wrote: “I feel that research must accompany my teaching in order to keep the teaching materials (and me) fresh. I have felt that inclusion of data still unpublished added immeasurable zest to a course, gave it a sense of timeliness.”

Dr. Opsahl left a legacy of knowledge and respect for education and research. He developed WSU’s extensive museum collections of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as a large collection of mammal skulls.

Scholarship contact is Dr. Edward Thompson.