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Members of the Wilmore community gathered April 1 to celebrate the reopening of the popular Asbury Trails, an event dedicated to honoring the remarkable efforts of Dr. Larry Olsen, a retired associate professor of earth science.
Dr. Olsen, known for his passion for the natural world and his dedication to education, played an instrumental role in the creation and development of the Asbury Trails. These trails, which have become an integral piece of the university’s connection to nature, were first established by Dr. Olsen as a tool to enhance his earth science classes. Through his leadership, what began as widened deer paths eventually transformed into a network of trails.
For more than two decades, Dr. Olsen poured his energy into maintaining the trails, often enlisting the help of volunteers and student workers to ensure that visitors could experience the beauty of God’s creation.
During the ceremony, Andy Bathje, Asbury’s retired coordinator for Adventure Programs and associate dean for Student Leadership Development, expressed gratitude to Dr. Olsen for his leadership. Bathje emphasized the invaluable gift Dr. Olsen has given to the community, making the trails available for education, reflection, and recreation.
Asbury President Dr. Kevin Brown presented Dr. Olsen with a commemorative plaque that will be permanently mounted at the trailhead. The plaque reads, “With profound gratitude for two decades of voluntary labor to establish and maintain the Asbury Trails, Asbury University recognizes and thanks Dr. Larry Olsen, whose hard work and dedication have provided so many with transformative encounters with the beauty of God’s Creation.”
Dr. Olsen’s family was also present to celebrate the legacy of faith and stewardship he has created.
The event concluded with a light reception, offering attendees a moment to connect, share memories, and reflect on how the trails have been a space of inspiration, learning, and spiritual growth.
Thanks to Dr. Olsen’s unwavering dedication and love for both education and nature, the Asbury Trails continue to stand as a powerful reminder of how the beauty of God’s creation can impact a community.
— Izzy DePue ’25