BS 1967
Retired - Oil & Gas Industry
Svein's first surprise and impression when arriving in Boulder from Norway in 1965, was how beautiful the scenery was with the Rockies and Flatirons in the background. His second surprise came when he registered at CU and was awarded a scholarship of $500, which represented half of his tuition and fees – a pretty good start to his life in the USA.
After graduating from CU, Svein spent 42 years in the oil and gas industry, both on- and offshore. He held positions in project budgeting and scheduling, project engineering, construction engineering, project management and as a project management instructor.
With work and a family, he still found time to volunteer for a variety of organizations--two years as Soccer Coach for the American Community School in Cobham, England; two years as a ski instructor at North New Jersey Ski Area; four years on the Anchorage Organizing Committee for the Winter Olympics (for 1992 & 1994); ten years in the foster family program for newborns in Alaska; six years building houses for Habitat for Humanity.
Svein and his wife Pauline have three children and seven grandchildren. In addition to their own children, the couple has contributed to the lives of more than 55 babies through philanthropic efforts and foster programs.
Since returning to Boulder in 2000, Svein has served on the Alumni Association and Directors Club boards among other CU commitments. In 2017, he received the Alumni Association Leanne Skupa-Lee Award which recognizes effective and passionate volunteers who serve the University of Colorado and the CU Boulder Alumni Association. His hobbies are skiing, hiking, gardening and traveling, and of course, volunteering!
Ask me about: Project Engineering, Project Control, Project Management, Project Consulting