2017 HOLMEN VIKING ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENT
Arlan C. Helgeson
1939
Arlan C. Helgeson was born, grew up, and loved Holmen all his life. He graduated from Holmen High School in 1939 as Class President. Arlan was naturally bright, sociable and had a curiosity that continued throughout his life. His supportive family and encouraging teachers helped him succeed.
Arlan earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree at La Crosse State Teachers College in 1943, served in the U. S. Army Air Corps as a radio operator in Great Britain during WW II, and on returning to civilian life, he taught high school in Bangor, Wisconsin for a year before attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison completing his doctorate in U. S. History in 1951.
That same year he was hired as a Professor of History at Illinois State University at Normal, Illinois. He was appointed Dean of the Graduate School in 1961 and served as Acting Provost of the University from 1971 - 1975. He returned to the history department resuming his work with Masters and Doctoral candidates. He retired in 1981.
Arlan is the author of Farms in the Cutover, published by the University of Wisconsin Press (1962), The United States of America: A History for Young Citizens (1963), and Growing Up in Holmen (2009), as well as various articles for the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Encyclopedia Britannica.
In his retirement, Arlan was a founding member and officer in the Central Arizona Land Trust, an organization devoted to preserving scenic areas and ranch land near Prescott, AZ.
Known for his sense of humor, Arlan was a popular speaker at both university and community events. His loving care for his family and commitment to friendships were appreciated by all who knew him. A humble man, he found great pleasure and satisfaction in the reception of his memoir, Growing Up in Holmen. Holmen High School’s use of his book was a source of great happiness to him.
Congratulations, Arlan C. Helgeson, Class of 1939, recipient of the 2017 Alumni of the Year Award!
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