Gladys Veidemanis

Gladys Veidemanis was a well-loved English teacher and advocate for the arts and humanities. She retired in 1990 and become even more active as an arts advocate. She co-founded and served as the past chairwoman of Project SOAR (Special Opportunities for Artist Residencies). Gladys also served for more than three decades on the board of the Green Lake Festival of Music.

Gladys established the Juris Veidemanis Outstanding Senior in International Studies Award in 1971 in memory of her late husband, Dr. Juris Veidemanis. Dr. Veidemanis was a professor and chairman of the Sociology and Anthropology Department. He taught at the Wisconsin State University Oshkosh from 1964 until his death on February 20, 1971. He received his B.A. from North Dakota, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.