Olson Selected
for WEF Bedell Award
Karla Olson receives the Bedell Award for outstanding personal service in a Water Environment Federation (WEF) Member Association.
Karla has had numerous leadership positions in the Water Environment Federation, both nationally and at the state level. Karla is currently in her second year of a three-year position as the WEF Delegate for the State of North Dakota. Karla served on the North Dakota WEF Member Association Executive Committee for five years, which included one year as President.
In addition to the offices held in the Water Environment Federation, Karla served for seven years on the Executive Committee for the annual ND Water Conference, which included one year as President. The annual conference, or North Dakota Water Pollution Control Conference (NDWPCC), is a joint conference of the North Dakota chapters of numerous associations including the Water Environment Federation.
Karla has actively participates in the WEF organization not only through leadership positions but also by presenting multiple technical sessions at the annual conference, moderating conference sessions and presenting to student chapters. Karla also judges the Stockholm Junior Water Prize for WEF as well as the ND State Science Fair.
The award is named for Arthur Sidney Bedell, WEF’s second president, for his long devotion and service to the New York Sewage and Industrial Wastes Association, now the New York Water Environment Association. He was Chief of the Bureau of Sewage and Waste Disposal of the New York State Department of Health.
Criteria:
- Member of the Water Environment Federation.
- Organizational leadership, administrative service, membership activity, stimulation of technical functions, or similar participation.
The award was presented at the NDWPCC Conference in Bismarck.
