Norma Olson was born in Port Townsend, Washington, on October 26, 1896. She studied dramatic arts at Emerson College in Boston after graduating from high school. In 1919 she came to Oregon Agricultural College as Instructor in Expression and Dramatic Art. Olson directed several drama productions at OAC until her resignation in 1922. The next year she married Ermine L. Potter, at that time Professor of Animal Husbandry at OAC. She continued her interest in drama, and directed productions for the Corvallis Woman's Club. E. L. Potter died in 1975; Norma Olson Potter died on August 4, 1988, after having lived at the Heart of the Valley Center in Corvallis since 1976.
