CALEDONIA - A renowned oncologist is this year's Caledonia Education Foundation Honored Alumnus.
Dr. Kenneth Olivier, who graduated with the class of 1986, is receiving the honor. He grew up in Caledonia, the son of Russ and Nancy Olivier.
While at Caledonia High School, he lettered in football and tennis, sang in the choir and acted in school plays.
Olivier said he was not an honor student in high school but learned he could improve academically with hard work while attending Grand Rapids Junior College, now Grand Rapids Community College.
"Part of that, honestly, was paying for school at GRCC myself," he said, adding, "When I wrote that first check to them, and it represented virtually all my summer savings, I realized there was value in school and I should make the most of it."
Olivier eventually transferred to Hope College and graduated with a plan to work as a counselor. He began in a doctorate counseling program at Pine Rest but decided to change his career path and enroll in the pre-med program at Grand Valley State University. He attended medical school at Wayne State University.
He served his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he met his wife, Gloria. The couple has two sons.
Olivier taught for five years at the University of Florida. In 2008, he returned to the Mayo Clinic, where he is now an associate professor and education chairman for the radiation oncology department.
Olivier is an expert on lung cancer and stereotactic radiotherapy. He has lectured nationally and internationally.
Olivier said his goal is to help teach future doctors as well as encourage lifelong learning.
Caledonia Education Foundation officials said Olivier was chosen as this year's Honored Alumnus because of his outstanding career and dedication to teaching.
Olivier will be honored during the high school's homecoming celebration on Sept. 30.