Rev. Dr. Roland Martinson graduated from Oak Grove in 1960. A 1964 graduate of Concordia College, he later received the Concordia Alumni Achievement Award. Roland earned his B.D. degree from Luther Seminary in 1968 and was ordained and served as pastor in California before returning to join Fargo’s Hope Lutheran Church in 1974. He earned his S.T.D. degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1978 and was named Professor of Pastoral Theology and Ministry, Pastoral Care, at Luther Seminary in 1982. In 2000, Roland was installed as Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Children, Youth and Family Ministry, and in 2001 the ELCA Youth Ministry Network honored him with the Tom Hunstad Award for Excellence in Youth and Family Ministry.