Merlene Ogden, noted for her five decades of meritorious service at Andrews University, started her career as band director and instrumental music instructor and English and physical education teacher at Platte Valley Academy in Nebraska. In 1955, she was hired by Emmanuel Missionary College to teach English, having completed a master's degree in English at the University of Nebraska a year earlier.

Ogden also had an interest in physical education and had taught it at PVA. She continued to teach all of the of the women's in classes at EMC, in addition to three sections of English composition. She expanded the offerings in women's physical education and organized and directed a women's intramural sports program.

She took a doctoral study leave from 1960 to 1962 to complete class work on a doctorate in English at UN. During those two years, the college assumed its present name and began expanding offerings in English and other academic areas to conform to its new identity as a university. Following the awarding of her doctorate in 1964, she aggressively sought to expand offerings in the English department at AU.

Ogden organized and led the first European Study Tour in 1964, and then over the next 30 years led thirteen more tours, involving more than 800 students in those trips. In 1969, she assumed directorship of the honors program, which had been started in 1966 by Paul Hamel, music department chair. She continued his work, presiding over its growth and development for the next quarter-century.

She became assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1977 and four years later was chosen to be dean of that program, a position she held for the next decade. In 1991, she became dean of Affiliation and Extension Programs, a responsibility that led to extensive international travel.

In her years at AU and in her many roles at the school, Ogden became known for her inspired teaching, organizational ability, and innovative and invigorating leadership. Although she retired in 2004, she continues to encourage travel abroad through Ogden Tours, offering at least two tours a year.

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