 Throughout his career, Olmsted worked with colleges and universities and sought to enhance the availability and quality of higher education for all people.He served on the Board of Trustees at Drake University in Des Moines, the American University in Washington, the West Point Association of Graduates, the West Point Alumni Foundation, and from 1973 to 1978, at the appointment of President Nixon, on the Board of Visitors at West Point.He has been honored with degrees from several universities