Community Corner

Chuck Clausen Taking Santa to Higher Degree This Season

The Oakdale resident and former Stillwater prison corrections officer earned a 'SantaClausology' diploma last spring.

Chuck Clausen of Oakdale says portraying Santa Claus "makes my Christmas." The former Stillwater prison corrections officer has been dressing up as Santa since 1970 but this Christmas is different, since he earned his doctorate in "SantaClausology" last spring from the International University of Santa Claus. 

Clausen's new credential has earned him a new round of media attention this season, including a profile in the Star Tribune. This time of year, the newspaper reported, he is in high demand. "I’m all over the place," he said.  

But Clausen told KSTP that he's able to work in his own family celebration amidst other obligations: "I do have to take that big trip, you know."


Related at Patch: 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here