Clara Paulson was a 1930 graduate of Concordia and served as an Assistant Dean of Women for 9 years at this institution. She spent 2 of those years at Syracuse University, New York, and earned a Master of Arts degree. In 1939, she left Concordia and joined the faculty at Lutheran College, Decorah, Iowa, as an English literature instructor.

Besides this, she served as a Dean of Women in Luther College from 1940-47. She was also a part of the faculty affairs committee which compiled a faculty handbook in 1957.

In 1958, she played an important role in Luther's approval by the American Association of University Women, thus in making 686 women holding bachelor of arts degree from Luther eligible for membership in the association. And she was also a member of postwar planning committee.

In 1971, she retired and and had been active in her local congregation at Pequot Lakes, MN, where she lived in a year-round lake home. In 1976, the Concordia College Alumni Association presented her the Alumni Achievement Award for her lifelong dedication to the causes of her church.

And, on April 18, 1977, her eulogy was delivered by Martin Mohr, professor of English, at Pequot Lakes, MN.