Alumni Association Home > Minnesota Magazine > Past Issues > 2007 > May-June 2007

My days as a student at the University of Minnesota were thoroughly enjoyable. I never missed a football game and knew all the cheers and the name of every player. However, I had little appreciation for the education I received at the University, much less a sense that I owed it something in return. I had paid my tuition, joined the alumni association, and attended all the games wearing maroon and gold. Certainly that was all that should be expected.

It was many years later that I realized what the University had done for me. I was far from being the best student, but I had learned to manage and motivate people, to organize and solve complex problems, and, most important, to communicate effectively. These were lessons that enabled me to become a brigadier general in the United States Air Force and a several-term elected official. I had achieved far more than I ever dreamed possible thanks to the University. In fact, the U continued to enrich my life long after I earned my diploma.

My wife, Pam, was a native of southern California but would soon become a loyal Gopher fan. We took turns taking classes at the U so we could get student tickets and better seats at games. By taking classes from experts at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, she became an excellent gardener, so we became members there and made annual contributions.

When our beloved dog became seriously ill, our veterinarian recommended we take him to “the best.” Of course, that meant the U’s College of Veterinary Medicine. While there, we became acquainted with the Raptor Center and were impressed with its rehabilitation of injured birds as well as its research to prevent and cure diseases that can impact animals and humans. Now I’m serving on its board of advisers.

We often comment that, while our athletics teams sometimes have a down season, the Minnesota Marching Band is “undefeated.” The band has provided us with many hours of enjoyable entertainment, and we want to be sure the tradition continues.

So, how did we support the arboretum, Raptor Center, and marching band? Simple: We participated in their programs and made relatively modest fi nancial contributions each year. As our fi nancial situation improved, so did the size of our contributions. Finally, through the University of Minnesota Foundation, we’ve made arrangements to leave much more generous amounts in our life estate to each of them.

Gopher athletics have provided fantastic excitement and entertainment for us through the years. We wanted to do something to support the student athletes beyond just purchasing season tickets. In addition, Air Force ROTC was my ticket to a fulfilling and successful career. We decided to endow a scholarship to be given each year to any Gopher student athlete, male or female, with preference given to a member of ROTC. See how you can specify exactly how your donation will be used?

We support the U in many other ways too. For example, we count ourselves among more than 12,000 people who have volunteered to be part of the Legislative Network and who contact their elected officials on behalf of the U to encourage strong funding. I vowed never to be a paid lobbyist, but I’m proud to be part of the Legislative Network.

Over the years, we’ve decided it is important to give back and make an investment in our university. You can do the same. It’s easy once you consider how much the U has done for you.

For information on connecting to the University through the alumni association, visit www.alumni.umn.edu. To make a gift to the University, visit www.giving.umn.edu.