Campaign News
John ’70 and Cathy Agee established the Agee Family Endowed Scholarship Fund because they believe in investing in students and are convinced that it is the college’s most pressing need. "Attending Saint John’s was a real blessing in my life. Cathy and I chose to make an endowment gift to allow current and future students the opportunity to know what it is like to be Johnnies."
Steve ’73 and Cindy Armstrong established the Rodney Anderson Endowed Scholarship at Saint John’s in memory of Steve’s classmate who died in 1988. "I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be able to come to an institution like Saint John’s, but a gentleman by the name of Fr. Donald LeMay called me one spring and invited me to come for a visit. I told him I could not afford to go to school there but he said ‘I can help you financially.’ Somewhere back in history someone helped pay for a third of my education. I know I’ve paid that back but I want to continue to give. I see this as part of my responsibility for some of the benefits I received from being a Johnnie."
Jackie Breher and Bill Jackson pledged a $2 million planned gift for the maintenance of the Abbey Guesthouse in honor of Jackie’s deceased husband, Paul J. Breher, a Saint John’s alumnus. "In 2001, we attended a reception at Archbishop Flynn’s residence in St. Paul where plans for an Abbey Guesthouse were revealed. My enthusiasm for the project was immediate."
Nicky Benz Carpenter made a $1 million gift to endow the Directorship at Hill Museum & Manuscript Library (HMML). "I chose to establish this endowed fund to ensure that HMML has the resources to attract talented executive directors in perpetuity."
Bob and Nancy Christiansen Dr. Robert '62 and Nancy Christiansen have made an estate gift to Saint John's to establish an undergraduate endowed scholarship and to establish an endowment with the Abbey. Bob is a retired surgeon with the Park Nicollet Clinic in St. Louis Park, MN, and past recipient of the SJU Alumni Achievement Award.
The Coborn family announced a $1 million gift to Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict to establish the Coborn Family Scholarship Fund at the two colleges. Chris Coborn ’81, president of Coborn’s Inc., and Mark Coborn, executive vice president, stated: "In time, we would like to see this fund grow to represent the largest, most significant family scholarship fund available for CSB and SJU students residing in Central Minnesota."
Brian ’81 and Joy Crevoiserat committed a $250,000 gift to Saint John’s for endowment and special projects ranging from the Abbey and Arboretum to accounting and athletics. "This pledge is a reflection of our love and appreciation for the people of Saint John’s University and Abbey. It also stands as a testament to our faith and approval of the leadership and vision that has been shown by Abbot John Klassen, OSB and President Dietrich Reinhart, OSB," says Brian.
Michael Dady ’71 and Kristi Skordahl made a $1 million gift over Michael’s lifetime to support The Michael Dady and Kristi Skordahl Leadership Scholarship. "I know I have a debt to Saint John’s I can never repay. Our commitment to help Saint John’s do one thing that it has been doing so well for so long –– nurture our students to be leaders in service to others –– seems to us to be an appropriate investment in Saint John’s and in the students it will be serving for years to come."
Ev ’52 and Ardeth Duthoy announced a will provision gift of $500,000 in honor of his 55th class reunion on October 5, 2007.
Dan ’67 and Lynn Fazendin committed a capital campaign pledge of $250,000 to establish a scholarship fund for graduate students in the School of Theology. "I just wish we were in a position to give more, because I really believe in the work they are doing," Dan said. "With this gift, I hope to inspire my children, and some of my friends, to contribute."
Bob, SJU ’58, and Agnes, CSB ’60 Flynn made a $25,000 gift to establish the Robert and Agnes Flynn Endowed Scholarship. Bob said, "We were moved by the fact that other couples who are graduates of Saint John’s and Saint Benedict’s had stepped forward to establish endowed scholarships for the benefit of both men and women students."
Mark ‘78 and Diane Flynn made a $1 million gift commitment to the Flynn/Worley Endowed Scholarship at Saint John’s University. "Bernie Flynn ’75, Mary Flynn Worley ’79, John Worley ’79 and I were all significant beneficiaries of the Saint John’s experience, and we are honored to participate in the University’s fine tradition of providing scholarship support from one generation to the next," reflects Mark.
John ’67 and Ginny Ford created the Ford Scholarship Fund. "We have established this scholarship to benefit incoming students who have been average students, but who show academic potential," said John.
Jim Frey ’78 and Mary White Frey ’80 announced a $2 million pledge to be used for two purposes: to establish an endowed professorship at Saint John's and the College of Saint Benedict, and to support initiatives associated with The Saint John's Bible and the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library. "Saint John’s and Saint Benedict’s are not just great schools, they are a community, and we learned a great deal academically and spiritually. The opportunity to make this gift during our lifetimes was quite compelling, as is the vision the two schools have about their future," says Jim.
Terry Fruth ’60 and Mary McEvoy made a $1 million planned gift designated to the Karl C. Fruth Memorial Scholarship Fund. "We originally established this scholarship in 1989 in memory of my late son, Karl, a 1986 Saint John’s graduate who died accidentally in August 1989," reflected Terry.
Bob ’62 and Charlotte Gavin made an additional commitment to the Helen and Robert Gavin Scholarship Fund. The scholarship was originally established in 2001 by the Gavins in honor of his parents who placed a high value on education for their seven children.
Rich Hall Memorial Scholarship - Family and close friends of Rich Hall made a major gift commitment in his honor to establish the Rich Hall Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Rich is remembered for his enthusiasm for life and his unique charm, wit and sense of humor. He had a network of Johnnie and Bennie graduates, their families and friends that spanned more than seven decades. The purpose of the Rich Hall Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund is to provide scholarship awards for the benefit of young men from Girls and Boys Town in Boys Town, Nebraska.
Bob ’72 and Renee Hatlelid made a leadership planned gift to establish the Robert and Renee Hatlelid Endowed Scholarship. "We are pleased to be in a position to establish this scholarship to help future generations of Johnnies who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine." said Bob. "Professors like Norm Ford were instrumental in my decision to become a physician and I know that similar mentors will continue to inspire Johnnies for years to come."
Kevin SJU ‘76 and Rosanne CSB ’77 Healy, in consultation with their son, Luke SJU ’03 and his wife Brenna (Conlin) Healy CSB ’03, established the Healy-Conlin Family Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is awarded each year to a sophomore, junior and senior who exhibit exceptional merit. "We established this scholarship to maintain ties between undergraduate students, the University community and alumni," said Dr. Kevin Healy.
Don ’59 and Dottie Hodapp made an estate gift of $1.5 million to establish the Don & Dorothy Hodapp Endowed Scholarship Fund at Saint John’s. Don says, "The educations we received were very valuable to us. As we’ve watched our children and now our grandchildren grow we recognize the importance of educations to them and all future generations. It is satisfying to know that we can provide some small help to Johnnies of the future."
Lyle and Kathleen Kasprick created the Lyle and Kathleen Kasprick Endowment Fund with a unitrust gift to Saint John’s. "We don’t feel we would have gotten very far in life had it not been for our educations. Helping institutions continue this legacy of education from one generation to the next is what it’s all about."
Albert Kosek, a resident of Edina, had named Saint John’s a $2.5 million beneficiary of his estate. Neither an alumnus nor a parent, Al was a dear friend who became a member of the Saint John’s Fellows Society many years ago. His legacy gift will support a number of priorities at Saint John’s, most notably student scholarships and the construction of a community center in Flynntown.
Paul Krump SJU ’82 and Anne Krump CSB ’82 made a leadership gift to establish an endowed scholarship in their family’s name to Saint John’s. They also made a leadership gift to the College of Saint Benedict’s campaign. "Anne Marie and I believe strongly in an education that incorporates Benedictine values tradition with educational excellence," said Paul. "In establishing our family scholarship, we hope to create opportunities for future generations to experience this exceptional education."
Frank ’48 and Julia Ladner committed $1 million to the Abbey Guesthouse as well as $4 million to a scholarship fund for undergraduate students at Saint John’s University. "Saint John’s has played an instrumental part in my life. Julia and I are grateful for the opportunity to give back to this next generation at the Abbey and University. We have always been well received by the Saint John’s community. It is our home away from home," says Frank.
Tom and Susan Larkin made a $1 million estate gift to establish the Dr. Thomas and Susan Larkin Family Scholarship. Tom said, "I will always be grateful for my experience at Saint John's. The monks made it possible for me to attend and benefit from a Saint John's education and it is my privilege to be able to give back."
Diane Liemandt-Reimann and Ron Reimann made a $500,000 campaign gift. The money will go toward endowing a faculty chair in monastic studies. "We view the School of Theology’s mission as vital to the future of the church. "What I like about it, more than anything, is the way the Benedictine values influence the students," Diane said. "I see the School of Theology on the right road for the future of the Catholic Church and that’s what excites me. We’re training people for the future."
Lilly Endowment Grant awarded the Saint John's School of Theology•Seminary a grant of $1,970,508 to participate in a national program called "Sustaining Pastoral Excellence." "Saint John's School of Theology/Seminary is honored to partner with the Lilly Endowment in shaping a pastoral "conversatio" to sustain the vocational vitality and professional competence of the priests and lay ministers working for all of us in our parishes," said Dr. William Cahoy, Dean, Saint John's School of Theology/Seminary.
Roger Lindmark ‘74 committed a percentage of a legal settlement, known as a Cy Pres gift to establish The Lindmark Endowment for Corporate-Business Ethics. It will provide resources to fund programs and activities, including guest lecturers to speak on business ethics in classes offered to future executives and entrepreneurs. "We also hope to establish corporate ethics internships in partnership with several Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Minneapolis and St. Paul," Roger says. "I am pleased that I have been able to help establish this fund for the benefit of students and future Saint John’s graduates."
Pat Lynch Pat Lynch '88 made a leadership gift to Saint John's capital campaign, One Generation to the Next, to establish the William Drahota Endowed Scholarship in honor of his uncle, a 1967 graduate of Saint John's. This scholarship will support students from rural Minnesota farm communities or small towns in out-state Minnesota.
Jack and Terri McKeon made a leadership pledge to establish two significant endowed scholarship funds to benefit Saint John’s students. Jack says, "I remember watching what Saint John’s came to mean to my son and his friends, and I observed that it is a singularly distinctive educational experience, one very different from other liberal arts institutions. I feel very fortunate that Terri and I can make a gift that will help to ensure the Saint John’s educational experience for another generation of students."
Greg Melsen ’74 and Barbara Torborg Melsen ‘78 established a Faculty Excellence Endowment Fund at Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict. "We want to make a difference in the lives of the faculty by encouraging them to tap the vast resources among business leaders within the alumni and alumnae ranks," says Greg.
Joe ’66 and Kathy Mucha made a provision in their estate to make a $1 million gift to Saint John’s. "Quite simply by establishing an endowed professorship we seek to help Saint John’s liberal arts students better prepare for careers in business," Joe says. "The enduring Benedictine values are the core of Saint John’s, the umbrella for everything. You come out of SJU with these enduring values that drive your life: in family, in marriage, in business. They all affect how you live your life."
Dick ’70 and Mary (Zimmerely)’70 Nigon made a gift to establish the Nigon-Zimmerley Family Endowed Scholarship at Saint John’s. "Professors like Tom Murray, Joe Friedrich, Fr. Martin, Fr. Zachary, Fr. Tony and Fr. Gervase were positive influences on me, and to a great extent they were mentors," Dick said.
Peg Engleson Palen CSB ’77 and Greg Palen SJU ’77 made an endowment gift to establish a Benedictine Leadership Initiative at Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s. "Both of us had exceptional undergraduate experiences, and this gift is a response to the teachers, families and friends who influenced us in profound ways," said Peg. "We want to make a difference at both Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s."
Ken ’59 and Mary Kay Plein created an endowed scholarship in their name for students with financial need. Ken says, "I always held four jobs during the school year, but I am very thankful to Saint John’s for the much needed full-tuition scholarship that I received. Mary Kay and I now want to give something back to the college that was so helpful to me."
John ‘63 and Lois Rogers created an endowed scholarship fund. "We feel that it is critical to attract students who will increase geographic, socio-economic and ethnic diversity at Saint John’s for the benefit of the entire student body," says Lois "We have had a long-time interest in cultural issues as well as support for international students and students of color. The most important thing for us is to support students with financial need because accessibility and diversity are at the heart of Saint John’s strategic plan."
Thomas and Rosalie Roth Tom '63 and Rosalie Roth have made a leadership gift of $50,000 to establish the Thomas and Rosalie Roth Endowed Scholarship. Tom has spent his entire career in the energy business. After retiring from Pacific Gas and Electric, he founded the Roth Energy Company in 2002. Tom has also served as a mentor for SJU's E-Scholars Program in entrepreneurship. Rosalie and Tom have four children.
Mike ’67 and Susanne Scherer committed a $1 million estate gift to establish a new scholarship in their family’s name. "The Saint John’s experience and the ‘sense of place’ have had a profound life long affect on me. We want to provide this same experience to other young men," said Mike.
Roger SJU ’58 and Irma CSB ’58 Scherer established the Roger and Irma Scherer Endowed Scholarship to ensure that students at Saint John’s University or the College of Saint Benedict with siblings who are also attending college will not be dissuaded from applying here due to the added financial burdens on their families. The Scherers explain, "We were both graduated from these fine institutions, where we began our forty-seven year relationship. We are proud that our scholarship will benefit both equally."
Cheryl Appeldorn, CSB ’81 and Tom Schnettler, SJU ’79 made a major gift to Saint John’s and Saint Benedict to establish the Benedictine Environmental Studies Research Fund. In making their gift, Cheryl and Tom indicated, "We are pleased to provide this support to both colleges for the new environmental studies program." Research awards from the fund will be made available to faculty and students working in collaboration on projects related to environmental studies and consistent with the Benedictine value of stewardship.
Don SJU ‘65 and Kitty CSB ’66 Schumacher made a $100,000 gift to both Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict to establish an unrestricted endowment for the colleges.
The Bill ’55 and Joyce Sexton family pledged $10 million. It is the largest in the University’s 146-year history. The majority of their $10 million commitment will be designated to the Joyce and William Sexton Family Endowed Scholarship. The remainder of their gift will be designated as follows: $1 million to the School of Theology•Seminary for graduate student scholarships; $500,000 to the Abbey Guest House, and $250,000 to the University athletic program. Jim Sexton ’81, Bill and Joyce’s oldest son, and a current member of the Saint John’s Board of Regents, said, "We know that one of the University’s major concerns is to build the endowment and we cannot think of a better way to do that then by providing scholarships to the next generation of Johnnies."
Steve ’61 and Barbara Slaggie pledged $3.5 million to Saint John’s Abbey toward the construction of a new Abbey Guesthouse. It is the largest gift in the history of Saint John’s Abbey. Steve says, "When we began discussing our gift, it seemed the right thing to do. A guesthouse fits so well with Saint John’s and all that it represents. The proposed Abbey Guesthouse expresses the Benedictine value of hospitality that is so much a part of this place."
Greg Soukup ‘72 and Mary Jo Carr established an endowed scholarship in the name of Fr. Gervase Soukop, Greg’s cousin, who had a distinguished 58 year career at Saint John’s. "I feel like I share a professional bond as well as a family bond with my cousin," reflects Greg. "Gervase worked in the Saint John’s business office in various positions, including Corporate Treasurer from 1971-1980. He also held a Masters degree in finance and a Doctorate in economics. I have spent my career in finance and tax and because of my education at Saint John’s."
Robert ’64 and Patti Spinner created an endowed scholarship to provide needed scholarship support. "I spent my entire professional career in health care so I know how important a liberal arts education is as a precursor to graduate and professional school," reflects Bob Spinner, former chair of the Board of Regents. "The University is committed more than ever before to insuring that the Saint John’s experience is accessible to young men from all walks of life. Patti and I are impressed by this commitment, so much so that we have established a family scholarship that we imagine will grow significantly over the years."
An anonymous alumnus and his wife funded the first $25,000 to establish the Fr. Don Talafous Endowed Scholarship. "There are many first generation prospective students who come from families who believe that a Saint John’s education is a mere dream, something so far from their reach financially that they don’t bother to take a close look," said Fr. Don. "I am honored and humbled that this scholarship bears my name, but what is most exciting to me is that it will help attract young men from different regions of the country and different cultural backgrounds."
Bob and Jeanette Welle Bob ’48 and Jeanette Welle have made a leadership gift to establish the Robert and Jeanette Welle Endowed Scholarship. Bob’s career with the First National Bank of Bemidji began in 1970. He retired as chairman of the board in 1995. Bob and Jeanette are parents of seven children, all of whom graduated from either Saint John’s University or the College of Saint Benedict.
Dan ’70 and Katharine Whalen announced a $5 million gift to Saint John's University. The contribution is believed to be the largest ever made to a Central Minnesota institution and the University's biggest gift in its 146-year history. Dan says, "It’s time to give back to Saint John’s. I’m not going to wait until I die, or all those who helped me are gone, to say "thank you." Katharine and I decided that Saint John’s will get the largest gift we’ve ever made. We will do the most we can for Saint John’s."
Paul Winter ’61 established The Paul R. Winter Endowed Scholarship Fund. Paul says, "I am always thinking about learning and teaching and how we can help provide resources to better facilitate both. Establishing an endowed scholarship at Saint John’s is about providing resources to facilitate learning among students with financial need."
Al ’63 and Kathleen Woodward established the Woodward Scholarship Fund to make the Saint John’s experience available to inner city students. Al says, "Our hope is that scholarships from the endowment will bridge the financial gap that often prevents economically disadvantaged inner city young people, particularly minorities, from choosing Saint John’s."
Steve ’72 and Susan Zimmerman announced early in the campaign that Saint John’s University as the beneficiary of two $1 million life insurance policies. As the campaign reached $150 million, the Zimmermans notified Saint John’s that they had established a third life insurance policy. As a result, Saint John’s will receive $3 million in support of an endowed scholarship fund.