University of Minnesota alumni, and significant Gopher Athletics boosters, John and Nancy Lindahl, made public today their commitment of $17 million to the U of M. The gift will help fund the new Athletics Village, including support for facilities and programming in basketball and football ($12 million), the Carlson School of Management (Carlson) ($2 million) and the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) ($2 million) and pediatric cardiology research ($1 million).
As both active volunteers and donors for the University, the Lindahls have previously impacted significant projects on campus, including the renovation of Northrop, return of football to campus, faculty endowments, and funding medical research.
"There is nowhere that we would rather give our time and treasure than to the University of Minnesota,” said the Lindahls. “The exceptional leadership of President Eric Kaler, academic deans and Athletic Director Norwood Teague makes us so proud of this noble institution and excited about its future."
“When I walk across campus, I see the influence of John and Nancy all around me,” said U of M President Eric Kaler. “From Northrop to children’s health research to endowed professorships to TCF Bank Stadium, their unwavering enthusiasm, hard work, and generosity are immeasurable. The University will long benefit from these gifts as well as the advocacy and energy they bring to all they do on behalf of this University.”
The Lindahls serve on the Department of Athletics Leadership Council, currently working to raise $190 million to fund a new home for Gopher sports. The couple’s $12 million gift to the athletics facilities campaign is included as part of the previously announced total of committed funds.
“John and Nancy Lindahl are two of the proudest supporters of Gopher Athletics and our student-athletes in the entire state of Minnesota,” said Director of Gopher Athletics Norwood Teague. “This most generous gift is yet another example of their belief in this University and the student-athletes it develops into the future leaders of our local communities. As always, John and Nancy choose to lead by example and we are eternally grateful for their dedication and commitment inherent in this campaign gift."
John, a graduate of the Carlson School ('68), and Nancy, a graduate of CEHD ('68), have provided $2 million to each of their colleges to advance strategic priorities of the academic leadership.
“From speaking with our students, to supporting our world-class faculty and research, to investing in the infrastructure that allows us to deliver unrivaled experiential learning opportunities, John and Nancy Lindahl have had a tremendous impact on the Carlson School and on the lives of so many of our students,” said Srilata Zaheer, dean, Carlson School of Management. “We are honored that they have once again chosen to give to their alma mater and excited by the alumni engagement opportunities their gift will create.”
“This generous gift from Nancy and John Lindahl is one that will allow us to recruit and retain a field-shaping faculty and support graduate students,” said Jean Quam, dean, College of Education and Human Development.
Nancy has served as National Volunteer President of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association and is a life trustee of the University of Minnesota Foundation. John is a current Foundation trustee and a former trustee for the University’s Medical Foundation where he and Nancy became very involved in raising dollars for children and cardiology.
“The University is the economic and cultural centerpiece of our state,” said the Lindahls. “We have been blessed with opportunities to reconnect to the University and engage with great leaders over the last few decades. We are proud of our degrees and thrilled to see the direction this University is going.”
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