University of Minnesota alumni John and Nancy Lindahl have made public 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 College of Education and Human Development ($2 million), the Carlson School of Management ($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.
“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, 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.
“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 CEHD deanJean Quam.
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.”
