Jim and Anne Eidsvold
There are many reasons why Jim and Anne Eidsvold choose to support UMN Morris. Part of it is the simple joy of giving back, but mostly, they say, it’s about the students and the future of the college. In addition to supporting students directly through the Eidsvold Scholarship, the couple wanted to find other meaningful ways to help the college thrive. They pitched an idea: billboards celebrating UMN Morris as an anchor of pride for the region.
Read Jim and Anne Eidsvold's giving story
Heising-Simons Foundation
The SCOPES (Small-Campus Observatories as Promoters of Education in Science) Conference was held on the UMN Morris campus in June 2025, funded by a grant from Heising-Simons Foundation, a family foundation unlocking knowledge, opportunity, and possibilities.
Read the Heising-Simons Foundation giving story
Roland Guyotte and Barbara Posadas
Roland Guyotte, a professor of history at UMN Morris, and his wife, Barbara Posadas, a professor of history emerita at Northern Illinois University, have devoted their careers to teaching and mentoring college students. As part of their living trust, they have established the Roland L. Guyotte and Barbara M. Posadas Endowed History Scholarship at UMN Morris, intended for students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in history.
Read Roland Guyotte's and Barbara Posadas's giving story
Dana '84 and Michelle Crosby
The new Dana and Michelle Crosby Free Enterprise Scholarship is geared toward students who are studying economics or business management and was available to students fall 2025. Dana '84 says, “I hope it encourages future leaders who understand and value free enterprise."
Read Dana and Michelle Crosby's giving story
Jim Winter '68
When Jim Winter ‘68, talks about what inspires him to support the University of Minnesota Morris, he’s quick to convey his appreciation for the college. Recognizing the hardship it is to pay for college today compared to when he was in college, Winter set up two scholarships at UMN Morris.
Read Jim Winter's giving story
Richard Sandberg ’72 and Rex Levang
Richard Sandberg ’72 and Rex Levang opted to give to the Chancellor’s Discretionary Fund based on a desire to support the university more broadly. They wanted to give to UMN Morris without having to choose from the many meaningful options.
Read Richard Sandberg's and Rex Levang's giving story
Keith Davison
Long-time Morris resident Keith Davison understands how interconnected the University of Minnesota Morris and the Morris community are. His annual gifts to the Center for Small Towns Fund—specifically the Clifford J. Benson Center for Community Partnerships—support student internships with governmental, educational, and community organizations in small towns.
Read Keith Davison's giving story
Peh Ng and Denise Dworakoski
For UMN Morris long-time faculty member Peh Ng's birthday one year, her spouse decided to establish a scholarship in her honor. The Dr. Peh Ng and Denise Dworakoski Scholarship is awarded to a student who is pursuing a major in the Division of Science and Mathematics.
Read Peh Ng's and Denise Dworakoski's giving story
Loretta Seppanen ’68
When Loretta Seppanen ’68 thinks about her experience as a student at UMN Morris, she thinks of it almost as a gift. In appreciation of what that "gift" meant to her, she wanted to give back to her alma mater and opted to do so through planned giving to the Morris Scholarship Fund.
Read Loretta Seppanen's giving story
Sally and Bart Finzel
When Sally Finzel lost her beloved aunt, acclaimed harpsichordist Eve Kugler, and uncle Arthur several years ago, she and husband Professor Bart Finzel decided to honor the extraordinary pair by putting first-rate instruments in the hands of Morris students.
Read Sally and Bart Finzel's giving story
Martha and Brian Williams
Martha and Brian Williams, wife and son of the late Professor Ralph Williams, created the Ralph and Martha Williams Fund in memory of the founder of Music at Morris.
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Professor Emeritus Laird H. Barber and Dorothy Klein Barber
Influential English faculty members Professor Emeritus Laird H. Barber and the late Dorothy Klein Barber have made possible the Barber lecture series, which enriches campus dialogue about contemporary literary issues.
Read Laird and Dorothy Klein Barber's giving story
Randy Koopman ’78
A former track and field captain, University of Minnesota Presidents Club member, and a 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Randy Koopman ’78 understands what it takes to win big on and off the field, which is why he supports the Cougar Athletic Association.
Read Randy Koopman's giving story
Connie Ford and Robert Power
Inspired by the urge to redistribute their wealth and by son Caleb's 2012 graduation from Morris, Connie Ford and Robert Power recently named the campus a beneficiary of their estate.
Read Connie Ford and Robert Power's giving story
Donors to the Catalyst—UMM Fund
Extraordinary students deserve extraordinary opportunities. That's why donors to the Catalyst—UMM Fund help Morris's best and brightest truly soar.
Read the story of Donors to the Catalyst—UMM Fund
Michael ’62 and Diane Jerpseth Madsen ’62
Loyalty to the Morris campus—and gratitude for the foundation it gave their careers and personal lives—inspires Aggies Michael ’62 and Diane Jerpseth Madsen ’62 to support the institution today.
Read Michael and Diane Jerpseth Madsen's giving story
Sharon Stewart Reeves ’68
Thanks to Sharon Stewart Reeves ’68, Morris's story will live on forever.
Read Sharon Stewart Reeves's giving story
Haley Gill ’17
While conducting hands-on research at the EcoStation, Haley Gill ’17 gained practical skills and a better understanding of Minnesota's changing landscape.
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Puncky ’73 and Mary Soehren Heppner ’76
We all know that college is hard, but Puncky ’73 and Mary Soehren Heppner ’76 understand it better than most.
Read Puncky and Mary Soehren Heppner's giving story
Daniel J. Moore ’07
Daniel J. Moore ’07 has loved Morris since he first stepped on campus in 2003, and he wears that love on his sleeve—often quite literally.
Read Daniel J. Moore's giving story
Veronika Jurisch Grace ’96
Friends remember Krista Leraas ’96 as someone who loved to laugh, and few things got her going quite like the Happy Bench.
Read Veronika Jurisch Grace's giving story
Ted Storck ’54 and VFW Post 5039
"No one does more for veterans" than the VFW, and few have done more for Morris than Ted Storck ’54.
Read Ted Storck and VFW Post 5039's giving story
Bridget Crabtree ’97
When Dr. Eric Crabtree ’97 unexpectedly passed away last November, his community honored him and his work by contributing to a memorial fund that not only "represented who Eric was," but also was leveraged to create an endowed scholarship at Morris, among other things.
Read Bridget Crabtree's giving story
Paul Burke Kiger ’73
An avid golfer, Paul Burke Kiger ’73 sends a box of golf balls to the golf team each year for practice.
Read Paul Burke Kiger's giving story
Models for Living and Learning: Campaign Stories
Jesse Eklund '17, Morris
UMM Alumni Association Scholarship
Having wrapped up his college career, Eklund has his eye on a master's in applied economics. As an undergrad he was able to take full advantage of the college experience, worry-free, thanks to the power of philanthropy.
"This scholarship made it possible for me to go through my experience at UMM without worrying about financial problems. I was able to focus on classes and research and all the things college students should be focused on."
Rachel Johnson
assistant professor of biology
Johnson is pioneering path-breaking immunotherapy treatments for cancer with help from her student research partners.
"My students will go on to be the doctors and scientists who will, I firmly believe, develop and implement the therapies that will allow for us to cure each patient of their cancer."
Kali Dale '14
PhD candidate in oncological sciences at the University of Utah
Dale was one of the first students to live in UMN Morris's Green Prairie Community, where she took part in an innovative living and learning environment.
"Because of this experience I know more about sustainability and can share what I know wherever I go."
Jasmine Paron '16
Teacher naturalist, Audubon Center of the North Woods
At UMN Morris Paron partnered with area teachers to develop curriculum promoting environmental stewardship, an experience that opened up career opportunities.
"As I was working with communities, I realized it was something I wanted to do with my life and for my career. I could do service-learning projects: create change, give back, and be a positive influence in my community."