For nearly three decades, Notre Dame has made financial aid its top fundraising priority, and, more recently, we have devoted significant resources to support low-income and first-generation students. The mission of the Annexstad Family Foundation aligns perfectly with these efforts, and we feel privileged to work in concert with them to make the dream of a college education a reality for young people who have, in the face of great challenges, excelled in all facets of their lives.
Rev. John J. Jenkins C.S.C., President
University of Notre Dame
Talent is distributed equally throughout our society, but opportunity most certainly is not. One of our highest priorities at the University of Michigan is to guarantee that a diverse group of the world’s brightest students will be able to study on our three campuses and go on to make a positive impact in communities here and around the world. I appreciate the work of the Annexstad Family Foundation to provide valuable support to students who are pursuing higher education.
Mark Schlissel, President
University of Michigan
The University of Redlands is extremely grateful to the Annexstad Family Foundation for its continued investment in the future leaders who are learning and growing each day on our campus. We have witnessed firsthand the notable difference the Foundation’s generous scholarships, along with the personal inspiration and support from the Foundation team that accompanies the awards, are making for each year’s recipients. Despite tremendous hardships, these students are among our most dedicated and hard-working students – those who most want to get to, stay at, and embark from Redlands into successful lives and careers.
Dr. Ralph Kuncl, President
University of Redlands
Spelman College appreciates the Annexstad Family Foundation’s consistent support of our students. By establishing the Leaders for Tomorrow Scholarship, the foundation is providing critical resources for Spelman students, many who are high achievers and future leaders with great need. This investment aligns with our overarching strategic goal to ensure that no student is prevented from completing her education due to financial challenges. We are sincerely grateful to the Foundation for their commitment to Spelman women who are making a choice to change the world.
Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, President
Spelman College
Carolina has a proud history of welcoming students from all walks of life. Extraordinary talent often arises from extraordinary circumstances, and the Annexstad Family Foundation is a wonderful partner in recognizing students who have overcome hardship on their path to college. The Foundation’s support not only helps talented students achieve their dreams, but also strengthens our entire campus community.
Carol L. Folt, President
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of Mississippi is dedicated to transforming lives through education, and we are honored to partner with the Annexstad Family Foundation in this effort. No single investment is more important to the future of our economy and society than higher education. Through its scholarship programs, the Annexstad Family Foundation provides hope and encouragement to deserving students who might not otherwise be able to attend college. These programs allow students with financial need to “lift themselves” via higher education and realize rewarding careers, thus breaking the pernicious cycle of poverty. We are excited to partner in this way with the Annexstad Family Foundation to help future generations achieve their full potential.
Jeffrey S. Vitter, Chancellor
University of Mississippi
The University of Georgia greatly values its partnership with the Annexstad Family Foundation. Through their generous support of the Leaders for Tomorrow and the Horatio Alger Association Al and Cathy Annexstad scholarship programs, they are helping talented UGA students who have faced adversity in their lives obtain a college education and become our nation’s future leaders. I am deeply appreciative of the Annexstad Family Foundation and continually inspired by our Annexstad Scholars.
Jere W. Morehead, President
University of Georgia
The University of California, Berkeley is unique in its commitment to access, to a culture where students, whatever their background, can become something they have only dreamed of. Thanks to our partnership with the Annexstad Family Foundation, we are able to extend opportunities to new generations of young people to serve, to excel, and to transform the world. Their future is ours.
Carol T. Christ, Chancellor
University of California, Berkeley
The culture of Minnesota State University, Mankato, aligns with the values and mission of the Annexstad Family Foundation. We take pride in having recognized Al and Cathy as honorary doctorate degree recipients because they epitomize our University’s goal to nurture the passion within students and to push them beyond possibility on the way to realizing their dreams. This is particularly true with the Annexstad scholars, who are challenged with remarkable hardships and realize amazing success. These same students understand and embrace our culture of big ideas and real-world thinking.
Richard Davenport, President
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Part of what makes Emory University distinctive is its uncommon balance between ground-breaking, transformative research and an emphasis on excellent teaching and mentoring. Emory is committed to educating the next generation, discovering new knowledge, and making a positive impact on the world. These are values and commitments we share with the Annexstad Family Foundation. Through scholarship support like that from the Annexstads, for young people who have endured extraordinary challenges, we are able to help shape bright minds and empower individuals for the benefit of society.
Claire E. Sterk, President
Emory University
The Annexstad Family Foundation makes dreams come true! Everyone should have the ability to participate in the American Dream, and the Annexstad family has recognized that a great education is the best way to open the door of opportunity. Since its inception, the Foundation has changed the world for the better by opening that door of opportunity time and time again for those who might otherwise not have the chance to walk through it. Al and Cathy Annexstad worked very hard and have achieved much, so it is inspiring to see how they have dedicated their lives to helping others follow that same path. It is amazing how many lives the Annexstad Family Foundation has touched. The world is so much better for it. Winona State University is proud to be a partner with the Annexstads in helping students achieve their dreams.
Dr. Scott R. Olson, President
Winona State University
The University of St. Thomas wholeheartedly embraces the Annexstad Family Foundation’s commitment to enable first-generation college students to earn their degrees and make a difference in the lives of others. During my 30 years in higher education, as a professor, dean, provost and now president, I often have witnessed the extraordinary impact that scholarships make by in creating pathways that otherwise would have been unattainable for promising students. These scholarships are particularly important because they lift up students, who often bring a special talent or perspective to the table as a result of their hardships, as future leaders.
St. Thomas’ mission is to educate students to become morally responsible leaders who “think critically, act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good.” That mission, in my view, dovetails beautifully with the foundation’s mission to help students who have “bright minds, big dreams and little means to make those dreams come true.” Working together, we can help those bright minds advance the common good and make this a better world for all of us.
Julie Sullivan, President
University of St. Thomas