Gustavus Adolphus College

Gustavus Adolphus College is not only the first collegiate Annexstad Family Foundation partner, it also maintains a deeply personal connection to the Annexstad family dating back to the 1940s.  

Al Annexstad first stepped foot on campus as a young boy who had dreams of a better life. Following the loss of his father at the age of five and subsequent loss of the family farm, his mother, Alice Annexstad, moved to St. Peter to start anew with her four children. Shortly thereafter, Alice began working in the food service department at Gustavus where she served meals. Her care and compassion radiated far beyond the dining areas. Al often helped his mother at Gustavus where he first saw the transformative power of higher education.  

When Al and Cathy Annexstad first established The Annexstad Family Foundation, they did so in honor of Alice. The very first AFF Scholarship was awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College, marking the beginning of a powerful mission to support deserving students in their educational journeys.  

Since 2001, the Foundation has supported over 49 Scholars who have demonstrated great financial need and have overcome challenging circumstances. Of those, 41 have earned their bachelor’s degrees with little to no student debt – a testament to the transformative impact of the Scholarship.  

Aligned with the college’s commitment to cross-disciplinary learning and developing purpose-driven leaders through a liberal arts education, AFF works closely to empower students to fully explore their passions – both in and out of the classroom – without the burden of financial barriers.  

Gustavus prioritizes educating the whole person and prepares its students to take on challenges in stride, expand their frame of thinking, and forge lifelong relationships that last far beyond the student’s four years.  

Gustavus and AFF Alumna, Mandy French ’07, is a testament to the power of a degree. As a former foster youth, Mandy was determined to break the cycle of her family’s circumstances and pursue education. Mandy shares, “While my initial plan to become a lawyer shifted, the lessons I learned at college became invaluable stepping stones in my career. These realizations led me to a successful career within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where I climbed the ranks to an executive leadership position.” Mandy also authored the book Foster Kid to Executive: 6 Secrets to Building a Successful Tomorrow to inspire others to unlock their potential.  

Elizabeth “Ellie” Blair ’27 is pursuing a Biology degree focused on becoming a physician assistant. During her time on campus, Ellie has served in leadership roles within Pre-Health Club, Pre-PA Club, Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society and Theta Xi Gamma sorority. She shares, “AFF has impacted my undergraduate experience by allowing me to create networks, relieve financial stress and allow me to focus time and energy into school and my personal life." Ellie shares the following advice to new AFF Scholars, “Reach out to fellow Scholars and build your network. School can be stressful, so don’t be afraid to step back and breathe.”  

Isabel Bennett ’25 recently received her degree in Computer Science with plans to pursue a master’s degree in Data Science at the University of St. Thomas. Isabel shares, “My college experience wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of AFF.” As for advice, Isabel shares, “Work hard, do the things you enjoy, and have passion for. It will all pay off!”