CSE to receive part of major gift from Land O’Lakes, Inc. and the Land O’Lakes Foundation

Gift to CSE will support college’s student programming

Contacts:

Chuck Tombarge, University News Service, tombarge@umn.edu, (612) 624-5551

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (9/03/2014) – Land O’Lakes, Inc. announced today that it will invest $25 million in University of Minnesota academics and Gopher Athletics— one of the largest single corporate commitments in University history and the largest commitment ever made collectively by Land O’Lakes, Inc. and the Land O’Lakes Foundation. The University’s College of Science and Engineering is one of the recipients of support.

“Today’s announcement underscores our commitment to educational excellence and further strengthens our investment in the pipeline of talent from the University of Minnesota,” said Christopher Policinski, president and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. “Land O’Lakes has doubled in size over the past five years and is committed to continue to grow its food and agricultural businesses both domestically and internationally.

“It is going to take high caliber talent to achieve our business goals,” Policinski added. “We are pleased to be partnering with the University to help create a holistic student experience that equips graduates for a competitive marketplace, but also inspires the well-rounded talent necessary to meet the challenge of feeding a growing global population. We look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship and building a strategic partnership with this great institution.”

The monetary commitment is largely philanthropic, but also includes an element of sponsorship. It is one of the first-ever agreements between the University and a business partner to have a broad-ranging impact that will include support for student-athletes and academic programs, including student scholarships, academic and development excellence within Gopher Athletics, internship opportunities and faculty research, among other things. It will fund projects and initiatives throughout numerous University departments and colleges including Intercollegiate Athletics; the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; the Carlson School of Management; and the College of Science and Engineering.

“Meaningful partnerships with Minnesota businesses are vital to the success of our students and the state’s economic future,” said University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler. “The 40-plus-year partnership between the U and Land O’Lakes is one in which we take great pride. This new commitment and innovative model of support will advance our teaching, student support, athletic programs and research mission, and will further position the U as a continued leader in addressing society's pressing challenges.”

In addition to a Gopher sports sponsorship commitment, Land O’Lakes will support:

  • Intercollegiate Athletics
    $18,500,000 for the benefit of Intercollegiate Athletics, as follows:
    • $15,000,000 builds a 60,000 square foot Center for Excellence in the new Athletics Village. Land O’Lakes will receive naming rights to the center, which will house academic, nutrition and leadership development programs for University students and student-athletes
    • $3,350,000 provides program support for activities in the Center for Excellence with a specific focus on the Student-Athlete Leadership Development Center and the Gopher Connect Program.
    • $150,000 will provide support to various Intercollegiate Athletic events
  • Carlson School of Management
    $2.5 million
    • Establishes the endowed Land O'Lakes Chair in Marketing. Carlson School of Management professor Kathleen Vohs has been selected to fill this chair.
  • College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
    $1 million
    • Supports scholarships and programming for students.
  • College of Science and Engineering
    $87,500
    • Supports college programming.
  • University-wide
    $375,000
    • Supports Welcome Week activities and funding for an annual agriculture symposium.

The $25 million commitment will be provided to the U of M between 2015 through 2024.

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