The gift of scholarship

Nancy and Larry Bentson, ('45 and '43), recently converted a $10 million bequest to the U into an immediate gift for undergraduate scholarships.

by Jodi Auvin

From M, spring 2004

A helping hand can change a life. Just ask the scores of students who will receive at least $5,000 a year for four years through the Bentson Family Scholarships. Nancy and Larry Bentson, ('45 and '43), recently converted a $10 million bequest to the U into an immediate gift for undergraduate scholarships, the largest gift ever received by the University designated solely for scholarships. The gift will eventually support nearly 100 students a year.

"This extraordinary gift couldn't come at a better time," says University President Bob Bruininks. "It will make it possible for us to attract many more talented students every year."

"We are delighted to be able to make this gift now, so that we can help the University and its students sooner than expected," says Larry Bentson. "Our interest in helping students dates back generations in our family, when my maternal grandmother established an endowed scholarship in 1949."

"The Bentsons' gift represents the highest values of philanthropy because they are giving from the heart," says Gerald Fischer, president and CEO of the University of Minnesota Foundation. "They want to see students succeed."