Campus News
Campus News
KIRK JOHNSON ’82
Students who benefit
Beyond Luther College, the reach of Decorah Bank & Trust’s philanthropy is dramatic, from small-scale and grassroots projects serving families in need to the more highly visible efforts such as the Trout Run Trail, Nordic Fest, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, United Way of Winneshiek County, Helping Services of Northeast Iowa, Winneshiek Medical Center
KIRK JOHNSON ’ 82
family have made leadership gifts to Luther’s new aquatic center, the Annual Fund, Norse Athletic Association, and the Center for Sustainable Communities through endowment support of the renewable energy fund, the sustainability coordinator, and a sustainability internship. The bank also partnered with the college to secure lending of $1.28 million toward construction of the campus wind turbine completed in November 2011. One and the same. The Grimstad family and the family banking business have had an ever-growing commitment to environmental stewardship. “It really started with Dad and his interest in environmentalism late in his career and into his first years of retirement,” Ben says. “Conversations around the dinner table at the Grimstad house focus as much on sustainability as they do on banking.” The brothers in leadership believe that good environmental stewardship starts with their family and then trickles through the entire bank. Banking decisions on every level include discussions about environmental impact and what opportunities there are to further reduce and reuse. Pleased to be making a tangible difference beyond just the balance sheet, Joe says, “we are focused on banking and community success in the long term. By not having pressures of outside investors who want a return on their investment this quarter, and the next, and the next, we’re allowed to make decisions with the long term in mind.”
Ben (left) and Joe Grimstad ’98 lead Decorah Bank & Trust, owned and operated by three generations of family.
More than 50 student scholarship recipients gathered at the Legacy Trust scholarship luncheon held May 5 on campus. The Legacy Trust recognizes gifts to the Luther endowed scholarship program, with membership offered to donors who establish endowed scholarships of $25,000 or more. A list of scholarship donors can be found at lczine.com/legtr.
Foundation, and countless arts, culture, and community events. “It would be impossible to measure the compound impact the Grimstad family and Decorah Bank & Trust have had on Luther College and the Decorah community,” President Richard Torgerson says. “We are all beneficiaries of their time, talent, treasure—and trust.” Luther College, in cooperation with Vesterheim Museum and the Trails of Winneshiek group, nominated Decorah Bank & Trust for consideration as the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization through the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Upper Mississippi Valley Chapter. We are pleased to share that others also recognize the leadership and support of Decorah Bank & Trust in this region—it will receive the award at the November 2012 annual meeting in La Crosse, Wis. Congratulations to the Grimstad family and Decorah Bank & Trust. Interdependency and the common good. Family and banking. One and the same. All working together to create a balanced and thriving economy in this beautiful Oneota Valley. Recognition richly deserved. — Ann Sponberg Peterson Learn more about giving to Luther at (800) 225-8664; www.luther.edu/giving.
Fall 2012 Luther Alumni Magazine
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