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A planned gift is easy to arrange, costs you nothing during your lifetime, and preserves your savings and cash flow. You can also change or revoke your commitment as needed.

‘A WAY TO SAY THANK YOU’

Throughout their time in Minnesota, the Svendsens continued to hold a special place in their hearts for their alma mater, and they knew they wanted others to experience Augustana, too.

“We both really appreciated our time at Augustana — what we gained educationally, the friendships we made, some of which are still going today, and that it was the Augustana campus where we made our connection,” Les said. “We started giving when I was at seminary — not a huge sum since I was a poor seminarian, but we did give.

“I’m not sure we’ve ever missed a year of giving to the Augustana Annual Fund, so we’ve been regular givers that way,” he continued.

When the couple moved back to Sioux Falls in 2002, along with their regular gifts, they became reacquainted with Augustana’s campus — attending athletic events, concerts and theatre performances, which harkened back to their early romance.

“In the summer of 1963, Dr. Earl Mundt (director of Augustana Theatre) directed and presented a musical, ‘The Fantasticks,’ in Sioux Falls,” Carolyn said. “Les and I didn’t go together, but we both saw and liked it so much that we pooled our money as poor college students and bought the soundtrack record. And, our joke was that we had to get married because we couldn’t decide who would get the record.” augiegiving.org

With a deep love of Augustana, when it came time for their estate planning, the Svendsens decided to include their alma mater.

“It’s a way to say ‘thank you,’ and to help make it possible for others to go to Augie — to have the same kind of experiences that we did,” said Les.

“It’s an extremely easy way to give by putting it in your estate plan,” added Carolyn.

To learn more, contact Paul Rasmussen ‘03, director of development, at paul.rasmussen@augie.edu or 605.274.5844.

Sixty years after their famous Bergsaker Hall photo, the Svendsens reside in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they enjoy spending time with their granddaughters when they’re not spending the winter months in Arizona. Even from afar, the couple still holds Augustana close — livestreaming athletic events and subtly encouraging their granddaughters to remember AU in their future college searches. n