Persistence and Curiosity: A Gift in Thanks

One of the most memorable experiences Kevin Bailey '89 had at St. Olaf was not one you might expect. It happened in one of his first classes at the college.

"I got my first essay back — it wasn't a failure, but it wasn't necessarily passing — and written on it was: Please see me," Bailey says. "I thought, That can't be good."

A transfer student, Bailey was in his first semester at St. Olaf and in a required religion course taught by the late professor of religion Vern Faillettaz.

"Some of my coursework was challenging — as a first-generation student I didn't have experience with college in my family nor mentorship about how to navigate my way through higher education," Bailey says.

But meeting with Faillettaz was helpful. He was kind, calm, and encouraging, and reset his thinking. He saw the potential in Bailey to succeed with the right opportunities. He advised Bailey to take a creative writing class to build his skills.

"That knowledge and experience got me through my classes," says Bailey. "It helped me write a better job application, which helped me get a summer job as a conference aid during the next two summers at Olaf. And that helped me afford my education. Though I didn't see Faillettaz much after that class, during commencement he saw me and pointed at me and said, 'You made it!' That was extraordinary and touching."

Recently, Bailey and his husband, Ken, revised their estate to update their support for their family. Bailey took the opportunity to also direct a portion of his estate to provide a gift to St. Olaf. Half will go to the Class of 1989 Endowed Scholarship and the other to the St. Olaf Choir 100th Anniversary Endowment Fund that supports special projects, performances, and tours.

"I am thankful for my experience at St. Olaf. My education gave me the tools I needed to succeed. I also needed serious financial help to make my way through. I worked on and off campus to finance my education and left St. Olaf with a significant amount of debt," says Bailey. "If I can help someone who needs it — alleviate a little of their worry about funding — I will. I make an annual gift to the college and a planned gift was an easy way I could make a more significant impact."

His gratitude extends to being part of the St. Olaf Choir — a meaningful opportunity he worked to secure. As a choir officer in his senior year, during the choir's tour through Los Angeles, he even met the actor Betty White who attended their performance following the choir's visit to the taping of The Golden Girls.

"My experience in the choir was phenomenal. I had sung in the Cantorei a few semesters then auditioned into the choir. In the background, I learned hard work, determination, and persistence — that made getting into the choir completely satisfying and I made a lot of close friends I still have today," Bailey says.

After graduating with a bachelor's of music in music performance, Bailey eventually pursued a career in data integration and analysis, working for Fair Isaac Corporation. He credits the flexibility his liberal arts education provided, as well as the support and encouragement of professors like Faillettaz, but also the late choir director Ken Jennings and the late music history professor Alice Hanson. Bailey has carried forward the lessons they taught through his career and years beyond the Hill.

"Music, data, and mathematics are all related," says Bailey. "You follow structures in all three. My St. Olaf education and the professors I learned from taught me to be curious and explore different avenues and be the best you can."

But Bailey also recognizes the gift in what he learned about being accepting and kind. It's a lesson he hopes students have a chance to learn, too.

"There is a lot of pressure to succeed," Bailey says. "Don't over-program yourself — take advantage of what you can and make sure you are having fun. There is a balance there — I was not the best student, yet I have been successful in my career. I have done fine."

To learn how you can give back to St. Olaf, contact the St. Olaf Development Office at 800-776-6523 or plannedgiving@stolaf.edu.