Paying It Forward

Having spent more than 25 years in higher education administration, Kristen Anderson ’94 knows the value of planned gifts, particularly unrestricted ones.

Kristen Anderson ’94 has spent her entire career as a higher education administrator, which gives her an insider’s view of the administrative work that goes on at institutions like St. Olaf. She understands the financial planning and budgeting that goes into helping colleges and universities run effectively and efficiently, so it’s no surprise she has chosen to name St. Olaf as a beneficiary in her will. She has designated the gift as unrestricted, which allows the college the freedom to use the funds where they are most needed.

“Planned gifts, while not immediately accessible, are forward-thinking and help colleges plan for the future,” says Anderson. Since 2018, Anderson has been the administrative dean of Harvard Divinity School at Harvard University, managing such administrative functions as human resources, information technology, facilities, and finance.

“I understand how important giving is to colleges and universities, and I believe it’s very important to make a commitment to an institution that you value,” Anderson says. “I want to contribute annually, but I also want to pass on a bit of what I’ve earned so that others can have a life-changing experience at St. Olaf.”

A native of Wausau, Wisconsin, Anderson chose St. Olaf for its top-notch academic program and the opportunities it provided for her to participate in music and intramural sports. She values the well-rounded education she received and the lifelong friendships she developed.

“I got an excellent education while also doing so many things I enjoyed, like playing intramural volleyball and singing in the St. Olaf Choir,” she says. She earned a B.A. degree in economics and political science, while also serving on the student congregational council of St. Olaf’s ELCA congregation.

Living and learning in community at St. Olaf helped Anderson discern a vocation in public administration.

“I wanted to use my degree for good in nonprofit work that contributed to society,” she says. “I was attracted to higher education because it’s such a formative experience for students, and as an administrator, I can support them and the faculty in their work.”

Anderson was first exposed to the world of higher education administration during a stint working at a community college while attending graduate school at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst, where she earned a master’s degree in public administration in 1996. She went on to work in finance and budgeting for Brandeis University, Wellesley College, and Middlebury College before becoming Harvard Divinity School’s Chief Financial Officer in 2013.

“In my previous role as a financial officer, I was responsible for balancing the revenue coming in with the expenses going out,” Anderson says. “Now, as an administrative dean at Harvard, I oversee those that do that work. I’ve always been very thankful for the impact that donors have. Unrestricted gifts in particular are beneficial because they are flexible funds that can be applied to the areas that are most in need.”

Anderson notes that a certain level of trust is associated with making an unrestricted planned gift to the college. The expertise and care that St. Olaf demonstrates in stewarding gifts from donors helped her feel comfortable committing to this type of gift.

“I know the hard work the staff does at St. Olaf, and the care and pride they take in appropriate stewardship of these gifts.”

You can make the future brighter at St. Olaf College by making a gift through your estate, like Kristen did. Please contact the St. Olaf Development Office, who can answer questions and partner with you as you consider how to structure your St. Olaf legacy, with no obligation. Simply call 800-776-6523 or plannedgiving@stolaf.edu.