Gustavus Adolphus College President Jack Ohle recently announced that Raymond ’51 and Lorraine Lundquist of Golden Valley, Minn., have established a new endowed professorship for the Gustavus Wind Orchestra in honor of Dr. Douglas Nimmo – the ensemble’s longtime conductor.
“The establishment of the Douglas Nimmo Endowed Professor for the Gustavus Wind Orchestra is the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season at Gustavus and also honor a beloved member of our faculty who has dedicated his career to shaping the lives of many student musicians,” said President Ohle as he announced the gift to an audience of more than 200 donors and friends of the College at the special annual Christmas in Christ Chapel President’s Dinner.
This is the seventh endowed faculty position established at Gustavus since the College’s strategic planning process, Commission Gustavus 150, was approved by the Board of Trustees in 2010 with a goal of establishing ten new endowed professorships by the fall of 2015. Endowed professors provide a perpetual base of support to enable the College to attract and retain faculty of excellent quality. This latest endowed position joins the Jon and Anita Thomsen Young Distinguished Chair in Music in providing direct support to the College’s music program.
The Lundquists are two of the College’s most dedicated community members. Ray was recently profiled as one of Campaign Gustavus’s “faces of opportunity” for his long-term engagement in the life of the College and commitments to the campaign. This investment celebrates their love of music, which has grown through their involvement in the Gustavus Friends of Music, and also underscores their belief in the impact of teaching and learning.
“World-class faculty and music excellence are two important pillars of the Gustavus experience. Lorraine and I are honored that our legacy allows us to support both of these elements at a place that means so much to us,” said Ray. “It’s my hope that this gift inspires others to give what they can to keep Gustavus great.”
Dr. Nimmo has served as conductor of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra since 1987. In addition, he teaches instrumental conducting and instrumental methods, and supervises student teachers. Under his leadership, the Gustavus Wind Orchestra has toured throughout much of the United States and has completed six international tours. Dr. Nimmo is a recipient of the Edgar M. Carlson Award for Distinguished Teaching, and was recently honored by his alma mater, the University of Minnesota-Duluth, when he was inducted into the Society of Prometheans.
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