UM-Crookston Receives Largest Gift Ever

CROOKSTON, MN—The University of Minnesota-Crookston is now $6.2 million richer, thanks to a donation from alumnus Les Nielsen.  In honor of the gift, the campus wellness center will be renamed the Nielsen Family Wellness Center.  Nielsen and his late wife, June, have donated to UMC for decades.  They’ve provided scholarships for students since the 1990s; most recently a full tuition scholarship for students living in Red Lake Falls, Grygla, Clearbrook, Gonvick, Goodridge and Euclid.  Les Nielsen attended high school on the Crookston campus when it was known as the Northwest School of Agriculture, graduating in 1958.  Les says the opportunity to grow up on a farm, receive a fine education from the NWSA that prepared him for college, working and studying hard, and developing a successful career made him and his family want to give back to the University, and support students as a culmination of gratitude for their lives well lived.   A dedication event for the Nielsen Family Wellness Center is planned for April 20.