Spring 2001
Larson gift seeds grand dream
Photo by Jamason Chen
He doesn't write state laws and he can't raise federal interest rates, but David Larson (B.A. '66, political science) has good reason to be interested in the University's Center for Political Economy. As executive vice president of Cargill, Larson knows that the connection between government and economics is nothing to take for granted. Nor is the link between education and a strong economy: "Minnesota's economy wouldn't be as robust without a first-class state university in our midst."
From his office in a stately old-world mansion on Lake Minnetonka, Larson and his wife, Janis, speak with affection and pride about the University that gave them their start in life.
Fueling the economy with leading-edge research is only part of the reason why the Larsons decided to endow the David and Janis Larson Graduate Research Fellowship in Political Economy. "We made this gift because we're alumni and feel a lot of gratitude toward the University," David Larson explains. We also believe that if you've been fortunate to be financially successful, giving back will make you even more successful--beyond financial means.
"But more than that," he adds, "we frankly want to make the world a better place."
For the Larsons, making the world a better place means improving economies in the developing world. Their hope is that three or four stellar graduate students a year focusing on political economics will create the knowledge to develop better economic policies and improve people's standard of living on a global scale. "The developing world in particular can really benefit from this kind of research," says Larson. "It's a grand dream, but we believe this is the place to start."
"The interests of both private enterprise and public policy in are served by a strong University program in political economy," says College of Liberal Arts (CLA) dean Steven Rosenstone, also a political scientist. "As Minnesota's economy becomes increasingly global, the University of Minnesota must produce graduates who understand the complex interactions between politics and markets and understand how economic and business decisions on a local level are tied to the political landscape of the world economy. The Larson gift will help put us in the vanguard of this growing field of study."
John Freeman, political science department chair, seconds Rosenstone's view. "Our teaching and research will be greatly enhanced by the Larsons' gift," he says. "Larson Fellows will make lasting contributions to our understanding of the relationship between governments and world markets, and to our teaching of this vitally important subject."
Education with style and substance
Launched from the small southwest Minnesota town of Glenwood into the top corporate leadership team of Cargill, Larson credits the College of Liberal Arts with fostering many grand dreams. "That kind of education is a remarkable mind stretcher," he says, adding that knowing how to think creatively, solve problems, and articulate ideas well is essential in his profession.
"I spend all day communicating with people. I'm like a coach, trying to pass on information and acting as a resource. The most effective people in any organization are effective communicators because they have the ability to put pictures in words and to persuade others."
Together, the Larsons are living proof that the University reaches into all areas of Minnesotans' lives. Janis, a fitness instructor for 16 years, rediscovered her passion for dance through involvement with the dance program and in 1999, co-chaired the opening gala for the Barbara Barker Center for Dance. "I love watching the students perform," she says. "Their creativity and self-discipline are unbelievable. And the training facility is beautiful. What a way to go to school!"
Says David Larson, "The University is one of the most important institutions in the state. We can't overlook the diversity of thought--not just diversity of people--that it brings to the state. There are people at the University with huge intellects. I never ceased to be amazed by it.
"The University is being led with style and substance in positive new directions, and we believe that it's important to support that leadership. Our lives wouldn't be as rich without the University."
Read more about the University of Minnesota Foundation's 21st Century Graduate Fellowship Endowment.