Providing a Place to Gather and Thrive

As they come upon 11 soaring sky markers outside the new TCF Bank Stadium, Gopher football fans won’t just be celebrating a Saturday on the gridiron. The markers—featuring tribal flags, images, and facts—will be part of Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza, celebrating our state’s 11 American Indian tribes.

The tribute recognizes gifts of $14.5 million for the stadium and scholarships, from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC). “Our tribe has made it a priority to tell the story of American Indians in Minnesota,” said Stanley Crooks, SMSC chairman.

U of M President Robert Bruininks added, “This gift will link the proud traditions of all tribes in Minnesota with new, shared traditions that we will celebrate and enjoy together.”

One group that knows the importance of traditions is the marching band. Now in its 116th year, the Pride of Minnesota is marching into the future, raising funds for leadership awards and new facilities within TCF Bank Stadium.

Band alumni Matt and Heather Clark made the first gift for students in the band campaign. “Since our skills include leadership that has helped the band, we wanted to encourage others to develop that skill,” explains Matt. “We gave much of our time to the band, and it has helped shape who we are today.”

In fact, the U shapes lives at any stage. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a self-proclaimed “health club for the mind” proves that you’re never too old to learn. Thanks to an endowment created by the Bernard Osher Foundation and doubled in 2008, the institute offers courses on a vast array of topics. According to director Steve Benson, “We want to create a learning community that opens up new vistas for people to pursue.”