Susan A. Hagstrum, Ph.D., the 2011 Imagine Award recipient. (Photo: Sara Rubenstein)
WineFest awards
2011 recipients
Imagine Award
University of Minnesota First Lady
Susan A. Hagstrum, Ph.D.
Since her husband was appointed president of the University of Minnesota in 2002, Susan Hagstrum, Ph.D., has enjoyed being one of the institution’s greatest ambassadors and chief volunteers—even placing her own small business on hold to devote full-time attention to serving the University community.
Hagstrum dedicated her entire career to improving the quality of life for children through special education and school administration advisory roles, so when she was asked to serve on the University Pediatrics Foundation board (now the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital Philanthropic Board), she enthusiastically agreed.
“What I discovered is that there are so many incredible human beings who are a part of that board working on children’s health,” she says.
And then, of course, there was the fun of WineFest. Hagstrum and Robert Bruininks, Ph.D., have generously offered up an exclusive dinner at Eastcliff, the historic home of the University president, for the past several years as a live auction package at WineFest’s Fine Wine Dinner. That experience has quickly become one of the event’s most lucrative auction lots—one year generating an astounding $46,000 for children’s health research, education, and care at the University.
Hagstrum says she treasures those dinners. But what keeps her involved is being part of a group in a community that cares so deeply about children’s health, now with the opening of the new University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital as evidence of that commitment.
“To watch the Amplatz Children’s Hospital be built, to tour it in its infant stages, and then to be there for the grand opening has been one of the more moving experiences that Bob and I have had at the University,” she says. “It’s been delightful. And hopeful.”
Corporate Citizen Awards
Anthony Ostlund Baer & Louwagie, P.A.
For partners at the Minneapolis-based law firm Anthony Ostlund Baer & Louwagie P.A., acknowledgement of their support of children’s health at the University of Minnesota is about helping kids and giving back to the community.
“For the attorneys and staff at Anthony Ostlund Baer & Louwagie, success is defined by how much we are able to give back to the community,” says firm partner, Joe Anthony. “Helping people in need is the highest form of professionalism and one that we encourage.”
For the past eight years, partners in the firm have served as steadfast supporters of the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital in a variety of ways.
They have supported partner Rich Ostlund in his role as chair of University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital’s Philanthropic Board and as a trustee of the Minnesota Medical Foundation. The firm has actively engaged clients and associates throughout the community in the University’s work to benefit children’s health.
The firm has also been a multi-year sponsor of WineFest and the Champions for Children Golf Classic, providing crucial funding and inviting top business and community leaders to these events. Partners Rich, Joe, and Norm Baer— and their event guests—have raised more than $30,000 annually at WineFest to advance priority research areas and purchase equipment for the University’s Department of Pediatrics.
Beyond his firm’s dedication to the cause, Rich and Mary Ostlund have been longtime private supporters of children’s health at the University. The Ostlunds recently donated $200,000 to establish an Adopt A Room in the new children’s hospital and another $50,000 to the Department of Pediatrics. “We are really fortunate to have three healthy children, so we made it a priority to give back by helping seriously ill kids in our community,” says Rich.
Both Rich and Joe say they’re proud that their law firm’s commitment has inspired partners, associates, and their contacts throughout Minnesota to support both children’s health and a variety of additional charitable activities in our community.
Clear Channel Outdoor
Leaders at Clear Channel Outdoor in Minneapolis/St. Paul have supported children’s health at the University of Minnesota through WineFest—A Toast to Children’s Health for more than three years. But Division Vice President Tom McCarver says that he never expected that the University’s care for children would touch him so personally.
Clear Channel Outdoor first became involved in WineFest in 2008, when a neighbor of Tom’s brother Chris McCarver,WineFest Advisory Committee member Dan Daul, asked for the company’s support. Since then, Clear Channel Outdoor has donated advertising space on up to 30 billboards each year for a month-long promotion of WineFest—a contribution worth about $80,000 annually. That support has provided major visibility for WineFest and the new University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital.
Later in 2008 Tom’s nephew, Chris’s son Jake McCarver, was diagnosed with ANCA vasculitis, an autoimmune disease that led to his chronic kidney failure. Jake received intensive treatment and an eventual kidney transplant at University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital in 2010.
Now a healthy high school freshman, Jake plays soccer and runs track. He and his family shared his story for WineFest No. 14, and although they have since moved to Arizona, Jake still visits University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital for checkups.
Jake received superior care at the University, says Tom, who was impressed by what he saw. “You get to experience this miracle that is the children’s hospital at the U,” he says. “We are very blessed to be in Minnesota with this resource right in our backyard.”
Susan Adams Loyd, branch president of Clear Channel Outdoor’s Minneapolis/St. Paul division, echoes that sentiment and says that the company’s support is just part of being a good community member. “It’s just what we do,” she says.
2010 recipients
Imagine Award
Nancy and John Lindahl
For nearly three decades, John and Nancy Lindahl have been pillars of the Twin Cities’ philanthropic community. For the last four years, they have served many causes, including serving as volunteer co-chairs of the University of Minnesota's on-campus football stadium campaign.
Committed advocates of childhood cancer research and education, the Lindahls also support children’s health through the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital “Adopt A Room” program.
Corporate Citizen Awards
Don Stevens, Inc.
To demonstrate support for children’s health at the University of Minnesota, Don Stevens, Inc., committed to donating all refrigerators, microwaves, and toasters needed for patient rooms and lounge areas in the new University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital.
Jim Zechmann, president and co-owner of Don Stevens, Inc., is a longtime supporter of children’s health, research, education, and care at University of Minnesota. He was recruited to University Children’s Foundation (UCF) in 1992 and co-chaired WineFest No. 2—A Toast to Children’s Health. Following the transition of UCF to University Pediatrics Foundation, Jim returned to the board in 2002.
Don Stevens, Inc., is a leader in wholesale distribution for more than 40 years and offers a full line of equipment to the foodservice, lodging, and HVAC industries.
Valspar
In a substantial show of support for children’s health at the University of Minnesota, Valspar has committed to donate all the paint needed for the new University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital. Michael Dougherty, Valspar’s vice president of communications, has served on the WineFest Advisory Committee for several years and is a strong supporter of children’s health at the University.
The Valspar Corporation is one of the largest global coatings manufacturers in the world, providing coatings and coating intermediates to a wide variety of customers. Since 1806, Valspar has brought customers the latest innovations, finest quality, and best customer service in the coating industry. Valspar’s philanthropy extends to other local organizations, including the new Guthrie as well as its national commitment to donate all of the housing paint for Habitat for Humanity.
