A Giving Heart
When Vivian Jenkins Nelsen came to Augsburg in 1969 as an assistant professor, she didn't know she was starting a 50-year journey with the university that would be marked with numerous awards and presidential recognitions for her teaching, research and advocacy work. And she certainly didn't realize how much Augsburg would mean to her five decades down the road.
As the first African-American professor at Augsburg, and now a professor emerita and senior fellow with the social work department, Vivian has had an intimate view of Augsburg's growth over the years.
"Augsburg has truly evolved," she says, noting that when she began teaching at Augsburg, all faculty were expected to have membership and active participation in the work of a congregation.
The steady increase in religious, racial, economic and geographic diversity at Augsburg has been a particular joy to see.
"It's made for such a different and richer education," Vivian says.
No stranger to offering hospitality and service in the Augsburg tradition, Vivian and her late husband, George, would often open up their home to university students, who would work with them in the garden or play catch with their dog.
"We didn't have kids, so Augsburg students filled that void for us," Vivian explains.
It was that attachment to the students, and the desire to honor the hard work of Augsburg faculty and staff, that prompted the Nelsens to include a gift to Augsburg in their estate plan.
"Everybody is aware now of the debt load that students end up with by going to college, and it's keeping good people from being able to reach their goals. But we can put small funds together to make a difference," Vivian says earnestly. "I want to encourage people to do that."
Love Augsburg? Pay it forward. Contact Amy Alkire at 612-330-1188 or alkirea@augsburg.edu to find out how your gifts can support students.
Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.