Building Bridges to Tomorrow
By making a gift to Concordia College through their IRA, Susan and Roger Eggen are helping ensure students today and tomorrow can benefit from the Lutheran academic tradition.
"We're just trying to keep up!" For Roger '59 and Susan Eggen, reconnecting with Concordia was a breath of fresh air.
The wisdom of a dynamic life dedicated to serving others pushes the pair to believe in a better future. For Roger and Susan, supporting student scholarships through giving is an intentional effort to make the world a better place.
The road to Concordia was being built long before Roger set his sights on the college. Roger's mother, Frances, initially attended Concordia in the 1930s, but after a difficult harvest on their family farm, she had to return home before completing her studies.
Cut to 1955, where Frances' son, Roger, was drawn to the liberal arts in hopes to "improve his credentials in life." "I wanted to be prepared for anything," Roger said. And so he embarked on the same journey to Concordia that was set in motion years prior.
Reflecting on his time as a student at Concordia, the importance of liberal arts remains a constant.
"We benefit from our area's many excellent liberal arts colleges, but how Concordia approaches the gray nuance is more relevant now than it has been in a long time." Roger and Susan see Concordia's values steadfast and true within the students that walk campus today, just as they were in the students of generations past.
The same values that shepherded the pair through a life of service create change in students' lives today. Susan's nursing background and entrepreneurial spirit empowered her to lead and coordinate Dinner at Your Door programs out of North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. "It was necessary," remarked Susan, without a second thought. "The telephone at our house was Grand Central Station for everyone."
"She built bridges between people—and she still does today," said Roger.
Reconnecting with Concordia presented energizing change.
"I come mostly because I'm trying to keep up with the school. President Craft's tenure has prepared us for change and strengthened how we adapt to that change."
Looking to the future, Roger and Susan see Concordia and the students within, who are becoming equipped with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to lead empathetically, be curious lifelong learners and through it all, serve others.
Concordia's gift planners support donors at every step. Often, all it takes is an invitation. "It's really just a matter of communication. What brought us back was a personal invitation, someone with the information we needed to walk through this open door," said Susan.
In partnership with Concordia's gift officers, Roger and Susan utilize the IRA charitable rollover, otherwise called a qualified charitable distribution or QCD for short.
"It's a win, win, win, with no end. It's just so easy," said Roger. Through the IRA charitable rollover option, donors can give up to the maximum amount allowed by law per year from their IRA directly to a qualified charity such as Concordia. As donors do not pay taxes on the gift and it doesn't count as income, it can reduce your annual income level—and as a result, it may help lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.
For those who feel called to act, Roger and Susan's compass provides direction. Micah 6:8 offers a challenge: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness and to walk humbly with the Lord."
We welcome you to learn more about how a gift from your IRA can make an impact on Concordia students and also benefit your finances.
Make a lasting impact by making a planned gift through your estate. There are many ways to make a lasting impact by making a planned gift through your estate. Contact Trina Hall at 218.299.3445 or [email protected] today, to learn more.