News Archives - 1997

The new library building nearing completion at Augsburg College will bear the name Lindell thanks to a major contribution from Jean and James G. Lindell of Woodbury, Minn. Mr. Lindell is an Augsburg regent emeritus.

When it is dedicated this November, the new state-of-the-art library and information technology center at Augsburg will be named The James G. Lindell Family Library. The naming gift from the Lindells puts the fundraising for the $15 million facility closer to realization as construction is nearing an end.

"As an alumnus, the College's first non-Lutheran regent and a major donor, Jim Lindell has been one of the best friends Augsburg has ever had," said Augsburg President Charles S. Anderson. "We owe him and his family -- many of whom have attended Augsburg -- a huge debt of gratitude. We are absolutely delighted that our new library will carry the Lindell name. Nothing could be more fitting."

Mr. Lindell attended Augsburg in 1942-43 before entering the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was on the Augsburg Alumni Board in the '60s and on its Board of Regents from 1970 to 1982. During his 44-year career at West Publishing Company he started as an accounting clerk, advanced to assistant treasurer, assistant secretary-treasurer, board member, treasurer, vice president and chief financial officer. He retired from West in 1991.

Mr. Lindell said that a series of visits and meetings with President Anderson led him and his wife Jean to the decision to fund Augsburg's library at the naming level.

"My personal feelings from the first days I visited Augsburg were shaped by students showing their good attitudes toward each other and the closeness of belonging to their school. This feeling still prevails for me after my being involved with the college since 1942," Mr. Lindell said. "Seven members of my family have attended and graduated from Augsburg, and they have all appreciated the possibility and opportunity they had there to know other students and faculty well. Therefore we felt it appropriate to have the Lindell family name on the Augsburg library."

Eight members of the James G. Lindell family have attended Augsburg, including Mr. Lindell. Other family members who are Augsburg alumni include sons James Jr. ('67) and Marty ('76), daughter-in-law Carla ('92), granddaughter Melissa Luhrs Ross ('93) and grandson-in-law Devon Ross ('93), grandson Jason Luhrs ('95) and granddaughter Stefanie Lindell ('98).