Dordt College Receives Large Gift
While the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto has just announced a $4 million grant from the estate of former Archer Daniels Midland president Lowell Andreas, Dordt College is busy sorting through how to best use the gift of nearly four million dollars that it received last month from the philanthropist.
Andreas died April 4 at the age of 87.
The Andreas gift is the largest in the college's history according to John Baas, vice president for College Advancement. He noted, "The impact of a multi-million dollar contribution goes far beyond the bottom line. This bequest is a tremendous encouragement to all of us at Dordt College and also to those whom we serve."
Andreas never visited Dordt's campus, but had followed the growth of the college in Sioux Center, Iowa, and offered support along the way. Dordt College is recommended for support by the Christian Reformed Church.
In recent years Andreas had already donated more than half a million dollars to Dordt College, funds which established the Andreas Center for Reformed Scholarship and Service in 2008.
The Andreas Center helps Dordt students, faculty, and staff become globally engaged in scholarship and service. Director Hubert Krygsman says the center provides both funds and administrative support to projects that extend Reformed scholarship and service to the larger world. College officials say the $3.98 million gift from the Andreas Estate will help in a variety of ways, including moving Dordt's Reformed perspective in Christian education beyond the campus's physical boundaries.
Those who knew Lowell Andreas say he was a quiet, gentle, unassuming man, a devoted Christian, and well-loved by his family.
Andreas was born in Lisbon, Iowa, in 1922. He attended the University of Iowa, where he majored in philosophy, and then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After an honorable discharge, he returned to the family turkey feed business and became a loss adjuster for the family-owned turkey insurance company.
In 1947, Lowell and a brother, Dwayne, purchased a soybean plant in Mankato, which became known as Honeymead. In the mid 1960s they sold their business and chartered the National City Bank of Minneapolis. A few years later they were offered the opportunity to invest in and provide management for the Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM). Andreas later became president, and continued to serve ADM as director emeritus after his retirement in 1973.
ICS, the other recipient of Andreas' generosity, is also a non-denominational organization recommended for support by the CRC. A number of CRC pastors, teachers and leaders have attended or taught at the school. Mr. Andreas' gift will enhance priorities fundamental to the mission of ICS, including faculty and student support, information and research resources.
Besides Dordt and the Institute for Christian Education, Lowell Andreas and his wife, Pamela, donated many millions of dollars to other groups over the years, including Westminster Seminary, Covenant College, Minnesota State University, Immanuel St. Joseph-Mayo Health System, and charities and foundations.
