There are many reasons why Jim and Anne Eidsvold choose to support UMN Morris. Part of it is the simple joy of giving back, but mostly, they say, it’s about the students and the future of the college.
Although neither Jim nor Anne attended UMN Morris, both have built a deep connection to the college and its mission. For Jim, it began early. Growing up in the Morris area, he remembers his father’s involvement in the effort to bring the college to the community. Later, when he and Anne made Morris their home, the university naturally became part of their lives.
“The college has always been such a wonderful place,” says Anne. “Even after we moved away we didn't want to lose that connection.”
Jim adds, “For us, the connection to the Morris area community is really important—and the University of Minnesota Morris is such a vital part of it.”
In addition to supporting students directly through the Eidsvold Scholarship, established in honor of their children, the couple wanted to find other meaningful ways to help the college thrive. Drawing from Jim’s career in marketing and sales, they pitched an idea to the university: billboards celebrating UMN Morris as an anchor of pride for the region. The result was the “Cougar Proud” and “Cougar Country” billboards spotted around Morris and along I-94 this past year and, starting this past fall, additional billboards that align with the new “More is Morris” branding campaign.
For the Eidsvolds, giving is not about recognition—it’s about sustaining something they care deeply about.
“[T]here are many ways to strengthen UMN Morris—whether it’s through scholarships, creative ideas, or helping the university share its pride more broadly. When each of us finds our own way to give back, the whole community benefits.”