The quote above captures the spirit of Bob ’65 and Ann Lindquist beautifully.

The couple have been married nearly 55 years and while they lived in the Midwest for much of their life together, today they split their time between Florida and Wisconsin. For the Lindquists, finding causes that will improve the world is a major part of their giving philosophy.

“We have been lucky,” Bob said. “In today’s world, you have to prioritize what is important to you. There are a lot
of options for giving, but if you have priorities it will help you decide where you want to give.”

The couple have been loyal donors to the annual IC Fund, which provides for students’ most pressing needs, and the IC Varsity Club, to support the College’s student-athletes.

Recently they established the Robert ’65 and Ann Lindquist Endowed Scholarship for Business Majors to help students who hope to get an education at IC, but for whom the cost is a deterrent. Both come from families who place a high value on education.

“We have always felt that education is a good investment for the future,” Bob said. “We hope our money goes to, not necessarily the student with the highest grades, but the student who has great potential but needs some help in getting an education.”

They said that when you help someone get an education, whether that is your own children and grandchildren or someone in the community, you become part of their life. Ann and Bob have also created an endowed fund for graduating seniors at Ann’s alma mater, the University of Iowa, in honor of her parents.

“My father was born in 1901 and my mother was born in 1902. They both had a full college education at the University of Iowa,” she said. “Education is something that has always been very important to us.”

Bob was the first in his family to attend Illinois College, but his sister Patricia Lindquist Kirkland ’69 followed,
earning her degree a few years later. He chose IC because he wanted a small school, a place where he could be involved across campus and meet people who would take the time to get to know him too. That is exactly what he found on the Hilltop.

As an undergraduate at IC, Bob stayed busy working at Illinois School for the Deaf, playing football, as a member of literary society Gamma Nu and participating in theatre productions. In the football program, Bob found mentors in Coaches Joe Brooks and Bill Merris ’56.

“They taught us about athletics, but they also taught us to set goals and maintain high standards, not only for
football, but for our academic and personal lives,” said Bob. “They taught us the importance of working together
with people. What they taught us was so effective in sports and throughout my life.”

Bob found success working in sales and marketing for agriculture company International Harvester, while Ann
applied her love of education to her own classroom as a teacher. They passed on their values to their own children and grandchildren who are now involved and making a difference in their communities across the country.

Throughout their lives, both Bob and Ann have stayed loyal to their alma maters. They stay up to date with
what is happening at the College through the Quarterly magazine and remain connected to many of their
IC friends. In recent years, Bob says he is most impressed with how the College has expanded its programs to reflect the needs of the world. He cites the expanded nursing program as an excellent example of this growth.

He also has seen an emphasis on internships that he believes is helping to strengthen the value of an IC education.

“Internships give these students an opportunity to go out and get hands-on experience in their field,” he said. “They can learn a lot and one of the most important lessons they can take away is where they need to focus their education and build their strengths.”

Bob praised current College President Barbara A. Farley as an “outstanding leader” who is helping to preserve
the qualities of Illinois College that have made it a special place for so long.

“She is enthusiastic; she’s involved; she’s hands on,” he added. “And at a small school that is so important. She
sets the tone for others to be involved and invested in what is happening at the College.”

Besides education, Bob and Ann give to support cancer research and to help those battling the disease through St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It’s another cause that is deeply meaningful to them: Bob is a three-time cancer survivor. The Lindquists are not only passionate about giving back to the causes they most believe in, they hope to inspire others to join them.

At IC, they would love to see a greater percentage of giving among alumni, and Bob hopes to encourage more
people from his Class of 1965 to consider making a gift of any amount to IC. One area they think holds some people back from supporting the College is the misconception that you have to give a lot to make an impact.

“Being a donor doesn’t mean having to give huge donations,” Bob said. “Anyone who has any amount of
disposable income can give and make a difference. “We think scholarships are very important to help people
get ahead in their lives. Most of the people who apply for scholarships already have goals that they are committed to working toward. So, every gift that goes toward helping them achieve those goals is very important.”

The Lindquists agree that giving back to support education is a worthy investment, not only in individual students but in the future.

“It is very rewarding to know that these kids are achieving their dream and they are very grateful,” Bob said. “Those people will be our future leaders, teachers, nurses and government officials. The reward to us is helping young people get ahead and hopefully they will build betxter communities, better businesses and better education systems for tomorrow.”