Robert J. Odegard

Doctor of Laws

College of Liberal Arts and College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, February 11, 2000

Mr. Odegard received his B.B.A., Agricultural Economics from the University of Minnesota in 1942. He has had a successful career as a businessman and elected public servant. He has distinguished himself as an important national leader in the philanthropic profession. When Mr. Odegard came to the University of Minnesota Foundation, it was a small, four-member organization with assets approaching $5 million. Under his leadership it prospered and with his vision and commitment created an operation that placed the University among the top 5 public institutions for private support. Today the assets of the Foundation surpass $500 million. He is respected and recognized for his passion for the University of Minnesota, commitment to standards of excellence, the highest integrity and creativity in developing meaningful and productive partnerships between the community and campus. Although Mr. Odegard officially retired in 1984, he has continued to provide an invaluable service to the University.