Christina Olstad ’00 ’05 demonstrates what being “All In” for �鶹�� can look like. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work from �鶹�� and remains committed to the university in a multitude of ways. She serves on the board of

Christina grew up in Apple Valley with the dream of playing soccer in college. Her traveling team in high school played occasional games on �鶹��’s campus. When she began looking into colleges, the �鶹�� Women’s soccer coach at the time, Scott Hansing reached out to her. Christina’s connection to Scott, �鶹��’s Lutheran roots, and the close proximity to her family made �鶹�� an easy choice. 

In addition to athletics, one class that made a profound impact on Christina was her freshman January term class. “My friends and I did an ‘exploring human services’ course. We would take the bus to go to the MS Achievement Center every day to volunteer. It was because of that class that I knew I wanted to go into social work and I met some of my closest friends,” she reflected. 

Shortly after graduating, Christina secured a position as a hall director and student activities advisor at �鶹��. “I feel like �鶹�� has given me so much. They invested in me as a young professional and mentored me through the early stages of my career.” Christina is currently the Dean of Students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and continues to carry the valuable experiences she had at �鶹�� with her.  

When Christina heard about the opportunity to participate on the board of �鶹�� Women Engaged (AWE), she was eager to help out her alma mater in any way she could. “In my role as Dean of Students, I get the opportunity to interact a lot with our advancement team, so I understand the importance of cultivating a culture of philanthropy.” One initiative she found noteworthy was a campaign they held in collaboration with �鶹��’s Campus Cupboard. “I’m really passionate about food security and ensuring no student goes hungry at my school, so it was rewarding to be a part of that effort.”

Along with her position with AWE, Christina has made gifts to various programs and initiatives at �鶹��. When it comes to giving she is adamant about the belief that any amount of giving helps. “It’s all about how you want to give back and how you want your gift to help leave a legacy,” she said. For Christina, getting in the habit of giving is crucial and it helps to think about what drew her to �鶹�� in the first place. “For me, it was my class sizes and the ability to get to know all my professors. �鶹�� is an incredible institution that provided me with a lot of opportunities. It’s important to reflect on where you are today and how places like �鶹�� helped you get there.”

The Great Returns: We’re All In campaign concluded on May 31 and raised more than $128,000,000 thanks to our generous benefactors, alumni, and partners! Read more about the Great Returns campaign and RSVP for our September 29th celebration event!

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Graduating high school from a small town in Wisconsin, Nelson reflected on why he initially chose �鶹��–because of the urban environment, sense of community, and football.

But during his freshman year, Nelson, like many freshmen, felt the struggle of adapting to the new environment at first.

“And then, I started meeting more people,” Nelson said. “I began to participate in activities and student organizations, and I just got more involved on campus.”

His pitch rose with excitement, speaking about how he became an orientation leader and joined the �鶹�� Student Activity Council.

Once he was fully immersed in the culture, Nelson said he was enamored by �鶹��’s diversity, and through it he learned that he could get along with anybody from anywhere.

Not long after graduation, Nelson joined the U.S. Army, where his experience at �鶹�� gave him a leg up on his peers, he said.

“�鶹�� helped me cultivate vital skills such as critical thinking and leadership,” said Nelson. “Skills that continue to serve me today, and that’s why I give.”

Nelson’s giving journey began when he received a call from a student about the �鶹�� Fund. Since then, Nelson has made a habit of giving.

He said giving to �鶹�� gives him a sense of pride and keeps the legacy alive, and upholds the value of a degree that has meant so much to all the students that attend �鶹��.

“The feeling of giving back to the place that made me who I am today not only gives me personal pleasure, but it brings joy to other people’s lives’,” Nelson said. ”I encourage anyone to give what they can.”

You can donate to the �鶹�� Fund and/or student organizations like the ones that made such an impact on Nelson’s life by visiting �鶹��’s giving page.

Any gift made to any program will automatically count towards your class’ total for the Alumni Class Challenge!

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