Maroon and Gold Legacy: A History of the University of Minnesota Sweatshirt and Enduring Family Traditions

The University of Minnesota, a beacon of higher education in the Midwest, has fostered not only academic excellence but also deep-rooted family traditions. For generations, families have passed down a love for the U of M, creating legacies that intertwine with the university's history. This article explores the enduring connection between the University of Minnesota, its iconic apparel, and the multi-generational stories of families who proudly wear the maroon and gold.

A Garment of Pride: The University of Minnesota Sweatshirt

The University of Minnesota sweatshirt is more than just a piece of clothing; it's a symbol of belonging, achievement, and shared experience. For students, alumni, and families, donning a U of M sweatshirt represents a connection to a rich history and a vibrant community. The sweatshirt serves as a tangible reminder of time spent on campus, the friendships forged, and the knowledge gained.

Multi-Generational Gopher Families: Stories of Enduring Legacy

The Summer issue highlighted the stories of families with multi-generational ties to the U of M. These narratives showcase how the university has become an integral part of their identities, with each generation adding a new chapter to their Gopher saga.

The Buscher-Sieling Family: A Legacy in the Making

Lisa Sieling (B.S.N. ’80) shared the story of her family's deep connection to the U of M, spanning three generations with hopes for future Gophers in the classes of 2031 to 2034. Her parents, Robert Buscher (’51) and Marilyn Cowden Buscher (’50), along with her father-in-law Vernon E. Sieling (’54), laid the foundation for this legacy. Lisa herself graduated in 1980, followed by her children, Ryan S. Sieling (B.S.B. ’06), Megan Sieling (B.S.B. ’08), Mary F. Ahrens Sieling (B.A. ’05), and Benjamin R. Rogers (B.A. ’06). The family's anticipation for the next generation to join the Gopher ranks exemplifies the enduring appeal of the U of M.

The Burnes-Holst-Jennings Family: A Legacy of Women

Karla Holst Jennings (B.A. ’76, M.B.A. ’90) recounted the remarkable story of four generations of women in her family who graduated from the U of M. Her great-grandmother, Diana Burnes Campbell, graduated in 1881, followed by her sister, Catherine Burnes, who received her degree in 1879 and an M.D. around 1886. Catherine was one of the first women to receive an M.D. at the University and practiced as the only doctor in Hopkins for 30 years. Anne Campbell Borland, Diana's daughter, graduated around 1907, and Cecelia Borland Holst, Karla's mother, graduated in 1938. Karla and her sister, Minda Holst, continued the tradition, earning degrees in sociology, child psychology, and physical therapy. This lineage of accomplished women highlights the U of M's commitment to providing opportunities for women in education and professional fields.

The Sandager-Thomas Family: An Agricultural Heritage

Patricia Thomas (B.S. ’78) shared her family's four-generation U of M history, rooted in agriculture. It began in 1911 with Nels Sandager, an immigrant from Denmark who graduated from the School of Agriculture in St. Paul. His son, Lee Sandager, taught high school agriculture and received his master’s in ag education in 1951. Lee married Betty Brakken, a graduate of the College of Home Economics in 1948. All four of their children, including Patricia, graduated from the College of Agriculture, and three of them married U of M graduates. Today, five of Lee's and Betty's grandsons are graduates of the U of M with degrees in business, marketing, and pharmacy. This family's story illustrates the U of M's role in shaping Minnesota's agricultural landscape and fostering a sense of community among its students.

The Krohn-Miller Family: A Tradition of Excellence

Jane Krohn (B.S.B. ’94) expressed her pride in her family's U of M legacy, which includes her mother, Ginny (Virginia) Pease, who earned her Ph.D. in 1995, and her brothers, Ryan Krohn (B.A. ’97, M.Ed. ’98) and Dan Krohn (B.A. ’03). Her daughter, Arielle Miller, is an incoming freshman in the College of Science and Engineering, continuing the family's Gopher tradition. Jane's sentiment that being part of the alumni community is a "bond and distinction that lasts for a lifetime" encapsulates the feelings of many U of M graduates.

The Larson-Nordstrom-Waltenbaugh Family: A Century of Gophers

Tracy Nordstrom (M.P.A. ’14) shared her family's Gopher story, which began in 1918. Her maternal grandparents, Henry W. Larson (B.S. ’21) and Hazel Lodmil Larson, both attended the U of M. Hazel returned to school alongside Tracy's mother, Karin Larson Nordstrom (B.S. ’62), and graduated two years later. Tracy's father, Donald W. Nordstrom (B.S. ’58), brother, Paul D. Nordstrom (B.A. ’91), husband, Kurt T. Waltenbaugh (M.B.A. ’12), and son, Tucker C. Waltenbaugh (B.A. expected in ’25), have all contributed to the family's Gopher legacy. The story of Hazel returning to school with her daughter and proudly wearing her gold "honor cords" highlights the enduring value of education and the strong bonds forged at the U of M.

The Kotula-Dens Family: A Dental Dynasty

Cathy Dens (Kotula) (B.S. ’83) shared the story of her family's deep connection to the U of M's dental school. Her father, Thomas Kotula, graduated from the dental school in 1954, followed by her husband, Kevin Dens, in 1985. Their son, Christopher, continued the tradition, graduating in 2014 and purchasing his father's practice. Cathy's mother, Bette Kotula (Spaeth), graduated with a physical therapy degree in 1953, and Cathy herself graduated from the school of physical therapy in 1983. The family's U of M connections extend to their children and spouses, with degrees in architecture, public policy, music, school counseling, and elementary education. The Kotula-Dens family's story demonstrates the U of M's ability to create lasting relationships and foster a sense of community among its students.

The Garvey Family: From WWII to the Present

Kati Garvey recounted her family's U of M history, which began after World War II when her father, William (class of 1948), returned to the U after serving in the Navy. Her mother, Lillian, worked in the Office of Civil Service Personnel in the 1940s. The next generation included Kati's sister, Jean (B.S. ’75), her husband, Pete (B.A. ’82), and their daughter, Laura (B.A. ’15). The Garvey family's story reflects the U of M's role in providing educational opportunities to veterans and shaping the lives of generations of Minnesotans.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

The Anderson-Zheng Family: A Love Story at the U

Patricia Anderson (B.A. ’88, M.A. ’90) shared her family's U of M connections, which include her paternal grandfather, Alfred Anderson Sr., who graduated in 1902, and her father, Alfred Anderson Jr., who graduated in 1938. Patricia met her husband, Stephen Yanli Zheng (Ph.D. ’90), at the U, highlighting the university's role as a place where relationships are formed and lives are changed.

The Barnitz-Matison Family: A Legacy of Achievement

Amy Matison (B.S. ’86) shared her family's U of M story, which includes her great-grandfather, Robert Barnitz, who earned a degree in dentistry in 1907, and her grandfather, George Matison, who was a gymnast at the U. Two of their children, Karen Matison Hess and Jim Matison, attended the U, as did Amy and her sister, Sarah Matison Kantola. Sarah's daughter, Kristin Kantola Hegg, earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from the U. The Barnitz-Matison family's story showcases the U of M's commitment to fostering athletic excellence and providing opportunities for students to pursue their passions.

The Mamel-Larsen Family: A Pharmacy and Education Tradition

Jill Larsen (B.Sc. Pharm. ’80, B.S. ’87) shared her family's three-generation U of M legacy. Her father, William Walter Mamel III, earned a bachelor's in education in 1959 and his master's in the early ’60s. Jill graduated with degrees in pharmacy and education, and her sister, Joanne Mamel Kaiser, received a B.A. in music in 1980. Jill's son, Craig Andrew Larsen, received a B.A. in history in 2014. The Mamel-Larsen family's story highlights the U of M's strength in professional programs and its ability to prepare students for successful careers.

The Porter-Murphy-Ozga Family: Maroon and Gold Through and Through

Marilyn Porter (B.S. ’75) expressed her family's deep connection to the U of M, noting that they have at least 15 family members with U of M degrees. Sharon Murphy (B.S. ’79) shared that her parents, Edward Ozga (B.S. ’58) and Marlys Ozga (B.S. ’64), met near the U and that all three of their daughters graduated from the U of M, as did all three of Sharon's children. The Porter-Murphy-Ozga family's story exemplifies the U of M's ability to create lasting relationships and foster a sense of community among its students.

The Hanson Family: A Century of Involvement

Karen Hanson (B.S. ) shared that her father and his eight siblings all attended the U of M, as did her mother and her three sisters. Karen met her husband while he was working on his Ph.D. at the U, and she later returned to the U as executive vice president and provost. The Hanson family's story demonstrates the U of M's impact on a large extended family and its ability to attract and retain talented individuals.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

The Boss-Hearon-Albers Family: A Legacy in Agriculture

Janet Boss Hearon Albers (B.A.) shared that her grandfather, Andrew Boss, was a professor at the ag school, and that her father and two brothers also graduated from the U. The Boss-Hearon-Albers family's story highlights the U of M's historical strength in agricultural education and research.

The Stowe Family: Wide and Deep Gopher Roots

Marsha Stowe (B.S.B. ’86) described her family's U of M story as "wide as it is deep." Her mother-in-law, Judy (Buetow) Stowe, earned a B.S. in business in 1962, and her husband, John, received his B.S. in 1985 and a master's in business taxation in 1995. Marsha graduated in 1986, and four of their six children have also graduated from the U of M. Their youngest child is currently pursuing a master's in public health and is a fifth-year athlete on the men's swim and dive team. The Stowe family's story showcases the U of M's ability to attract students from diverse backgrounds and provide opportunities for them to excel in academics and athletics.

The Herman Family: Four Generations of Arthurs

Arthur Ludwig Herman III shared the unique story of four generations of U of M graduates, all named Arthur Ludwig Herman. His grandfather, Arthur I, graduated from law school in 1894, his father, Arthur II, received his bachelor's, master's, and medical degree in 1922, and Arthur III earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctorate in 1978. His son, Arthur IV, received his bachelor's at the U of M. The Herman family's story is a testament to the enduring appeal of the U of M and the strong family ties that can be forged through shared educational experiences.

The Storm Family: A Robe Through the Ages

One family's story involved three generations all earning their Ph.D.'s from the U, on the same stage, and wearing the same robe. The grandfather earned his Ph.D. in biology in 1930 and met his wife in one of his classes. The father also met his wife while a grad student in entomology at the U. He graduated in his father's robe. The son earned his Ph.D. in physics and graduated in the same gown.

Apparel Design at the University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota's apparel design program offers students the opportunity to focus on fashion design, technical design, or fashion and technical design. The program emphasizes the power of design and provides students with valuable experiences for their career goals and personal development. Faculty members pursue a wide range of research interests, including the development of dynamic compression garments for NASA spacesuits and the relationship between design and sustainability. Through research centers and labs, students have access to interdisciplinary research focused on how apparel and new technology intersect.

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