Gustavus Adolphus College

The Covenant Award, bestowed annually to an individual who has made distinctive contributions which have strengthened the partnership between Gustavus Adolphus College and member congregations of the College’s Association of Congregations, was presented to Dr. Paul F. Tillquist on Saturday, April 26.

Tillquist has been a long-time advocate for the church-related identity of Gustavus throughout his professional career. He assisted Interim Chaplain Robert Esbjornson to begin “Transfiguration Talks” — a program that brings an alumnus to campus to give a series of five chapel talks during the week of the transfiguration of Christ. During the 1980s, Tillquist worked with the Office of Church Relations in developing what is now the “Partners in Education” program, which sends Gustavus professors into congregations on Sunday mornings for various educational presentations. He also worked with former Gustavus administrator Dennis Johnson to establish the criteria for the Covenant Award in 1991.

In the aftermath of the 1998 tornado when Tillquist served as Vice President of Development and Communications for Lutheran Social Service (LSS), he worked to connect LSS with members of the Gustavus Association of Congregations and other ELCA congregations to help organize and transport volunteers to campus.

While working for the College much of his professional career, Tillquist has held a variety of positions, including admission counselor, Director of Planned Giving, Senior Development Associate, and his current position, Executive Consultant in Advancement.

Born in St. Paul, Tillquist received his bachelor’s degree from Gustavus in 1963 before getting his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Northern Colorado. Paul and his wife Ruth (Anderson ‘63) are members of Incarnation Lutheran church of Shoreview, Minn.