Paying it ForwardGet Inspired

Speaking with Julie Holt for just a few minutes, you immediately notice her Gustie spirit. Her passion for Gustavus is evident in the way she talks about it, and in her choice to name the College as a beneficiary of her life insurance policy. But, Julie isn’t a Gustie graduate. She’s a Gustie parent. Two of her children are Gusties—Jim ’10 and Alisha ’12.

“As a family, we often talk about the importance of giving back to those who have helped you,” Julie says. Gustavus has not only given her children an education but has also been a place they can call home. Julie, a single parent and business owner, can appreciate that her children are in good hands when they leave their home in Savage, Minn., for Gustavus.

Julie’s father was a life insurance agent and taught his family the importance of taking care of the people and things you care about, and that a life insurance policy is a great way to do that. Julie decided to include the College in her future plans after being inspired by an e-mail from Gustavus about giving “today.”

“Do I have $100,000 in cash to give today? No. But this is a way for me to give back someday—to give another child the same benefits and opportunities my kids have received at Gustavus,” Julie says. Her deferred gift will establish an endowed scholarship—just like the ones her children have received during their time here.

Julie credits Gustavus with not only providing Jim and Alisha with a top-notch education, but also with helping them figure out who they are. “They have such a confidence about themselves now—they are so well-versed, and have developed incredible leadership skills thanks to the opportunities they’ve had in the classroom and through extracurriculars.” More importantly, Julie says that Jim, who has accepted a position with State Farm Insurance in marketing and sales, and Alisha, a biology major in the pre-dentistry program, feel well-rounded and that they belong to a community—the Gustavus community.

In the end, Julie just wants Gustavus to know that she is appreciative of the difference it has made in the lives of her and her children—so appreciative that she’s chosen to give such a transformational gift to the College.