By Micah Friez
Published 3:13 pm on March 4, 2025
To successfully pull off Bemidji State University’s Day of Giving, it takes months of quiet planning behind the scenes, countless hours of labor and dedicated boots on the ground to accomplish the mission.
But a flair for the dramatics sure doesn’t hurt either.
Donors were challenged with collectively raising $300,000 for BSU students and initiatives on Feb. 20. At first glance, it seemed as if midnight struck all too early — before they could reach the full goal. However, in the closing hours of the campaign, 1975 alumnus Allen Sunderman delivered a posthumous gift that was years in the making.
Just in time for Day of Giving, Sunderman’s estate donated $100,000 to establish the Sunderman Technology Fund, which will support Bemidji State’s College of Creativity, Enterprise and Place. It ensured that the BSU community surpassed its $300,000 goal for Day of Giving, but more importantly, it will also make a transformational difference to countless current and future students.
“The difference is priceless,” said Dr. MaryTheresa Seig, the dean of the College of Creativity, Enterprise and Place. “That kind of philanthropy is life-changing for the students and the faculty. And it’s a boost to morale for all of us because it means people are recognizing the good that we do — and encouraging us to do more good.”
The funds from Sunderman’s gift will go toward major updates to a computer lab in the School of Technology, Art & Design, as well as updated technology in classrooms that supports multimodal learning. The tech will help BSU better serve online students who join in remotely while creating a more seamless experience for in-person students. Additionally, Seig will establish a grant program to provide faculty with funding for technology purchases that will enhance their curriculum.
“Knowing Allen as I did, I believe he’d be profoundly pleased to see his legacy supporting the College of Creativity, Enterprise and Place. The very name reflects the entrepreneurial spirit he embodied throughout his life,” said Bernie Rethore, Sunderman’s estate planning attorney at Pfarr & Rethore. “To see his contribution directly fueling the development of future entrepreneurs and creative thinkers at Bemidji State, that would have brought him immense satisfaction. He always believed in investing in the potential of others, and this gift is a testament to that belief.”
The man behind the gift
Sunderman came to Bemidji State in search of a quality education, and he left with his business administration degree in 1975.
He had entrepreneurship embedded in his DNA. After graduation, Sunderman landed in Arizona and was involved in the medical business and a few other small businesses, where he funded other entrepreneurs in their particular projects.
But along the way, he never forgot about his alma mater nor the future students who would someday turn out just like him.
“Allen was really trying to make sure that other people would have that same kind of entrepreneurial spirit,” Rethore said. “And he wanted to make sure that it got back to his hometown roots up there. That’s why he favored where Bemidji is — because it’s northern Minnesota.”
At the age of 71, Sunderman died in 2019 at his home in Phoenix. But because he established his planned giving before he passed, Bemidji State is feeling the impact today through his donations and through the people he will continually inspire.
“The family continues to discover new philanthropic opportunities at BSU, and it is consistently impressed by the countless ways — both large and small — that alumni can make a difference,” Rethore said. “The potential to positively influence this institution is limited only by imagination. We’re deeply grateful for the university’s collaborative partnership throughout this process, and we warmly encourage fellow alumni to join us in supporting this remarkable community.”
To learn more about your own estate planning at BSU, click the button below or visit www.bsualumni.org/donate.
How donors make a difference
On campus, the news of Sunderman’s gift was rightfully met with celebration. It was also received with a sense of duty, knowing that this gift is investing in the good work that must continue.
“Our faculty are really phenomenal in the way that they embrace the entire student experience,” Seig said. “They’re not trying to just teach students. They’re trying to help them develop as professionals. They walk alongside them and lead them to industry partnerships and connections.
“Our alumni understand that the experience here is a different experience. It’s an experience that stays with you for your whole life because we are committed to you for your whole life.”
As Seig alluded to, BSU’s alumni and friends understand and embrace that relationship. After all, Day of Giving still wouldn’t have been successful if not for hundreds of donors all coming together. Exact numbers are still being tallied up, but over 500 donors came together to raise more than $320,000. That includes 338 people who made gifts of $100 or less — totaling $21,707 and proving that every dollar makes a difference.
By combining Sunderman’s gift with the power of the masses, a simple truth rings clear: It’s not only about the dollar figure, but also the spirit of philanthropy. Because when those two things come together, what happens next is usually pretty incredible.
“Day of Giving is like a rallying cry for Bemidji State and for the community,” Seig said. “It’s a community-builder. It brings us together and gives us a common goal. It reminds us of the amazing work that’s being done, and it fosters conversation and dialogue about other good work we can do.”
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