By Micah Friez
Published 7:00 pm on February 13, 2026
Dr. Tom and Sandy Richard’s philanthropic philosophy is simple: Give until it feels good.
“You don’t give until it hurts. You give until it feels good,” Tom said. “And that’s a fabulous way to live life.”
That’s the pitch they’ve used when encouraging fellow alumni and friends to join the Legacy Society, a distinguished group of Bemidji State University supporters who have included BSU in their will. Ever since Tom and Sandy joined in 2008, they have been dedicated to inviting friends and colleagues to do the same. They’ve seen great success in doing so, having directly recruited at least a dozen other couples to join the society.
So not only are they making an impact through their own means, they’re doubling down by leaving a Legacy Society legacy.
“It’s a second way for us to give back,” Tom said. “We can give back once with our own money, and for every couple we get to join the Legacy Society, we get to give back again.”
The magic has often happened over a cup of joe. On several occasions, the Richards opened their home for coffee parties, where the topic at hand would be why each attendee should consider joining Bemidji State’s Legacy Society.
Rarely was a heartstring left untugged. More likely, guests were moved to the point of action behind a pitch that rang true to them.
“It’s the easiest society you could ever join,” Tom said. “All you have to do to become a member is commit something in your will to BSU. That’s it. It might be $500, or it might be $500,000. BSU just wants you to give until it feels good.”
“It’s the easiest society you could ever join,” Tom said. “All you have to do to become a member is commit something in your will to BSU. That’s it. It might be $500, or it might be $500,000. BSU just wants you to give until it feels good.”
When Tom and Sandy were first asked to join the Legacy Society themselves, knowing their children and other special interests were already provided for, they said it was a no-brainer to include Bemidji State.
Still, they wanted to see the impact their dollars make before they died, so they also give back today through an annual scholarship in their name and through many other areas on campus. Their scholarship has grown in size over the years and now supports multiple students majoring in elementary education with an emphasis in mathematics — not far off
from their own career paths. Tom is a professor emeritus of mathematics and computer science after a 37-year teaching career at BSU, and Sandy taught English in Bemidji Area Schools for many years.
Tom recalled a time when he received a scholarship of his own before graduating from Bemidji State College in 1966. It made such an impact on him that he’s proud to offer the same generosity to current students, and Sandy, a fellow 1966 grad, shares the same sentiment.
“We want everything good for Bemidji State University and the students,” Tom said. “Anything we can do to make at least one or two students a little bit prouder, we’re happy to do that.”
All donors have a similar opportunity. Tom’s recruiting pitch is still strong as ever, and he emphasized that BSU has a large enough alumni base for more and more Beavers to step forward and join the Legacy Society.
Tom and Sandy have done their part to establish a legacy at BSU — and have compounded their impact by influencing others to do the same. And even though they bleed Beaver Green, it hasn’t hurt at all.
“I think it’s our responsibility, and it’s our pleasure, to be able to give to Bemidji State through our will,” Tom said. “We give until it feels good. And it definitely feels good.”
