On Thursday, Nov. 6, the St. Olaf administration awarded Dean Buntrock ’55 the Founders Day Medal during a campus convocation. The medal recognizes individuals whose extraordinary contributions have significantly advanced the college’s mission and improved the lives of St. Olaf students.
Buntrock’s leadership and philanthropy have been instrumental in shaping St. Olaf as an institution. His longtime support for the college was reflected in the event’s motto, taken from his own words: “Education is the greatest gift you can give to youth.”
During the convocation, it was also announced that the Institute for Freedom and Community has been renamed the Buntrock Institute for Freedom and Community in honor of his contributions.
Buntrock’s philanthropy has been informed by his life experiences, including caring for his parents during difficult times and serving in the Korean War. When asked what the award means to him, Buntrock told The Olaf Messenger, “I appreciate that this is what I’ve done with my life.”
In the same interview, when asked why education is so important to him, Buntrock said, “When I came to this school there were only a few professors, but regardless they all helped me even if I needed more help than other people. That help really struck me and made me want to give that same love of education back.”
Before attending St. Olaf, Buntrock studied in a one-room schoolhouse, making the transition to a larger college a major culture shock. He said the support he received from faculty during that time inspired his ongoing commitment to make education less intimidating for others and to ensure his contributions have a lasting impact.
