Moose Lake School receives $1.75 million

The Moose Lake Community School got an unexpected gift recently: an extraordinary endowment donation of $1.75 million, gifted by the estate of Magdalyn Lund.

According to a news release, the donation was made in memory of Magdalyn’s late husband, George E. Lund, a 1931 graduate of Moose Lake High School. Lund was a survivor of the catastrophic 1918 fire. After graduating from Moose Lake High School at the age of 16, he attended the University of Minnesota where he earned both his bachelor and master of science degrees in chemical engineering. Lund worked for the Universal Oil company, where his work took him to many countries including Italy, Holland, South Africa, England, Mexico, Costa Rica, and China before he retired in Owatonna, Minnesota.

“We are deeply honored and grateful for this exceptional contribution from the estate of George E. and Magdalyn Lund,” said Moose Lake superintendent Billie Jo Steen. “Their benevolence will pave the way for students to pursue their dreams in the fields of engineering and medical sciences. This endowment will forever stand as a testament to the legacy of the Lund family and their unwavering dedication to education.”

In accordance with Lund’s wishes, the principal of this gift shall be invested and preserved with the annual income to be spent on scholarships for students exhibiting demonstrated financial need, academic excellence, and high moral character. Students must be engaged in the study of engineering — other than civil engineering — or the medical sciences. The school promises a selection process for the Lund Family Scholarship that is impartial, transparent, and based on criteria as indicated by the terms of the gift.