To learn more about the people who are serving St. Olaf as Regents, the Board of Regents Student Committee (BORSC) is conducting interviews with current Board members. Regent Judd Loewenstein serves as the “recent graduate” Regent, a three-year appointed term ending in 2022. Although originally from Chicago, Regent Loewenstein still lives in the Twin Cities area, in part because of the connections he made with friends during his time at St. Olaf. He graduated from St. Olaf in 2018 with a major in Economics, an emphasis in Finance, and a concentration in Africa and the Americas (now known as Africa and the African Diaspora). During his time on the Hill, he was on the hockey team and worked in the Piper Center as a Peer Advisor and Career Ambassador. Among his favorite courses were those he took with Professors Christie, Taliaferro, and Iddrisu.
Regent Loewenstein joined the Board of Regents in 2019 as a way to give back to the college and enhance the student experience. He serves on the Investment subcommittee and the Community Life Committee, where he is able to draw from his experience as an Associate of Investments at Ascent Private Capital Management of U.S. Bank. Although he is the youngest Regent, he believes that his career has contributed to his strong interpersonal skills and allowed him to be confident in meetings with Senior Regents, some of whom are more than thirty years into their careers. Similarly, his management of the portfolios of clients whose net worth is $75 million or more helps him understand the mechanics of managing the school’s endowment.
While making the transition from student to Regent in such a short time has involved a bit of a learning curve, Regent Loewenstein has found the position fulfilling. Since his appointment to the Board, he has gained a deeper understanding of how the college operates and how financial resources are secured and allocated to support the school. Loewenstein has been involved in the Board’s discussion on divestment from fossil fuels, and attests to the Board working to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus. In all, he wants students to know that their tuition is well spent, and that St. Olaf utilizes college resources for the betterment of the student experience.
What is the Board of Regents?
The St. Olaf Board of Regents is the strategic governing body of the college, responsible for the college’s mission, goals and priorities, academic quality, fiscal integrity, and legal affairs. The Board also appoints and regularly assesses the performance of the college president. The Board does not handle the day-to-day management of the College, but instead focuses on long term planning and the “big picture” of the college’s overall well-being. The Board’s purpose is to advance the mission of St. Olaf while ensuring its lasting viability.
The Regents are highly accomplished professionals from various fields, many of whom are St. Olaf alumni. They are volunteers who contribute significant time, expertise, and financial resources to the College. Much of their work is accomplished through multiple standing committees, as well as special-purpose task forces that the Board Chair appoints from time to time to address particularly pressing issues as they arise. The composition of the Board is becoming increasingly diverse as it evolves to reflect the St. Olaf community. The selection process is rigorous, including nomination from current Regents, interviews, and a vote by the Board as a whole. Each new Regent is assigned to a current Regent mentor as part of their orientation to the Board. Regents are deeply invested in the success of St. Olaf. The construction of Regents Hall, the renovation of Holland Hall, and the establishment of the Taylor Center, the Lutheran Center, and the Piper Center were all made possible through Regent study, decision making and financial support.