Sharing the Carlson School Experience One Month at a Time

When Lauren Stoneberg was 18, she faced a personal dilemma: Her family had a long history of attending the University of Minnesota, but she also wanted to be independent and create her own path.

Ultimately, she enrolled, drawn to its size—which let her build an experience unique to herself—and the Carlson School’s excellent reputation. That experience included rigorous coursework, building relationships with other students, and international study in Italy, where she learned life skills she’s still using to this day.

“While this experience was phenomenal at the time, I didn’t realize how much I’d continue to get out of it several years later,” she says. “Building relationships with other students from around the globe, I got to see both my coursework and current events through the perspectives of people with cultures and experiences so different from my own. I also was forced to exercise the personal courage required to live in a new place, struggle to confidently communicate with others, and navigate unfamiliar territory. I still draw upon that resilience.”

Today, the ’10 BSB alum works as the director of strategic planning for Verizon in New York City. Stoneberg credits her success in part to h experience at the Carlson School. “The world opened up for me in a big way when I was at the University of Minnesota,” she explains.

That’s why Stoneberg helps lead the New York City alumni chapter and gives regularly to the Carlson School. “From a young age, I heard the refrain of sharing ‘time, talent, and treasure,’” she says. “I want to do my small part to be sure students who have not yet set foot on campus have the chance to do so.”

To make the process as simple as possible for her, Stoneberg gives monthly through automatic donations. She says this makes it easier to budget for her giving goals while avoiding the hassle of sending money several times a year.

“Like with saving, giving is easiest when you can ‘set it and forget it.’”

Monthly giving provides reliable support and cuts down on administrative costs, so gifts from alumni such as Lauren go even further. Learn more or set up your own monthly recurring gift by visiting give.umn.edu/