Gift creates largest scholarship fund; music hall named in honor

St. Olaf College | News

June 8, 2021

Gift creates largest scholarship fund; music hall named in honor

President David R. Anderson '74, Professor of Music and Music Department Chair Kathryn Ananda-Owens, and Associate Provost and Professor of Music and King Olav V Chair in Scandinavian-American Studies Dan Dressen unveil the new sign recognizing Tweet Hall of Music as part of the Granskou Complex. — President David R. Anderson ’74, Professor of Music and Music Department Chair Kathryn Ananda-Owens, and Associate Provost and Professor of Music and King Olav V Chair in Scandinavian-American Studies Dan Dressen unveil the new sign recognizing the Tweet Hall of Music as part of the Granskou Complex.

What two things do Ole Music and Chemistry majors have in common? A new endowed scholarship from a family devoted to each.

St. Olaf College was informed it will be the recipient of a generous estate gift from David Tweet ’59 and Janice Johnson Tweet ’58. Their gift will create the largest endowed scholarship to date at St. Olaf, and be directed to support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Music majors with financial need.

“David and Janice Tweet have cast a bold vote of confidence in the future, assuring through this generous gift that generations of smart, ambitious, ardent young people will be able to prepare themselves at St. Olaf for productive, fulfilling, and meaningful lives,” says President David R. Anderson ’74. “We are most thankful.”

David Tweet ’59 stands inside the newly dedicated Tweet Hall of Music. He and his wife, Janice (Jan) Johnson Tweet ’59, value their liberal arts education. Jan, grateful to help Oles through their scholarship, was unable to attend the dedication.

David (Dave) and Janice (Jan) met at St. Olaf and have been lifelong devotees of its music programs. Dave was a chemistry major who went on to found an international company that makes polyurethane parts for agricultural and industrial equipment. Its products remain industry leaders. Jan was an English major who taught in the Bloomington school district for 35 years. At St. Olaf Dave was a member of the Viking Chorus; Jan was a member of the Manitou Singers.

Music has been an important part of our lives. We are tickled to see ‘Tweet’ as part of the Hall of Music, and glad to make a gift to help Oles. It’s a good thing.Janice Johnson Tweet ’58

“We wanted to do something that would be a real focus for impact and legacy,” says Dave. “Sharing our gift now enables us to see some of the outcome in our lifetimes.”

Dave Tweet '58 and Janice Johnson Tweet '58 — Dave Tweet ’59 and Janice Johnson Tweet ’58 enjoy a summer evening.

In recognition of their generosity, St. Olaf has named the Hall of Music, located between the Center for Art and Dance and Alumni Hall, the David and Janice Tweet Hall of Music. The Tweet Hall of Music contains practice facilities, faculty studios, and instrument rooms, along with Department of Music and Admissions administrative offices. It and the Christiansen Hall of Music are the college’s primary music facilities.

Oles majoring in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Music account for 41.5 percent of majoring students at St. Olaf; approximately 80 percent receive need-based financial aid. The Tweets’ endowed scholarship will add significantly to aid coming annually from gift sources.

“Music has been an important part of our lives,” says Jan. “We are tickled to see ‘Tweet’ as part of the Hall of Music, and glad to make a gift to help Oles. It’s a good thing.”