The Right Time to Act: Developing Transformational Leaders through Scholarships

“[UMR] students are the future of our health system, the future of our community’s growth. What better way to champion it than to support it.”

Alison (Allie) Bach Good is a third-generation Rochester native and a longtime supporter of higher education, specifically, higher education needs in the Rochester community. Allie and husband, Andrew (Andy) Good, a retired obstetrician-gynecologist at Mayo Clinic, have a long standing connection to the University of Minnesota and the Rochester community. 

Andy received his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota and completed his residency at Mayo Clinic. Allie completed a M.Ed. degree from the University of Minnesota in 2003 while she served as the Executive Director of Greater Rochester Area University Center, now Greater Rochester Area Universities and Colleges (GRAUC). Allie began working with GRAUC in 1998 and says her role was to support community and business leaders and make them passionate advocates for higher education. 

In 1999, GRAUC, area legislators and other Rochester supporters advocated for the benefits of a University of a Minnesota campus in Rochester. The Legislature approved language for a University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) branch; however, funding for program expansion was very limited. It was not until 2005, when Governor Pawlenty appointed the Rochester Higher Education Development Committee, that the fledgling health sciences-focused university began to take shape.

Although Allie left GRAUC in 2006, she and Andy’s passion for higher education remained strong through their dedicated support of University of Minnesota Rochester and higher education. And this year, Allie and Andy funded a scholarship for UMR students, the Alison Bach Good and Andrew E. Good Scholarship. “We admire the direction, purpose and planning for the growth of the University of Minnesota Rochester, its commitment to building a strong foundation through partnerships and its groundbreaking approach to educational innovation. Through this endowed scholarship, we wish to manifest our desire to support its growth and contribute to the diversity of UMR students with financial need,” Allie shares. 

The decision to fund a scholarship at this time was driven by conversations with students. “They talked about their experience, where they were and where they wanted to be. They were so articulate and passionate… Every student I talked to seemed to have a clear understanding of who they are, what they want and they’ve found a place that is going to get them where they want to go,” Allie says. “It just felt like the right time to act.” For the Goods, it became a question of, if not now, then when? 

“I sense that UMR is preparing students to be transformative leaders who are not afraid of change and have navigated it through their undergraduate studies and will be a great fit for the directions where they see opportunities… They’re writing new stories in their lives. They are learning how to work together…They are supporting one another, they are being given the resources and the opportunity to fulfill their potential. It’s exciting.”

To those interested in supporting UMR and higher education, Allie says, “When you have the opportunity to give back, do so in a way that is meaningful to both you and the recipient. Not everybody can fund a scholarship but everybody can do something.”

To current students, Allie says, “Talk about your experience. Share your stories.”

UMR students are driven and united by their passion to make a difference in the world through a career in health and a life of service to their communities. We invite you to remove barriers and create a lasting impact by investing in our collective future. Learn more about ways to give during the Onward campaign at z.umn.edu/onward.