 "Photo: Kriss Kathmann, Connect Magazine")
Lowell Andreas, 87, died Saturday, leaving behind a legacy of generosity at Minnesota State.
The philanthropist is a member of the namesake family behind Andreas Theatre and Andreas Observatory on campus.
Throughout the years, Lowell and his family have donated millions of dollars to the university through gifts and endowments - so much so that Andreas is listed among the "Top 50 Americans who gave the most in 2008" by The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
According to Connect, a business magazine, Andreas is an American business icon. He purchased a small soybean processing plant in Mankato and turned it into the nation's largest plant of its type - Honeymead. Andreas sold Honeymead in the 1960s and went on to form National City Bank in Minneapolis and join Archer Daniels Midland. Within a year, Andreas was the company's president. He was able to retire at age 50 and has since turned his financial success into opportunities for MSU students and the greater Mankato community.
In honor of the Andreas family's contributions to MSU, Lowell and his late wife Nadine were given honorary doctorates in 2004. The only other honorary doctorate ever given was awarded to Taylor Corp. CEO, Timberwolves owner and philanthropist Glen Taylor.
Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at the First Presbyterian Church in Mankato.
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