Coborn Family Makes $1 Million Gift to the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University

08/13/2004

The Coborn family recently announced a $1 million gift to the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University to establish the Coborn Family Scholarship Fund at the two colleges. Annual proceeds from the endowment will be used for scholarships for Coborn’s employees, customers and residents in Central Minnesota and other communities served by Coborn’s stores. Scholarship recipients at Saint Benedict’s and Saint John’s will be known as Coborn Scholars.

In announcing this gift, Chris Coborn, president of Coborn’s Inc., and Mark Coborn, executive vice president of Coborn’s Inc., stated: "It seems so fitting for us, as representatives of a new generation of Coborn leaders, to honor the legacy of giving inspired by all of our parents and grandparents. We can think of no better tribute than to further the philanthropic culture that helped establish Coborn’s as a successful, community-minded business. Foremost in our decision to establish this scholarship is the opportunity for us to express our appreciation to the residents of Central Minnesota for their loyalty and continued support. In time, we would like to see this fund grow to represent the largest, most significant family scholarship fund available for CSB and SJU students residing in Central Minnesota."

"The Coborns are an extremely generous family," commented Carol Guardo, president of the College of Saint Benedict. "This continues a long history of generous giving to our two colleges, as well as an extraordinary legacy of philanthropic support in Central Minnesota." Br. Dietrich Reinhart, president of Saint John’s University, added: "We are immensely proud and grateful that the Coborn family has stepped forward with a leadership gift to support our most pressing need -- providing scholarship support for generations of students who may not otherwise be able to afford the quality education offered by CSB and SJU."

"I have great fondness for Saint John’s and Saint Benedict," commented Dan Coborn, chair of the board for Coborn’s Inc. and a 1952 graduate of Saint John’s University. "They share a common Benedictine heritage and a rich tradition of liberal arts education. Saint John’s and Saint Benedict have an innovative and effective coordinate relationship that is unique in higher education, and it is truly satisfying to know that we can make a gift that will strengthen this partnership as well as benefit future generations of students."

Coborn Family History with CSB and SJU

Numerous Coborn family members have attended Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict and have been actively involved in the life of the two campuses.

Duke Coborn Family: Duke Coborn was the son of the founder of the original Coborn store. Three of Duke’s sons -- Dan Coborn ’52, Bill Coborn ’56 and Robert Coborn ’43 -- attended Saint John’s University, and two of his daughters -- Elizabeth Coborn and Nancy Coborn -- have connections to Saint John’s and Saint Benedict’s. Elizabeth’s husband, Russell Clepper, graduated from Saint John’s in 1948, and their children, Russell ’70 and Scot ’72, are Johnnies. Nancy’s husband, Michael Fandel, graduated from Saint John’s in 1958, and their children, Cheryl ’82, Rochelle ’84 and Neil ’91, are graduates.

Dan Coborn Family: Dan Coborn, chairman of the board for Coborn’s, graduated from Saint John’s University in 1952, and served as a trustee for the College of Saint Benedict. In 2002, Dan Coborn received the Saint John’s University National Alumni Association’s highest honor, the Fr. Walter Reger Award, for his service to his alma mater. Four of Dan and Mabel Coborn’s children attended Saint John’s and Saint Benedict. Chris Coborn, president of Coborn’s Inc., is a 1981 graduate of Saint John’s University and currently serves on the Saint John’s University Board of Regents. His wife, Becky, is a 1981 graduate of the College of Saint Benedict, and their daughter, Emily, will be attending the College of Saint Benedict this fall. Duke Coborn attended Saint John’s in 1979, Suzanne Coborn graduated from the College of Saint Benedict in 1984 and Tom Coborn graduated from Saint John’s University in 1991. Michelle (Shelly) Coborn’s daughter, Maria, graduated from Saint John’s Preparatory School in 2004.

Bill Coborn Family: Bill Coborn, who was the vice president of Coborn’s until his death in 2001, graduated from Saint John’s University in 1956. Two of Bill and Joyce Coborn’s children attended Saint John’s and Saint Benedict. Mark Coborn, executive vice president for Coborn’s Inc., attended Saint John’s from 1980 to 1982, and Noelle Coborn graduated from the College of Saint Benedict in 1991.

Coborn Business History

Coborn’s Inc. has a long and storied history as a leading merchant in Central Minnesota and beyond. Over the years, the company has grown from a small Sauk Rapids produce market to a multi-site supermarket and convenience retailer. Customer service has always been a hallmark of the company. After operating small grocery stores since 1908, Chester Coborn opened the first Coborn’s store in 1921 in Sauk Rapids, selling produce and then expanding to dry goods and groceries. He handed on the company to his sons Chester Jr. and Duke. After Duke’s death, his four sons, Daniel, Bill, Ronald and Robert took over the business and ownership, eventually transferring it to Dan and Bill Coborn. The business opened another store in 1963 in Foley and continued to expand by building supermarkets, discount Cash Wise stores, Little Dukes convenience stores, video rental stores, liquor stores and pharmacies, eventually employing more than 5,500 people in towns in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.