Steve and Karen Sanger Champion Leadership and Opportunity at DePauw University
For generations, DePauw University has earned a reputation for producing leaders distinguished by their ability to solve complex problems, inspire positive change and navigate the demands of a world in constant motion. Now, fueled by the generous support of Steve and Karen Sanger, both members of the Class of 1968, that reputation is being carried forward to a new generation of students who are poised to lead with confidence and purpose.
“Our time at DePauw gave us leadership opportunities we would not have had at a larger school,” said the Sangers. “For us and for so many of our classmates, these opportunities provided the foundation for our later success.”
That foundation has been at the heart of the Sangers’ longstanding philanthropic partnership with DePauw. In addition to prolific giving in support of student scholarships and other strategic university priorities, the Sangers have devoted $20 million to launch the Sanger Leadership Initiative, a program that integrates leadership development into the liberal arts experience through a blend of curricular and cocurricular programming.
“We know that we would not be the people we are today without the time we spent at DePauw,” said the Sangers, “and it is a privilege now to be able to support the students whose lives continue to be changed by the experiences they have in this special place. Particularly with the recent establishment of the Sanger Leadership Initiative, we hope to equip many generations of DePauw students to leave their own marks in this world and make a lasting impact for good.”
After beginning his career with Procter & Gamble, Steve joined General Mills in 1974, where he initially worked in marketing. Over the course of his 34-year career, he took on a number of influential leadership roles, rising to the position of chairman and chief executive officer. Under Steve’s leadership, General Mills grew into one of the world’s largest food companies while also receiving widespread recognition as a global hub for corporate leadership development. After his retirement in 2008, Steve continued his leadership journey as a board member of Wells Fargo & Co., serving as its chairman from 2016 until 2018. He joined the DePauw Board of Trustees in 2018, and he was a recipient of the Old Gold Goblet in 2019.
Karen Ogren Sanger studied economics and English during her time at DePauw before going on to pursue graduate studies at both Northwestern University and William Mitchell College of Law. She began her career as a secondary school teacher, after which she worked as an attorney specializing in small business law. Karen has served DePauw extensively as a member of the Washington C. DePauw Society executive committee, a member of the Board of Visitors and a volunteer for her class reunion as well as the Annual Fund.
By giving generously to support scholarships, renew university infrastructure and endow the Sanger Leadership Initiative, both Steve and Karen have taken an influential step in equipping DePauw to meet the needs of future leaders.
“The Sanger Leadership Initiative helps us be intentional about the core of our mission at DePauw,” said Rebecca Alexander, the program’s director. “It helps us ensure all students have access to extraordinary leadership learning experiences both within and beyond the classroom. We support students to not only practice leadership, but also to better understand and tell the story of how their experiences here are shaping their leadership values, philosophy, approach and vision in unique and unparalleled ways.”
Alexander pointed out that the Sanger Leadership Initiative has facilitated intentional dialogues across campus and sparked new curricular innovation. She cited three practicum courses that have recently been designed to utilize the campus as a laboratory for thinking about leadership, and she also identified several emerging opportunities that will fuel leadership development, such as the DePauw Leadership Crisis Challenge. Alexander sees these outcomes as a reflection of DePauw's culture of engagement. “As Karen Sanger says, our students ‘don’t sit on the sidelines at DePauw.’”
Students like Raechel Meyers ’28 are already reaping the benefits of these resources as they chart their own leadership path on campus. “The Sanger Leadership Initiative has pushed me out of my comfort zone and towards the version of myself that I hope to become,” said Meyers. “It has broadened my perspective on leadership and community through diverse discussions, group programming and meaningful conversations. I have met everyone from inspiring entrepreneurs to my good friends through Sanger-supported programming like visiting speakers and the Ethics, Civics and Leadership freshman cohort. I have a better understanding of what opportunities lie ahead of me as a leader, a young professional, and a member of the community that enriches my life.”
DePauw is profoundly grateful to Steve and Karen Sanger for their enduring generosity and their investment in the university’s future. Their partnership stands as an inspiring example of the philanthropic spirit that animates the university’s recently launched Bold, Gold and You! campaign. Thanks to the Sangers, DePauw students will continue to stand out in their ability to confront tomorrow’s challenges with leadership the world needs.