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Andreasen Keeps a Promise
When Gene Andreasen graduated from the U in 1948 he had a thought.
“I can remember thinking it would be nice to some day do something a little out of the ordinary for the U,” recollects Andreasen.
Fifty years later Dean Donna Gelfand contacted Andreasen, prompting a recollection of the promise made to himself many years before.
“Here I was – no kids, a bachelor and I hadn’t given back,” says Andreasen. “I’m not a big donor, but I can give.”
And give he has. In 2005-06, Andreasen provided five honor roll scholarships for Social and Behavioral Science students. He is also a member of the Park Society – a group of donors to the U with planned gifts. Additionally, Andreasen gives generously to nieces and nephews who choose to attend the U or other institutions of higher learning.
“The people who are able to do something – to give something – should because there are so many who can’t and who really struggle in the world,” states Andreasen.
Andreasen majored in industrial psychology at the U. He interrupted his studies for Army service just as World War II was coming to a close. When he returned to the U, he signed up for ROTC. With a degree in hand a few years later but uncertain about the future, Andreasen accepted a regular Army commission from his ROTC colonel.
After officer training classes in Japan, where he was sequestered with the West Point graduating class, Andreasen was called to the Korean War. He was stationed at the front as a forward observer for field artillery and later became a captain commanding a field artillery unit. Andreasen resigned his commission in 1956 and then went to work as an underwriter for Prudential for 27 years.
“I wouldn’t say that I ever used my degree directly but it’s been a tremendous benefit as I’ve worked with people in the military and at Prudential,” explains Andreasen. “I think that everyone who takes psychology comes out with a lot of polish to their personality. You introspect things more – you don’t just take everything on the surface. That’s helped me understand myself and people much more.”
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