Concordia Magazine

A Grand Day With Gates

By Erin Hemme Froslie

Asking Bill Gates a question is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

So when Levi Bachmeier ’14, West Fargo, N.D., got the chance, he made it personal. He asked the software mogul and esteemed philanthropist for advice as he prepares to become a classroom teacher.

“It was a bit surreal,” Bachmeier said, speaking not only for himself but the entire Concordia community as it welcomed one of the world’s wealthiest and most visible business leaders and global philanthropists to campus.

Gates spoke at Concordia as part of the dedication festivities for Grant Center, home of the Offutt School of Business and Barry Auditorium. More than 3,800 tickets were distributed for the April 27 event, where Gates spoke for an hour.

“What a delight and an honor to have Bill Gates here,” said Dr. William Craft, president of Concordia College and moderator of the morning presentation. “He is someone who keeps on learning throughout his life and who makes a connection between that learning and the work of doing good in the world.”

David Sotro ’15, Golden Valley, Minn., read a biography of Gates for one of his sociology classes. His interest in Gates’ story was one reason he was one of the first students in line for general admission seats on the morning of the speech. To secure the best seats, people lined up nearly two-and-a-half hours before the event.

“The type of wisdom he has is unique,” Sotro said. “It’s worth watching when someone as influential as him comes to a small college like ours.”

Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, was introduced by Harold Hamm, CEO of Continental Resources, an oil company that’s one of the most active players in North Dakota’s oil patch. Both Gates and Hamm are among a handful of wealthy business leaders who have signed the Giving Pledge, an agreement to give away a majority of their wealth during their lifetimes.

Hamm, a member of the Offutt School’s Global Leadership Council, helped to bring Gates to Concordia. The Offutt School of Business’ namesake, Ron Offutt ’64, introduced Hamm.

“This, as our students might say, is an epic day for Concordia,” Offutt said, drawing laughter from the crowd. “It’s also an epic day in the life of Ron Offutt.”

Having Gates speak on the day Concordia dedicated the Offutt School of Business’ new home was fitting, Offutt said. The school prepares business students to be entrepreneurs, leaders in their fields who, like Gates, strive to improve the world. And as Hamm introduced Gates, he described Gates as an individual who has changed the world and is changed by the world – a description similar to the mission ascribed to Concordia graduates.

Gates began with a few prepared remarks. But the majority of the conversation with Gates included him answering questions from students seated on the stage. All Concordia students had been invited to submit questions for Gates. Students whose questions were chosen received the coveted stage seats.

Topics ranged from the importance of vaccines, which Gates called “the miracle technology,” to ideas for building a sustainable farm economy in east Africa. He also entertained questions about philanthropy and education reform.

But Gates also had some advice for those in attendance, most of whom were students from Concordia, other area universities and high schools. After recounting access to information in his youth (he read the World Book Encyclopedia alphabetically), he noted the benefits of information accessed through today’s technology.

“Having your eyes open to the great needs of the world, especially those of the poor, will help you pick what is most fulfilling to you,” Gates said.

That struck Bachmeier, who is studying social studies education.

“To hear that responsible engagement isn’t just about coding software, it just isn’t about becoming a multibillion-dollar company,” Bachmeier said. “It’s about doing whatever the world needs in whatever capacity that your skills and abilities are able to contribute to that.”

Gates presented three areas of challenge for students to address in their lifetime: awareness of the great divide between the poor and rich, the energy economy and health care. He also gave a nod to research and projects occurring on Concordia’s campus, including the search for a hookworm vaccine and fundraising for meningitis vaccinations.

He accounted his own journey from Microsoft, where he was “fanatical” about software, to foundation work, where he is fanatical about funding causes that can improve lives around the globe.

When he and his wife started the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, they expected it would be hard to find high-impact projects to fund. They quickly recognized that there were numerous ways – paying for malaria nets and vaccines – to make a difference without spending a lot of money.

“For less than $1,500, we could save a life,” he said.

Philanthropy, he said, is dangerous because it’s not market driven. A lot of money is given away without regard to project effectiveness and need. Yet, philanthropy has its biggest impact when it takes on the aggressive, risky things that government and business won’t do, he said.

He repeated the message later in the day at a luncheon for 600 Concordia students, faculty and distinguished guests. Moderated by Jennifer Ford Reedy, president of the Bush Foundation, Gates answered questions about the Giving Pledge and provided tips on how to encourage people to donate locally.

“It’d be tragic to give money and not have it be fun,” Gates said. He then encouraged people to give when they have a chance to see how the gift affects people. “If you visit Africa and see what is going on there, you will not go away untouched,” he said.

Gates’ visit energized the Concordia community and its students.

Social media users shared their excitement of seeing Gates on stage at their college and inspirational quotes from the speaker.

For Matt Hansen ‘13, Cookeville, Tenn., Gates’ visit was an opportunity for students to hear advice from one of the world’s best entrepreneurs. “Life is not just about making money, but about making a difference,” Hansen said.

“It was fantastic,” said Sarah Raeker ’14, Coon Rapids, Minn., who was in the audience. She had been looking forward to hearing how Gates’ comments connected to Concordia’s emphasis on being responsibly engaged in the world. She appreciated his passion for what he does.

“He’s not doing it so he can put his picture on a poster,” she said. “He truly cares about improving things. You can see that.”

Syed Shah ’16, Pakistan, was seated on the stage with Gates and asked about the challenges of vaccine delivery in countries such as his own, which is one of three where polio has yet to be eradicated.

“Biggest moment of my life,” Shah said. “To have a face-to-face conversation with Mr. Gates is a very lucky thing.”

Emily Clemenson and Gia Rassier contributed to this story. 

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