2026 Spring/Summer
This is why we give: Mike Bjorkman
Mike Bjorkman
Mike Bjorkman was destined to be a Gopher. Both his parents attended UMN and passed down an appreciation for a college education. Mike’s love of Gopher football sealed the deal.
Treasured moments such as the 2002 men’s hockey national championship and—even sweeter—meeting his wife Lisa made Mike’s time on campus memorable. Over a decade after earning his bachelor’s degree, Mike returned to get an MEd in sport management. Legendary kinesiology professor Mary Jo Kane was a tremendous influence and long-time women’s swimming and diving coach Jean Freeman opened the door for an opportunity to work in athletics. “I learned so much from both of them, more than they’ll ever know,” he says.
His degrees also taught him the value of teamwork, leadership, and clear communication. He says, “I learned how to think critically, work with people from all walks of life, and balance competing priorities. The combination of strong academics and hands-on opportunities provided confidence, perspective, and skills that I continue to rely on today in my role at SPS Commerce.”
Soon after completing his master’s degree, Mike started donating to CEHD. “From my time working in UMN Athletics, I saw firsthand the impact of gifts on the lives of students. I wanted to assist students who came after me,” he says.
He now has a monthly recurring gift to the CEHD Alumni Society Advanced Study Scholarship, a simple way to support graduate students that is matched by his employer. “It’s efficient, easy to budget, and adds up to a bigger impact over time,” Mike says. It also helps the college budget for the future based on predictable resources.
The return on investment in students is not only measurable in earnings or employment outcomes, but in the capacity to generate knowledge, strengthen institutions, and serve the public good. “The University played such a profound role in my life and I’m confident I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the education and opportunities UMN afforded me,” Mike says. If you’re thinking about a gift to CEHD, he suggests you just get started with whatever amount is meaningful to you. “You won’t regret it,” he says.