2020 40 Under 40 Yearbook: Michael Kolstad, 54

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Then: Associate Professor of Music, Evangel University
Now: Vice President for University Advancement, Evangel University

In 2006, Michael Kolstad was teaching, conducting and performing music at Evangel University, and he had an impressive list of concerts under his belt.

Fourteen years later, Kolstad’s works now include orchestrating alumni, business, church and community relations to develop resources for Evangel outside of tuition dollars. Since becoming vice president for university advancement in 2014, his team of 10 has raised $24 million and doubled the number of first-time donors.

Kolstad’s talent for fundraising emerged while he was chair of the music department, a role he accepted in 2007. After starting a marching band and growing the department by 80%, he and his team established a booster club that raised more than $1.3 million in the first two years. President Carol Taylor noticed, asking Kolstad to “scale that up for the university” in the role he currently holds.

Evangel, his alma mater, has been part of Kolstad’s life for three decades. He says it’s part of his DNA.