Amundsen High School Alumnus and Spouse Announce $1 Million Dollar Donation

Amundsen High School Alumnus Dan Jorndt, and his wife Pat Jorndt announced today that they will donate $1 million to remodel, renovate and rename the Amundsen High School’s Winnemac sports stadium. Jorndt is a 1959 graduate of Amundsen, 5110 North Damen, and the recently retired chairmen and CEO of Walgreen Company.

The refurbished stadium, scheduled for completion in the fall of 2004, will be renamed “Jorndt Field” in honor of Dan Jorndt’s father, Louis C. Jorndt. Lou Jorndt taught and coached at Amundsen from its opening in 1930 until 1953, when he was promoted to a supervisor position for the Chicago Board of Education.

“We have always relied on the support that we receive from our school partners, whether they are large corporations or individuals such as the Jorndts,” said Arne Duncan, Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer. “Amundsen, and hundreds of schools around the city benefit every day from our outside partners in education.”

The new stadium will undergo major renovation of its grandstand seating, locker rooms, concession areas and ticket counters. The stadium, which is used by Amundsen students, is also host to various other students from schools throughout the city and state for football and soccer games.

The Jorndt’s also awarded five students with $5,000 scholarships and three teachers with $10,000 cash awards for excellence in teaching.

“Dad was a tremendous father and example for my brothers George, Tom and me,” said Dan Jorndt. “He loved coaching and teaching, and he loved the boys and girls of Amundsen High School. It’s been 50 years since Dad retired and more than 20 years since his death. Yet not a month goes by that we don’t hear from one of his students or athletes saying what a positive influence Dad had on their lives.”

“My brothers and I attended Amundsen and competed at this field in football and track,” he adds. “We can’t think of a better way to honor the memory of a terrific father, educator and coach.”

This is Dan and Pat Jorndt’s second major donation to Amundsen. In 1999, the couple gave $1 million to establish a foundation that awards annual scholarships to graduating seniors and grants to classroom teachers at Amundsen.

“This is the kind of public-private partnership that makes Chicago work. The City can’t do it all, but with this kind of civic generosity, anything is possible. This investment will go a long way to serving the children and families of the 47th Ward and the surrounding community,” said 47th Ward Alderman Gene Schulter.