Memorial Scholarship Honors Donna Rask Born

By Jennifer Magro Algarotti

The Patrick and Wendy Uecker Born family clearly believes in the unique power of Delta Gamma to do good. They recently endowed a merit-based scholarship fund for Lambda chapter in loving memory of Pat’s mother, Donna Rask Born, Lambda-Minnesota. This incredible gift will be a yearly reminder to the family, and the scholarship recipient, of Donna’s legacy.

Donna, a 1946 initiate of Lambda, was a lifelong and loyal Delta Gamma. She died last year just a week before her 95th birthday. Donna married her husband of 57 years, Robert Born, less than a year after their first date at a DG friend’s home on New Year’s Day at the University of Minnesota.

A proud granddaughter of Icelandic immigrants, Donna is remembered as a good friend and an intrepid global traveler, often solo, due to a great curiosity of people and places. While her husband’s work took them all over the U.S., Donna discovered alumnae sisters in each new home and made connections through her work with Service for Sight.

She was a disciplined investor, a great judge of character and very civic minded. In Columbus, she worked with the Ohio Society to Prevent Blindness. In Nashville, Donna was chosen Volunteer of the Week by the Community Wish List for her work as a full-time volunteer for the Tennessee Society to Prevent Blindness. Donna’s commitment to Service for Sight extended at home, as well, where she regularly gave her three sons vision screenings. Pat even remembers “tagging” along with his mother to Delta Gamma Executive Offices to help stuff envelopes for an important mailing.

Donna’s daughter-in-law and granddaughter have been continually active in local, regional and national Delta Gamma roles. Wendy Uecker Born, Alpha Omicron-Miami (Ohio), serves as a Region 5 Housing Specialist and chapter financial adviser to the Alpha Lambda chapter. Donna’s granddaughter, Kristin Born Crawford, Alpha Upsilon-Southern Methodist, is Fraternity Director: Standards. Donna loved sharing her love of Delta Gamma with those closest to her.

Not only did Donna and Wendy travel to Dallas to surprise Kristin for her initiation into Alpha Upsilon, they also convinced her to attend Convention with them in Phoenix. Donna took great joy in the lives and passions of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The Do Good Sisterhood is an integral part of the Born family. They are committed to ensuring Delta Gamma’s future, while honoring Donna’s legacy, with this transformational gift to the Delta Gamma Foundation.

Contact Senior Director of Development Aleesa Ross at 614-481-8169 or plannedgiving@deltagamma.org for more information about how an endowed fund gift can honor your loved one and impact the lives of our members for generations to come.