From the April-May 2008 issue of UConn e-Momentum.
For 60 years, Peter ’50 and Carolyn Lind have supported the University of Connecticut through their philanthropy and personal involvement. In January, the longtime donors established an endowed scholarship in basketball to create a permanent source of support for student-athletes.
“We are grateful to Peter and Carolyn Lind for their continuing generosity and support of the Division of Athletics and our student-athletes,” says Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway. “The endowed men’s basketball scholarship the Linds have initiated will help us maintain the excellence that defines UConn basketball.”
The Linds, who met while both were on scholarships at UConn, were inspired to endow a scholarship with a $250,000 gift by their deep connection to the University and the significant influence it has had in their lives, says Mr. Lind.
Growing up in Long Island, New York, he had known little about UConn; but that would soon change. After returning from serving in the Merchant Marine during World War II, Mr. Lind enrolled at Champlain College, a junior college created by New York for veterans, and joined the basketball team. His prowess on the basketball court in a game against UConn impressed head coach Hugh Greer (1946–63), and would be his ticket to a four-year degree and stardom with the Huskies.
“We played a game against UConn. Coach Hugh Greer asked me to transfer to UConn, and offered me a scholarship,” Mr. Lind humbly explains.
Dee Rowe, special advisor for athletics and former head coach of the men’s basketball team (1969–77), has known the Linds for more than 30 years. Rowe began working closely with Mr. Lind in the late 1970s on fundraising activities.
“Peter was a very outstanding basketball player. He was a big man in his time. He was First-Team All-Conference,” says Rowe. “He was recruited by Hugh Greer, who was a legendary coach, and is considered the founding father of UConn basketball.”
Leading the team as captain, Mr. Lind played center in 1949 and 1950. His future wife was attending the School of Nursing when they met.
“If it hadn’t been for UConn basketball, I wouldn’t have met and married Carolyn Vibert, my wife of 58 years, and had a great family with four talented, successful children,” says Mr. Lind.
After graduating from the School of Business with a degree in industrial management in 1950, Mr. Lind was hired by Aetna Life and Casualty, one of the largest insurance providers in the U.S. Mrs. Lind completed her bachelor’s degree in education at Barrington College in Rhode Island. The couple later settled in West Hartford, where Mrs. Lind taught at Renbrook School and Mr. Lind began a long tenure as vice president of Aetna.
“We do owe a great debt to the University,” says Mr. Lind, who credits UConn for putting him on the path toward a successful 35-year career at Aetna.
The Linds also are grateful for their grandson’s UConn experience. Anuenue Peter Kukona ’05 was in the Honors Program while earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He’s now in his third year in UConn’s doctoral program in psychology.
The Linds have been active in their community and at UConn over the past six decades. Currently, Mrs. Lind volunteers at Hartford Hospital and Mr. Lind volunteers at the UConn Health Center. Mr. Lind is a lifetime member of the UConn Alumni Association and has served on its Board of Directors. He has chaired or participated in several University fund drives, including the Hartford Regional Campaign Committee during Campaign UConn. For the Division of Athletics, he has served as president of the UConn Club and been a member of the President’s Athletic Advisory Committee.
For his great service to UConn, Mr. Lind has received two prestigious awards. He received the Alumni Service Award in 1982 from the Alumni Association and the Red O’Neill Award, given to former student-athletes who have achieved distinguished careers, from the UConn Club.
According to Rowe, Mr. Lind’s influence on the Division of Athletics has been immeasurable.
“As president of the UConn Club, Peter was absolutely magnificent at bringing people together,” says Rowe. “His work and his guiding hand will be forever remembered. He was a great leader.”
Rowe emphasizes that the new endowment fund will carry on the legacy of his leadership and the Linds’ dedication to the greater UConn community by not only supporting students, but also inspiring fellow alumni to give back.
“Peter and Carolyn are incredible people. Their support and loyalty, dedication and commitment are special,” says Rowe. “They are giving back for something that’s made a difference in their lives. The gift will make a difference for others. And above all, it should be an example and inspiration to former athletes.”
In addition to the Division of Athletics, the Linds have supported the annual fund, the School of Business, University Libraries and the UConn Health Center.
To make a gift to the Lind Men’s Basketball Endowment Fund, contact Michael Morrison at 860.486.3863.
