MADISON, N.J. – Drew University has announced a seven-figure planned gift from Doug (C'58) and Cris Lonnstrom to Drew Athletics. This generous gift – the largest endowed gift to Athletics in Drew's history – will support the Rangers baseball program and generations of student-athletes in perpetuity. In recognition of this generous gift, the Drew baseball stadium featuring Doc Young Field will be named in honor of the Lonnstroms.

The couple has had a lifelong professional commitment to education — Doug at the college level and Cris as a special education elementary school teacher. 

Doug Lonnstrom earned a bachelor's degree in math and played baseball for Drew University for four years, serving as team captain during his final two. Upon graduation, he was offered minor league contracts by the Giants and Red Sox. Lonnstrom worked at an economic consulting firm as a mathematician, and simultaneously earned an MBA in economics from Siena College in an evening program. Later he earned a PhD in urban and environmental studies from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He started a land development business before turning to academia for the rest of his career, teaching at Siena College for 47 years, where he was a professor within the Business School. Within that time he also served as Dean of the Business School, Head of the Quantitative Business Department, and co-founded the Siena College Research Institute. 

"This generous commitment from the Lonnstroms will not only strengthen our baseball program, but also provide invaluable support to our student-athletes, enhancing their collegiate experience and empowering them to achieve great success both on the field and in the classroom," added Director of Athletics and Head Women's Soccer Coach Christa Racine.