By Brian Mozey

Sun Post Newspapers Intern

Most people say that education is the most important thing in today’s society. Darby and Geri Nelson are making sure American Indian students can have a higher education.

The Nelson couple, of Champlin, has donated their time and money to many different organizations around the metro. These organizations have helped the Nelson family in some way and now they feel it’s their time to give back.

“We have benefited from donations and we knew it was our time to donate for others,” Darby Nelson said. “We decided on Bemidji State University because it focuses on education, which is key to a students’ future.”

Darby Nelson, a retired biology professor at Anoka Ramsey Community College, and Geri Nelson, a retired physical science teacher at Champlin Park High School, have had a connection with Bemidji State University for many years. This connection has led to a yearly donation by the Nelson family to help American Indian students.

The donation from the Nelson couple will begin in the 2015-16 school year and is directed towards student’s living expenses. Whether it is a car repair, textbooks, school supplies, housing or a food plan, the Nelson family wanted to help American Indian students with their academic future.

The reason the Nelson’s donate to Bemidji State and American Indian students is because of Darby Nelson’s childhood. He was born on an Indian Reservation by Lake Vermilion and learned about the Native American culture. His parents attended Bemidji State for college and benefited from their classes and professors to have successful careers in the future.

“Bemidji State is not the only place we’ve donated to,” Geri Nelson said. “We’ve had the opportunity and privilege to help benefit other programs and departments around the metro that has helped us in some way.”

The Nelson couple has also donated to the University of Minnesota, Anoka Ramsey Community College, Itasca Biology Center Station, and is working with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota on a pledge in the future.

They hope these donations will lead to more improvements to Minnesota in education, social living, and experiments. Darby Nelson, an environmental movement activist, said he hopes these contributions lead to a more advancements in the environment and protecting the surroundings of Minnesota.

Besides donations, the Nelson couple has been active role models in the community with clubs and other interests while being retired.

Darby Nelson has started writing books focused on the environments within the state of Minnesota. He finished his first book titled “For Love of Lakes,” which is a creative non-fiction on how people view the lakes in Minnesota. He wants people to appreciate the 10,000 lakes instead of harm and pollute them.

He’s also working on a second book about the Minnesota River, but he enjoys writing because it brings back memories. He’s had the privilege to talk about his book at 152 different events and to almost 9,000 people.

“I’ve had a great time traveling around the country and discussing my book as well as the environment to people who have similar interests,” Darby Nelson said. “I just hope my second book can help the community just as much as the first book.”

Geri Nelson will continue her involvement within her church and also take part in the League of Women Voters. She also has been part of a committee to make Champlin a Bee-Friendly city.

The Nelson couple wants to continue their support to these different organizations for many years to come and hope these contributions can help a students’ future.

“We are looking forward to reading letters from the students at Bemidji State and seeing what our money is used for,” Geri Nelson said. “I just hope these students can benefit with a higher education.”

Contact Brian Mozey at brian.mozey@ecm-inc.com.