Brian McGoldrick '81

Brian McGoldrick '81 began giving back to Saint Mary's at an early age, following the tragic death of his roommate Greg Brosig '81 in August 1982. Greg, who exemplified the spirit of Saint Mary's to his friends, joined the Navy after graduation and the following August was returning home to visit his mother when a car accident took his life. Brian and several classmates honored Greg's memory by establishing the Greg Brosig '81 Memorial Scholarship, raising funds through golf outings and individual contributions. Brian also decided to make a planned gift to Saint Mary's — and the scholarship fund — by naming SMU as the beneficiary of an insurance policy.

Brian pursued a double major in accounting and business management at Saint Mary's and has been a business entrepreneur since his student days in Winona. Brian currently owns and operates a marina on White Bear Lake and a neighboring restaurant named Admiral D's. In his words, he has "done it all" in the 30 years since graduating, owning and operating a number of businesses. He attributes not only his education but also the unique opportunities offered to him as a student as the basis for his success. Brian's classmates no doubt remember that he and two friends accepted the challenge of running the campus pub in the student center, turning it into a popular place for students to gather and share their talents and convictions. Running the pub gave Brian the experience and confidence to begin his own business after graduating; he has never worked for anyone else, something he believes would not have happened without his Saint Mary's experiences.

Brian believes that Saint Mary's offers a variety of ways for students to challenge themselves, and those students who take responsibility and accept the challenges benefit greatly. His support through a life insurance gift ensures that future students who exemplify the spirit of Saint Mary's as his friend Greg did will experience the challenges and opportunities offered by the university.