Alumni Couple Supports AU Athletics

Loren Danielson, Kogod/BSBA '80, and wife Jamie, CAS/BA '81, speak of American University as others might of extended family. It's an apt comparison: The couple's connections to the AU community run deep.

Loren joined AU's wrestling program after being recruited by School of Education, Teaching, and Health professor Robert Karch, who grew from coach and mentor to family friend. Loren, a business administration major, met Jamie, an education and psychology major, in a humanities course. With help from fellow wrestler and AU trustee Alan Meltzer '73, Loren landed his first job at investment firm Ferris & Co.—now RBC Wealth Management in Washington, D.C., where he serves as Senior Vice President. Loren and Jamie, a teacher at the Harbor School, married in 1984 and settled in Bethesda, Maryland, where they raised sons Collin and Matthew.

The couple have supported AU Athletics for more than 30 years. They attend nearly every home match and make regular, annual leadership donations to the wrestling program.

Over the years they've come to know many wrestlers personally. "They're great kids; they work hard-academically and as athletes," says Loren. "In getting to know AU's student-athletes, you can't help but want to support them." In addition to their annual support, the couple have made provisions in their charitable estate plans to establish the Loren and Jamie Danielson Endowment. Their generous gift will ensure the lasting quality of AU wrestling: a program that's already produced one national champion and 16 All-Americans.