Tim Preheim ’70 has stayed involved with the College for decades, beginning with his role with Carleton Admissions immediately after graduation. This work introduced him to a new generation of Carls and showed him just how meaningful a liberal arts education can be for student success. As a student with a rural upbringing, Preheim felt Carleton opened up a new world for him, and he has consistently honored the College for the advantages he felt were awarded to him.
Preheim was a class agent for the Alumni Annual Fund in the late 1970s and early 1980s and worked on the Gift Committee for his 25th Reunion. He has worked on virtually every Reunion since then. Beyond the support that Preheim has helped secure, he has also spent many hours working to re-engage members of his class and surrounding classes, including student-athletes and students of color. Preheim recognized that disaffected alumni needed a personal connection to regain trust and promote interest in returning to Carleton for Reunion; he immediately volunteered his time and effort to form those personal connections. Those who have worked with—or even simply encountered—Preheim know what a persuasive, effective, and energetic Carleton advocate he can be.
Successful in his own business in corporate training, Preheim and his wife Trish (Hunt) Preheim ’72 recruited both full-time staff and interns from Carleton to learn about and contribute to the business. In promoting internships and ensuring income for participating students, Preheim sowed the seeds of his class’s 50th Reunion gift to the College: providing an income for students engaged in unpaid internships. Preheim has co-led many reunion-giving efforts, which culminated in the second-highest 50th Reunion gift to Carleton on record. Today, Preheim concentrates his support and makes connections with younger Carleton alumni, mentoring and coaching them. He was involved in the 50th Rugby Reunion, as well as other rugby reunions, and he has been an adviser on a variety of sports issues at Carleton.