Remembering Linda Vogt
Almost 150 Saint Louis University students studying in Madrid have benefited from the life-changing opportunities provided by the Linda Vogt Cultural Exploration Scholarship. Now, future generations of Billikens will continue to benefit from Linda Vogt’s generosity, as the fund is among the designations for memorial gifts in her name.
The wife of alumnus Alan Vogt (CSB ‘69) for 52 years and a noted travel enthusiast and philanthropist, Linda Vogt will be remembered as a generous benefactor, passionate athletics fan and friend of Saint Louis University.
In 2022, she established the cultural scholarship that bears her name, intending to maximize the study-abroad experience by making additional travel more accessible for those who want to explore Europe and beyond during their studies.
"My husband and I have had the good fortune to travel to over 75 countries," Linda Vogt said when the scholarship was announced. "What we have seen and experienced is amazing. May this scholarship offer a small opportunity for students to create their own lifelong memories, to enjoy all SLU-Madrid offers them, and hopefully, have fun along the way!” The need-based scholarship funds travel, hotel expenses, meals, museum entrance fees and related expenses.
Support the Linda Vogt Cultural Exploration Scholarship
Opening a World of Opportunity
"So many cultures and influences intersect in Madrid, not to mention the whole continent that lies just a train ride away," Linda Vogt said at the time the scholarship was established. "Students at SLU-Madrid have the chance to immerse themselves in those cultures and see history firsthand. With this scholarship, I want our students to seize that opportunity and become a part of the world that lies just outside their door."
Each semester, dozens of students who benefited from the scholarship wrote letters to Linda Vogt, sharing photos, travel stories and messages of gratitude.
“This scholarship didn’t just help me visit new places; it allowed me to grow personally, academically, and culturally,” wrote junior Alexis Cowles. “Experiencing different cultures firsthand taught me the importance of curiosity, openness, and taking time to truly observe the world around me.”
For many students every penny counts. Additional financial support can mean unimagined new experiences. The funds often allowed students to visit multiple destinations, fulfilling lifelong aspirations to travel.
“What has surprised me most is how much I have learned about myself,” wrote junior Manali Kale. “I came in underestimating what I was capable of, but somewhere along the way, that changed completely. Navigating new cities, communicating across language barriers and immersing myself in cultures so different from anything I had known before — I did all of it, and I came out on the other side more self-confident and self-aware than I have ever been.”
A Lifetime of Support
Linda Vogt's gift aimed to make sure that SLU students in Madrid, including those on the tightest budget, can fulfill at least one of their travel dreams: be it Florence’s Uffizi Gallery one room at a time, orchestra seats in London's West End or a stretch of northern Spain's Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route over Easter Break. Awarded to students across majors and backgrounds, the scholarship inspired many to incorporate their experiences into their futures.
“This scholarship allowed me to enjoy a trip on my own for the very first time, and I am thankful for the chance to immerse myself in new environments, experience different cultures, and to embrace the world we live in,” wrote senior Ericka Jarin in thanks to Linda Vogt. “This journey taught me many things, but perhaps the most important lesson was learning to do things alone without fear, and to broaden both my knowledge and my understanding of life.”
While current students may best recognize Linda Vogt's name through the Cultural Exploration Scholarship, over nearly 30 years, the couple made other significant contributions that provided essential resources to all student-athletes at SLU, including academic support services, nutrition programs and campus life activities. In 2017, they received SLU's Bauman Sportsmanship Award and were inducted into the Billiken Hall of Fame. In 2021, Saint Louis University awarded Linda and Alan Vogt honorary degrees in recognition of their longtime support.
Linda Vogt will be remembered during a celebration of life in July. Learn more.