Linda Randell

“I attended Michigan on a need-based full tuition scholarship. I have felt a moral obligation to repay that scholarship, and more.”

Almost all University of Michigan alumni agree on one thing: Michigan never leaves you. The Maize and Blue follow you long after your time in Ann Arbor, supporting you throughout life's journeys. This enduring connection often inspires alumni to give back to the university that has given them so much joy. This is also true for Linda Randell.

Randell came to campus in the fall of 1967. She grew up in the Chicago area, the youngest of several children. When Randell's mom told her she could go as far east as Michigan, she jumped at the opportunity and never looked back.

Majoring in economics at Michigan, Randell notes that some of her favorite memories came from her time in the classroom, as she enjoys constantly learning new things. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she pursued law school at Yale, which she says cemented her love for schools with blue uniforms.

After law school, her career led her to become the first woman partner at a major Connecticut law firm. She started in litigation before moving to administrative hearings, representing public utilities, including electric, gas, water, and telecommunications companies. She also chaired the regulated practices group at the law firm for many years before leaving to become general counsel of a publicly held utility holding company.

Currently, Randell is serving a three-year term on the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association. She is also a former chair of the ABA's Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section.

“These days, I work — but not for pay. I am on the boards of nonprofit organizations and am typically involved in governance and finance matters. My mom was proud of my academic and professional achievements, but I think she would have been most proud of my work with charitable organizations.”

Randell has achieved great success in her professional career, but her connection to Michigan remains a significant and cherished part of her life. She notes that her fondness for Michigan grew even more after she left. Randell proudly displays the Block M in various ways, such as on her phone case, coffee mug, and a flag that hangs over her desk.

“One thing that distinguishes Michigan from other schools is that Michigan never really recedes into memory. Michigan is part of everyday life. Whether it's wearing a Michigan shirt or seeing someone with a hat, the connection is there. Michigan is part of the daily conversation, whether it's sports, academics or societal issues.”

Linda's passion for Michigan extends to its athletic programs as well. She has an active Michigan football family group chat that she uses year-round and has supported Michigan baseball for the last five years. Her journey to support Michigan baseball began with the team's run to the 2019 College World Series finals.

The 2019 Michigan baseball team, led by former head coach Erik Bakich at that time, had an outstanding year in the Big Ten. They finished the regular season with a 16-7 record and were runners-up in the Big Ten Tournament. Despite not winning the tournament, their performance earned them an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they began their unforgettable Cinderella run.

They were selected to play in the Oregon State NCAA Regional, where they quickly defeated their opponents to advance to the Super Regional against No. 1 UCLA. In a dramatic back-and-forth series between two highly respected programs, Michigan won the first game 3-2, lost the second game 4-5, and clinched the series with a 4-2 victory in the third game, securing their place in the College World Series in Omaha.

“I asked my daughter if she would go to Omaha with me if Michigan was able to upset UCLA. I woke up on Monday morning, looked at the final score, and we finished our plans to go to Omaha. We were in Omaha on Friday.”

Although the university's tickets were sold out, Randell and her daughter, Laurie, managed to secure seats in the Michigan fan section. They found themselves sitting right in front of some Michigan baseball families, enjoying the spirit and excitement as Michigan fans celebrated their team's return to the championship series for the first time in over 30 years.

The experience left a lasting impression, leading Randell to make a gift to the baseball program in addition to her yearly contribution to the university's College of Literature, Science, & the Arts Honors program as a way of giving back. She has committed to two planned gifts in support of an endowed scholarship with both the baseball team and LS&A. She has also previously supported Michigan Athletics' Champions Fund which includes student-athlete enrichment areas such as counseling, nutrition, leadership development, among others.

Linda's story is a testament to the enduring impact of a Michigan education and the lasting connections it fosters. Her contributions to Michigan baseball, Honors and her professional achievements reflect a life dedicated to learning, giving back, and celebrating the spirit of "Go Blue." Whether through her professional accomplishments or her personal passions, Linda exemplifies the values and pride of a Michigan alumna.

“It's worthwhile to give back,” Randell said. “I attended Michigan on a need-based full tuition scholarship. I have felt a moral obligation to repay that scholarship, and more. Since 2019, I have included contributions to Michigan Athletics as a way of saying thank you for the connection and the fun.”