Awards

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2012

About Llewellyn Linde

Llewellyn "Lew" Linde graduated from the Indiana University Division of Social Work with a master’s degree in 1957. He then returned to Minnesota where he received his law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law in 1960. Linde was convinced a law degree would enhance his social work practice. He was sworn in as an attorney of the State of Minnesota in 1960.

In the 50 years that followed, Linde was involved in public welfare, in psychiatric social work, consulting with nonprofit child welfare agencies, supervising state adoption and foster care services, mediating public welfare appeals and in corrections. He also served as chair of the adult parole board, administrator of the Minnesota corrections board, executive officer of juvenile releases, and a manager at Stillwater Prison. Linde was an active volunteer in family law cases at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), was an incorporating member of Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd. and was a board member for Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd. He was one of four people to found the Hastings Family Service, which is a not-for-profit dedicated to providing assistance and support to the poor, underprivileged, and homeless. Following his retirement, Linde continued volunteering as a an attorney, remaining a member of the bar and paying the annual fees for keeping his legal license solely for the purpose of volunteering. He volunteers with Lewis House and gives legal advice and counseling to women at the Hastings Battered Women's Shelter who are seeking divorce.

In 1994 Linde was awarded the Minnesota Legal Services Pro Bono Award, and in 2006 he received the First District Minnesota State Bar Association Pro Bono Award. He was also awarded the Hastings Family Service Help and Hope Legacy Award in 2010.

In addition to his many years of volunteer service, Mr. Linde and his wife endowed a fund with the Loan Repayment Assistance Program of Minnesota to assist new law graduates in servicing their student loans while working in legal aid programs. He also financially supports the Women's Foundation. Linde's philanthropy reached the IU community in 2005, when he and his wife, Marcella, established the Linde-Ruhr Scholarship at the IU School of Social Work. The scholarship assists MSW students who demonstrate a passion for the social work profession and have pressing financial needs.