A Lifelong Laurentian Love Story
For Krissie Bonin ’90, P’22, ’25 and Brad Rauch ’89, P’22, ’25, St. Lawrence University is more than the place where they earned their degrees—it’s where they met, built lifelong friendships, launched careers, and instilled a shared sense of purpose in the next generation. With two of their four children now proud St. Lawrence alumni, and years of consistent giving and volunteerism under their belts, they embody what it means to be Sustaining Saints.
“Our Laurentian journey started with a debate,” Krissie says with a laugh. “Brad was editor of The Hill News and wanted to be paid for it. I was on Thelmo and told him, ‘We’re all volunteering. You shouldn’t be paid!’” Their playful disagreement blossomed into something deeper as they collaborated in student leadership. Brad was president of Phi Kappa Sigma, and Krissie was stepping into her role as president of Kappa Delta Sigma. Soon, the two were inseparable—and unknowingly laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment not just to each other, but to St. Lawrence.
“Volunteerism and leadership have shaped our connection to St. Lawrence,” Krissie reflects. The couple remained closely connected with classmates and campus life, even as they launched their professional lives and raised a family.
“We talked about St. Lawrence constantly around our house,” Krissie says. “The kids wore the hats, heard the stories, met our friends.” At the time, their children thought it was a little strange—most of their friends didn’t have parents so connected to their college.
That changed when two of their kids discovered the same network firsthand. “During his first few weeks on campus, we’d get these late-night calls from our son James ’22,” Krissie says. “‘Mom, you won’t believe it—do you remember this guy from the swim team?’ or ‘Dad, I just met so-and-so’s kid!’” Suddenly, all the names and stories clicked into place. One especially full-circle moment: James’ LINC
(Laurentians Investing in Networking and Careers) mentor turned out to be Krissie’s former swim teammate.
Krissie and daughter Grace “Lulu” ’25 even shared the Augsbury pool. Both were on the swim team, and Lulu’s final meet took place in the same venue, 35 years to the day after Krissie’s. “We were on deck together,” Krissie says, getting emotional. “It was really special.” “It was an awesome seven-year run,” Brad says of having two kids at St. Lawrence. “I’d find any excuse to go up and visit. We loved it so much, we ended up buying a place nearby.” And when their youngest daughter chose a different college, they were thrilled to help her best friend fall in love with St. Lawrence—another proud moment of paying the Laurentian experience forward.
For Brad and Krissie, giving back is personal. On 9/11, they lost their dear friend and fellow Saint, Chris Morrison ’89. “We were young parents then, but we knew we had to do something,” Krissie says. “With friends, family, and everyone who loved Chris, we established a memorial scholarship to honor him.” It was an early act of philanthropy rooted in loss, love, and community—a legacy they continue to honor.
Over the years, Brad and Krissie have generously given their time and talents to St. Lawrence, serving as LINC mentors, Admissions Ambassadors, and members of the Alumni Executive Council, Reunion committees, and the Parents Committee.
“We met there, we learned how to lead, and we’ve stayed connected with people who really shaped us,” Brad says. “It’s hard not to want to give back to a place that gave us all that.”
Whether it’s mentoring, showing up, or making a gift every year, Brad and Krissie see their support as a way to sustain the University that gave them so much. “It’s not just about tradition,” Krissie says. “It’s about believing in a place where people grow, lead, and belong—for life.”
