Behind the name: Jensen Bridge
On September 17, the Grand View community will celebrate the official opening of the Jensen Bridge with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The installment of the skywalk bridge began this summer and has been a long-anticipated addition to Grand View’s campus.
Jensen Bridge received its name in honor of The Rasmussen Group, Inc., a family business filled with Grand View history.
“The Rasmussen Group Inc. made a $2.5 million gift to the construction of the new Student Center,” Bill Burma, vice president for advancement, said.
In 1988, Jensen Construction Company, a construction business founded in 1912 specialized in bridge building and heavy construction, consolidated with other companies and The Rasmussen Group was created.
Kurt Rasmussen, president and CEO of The Rasmussen Group, is the fourth generation to run the over 100-year family business.
“Our parents and grandparents taught us that a part of your life is giving back to people and the community,” Rasmussen said. “I believe in the management. I believe in the management, the professors and all that Grand View stands for.”
Rasmussen said the decision to name the skywalk bridge the Jensen Bridge was made in collaboration with his family.
“We’ve been building bridges for 105 years and many of my relatives have attended Grand View, so Jensen is not an unfamiliar name,” he explained.
Kurt and his brother, Jim Rasmussen, both attended Grand View University. Kurt graduated in 1988 and Jim in 1991. Jim also helps head the operations of The Rasmussen Group. Their parents, Sandra Jensen and James Rasmussen, met while attending Grand View.
The celebration for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Jensen Bridge begins at 10:30 a.m. in the plaza on September 17.
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