Ben Anderson (’94)

Growing Alongside a Changing City

Son of the founding pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Ben Anderson (’94) came of age in Eden Prairie when it was still dotted with woods, dirt trails and small-town charm. From band to athletics, he embraced every part of student life. After 25 years as a music educator, he shares stories of growing up in a changing city, the impact of influential teachers and what it was like to teach through a pandemic.

“I had already been playing in the marching band on the same night on the same field as, you know, playing football. I would just be changing clothes for the halftime show, and then I'd go back into the popcorn stand, and my parents and a couple of the popcorn workers would, you know, pull the pads off and take the helmet off and put the marching band uniform on. And I always remember I'd be running out of there, we'd be getting close to time, and I'd be like, ‘Guys, someone's got to tie my shoes.’” – Ben Anderson