Foundation

Mailing Address

Staff Offices are located in the Lou and Mae Lukenda Alumni House on the campus of Lake Superior State University.

Lake Superior State University Foundation
650 W. Easterday Ave
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Phone: 906.635.2665
Fax: 906.635.2856
Email: foundation@lssu.edu

Staff

Tom Coates '86

Executive Director

Since joining the University as an employee in 1995 and the LSSU Foundation in 2002, Tom has been a positive influence in all of the work he has accomplished at the University. He was recognized recently for his 10 years of service to Lake Superior State University. He has worked in marketing in the Cisler Center and building management in the Norris Center.

Recently, Tom has been responsible for all annual giving and athletic fundraising including the Greater Lake State Fund; phonations; mailings; athletic clubs including the Laker Club, the Cager Club, the Sideout Club, the Linedrive Club; special fundraising events; and contact with annual fund donors. His fundraising activity also includes working with Lake State Classic Golf Tournament and The Bud Cooper Classic Golf Tournament. Tom enlisted a crew of hockey alums and created the Laker Legacy: The Hockey Endowment Appeal. Their on-going goal is to fully endow scholarships for all Laker Hockey student athletes and build an endowment of $5.4 million.

In spring 2006, Tom was appointed as Assistant Athletic Director where he continues his athletic fundraising work. With Kris Dunbar, Athletic Director, and the coaches of Laker Athletics, they are building a new era for student athletics.

Tom is a 1986 LSSU graduate and lives in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.

906-635-6670
tcoates@lssu.edu

Sharon Dorrity '87

Director - Constituent Relations

Sharon is a 1987 LSSU graduate majoring in history and legal assistant studies. A New England native, Sharon moved to Sault Ste. Marie when her military father was transferred to the area and later retired to the Sault community.

Her background is in banking having worked at Central Savings Bank for close to 14 years and later as Administrative Assistant for Human Resources in the Tendercare (Michigan) Inc. Corporate Office.

Sharon manages all donor relations, stewardship, scholarships, gift processing and recognition; Secretary of the LSSU Foundation Board of Directors; works with other foundation and university staff in coordinating special events; and is financial coordinator. Sharon has been at Lake State since December 1996 and lives in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.

906-635-2665
sdorrity@lssu.edu

Susan Fitzpatrick '87

Director – Alumni Relations

Susan is a 1987 grad of Lake State with a major in English language & literature and a minor in journalism and computer science. Her first job with LSSU was for the Foundation as the office manager. She moved to the Alumni Office in 1994 to help develop the program and was appointed director in 2006. She manages all alumni activities including Great Lake State Weekend and is advisor to the SAILS student ambassador group on campus. She works with the LSSU Alumni Association Board of Directors in creating stronger relationships with LSSU alumni.

Besides all Susan’s alumni activities, she works with the Foundation in database management of some 48,000 records and reporting of information. Susan has been with Lake State since August 1988 and lives in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.

906-635-2831
sfitzpatrick@lssu.edu