Virginia is the newest member of the staff of the LSSU Foundation.
Most recently, she was the Executive Director of the Sault Ste Marie (MI) Chamber of Commerce since 2003. Prior to that position she served as the interim Executive Director of Development for Northern Michigan University where she directed a comprehensive $36 million capital campaign for three years.
Virginia’s responsibilities at the LSSU Foundation will be major gifts and capital campaign co-ordination. Besides the Cooper Gymnasium Floor Campaign, the School of Business, Economics and Legal Studies New Classroom Building Campaign, and the Aquatic Research Lab Appeal, she will also be the leader of the continuing LSSU Arts Center Have a Seat Appeal. When not doing these campaigns, she will also aid the Foundation’s continuing effort to establish endowed scholarships.
Virginia is a 1980 graduate of Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education. She lives in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.
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.
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, 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.
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.
The Lake Superior State University Foundation was founded in 1983 and makes its home at the Lukenda Alumni House, one of the original Fort Brady Row Houses at the eastern end of campus. The Foundation oversees a vast amount of scholarship activities, events and other philanthropic activities to help educate the public on various ways to give to Lake Superior State University.
Lake Superior State University Foundation
650 W. Easterday Ave
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
