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Alumni Association

Alum Success

"Lake State is a local University that gave me the option to earn my education while be located close to my family. My short-term goal is to gain as much experience as possible in the community and to possibly continue my education toward a Masters Degree. I’d like to continue my work within the city and take advantage of opportunities to be more involved in local politics. In the long term, after I’ve made myself as competitive as possible the marketing field, I’d like to get a job at a medium to large size company and work more with individual products or brands as opposed to marketing a company itself."

" Currently I am a Board Member on the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Development Authority, in which my marketing background has been beneficial. Also, I work with the International 500 Snowmobile race as the Chairperson of the Non-Race Events Committee and I work in the pits doing timing for the race and other tasks. I am studying snowmobile mechanics to eventually become a race official or snowmobile technician. I compete on the Soo Co-op Credit Union bowling team and I’m continually involving myself in various community events."

Anna Wilson '06
Marketing

LSSU Foundation

Beneficiary Designations

By naming Lake Superior State University in your will or living trust, your assets are not diminished during your lifetime and taxes owed by your estate may be reduced by the amount of the gift. Bequests to the University can provide funding for general support to the University, strengthen academic and athletic programs, support building campaigns, or provide scholarship assistance to deserving students.

Alumni and friends who name LSSU in their wills, trusts, charitable gift annuity, life income funds or life insurance are members of the Superior Legacy Society.

Bequests can be:

a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, residual of your estate, or a contingent bequest
for the unrestricted or restricted use of the University
directed to establish an endowment to benefit an academic, scholarship or athletic program

To ensure your gift intent is met, it is very important that the appropriate bequest wording is used. Your bequest can be used for a specific purpose (restricted bequest) within the university (i.e. scholarships, academic or athletics program, etc.) or as an unrestricted bequest that is directed for the general support of the University.

The following are examples of general bequest statements:

Restricted Bequest:

Donors may restrict the use of their bequests and may read as follows:

“I bequeath to the Lake Superior State University Foundation, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan the sum of ______ or ______%, to be used (state purpose, e.g, the purchase of library materials for the Kenneth J. Shouldice Library or its successor'). If in the opinion of the University and LSSU Foundation, all or part of this bequest cannot be usefully applied to this purpose, they may use the bequest for any purpose that will most nearly accomplish my wishes and purposes.”

Unrestricted Bequest:

An unrestricted bequest is for the general use of the University at the discretion of the University President and LSSU Foundation Board of Directors:

“I bequeath to Lake Superior State University Foundation, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan the sum of _______ or ______% of my estate, to be used for the general purpose of the University.”

Contingent Beneficiary:

Lake Superior State University may be named as a contingent beneficiary upon the death of the primary beneficiary and may read as follows:

“I bequeath the residue of the property owned by me at my death, real and personal, to (PERSON’S NAME) if he or she survives me. If (PERSON’S NAME) does not survive me, I bequeath my residuary estate to Lake Superior State University Foundation, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to be used to for the general purpose of the University or (named endowment).”

Endowment Bequests:

Bequests may be designated for the University's general endowment or the establishment of an endowed fund named after a named person(s) or an organization. Endowed funds are perpetual whereby only the principal's earnings are distributed.

General Endowment:

“I bequeath the sum of _____ or _____% of my residuary estate, to the University's General Endowment. The income from which shall be used for the general purpose of the University.”

Unrestricted Named Endowment:

“I bequeath the sum of _____ or _____% of my residuary estate, to establish the ____________________ Endowment, the income from which shall be used for the general support of the University.”

Restricted Named Endowment:

“I bequeath the sum of _____ or _____% of my residuary estate, to establish the ____________________ Scholarship Endowment, the income from which shall be used to benefit a students majoring in the (eg. College of Arts and Letters, or any course of study).”

Please consult with your attorney or estate plan advisor so that the bequest language meets your estate planning goals. It is recommended to contact the LSSU Foundation before finalizing your will provisions to ensure your intent can be implemented according to your wishes.

For more information, contact the LSSU Foundation office at 906-635-2665 or email foundation@lssu.edu

Turning reed canary grass into fuel

Justin Wilson

The multi-phase project, led by biology department head Gregory Zimmerman Ph.D. with help from Justin Wilson, the project's student volunteer, is studying the potential of reed canary grass pellets as an environmentally friendly and economical heating fuel, as well as a possible economic stimulant for the Eastern Upper Peninsula. [ more ]