LSSU funds research role with first endowment position

What’s happening: Lake Superior State University has its first endowed position at the school, thanks to a $1 million donation to one of its top researchers. Kevin Kapuscinski, a research director and associate professor at the school, will take on the role. The endowment funds will be invested into different programs to keep the fund balance high while funding the research.

What the position covers: The donated endowment will cover both Kapuscinski’s pay and to help conduct experiments and studies that are under his direction. The focus will be on fisheries management through both recreational fishing opportunities and to enhance fish production in fisheries.

What they’re saying: “This is so important to us at the research center because we’re a new initiative and this helps us with financial constraints as we’re growing and allows us to invest in other positions,” said Ashley Meorke, director of the Richard and Theresa Barch Center for Freshwater Research and Education. “It reduces our overall budget cost, which allows us to be more flexible in growth.”

What’s next: The position is based out of the LSSU Center for Freshwater Research and Education, which started in August 2022. The endowment gives stability to the center as it continues to find other funding sources and employees.