LSSU board accepts $1 million estate gift

A full-ride scholarship to college is the Holy Grail to high school students trying to figure out how to get through higher education. At Lake Superior State University, there are a few more chances at one, thanks to a $1 million gift from an eastern U.P. man.

Robert Considine grew up in Trout Lake, went to Rudyard Schools, and served in Korea with the U. S. Navy, before building a career and several businesses in the automotive industry.

“We have been very excited to work with this gentleman and go through this process with him. He is an advocate of people acquiring technical skills. He did not attend college and he understands the importance of acquiring an education in the current job market,” says Tom Coates, executive director of the LSSU Foundation.

“He has a desire to support the area where he’s from and his goal is to inspire others to do their part and create a plan of action for giving back,” says Coates. The gift will provide two full-tuition scholarships for LSSU students from the eastern U.P. for many years.

It’ll work like this: Considine and LSSU each will provide a full scholarship annually beginning this fall. When Considine passes away, his estate will then give LSSU $1 million to provide two scholarships a year until the money runs out. The scholarships are first available to Trout Lake and Rudyard area students, and if none qualify, other students from Chippewa County can receive them.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Tom Coates, Lake Superior State University Foundation