Two Sault Ste. Marie businesses are supporting
Lake Superior State University's project to renovate South Hall, the soon-to-be home of its business school.
Central Savings Bank made a gift of $150,000 to the project, which aims to turn South Hall into a state-of-the-art location for LSSU's business programs. The money will help create a Central Savings Bank Center for Strategic Business on the second floor of the renovated building.
The renovations will begin in the winter of 2014, and eventually the historic South Hall will house LSSU's School of Business along with the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
"I have always believed there is a need for an identifiable home for the School of Business at Lake Superior State," said Central Savings Bank's board chair, W. W. "Frenchie" LaJoie. "Some of our best employees are graduates of the program and with the combination of talented faculty and an outstanding facility, LSSU can produce a whole lot more."
The Haapala family and
Soo Motors of Sault Ste. Marie also presented LSSU with a $25,000 donation toward the renovation of South Hall. Ted, Linda and son Andy Haapala gave $12,500 and Soo Motors matched the gift to make up the total. Ted Haapala is the president of the Sault Ste. Marie Ford dealership, while Andy is the general manager.
In a nod to the gift, LSSU will name a seminar room after the dealership and family.
The contributions are in support of an LSSU Foundation campaign to raise up to $3 million in private funding for the $12 million construction project.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Lake Superior State University
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