February 10, 2026
Paige Haehlke
The impact of Forester Day: Eight Foresters share how donations affect the student experience
On February 26, 2026, the entire Forester Family will come together for Forester Day, Lake Forest College’s annual day of giving and celebration.
Donations on Forester Day support every area of campus:
- Forester Fund
- Endowment Support
- Academic Excellence
- Career Preparation
- Forester Athletics
- Spike Initiative
- Student Leadership and Organizations
- Student Emergency Fund
Gifts from alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and staff help students grow into well-rounded, thoughtful change-makers who will go on to shape the future of society. Hear from eight Foresters about how donations to the College on Forester Day support their growth and success.
Forester Fund
Without the Forester Fund, the exceptional student experience we offer would not be possible. A gift of any size to the Forester Fund provides direct and immediate support for scholarships and financial aid, new programs and initiatives, experiential learning, and faculty excellence. Every contribution makes a difference, enriching the student experience in every corner of campus.
“
As a first-generation college student and the first-born daughter in my family, this scholarship means more than financial assistance; it represents hope and opportunity. This scholarship has provided tremendous financial relief and the reassurance that my hard work and perseverance are being recognized and valued.
Keisha William ’27 — 2025-26 William A. Adesso Family Scholarship recipient, Gummere Fellow
Endowment
Support of Lake Forest College’s Endowment strengthens the College's financial foundation, ensuring long-term sustainability and expanding opportunities for students. By investing in scholarships, academic programs, and innovation, the Endowment provides lasting resources for generations of Foresters.
“
Lake Forest College has been such a nurturing environment that has provided me with both faculty and social support. When I was much younger, the idea of college scared me, mostly because of things like student loans and test scores. This support helps remove that fear and allows me more mental space to focus on what really matters: doing the best that I can in my classes.
Astrid Bentley ’27 — 2025-26 Kevin D. Gorter Scholars recipient
Academic Excellence
At Lake Forest College, being a Forester means learning with purpose—inside and outside the classroom. Through academic scholarships and program support, we equip students with the tools to explore boldly, think critically, and thrive beyond graduation.
“
Lake Forest College has helped me pursue a fulfilling career by giving me opportunities to explore different paths and figure out what I want to do after graduation. My coursework in English, journalism, and legal studies has strengthened my writing, research, and communication skills, which I know will be important as I prepare for law school. The College’s small classes and supportive professors also make it easy to ask questions and get feedback, which has helped me grow academically and feel more confident in my goals.
Maia AlBarrak ’26 — 2025-26 Solomon Segal Memorial Annual Scholarship recipient
Career Preparation
Career preparation support at Lake Forest College connects students to hands-on experiences, mentorship, and professional opportunities that turn classroom learning into meaningful careers. Through internships, career coaching, networking opportunities, and support for experiential learning, students gain the skills, clarity, and confidence needed to succeed in an ever-changing world.
“
Speed Networking was an insightful experience that helped me practice how to more clearly articulate my career interests and goals. Your contribution to career preparation helps remove barriers and create access to the first professional opportunities that a student has and will be thankful for for a lifetime.
Carolina Alonzo ’26
Forester Athletics
Forester Athletics is powered by dedication, teamwork, and pride. Student-athletes represent Lake Forest College every day, supported by committed coaches, staff, and administrators who help them excel on and off the field. Forester student-athletes are students first—upholding the highest standards of academic excellence, sportsmanship, and integrity while competing with heart and purpose.
“
Every practice, regardless of how light it might seem, has an impact on your performance. Having high-quality training equipment and access to recovery techniques goes a long way in making sure an athlete stays healthy for the next practice. Every program uses every dollar of every donation they receive to help improve athletes’ performances and lives while playing their sport.
Nate Okwu ’26 — Football and Track
Spike Initiative
The Spike Initiative pays tribute to Dean of Admissions Emeritus Francis B. “Spike” Gummere, Jr. Established in 2016, the Initiative honors Spike’s more than five decades of service to Lake Forest College. Since joining the College in 1968 as Director of Admissions, Spike has guided, mentored, and admitted thousands of students—always believing in potential, growth, and opportunity.
The Initiative supports both the Gummere Fellows program and student scholarships, extending Spike’s commitment to access, mentorship, and student success.
“
Donations to the Spike Initiative are foundational to my success as a Gummere Fellow. The direct support alleviates significant financial pressure, which gives me the peace of mind to focus on being a great ambassador for the school and pursue my academics with passion. Your support empowers us to be authentic ambassadors, giving us the platform to share our real experiences in our own voices with future Foresters and to help alumni reconnect with the college they love.
Simon Hill ’27 — Gummere Fellow
Student Organizations and Leadership
Student organizations at the College provide meaningful opportunities for students to connect with each other, gain leadership skills, and become thoughtful contributors to their communities. The College has more than 80 active student organizations, club sports, and intramural opportunities!
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Student organizations are a huge part of what makes campus feel alive. Serving as Student Government President has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at Lake Forest. It has pushed me to lead with kindness and confidence, and I’m constantly learning from the people around me. Support for student organizations directly shapes the student experience at Lake Forest by helping groups grow, take on new projects, and host events that build community and connection on campus.
Liam Thumser ’27 — Student Government President
Student Emergency Fund
Foresters take care of one another. The Student Emergency Fund provides critical support to students navigating unexpected financial challenges. Together, we create a vital safety net that allows Foresters to remain on track and continue their education with stability and confidence.
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Support of the Student Emergency Fund helps students when they need it most—students who had urgent medical needs arise who had to make an unexpected trip to the emergency room or dentist, students who experienced the death or serious illness of a family member and needed to travel home, students whose computer broke and needed to buy a new one, and countless other stories.
Tony Tyler — Dean of Students
Get Involved on Forester Day!
Here's how you can get involved on Forester Day and make a difference in students’ lives:
- Make your gift early on Forester Day and encourage others to do the same
- Visit our Forester Day web page to learn about the day’s activities
- Register for a celebration event in Chicago, Minneapolis, or Seattle
- Use our Advocate Toolkit to spread the Forester Day cheer