At its Dec. 18 meeting, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees voted to establish a new academic scholarship in honor of MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and her spouse, Roy J. Simon.
The Roy J. and Lou Anna K. Simon Scholarship, totaling $50,000, will be used to assist first-generation college students.
The funds will be transferred from unrestricted scholarship funds and administered by the MSU Office of Financial Aid.
The board wanted to recognize the Simons for their lifelong commitment to MSU, both professionally and financially.
Based on their current level of cash and estate giving, the Simons are members of MSU’s Wharton Society and Kedzie Society. In all, the Simons’ current cash gifts to MSU total more than $1 million.
Lou Anna K. Simon has served as MSU president since 2005. Roy J. Simon is director of MSU Telecommunications, Transportation and Landscape Services.
Following are other actions taken by the board at its December meeting.
- The board granted the MSU president the authority to participate in the FCC Broadcast Television Incentive Auction process. The auction will be held in 2016 for the purpose of reallocating a portion of the UHF spectrum from television broadcasters to mobile broadband providers.
- The board approved several appointments, including Robert Floden as dean of the College of Education, Douglas Buhler as interim dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Jeffrey Dwyer as interim director of MSU Extension, and Philip Zecher as MSU’s chief investment officer.
- Authorization to plan for infrastructure improvements that support student, staff and faculty recreation and fitness as part of the university’s Healthy Campus Initiative was approved by the board.
- The board approved an amendment to a university ordinance that will allow fishing in designated areas on the north bank of the Red Cedar River.