2023 Homecoming and Reunion Weekend attendees

Alumni

As an alum of Lake Forest College, you're a Forester forever!

No matter where you are now or what you're doing, you'll always be welcome in the Forest and part of a community of 15,000 alumni. Take a look around at what your fellow alumni are up to, what exciting things are happening on campus, and how to get involved. We hope to see you soon.

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Make a gift that changes lives this Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is an international day of celebrating generosity and supporting organizations that you’re passionate about. At Lake Forest College, support from donors is how we continue to offer the life-changing education and transformational learning opportunities that set our students up for success. No matter the size of your gift, it is directly impacting our current and future Foresters and is making a significant difference in their lives. Gifts of $65+ will receive an exclusive pair of Forester socks—stay tuned for the link to give on Giving Tuesday!

Spike and Judy Gummere make transformative $5M gift

Referred to as a “living legend,” countless alumni of Lake Forest College know who former Dean of Admissions Spike Gummere is—and he likely signed their letter of admission. From addressing students by name to serving as a mentor for Gummere Fellows, Spike has been part of thousands of students’ lives during his 57 years at the College.

Now, he and his wife Judy are ensuring that legacy lives on through a $5 million bequest—one of the largest planned gifts in the College’s history.

This remarkable gift does two powerful things: it establishes the Francis B. “Spike” Gummere Vice President for Enrollment, a position currently held by Chris Ellertson, and it strengthens the College’s endowment—further securing the student-centered academic experience that Spike and Judy have long cherished.

"When I arrived in 1968, Lake Forest—as a traditional co-ed institution—was a hot college,” Spike said. “There's no denying the growth in our reputation over the years, which is wonderfully reassuring. I love to say to alums: ‘Your degree is worth more today than the day you got it.’”

Van Ness House dedication honors $5M gift from alumni family

Lake Forest College recently named the home of the Office of Campus Life, located on the intersection of Sheridan and Rosemary roads, the Van Ness House in recognition of a transformational gift of $5 million from distinguished alumni Gardiner "Gary" Van Ness III '64 and Jessie (Steiner) Van Ness '69.

Gary Van Ness grew up in Lake Forest and met Jessie at the College, a fellow student who would later become his wife. The two built their lives in "The Forest," raising their family just minutes from campus. Their deep connection to the College, and their desire to strengthen its future for generations to come, inspired their generous endowment gift.

Laurel Robbins ’23 awarded coveted national fellowship to fund PhD work

When Laurel Robbins ’23 learned she received the 2025 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Award, she was surrounded by friends, all anxiously awaiting the results. Robbins is currently a PhD candidate in biochemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder. Winning this prestigious fellowship means she has secure funding toward her tuition, stipend, and fees for the next three years of her graduate studies.

Give to Lake Forest College

Lake Forest College alumni know the power of a Forester education. To maintain the high-quality curriculum and transformative experiential learning opportunities we are so proud of, we need the support of generous donors. No matter the size of your donation, you are positively impacting students.

Support Lake Forest College

We're here for you

The College aims to be a resource for our alumni even beyond graduation. The Gorter Family Career Advancement Center provides resources for alumni through Handshake, newsletters with open job opportunities and upcoming webinars, access to virtual or in-person appointments with a career advisor, and more.

Career Resources