News and Events

After gaining valuable work experience through virtual internships aided by the Career Advancement Center and a micro-mentorship with her professor, Emily Murrah ‘21 accepted a full-time position as a program facilitator for the non-profit Bridge Builders in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Through these virtual opportunities, Emily found her passion for non-profit work and plans on attending graduate school to become a counselor.

“I took advantage of the [virtual] micro-mentorship program that helped me boost my resume and feel comfortable enough to put myself out there again for another internship the next semester. I am definitely more adaptable as a result of this unique school year!” - Emily Murrah '21

After spending this past academic year focusing on his next career steps, President and Treasurer of Alpha Tau Omega Alexander von Ribbeck Schӧn '21 will be joining Goldman Sachs Ayco as a financial analyst post-graduation. Prior to his senior year, Alexander completed a study abroad program at Oxford University in England, interned at various firms, and worked in the Career Advancement Center. He reduced his course load during remote learning to participate in virtual internships and study for graduate admissions exams.

“Remote learning made school very flexible, and I could focus on other things like taking the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) and SIE (Security Industries Essentials). I think one of the best things to come out of remote learning was the ability to watch past classes, especially before studying to take a test.” - Alexander von Ribbeck Schӧn '21

While all of our faculty and staff worked incredibly hard to ensure that our students had proper support during this challenging year, the Office of Financial Aid went above and beyond to work with students and families’ unique situations. The Office of Financial Aid utilized federal funding and their own resources to ensure families were supported during their transitions from relocation to employment changes.

“We responded by helping [families] with every resource we possibly could muster. The Federal Student Aid Programs allowed us, and all colleges, greater latitude in using these circumstances to increase federal and state financial aid programs.” - Jerry Cebrzynski, Associate Vice President for Financial Aid

Staying connected with all members of the Forester Family has been very vital during the past year. Spike Gummere has been a member of our community since 1968 and has provided guidance and mentorship to countless students since then. Keeping contact with alumni and first-year students he had worked with through their application process was a key factor in helping Foresters feel connected to the College from a remote environment.

"As I have been in touch with alums this spring, whether on the phone or by email, I have found myself saying in one way or another the following: 'I confess I've never been prouder of LFC. The commitment and dedication of the leadership, faculty, coaches, and staff in dealing with the challenges COVID has presented has been nothing short of amazing. My respect for their time and effort is immense. It has had a huge impact, and the success in admissions is but one example.'" - Spike Gummere

While some classes experienced a natural transition to remote and hybrid learning, many faculty members and students alike exhibited innovation and perseverance during a period of tricky adjustment. One such faculty member is Anne Barry, Assistant Professor of Music and Chair of Music Education. Professor Barry utilized technology in creative ways to ensure that her choral students could have their voices heard even when they could not make music together in person.

"Ensemble members graciously accepted our new situation that relied more on them working independently to review repertoire using prepared guide tracks and submitting audio/video recordings to be compiled as virtual choir projects. I applaud them, and thank them for their patience and flexibility as we all learned new tech tricks together!" - Anne Barry, Assistant Professor of Music and Chair of Music Education

At the beginning of the pandemic, the Office of Alumni Relations launched Forester Connect, an online alumni community complete with a new alumni directory. This new tool is helping generations of Forester reconnect with old classmates and make new career connections. Nearly 2,000+ class notes and updates were shared over the past year. We love hearing about your news and accomplishments so that we can celebrate our community together.

In-person networking has suffered during this past year. The Career Advancement Center quickly pivoted to launch new initiatives designed to provide enhanced support for the Classes of 2020 and 2021 and equip them with the tools for success in our current employment landscape.

Calling on the power of the Forester network, in spring 2020, the new Foresters CAREER Program matched 128 seniors with select alumni or trustees for video calls to provide them with support and career advice and networking referrals when possible. In its second year, the program matched the Class of 2021 with more than 140 select alumni and trustees across the Career Pathways members of the Forester network.

Forester Day on March 4 was our largest virtual event to date. With 16 hours of virtual programming, more than 500 Foresters tuned in through the day. And alumni and parents hosted their Mix & Mingle sessions throughout the evening, bring Foresters from all over the world together. And finally, it was almost our most successful giving day – ever! In less than 24 hours, 1,586 Foresters gave $477,231. Thank you, Foresters, for coming together to move the College forward.

Through the Forester Connect Virtual Events Series, Foresters attended 27 social and educational events.

In addition to connecting socially, students also engaged by participating in the CAC virtual Career-a-Palooza. Other events critical to our campus community, such as Student Symposium and the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Summit, and hosting prominent speakers throughout the year, went forward in a digital format.

Inspired by Dr. Ibram Kendi’s work of How To Be An Antiracist, the College launched a video series titled "Choose Anti-racism." This series is a digital library of short educational videos created by College faculty, staff, and students that reflects on each of the chapters from Dr. Ibram Kendi’s work. The videos have been released throughout the year and offer insight on how, as a campus community, we can apply the lessons from each chapter to make Lake Forest College genuinely anti-racist. You can watch the "Choose Anti-racism" video series here.

Brown Hall construction is moving forward thanks to your support and is set to open just in time for the fall 2021 semester with modern classrooms and student spaces. The Oppenheimer Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation recently opened and is currently being utilized by the campus community. Thank you to all who have been supporting these projects. Click here to see the progress.

Lacrosse is returning to campus as a varsity sport in spring 2022. Both schedules have been released for the men's first season in 27 years and the inaugural season of women's lacrosse.

Additionally, the Athletic Department is excited to announce the completion of Mohr Field. This artificial turf facility will serve as the venue for men's and women's lacrosse programs, continue to be the home of Forester softball, and provide the Forester soccer teams with an additional game and practice field.

It’s no secret that students needed additional support this year. Thanks to Forester alumni, parents, and friends, the College was able to help fill those gaps this year so that our students could move forward and continue their education.

U.S. News & World Report continues to rank Lake Forest College on its best value list. In addition, this year, the College was ranked #2 for Social Mobility. This measures and ranks a college’s success in graduating students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Being ranked second in the nation in this category is a particular point of pride for Lake Forest College, which has long emphasized its accessibility and affordability to highly motivated students from all backgrounds. Click here to read more. 

With support from the Career Advancement Center, nearly 100 seniors have finalized and shared their post-grad employment and graduate school plans. Our students will be attending institutions such as the University of Chicago, Rutgers University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Others are starting their careers at companies such as Goldman Sachs Ayco and Groupon. Many Foresters will be venturing into the world of entrepreneurship, launching their own businesses. Follow us on Instagram to see where the Class of 2021 is headed.

Finally, the College now has thriving strategic partnerships with nearby Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

One hundred members of the class of 2021 are participating in the Rhett Butler Leadership Series with the Graduate School of Management; this program will help them gain certifications in in-demand career-building skills. Two hundred of our undergraduates are enrolled in our joint Health Professions Program with RFU, through which they advance to graduate and doctoral programs in RFU’s Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Health Administration, and other areas.