CFRE Fund to the Finish Line

Richard and Theresa Barch Center

for Freshwater Research and Education

Fund to the Finish Line!

Understanding & Protecting Fresh Water

Did you know the Great Lakes basin holds more than 80 percent of North America’s fresh water, and a stunning 20 percent of global fresh water?

The Great Lakes are a critical but finite resource. We don’t always get good results when critical decisions about fresh water are made too quickly or without enough research.

Lake Superior State University has an outstanding track record in fresh water protection. We also have the perfect location and an eager student workforce. We can play a pivotal role in the future health of the Great Lakes and Michigan’s economy.

That’s why we’re pleased to introduce the new Richard and Theresa Barch Center for Research and Education. This amazing Center will be a flagship project for student and faculty recruitment. It will also lead the way for high-quality research centered on this state’s most irreplaceable resource:

fresh water.

What are the benefits?

Applied science opportunities for students.

Students will be doing active research on everything from wetlands conservation to fisheries management. They will graduate with practical skills that are in high demand.

Leadership through research.

This will be a world-class facility in a unique spot, luring both researchers and grant funding. Grants will provide financial support to the school and jobs for students. In addition, LSSU can take a leadership role in stewarding our freshwater resources.

Educating the public.

The Dr. Constance Baker Great Lakes Discovery Center will include interactive exhibits on Great Lakes science that are free and open to the public. Our new building will also feature space for engaging K-12 students in a love of freshwater science.

Funding

We will receive $8.85 of the $14 million total for this project from the State of Michigan if our community does its part. That’s a huge economic bonus for this region.

We need your help! Join us to Fund to the Finish Line and help us raise the remaining dollars needed to make this incredible project a reality for LSSU, for the community and for the commitment to fresh water research and education.

We met the Challenge!

New gifts made to the Center for Freshwater Research and Education by September 30, 2019 were matched, dollar for dollar, by a generous gift from Richard & Theresa Barch.

Thank you to the many donors who helped us complete the challenge to raise $500,000 in new funds.
We’re almost there! With only $100,000 remaining to reach our goal, you can help put us over the finish line. Please make your gift today and help us finish the funding for this important project!

“Theresa and I have been advocates of the work being done by the students, faculty, and staff at the ARL for many years. It is our pleasure to provide this support to make this project happen and take their research and fish stocking to a new level. We hope others will join us in helping make this facility a reality.”

Richard Barch
Campaign Co-Chair

Become a Fish Funder with Your Gift!

Your support of LSSU helps us continue to grow as a center of educational excellence as well as an economic driver to this area. Perhaps most importantly, you will help preserve and protect the
Great Lakes, one of our most beloved and irreplaceable assets.

When you “Fund a Fish” with a gift of $100 or more, your personalized fish will swim in our virtual fish tank, prominently located in the new CFRE building.

Fill the Tank

Support CFRE Today!