Campus and Community Impact

When people, partnerships and passion intersect, incredible transformation occurs. On the Oakland University campus, philanthropy can be found everywhere, impacting the lives of our students, faculty, staff and alumni in ways large and small.

Student success, research, discovery and opportunity are all impacted through philanthropic vision and commitment. Oakland University is blessed with a generous community of supporters who share our vision. Stories of impact are everywhere and we are proud to share stories of some of the philanthropists making a difference in the Oakland University community.

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OU President Ora Hirsch-Pescovitz, M.D. with Lynn and Lew LaPaugh, President of the Ted Lindsay Foundation

A Powerful Partnership

Ted Lindsay Foundation fulfills $1 million pledge to Oakland University, supporting autism programming

By Catherine Ticer

The Ted Lindsay Foundation celebrated the fulfillment of its $1 million pledge to Oakland University with the presentation of a $40,000 check during the foundation’s annual golf outing in September. This final installment marks the culmination of years of support for the Joanne and Ted Lindsay Foundation Autism Outreach Services at Oakland University, a program that has made a profound impact on individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The primary goal of the Ted Lindsay Foundation’s transformational gift was to help adults with autism develop the critical skills necessary to secure and maintain employment by increasing access to the Pre-Employment Skills Training Program. The program is vital in bridging a gap that many individuals with autism face as they transition into the workforce. Ted Lindsay's daughter and foundation secretary, Lynn LaPaugh, speaks passionately about her father’s legacy and the role of his wife, Joanne, saying, “Joanne and my dad loved the university and really liked how they were running the autism program. They wanted to support something close to home that would have a lot of impact on people and families. That’s what they loved about supporting the program at OU.”

Established in 2001 by hockey legend Ted Lindsay and his friend John Czarnecki, the Ted Lindsay Foundation has been instrumental in supporting autism services and research. Ted Lindsay, known for his toughness and leadership on the ice with the Detroit Red Wings, carried that same determination into his philanthropic work. His foundation focuses on autism research, education and support services. Since its inception, the foundation has partnered with various institutions to create lasting impacts, including Oakland University’s OUCARES program now known as Joanne and Ted Lindsay Foundation Autism Outreach Services.

Alicia Garcia, director of the Joanne and Ted Lindsay Foundation Autism Outreach Services at Oakland University, expresses her gratitude for the foundation’s generosity. "The Ted Lindsay Foundation’s gift has been a game-changer for us. Thanks to their support, we’ve been able to expand our Pre-Employment Skills Training Program and provide scholarships to participants who otherwise may not have had access to these services. Their commitment has touched countless lives," Garcia says.

Joshua Alfonso, a program participant and scholarship recipient, credits the training program with helping him develop the skills for successful employment. “I first started the program in 2017. It offers a variety of services to people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, their families and the community. I studied about dressing up, interviewing and finding jobs. Then I was off to find a job at Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market in Rochester Hills. I’ve been working there since 2018. I first started out on easy food prepping on snack trays, dressings, peeling and cutting. I also worked as a dishwasher on Saturdays. Then, I was promoted to catering services. I work three days a week for five hours a day. I like working there and I’d like to thank the teachers and the OU staff for everything they taught me,” Alfonso says.

The Pre-Employment Skills Training Program addresses a crucial need for individuals with autism to build social understanding and adaptability in the workplace. As part of the curriculum, participants engage in intensive training that prepares them to navigate real-world job scenarios. The program is designed to be inclusive, serving people at various stages of their education and experience.

Referencing the partnership, Mike Westfall, vice president for University Advancement at Oakland University, remarks, “The Ted Lindsay Foundation has not only provided generous financial support but has helped raise awareness about the importance of autism services in our community. Their impact will continue to be felt for years to come as we build on the foundation they’ve helped create.”

For more information visit https://www.oakland.edu/oucares/ or https://www.tedlindsay.org/.

Christie Scoggin and Quinn Tansell

Fostering Faith and Dreams

Patrick and Christie Scoggin Foundation Scholarship empowers future generations

By Catherine Ticer

Gillian "Quinn" Tansell, a recent graduate of Stoney Creek High School in Rochester, is preparing to embark on a new chapter at Oakland University this fall. Her journey to OU is marked by hard work, dedication and an unwavering commitment to education — a path now made possible by the Patrick and Christie Scoggin Foundation Scholarship.

This prestigious award, now in its 13th year, was established by the late Patrick Scoggin and his wife, Christie, to support promising students from local high schools.

From a young age, Quinn was immersed in the world of education. With her mother serving as a principal in Waterford Township and her father working at Oakland Technical Campuses, she grew up with a deep understanding of the critical role educators play in shaping communities. "Ever since my kindergarten graduation, I knew I wanted to be an art teacher," Quinn shared. "I have a creative mind that loves to imagine and brainstorm the unthinkable. Creative thinking is crucial in a world that desperately needs imagination to solve ongoing issues.”

Quinn's passion for education is not just about her own aspirations but also about the impact she hopes to have on future generations. "I want to help others develop and grow their creative thinking," she explained. "It's about providing a light for younger generations coming into their own. My education at OU will allow me to be involved in a pay-it-forward view on life."

Christie Scoggin pictured with some of the current Scoggin Scholars (left to right) Nate Oberdier, Christie Scoggin, Eden Wiik and Quinn Tansell

The Scoggin Scholarship, which offers full tuition for up to four years, has been a life-changing opportunity for Quinn. Reflecting on the moment she received the news, she recalled, "I was so surprised when I found out I won the scholarship — I started to cry. My family didn’t know why I was sobbing until I told them I was just awarded a full-tuition scholarship. It was great." The scholarship not only alleviates the financial burden of college but also opens new doors for Quinn, allowing her to consider a double major, a possibility she previously hadn’t thought feasible.

"Oakland University is deeply grateful for the continued support and significant impacts of the Patrick and Christie Scoggin Foundation. Their generosity transforms the educational journey of our students and makes a profound difference in the lives of students just like Quinn,” said Michael Westfall, vice president of university advancement.

Quinn is enthusiastic about the future, meeting new people and diving deeper into her passions for studio art and art history. She plans to commute from her home in Rochester, where she lives with her close-knit family. Working as a barista at Starbucks, she values the balance between staying connected to her roots and pursuing her academic dreams.

As she begins her journey at Oakland University, Quinn looks forward to joining The Honors College and participating in campus life, including the Christian club. Her advice to other students is simple yet powerful: "No matter what anyone tells you, and no matter how many doubts come up in your mind, continue to have faith and pursue your dreams. Never give up."

Quinn’s story is a testament to the impact that scholarships like the Scoggin Foundation's can have on students' lives. Christie Scoggin continues to forward the mission she and her late husband shared, supporting students like Quinn who are determined to make a difference in the world.

"My late husband and I started this scholarship in 2012 to begin to share the blessings that we were given in life with those that might need help financially to complete a degree. It made sense to partner up with OU, being such a terrific university close by the Rochester area. I am a teacher by training and my husband a business man. Education has always been our passion and is a large part of the mission of our Scoggin Family Foundation," said Christie.

As Quinn takes her first steps on the OU campus, she carries with her the hopes and dreams of her family, the encouragement of her community, and the legacy of the Scoggin Foundation.