The Spike Initiative
Established in 2016, the Spike Initiative honors Francis B. “Spike” Gummere, Jr., who joined the Lake Forest College staff in 1968 as Director of Admissions and has been an integral part of the campus community for more than five decades. Over the years, Spike has provided guidance to, mentored, and admitted thousands of students, always holding firm to his belief in looking for people with potential and the ability to grow.
Thanks to the generosity of those listed on this page and in honor of Spike Gummere’s many contributions, the College created the Gummere Fellows Program, a group of students selected annually to represent the College as ambassadors.
Read more about Spike.
Spike and Judy Gummere make transformative $5M gift
Few individuals have left a mark on Lake Forest College like Spike Gummere. Now, he and his wife Judy are investing in the Foresters of today and tomorrow 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.
Spike’s legacy has touched the lives of countless students and alumni, shaping their paths at Lake Forest College and beyond. Learn more about the impact Spike has had on those around him and how his and Judy's gift reaffirms their commitment to the College, supporting students for years to come.
Legacy of inspiration: Spike's enduring influence on alumni and beyond
Spike's legacy touches thousands of alumni, inspired the formation of crucial campus programs, and encourages people to continuously give back to the College. Eight years after the formation of the Spike Initiative, we explored how Spike's impact on alumni and the programs founded in his name will have a lasting impact on the Forester community.
Your gift to the Spike Initiative supports both the Gummere Fellows program and student scholarships.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Spike Initiative.
Lewis Zwick '78 and Barbara Zwick
Harry Atterbury '79
Leila Lindemann Bacho '79
John Garry '79 and Rita Whitman Garry '79
Leah Moskoff '90
Dan Newberg '90
Katherine Palmer '90
Richard Samdperil '90 and Michelle Niles Samdperil '92
Kendra Ballard Sullivan '90
Todd Sullivan '90
Rumbi Marufu '25
Griffin Rowe-Cohen '25
Anastasia Galkova '26
Chris Meza '26
Chelsea Sinclair '26
Maria Arguetta Gonzalez '27
Martha Kelly Bates
Patty Bechok
William Becker
John Ballantine and Caroline Ballantine
Francis Beidler and Prudence Beidler
David Birka-White and Elizabeth Birka-White
John Bogley and Shauna Bogley
Gregory Bruni and Leslie Bruni
Helen Casseday
Gerard Cebrzynski
Oved Chalabi and Marlies Chalabi
Michael Cohen
Wendy Davis
Philip Dunbar and Christine Dunbar
Christopher Ellertson
Anne Ferguson and Peter Drench
Robert Fiore and Jane Fiore
Franklin Gaglione
Jordan Gavens Oxman
Aliza Joy Gilbert
Mike Gilboe
Desalina Guarise
Bart Gummere
Spike Gummere and Judy Gummere
Nathaniel Hansen
Gerrit Hendriksen and Laura Hendriksen
Elizabeth Herbert
Mary Ellen Holstein
Philip Hood and Lorelee Hood
Thomas Hudnut
Douglas Jessup and Hayley Jessup
Ken Kasprzak
Jeremy Kauth and Kelly Zeica Kauth
Jennifer Kenworthy
Michael Kraker and Ann Kraker
Valerie Gude Lensborn
Gwendolyn Lincoln*
Donald Lorenzet and Lisa Lorenzet
Carol Lueders
Sydney Maiman
Arthur Miller and Janet Miller
Peter Neuberger
Robert Newton and Kimberly Newton
Patrick O'Neill and Jennifer O'Neill
Keith Palmer and Ann Vogel
Marcia Pfleeger
Beth Pier and Karen Hermann
Donna Pisciotta
DeJuran Richardson
Cort Rippentrop
Marion Roberts
Charles Schneider and Mary Ellen Schneider
Norman Schultz
Jacqueline Slaats and Jen Sobecki
Roger Slaats and Mary Slaats
Kerry Smith
Dwight Sperry and Marieke Sperry
Katie Panning Spieth
Dean Storkan
Joanne Storkan
Tamlyn Tills and Sally Booy
Brad VandenBerg and Amy Upjohn Florence Wheeler*
Kimberly Weidner-Feigh and Michael Feigh
Jessica West
Gordon White