Foundation News

LSUS Receives $90,000 from Simon Family (5/27/2009)

            Bruce Simon is owner of Bruce Simon Construction.  He joined the LSUS Foundation Board in 1986 and served as president from 2006 – 2008.  Steve Simon is the owner of Steve Simon Construction.  In 2000, the Simon family, including Bruce and Steve’s mother, Barbara, established the Barbara and Elmer Simon Professorship for Excellence in Teaching.  The professorship honors Barbara and Elmer Simon, Jr. who were founding members of the Foundation.

“Bruce and I have been big fans of LSU Shreveport since its inception,” said Steve Simon. “We have always recognized the importance of a four-year university to our community and are happy to contribute to higher education in our area.”

The State of Louisiana has created a unique opportunity to leverage private gifts to colleges and universities that is having a significant impact on higher education.  The purpose of the program is to provide funds to assist Louisiana colleges and universities to recruit and retain the highest quality professors and, therefore, provide the highest possible caliber of education for students.  The endowments are created by private contributions that equal 60% of the endowment matched by 40% from the Board of Regents.  Endowed Chairs may be created at $1 and $2 million levels and the professorships at $100,000 and $200,000 levels.  Chairs and professorships may be named by the donors and establish perpetual honorariums or memorials.