Building a legacy of giving back

Vicki and Dennis Lautzenheiser, ’74, have dedicated their lives to the success and growth of the next generation, including Central Michigan University student-athletes.

The couple, avid athletics fans and university supporters, have given nearly $750,000 to CMU over the past four decades through multiple gifts, including:

• A $100,000 gift to the Chippewa Champions Center. To recognize their gift, a student-athlete fueling station in the facility — where student-athletes access healthy foods and beverages that support their energy levels, performance and recovery — was named in the Lautzenheisers’ honor.
• Establishment of a scholarship through previous donations and a pledged gift of $285,000 to support undergraduate student-athletes.
• A planned gift of $225,000 provides student-athletes with the resources and nutritional options they need to perform, recover and stay healthy.
• Additional gifts totaling $140,000 as 35-year football season ticket holders.

“The Lautzenheisers’ generosity has created opportunities that extend far beyond the playing field,” said Jennifer Cotter, vice president for Advancement. "Their ongoing support is an investment in the personal and academic growth of every CMU student-athlete.”

Trusting the journey

The Lautzenheisers say support of student success is their legacy — a culmination of their professional and personal experiences.

“A lot of people think middle school is the toughest group, but for me, it’s the most rewarding,” Dennis said. “I feel like I get to know the students better.”

Vicki had a dream of becoming a teacher, and while life had other plans, her journey led her back to an elementary classroom.

She worked for the state of Michigan and retired in 2003. Before that, however, she worked in advancement at the University of Michigan, which instilled in her the value of giving back. She extended that belief into the community, volunteering in an elementary classroom for 16 years.

“I wanted to make a difference in their lives, but I think they gave so much more to me,” Vicki said of her ‘honorary grandchildren.’

Despite not graduating from CMU, Vicki has poured her heart into the university. This dedication led to one of her most gratifying moments, receiving the Honorary Alumni Award from the CMU Alumni Association in 2023.

Dennis, who says his heart has always been at CMU, loves that Vicki has fully embraced it, too.

After earning his accounting degree from CMU, Dennis returned to his hometown of Jackson, where he was a principal owner at Action Sports for nearly 30 years. He then had an unexpected calling and became a substitute teacher. He’s been in this role since 1996, working every school day until this year, when he scaled back to three days a week as a building sub at Parma Western Middle School in Jackson.

Impact and success

The Lauzenheizers also founded a scholarship at Northwest High School in Jackson, honoring their two sons, who are alumni of CMU and WMU, respectively.

The couple has always been about connecting and providing opportunities for future success.

Meeting Khari Johnson in September, a CMU football player and the first recipient of their scholarship, gave the Lautzenheisers a meaningful glimpse into the impact of their generosity.

Johnson considers the scholarship an “incredible honor” and said, “It means a lot to know my hard work as a student-athlete is being recognized and supported. This scholarship motivates me to continue striving for excellence both academically and athletically.

“I’m truly grateful for the encouragement their scholarship provides,” Johnson said.

Maroon and gold connections

The Lautzenheisers attribute their generosity to the strong connections they have built — and continue to build — through their CMU experiences.

They cherish every opportunity to meet and talk with others, whether it is during their campus visits, when traveling throughout Michigan or on adventures around the world. Having explored more than 50 countries on six continents, the couple soon will complete their journey to all seven with a trip to Africa this winter.

When they travel, they proudly wear their CMU gear, which often leads to meeting fellow CMU alumni and supporters.

“It’s all about the connections,” Dennis said.