Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award: Judy Truesdell
Judy Truesdell was recognized with the Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award in 2019.
Her first day on the job as a Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv Trustee was spent breaking ground on the newÌýNiles campus. It was the first of many notable college milestones she would take part in during herÌý22-year tenure from 1997-2018.
The college continued to grow under her leadership with the establishment of the South HavenÌýCampus, and the introduction of M-TEC, Hanson Technology Center, Beckwith Residence Hall,ÌýTodd Center, and the soon-to-be-opened Welch Center.
In addition to leading the college as a board member (most recently as secretary), Judy helpedÌýgrow college resources on LMC’s Foundation board from 1997-2014. She worked on fourÌýcampaigns raising over $14 million and saw the college through three successful millage renewalsÌýand the historic capital millage campaign in 2016.
Judy left her mark on countless life-changing student programs and services over the years,Ìýmost notably helping to usher in the Early College program at LMC. Because of this opportunity,Ìýthousands of high school students got a head start on college, saving area families millions ofÌýdollars in tuition costs.
Judy has extended her generosity, leadership and civic engagement beyond LMC as a founding member of the Niles Education Foundation, aÌýMichigan Gateway Community Foundation trustee where she chairs the Niles Fund, and by serving on the boards of the Huizenga Foundation andÌýthe Lakeland Health Foundation.
She and her husband, Terry, founded several Niles-based businesses including the IDI Design Group, Tree Play, Inc., one of the first wooden playsetÌýcompanies in the country, and Cupcaketree.com, which created eco-friendly cupcake stands.
