Central Michigan University Athletics
Donor Spotlight: Lester Booker Jr.
4/14/2020 2:13:00 PM | General, Chippewa Fund
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Lester Booker Jr. is grateful for what Central Michigan gave to him.
Now, he is reciprocating.
Booker, who earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from CMU, is a benefactor of the Chippewa Athletic Fund, has endowed a university scholarship, and is a member of the university's National Alumni Board.
"CMU is important to me," said Booker, 35, a native Detroiter who lives in Canton and works in global communications for General Motors. "CMU helped shape me into the individual I am today. I'm blessed to be able to bless others and I want others to have a positive experience at CMU. That is why I do what I do from a financial perspective.
"I really want to make sure that CMU continues to be a great opportunity for students to come and learn about themselves personally and professionally. I'm a big supporter of the university because of what the university did for me."
Booker, who gives annually to the Chippewa football and men's and women's basketball programs, earned his bachelor's degree with a broadcast/cinematic arts major in 2008 and then earned his master's in sport administration in 2010.
As a CMU student, Booker joined the athletic department and among his many endeavors was to help organize and administer the department's first formalized community outreach program, Central Athletes Reaching Everyone (CARE), which facilitated volunteer efforts of CMU student-athletes in area nursing homes, schools, Special Olympics, youth sports leagues, and with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
The groundwork for the value of athletics within the educational experience was laid for Booker early, when he developed into a standout offensive lineman at Canton High School is suburban Detroit in the mid 2000s. What he saw and experienced first-hand at CMU reinforced his view and expanded it to the campus and to the surrounding community.
"I think it's very important at the end of the day for student-athletes to go out and for people to get to know the personal side of them and for kids to see them as role models and see what they can aspire to be," he said. "It's great that the players and coaches and athletic staff are always willing to go out and support community efforts. It's really a two-way relationship and a partnership. You support the community and the community in turn will support you."
The Lester Booker Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund for Diversity and Inclusion further demonstrates Booker's deep-held beliefs.
"It stands for inclusion and diversity which is something I believe in greatly in terms of providing an equal opportunity for everyone," he said.
Now, he is reciprocating.
Booker, who earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from CMU, is a benefactor of the Chippewa Athletic Fund, has endowed a university scholarship, and is a member of the university's National Alumni Board.
"CMU is important to me," said Booker, 35, a native Detroiter who lives in Canton and works in global communications for General Motors. "CMU helped shape me into the individual I am today. I'm blessed to be able to bless others and I want others to have a positive experience at CMU. That is why I do what I do from a financial perspective.
"I really want to make sure that CMU continues to be a great opportunity for students to come and learn about themselves personally and professionally. I'm a big supporter of the university because of what the university did for me."
Booker, who gives annually to the Chippewa football and men's and women's basketball programs, earned his bachelor's degree with a broadcast/cinematic arts major in 2008 and then earned his master's in sport administration in 2010.
As a CMU student, Booker joined the athletic department and among his many endeavors was to help organize and administer the department's first formalized community outreach program, Central Athletes Reaching Everyone (CARE), which facilitated volunteer efforts of CMU student-athletes in area nursing homes, schools, Special Olympics, youth sports leagues, and with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
The groundwork for the value of athletics within the educational experience was laid for Booker early, when he developed into a standout offensive lineman at Canton High School is suburban Detroit in the mid 2000s. What he saw and experienced first-hand at CMU reinforced his view and expanded it to the campus and to the surrounding community.
"I think it's very important at the end of the day for student-athletes to go out and for people to get to know the personal side of them and for kids to see them as role models and see what they can aspire to be," he said. "It's great that the players and coaches and athletic staff are always willing to go out and support community efforts. It's really a two-way relationship and a partnership. You support the community and the community in turn will support you."
The Lester Booker Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund for Diversity and Inclusion further demonstrates Booker's deep-held beliefs.
"It stands for inclusion and diversity which is something I believe in greatly in terms of providing an equal opportunity for everyone," he said.
Chippewa Champions Center Tours
Tuesday, August 04
Isabella Bank VIP Club Tour
Tuesday, May 26
Chippewa Champions Center Construction Update
Thursday, April 09
Chippewa Athletic Fund: Why Do You Give?
Wednesday, February 26