Donor Spotlight
Dave and Terri Smith
We truly hope to leave the world a better place than we found it. You never know the full impact of your actions. It can be the difference of a kid going the right way or going the wrong way. We don't give to get a pat on the back, we give because it's the right thing to do.
For Dave and Terri Smith, their philanthropic philosophy has always been to help where it's needed most, to have a broad impact, and to honor an institution that is special to them. Their most recent gift commitment — $250,000 in support of the Tom Izzo Football Building — aligns with that philosophy while creating an enhanced experience for future Michigan State student-athletes.
The owners of L&K Electric Inc. (named after their children, Lucas and Karlee), first gave a major gift in 2017 to endow the David & Terri Smith Athletics Scholarship Fund. “We didn't stipulate what sport or who the scholarship should go to,” said Terri. “We wanted it to be based on the greatest need. Every year, we put our student-athlete's picture up in our suite to remind everyone this is why we're here.”
“MSU is like family for us. We didn't go to MSU, but Dave's brother, Don, did — so we've been fans for years,” said Terri. “I actually learned the fight song from my 3-year-old niece, Addy, Don's daughter, at the Rose Bowl! She still goes with us to games.”
“It's incredible the people we've met and the experiences we've had with MSU,” said Terri. “We've had so many opportunities that are so cool like going to Maui, countless trips to Indianapolis, Final Fours, Rose Bowls, New York, Seattle —we've literally traveled the country with MSU.”
In another life-changing MSU experience, the Smiths recalled a very special gift from head men's basketball coach, Tom Izzo. “We lost our niece, Emily, to cystic fibrosis,” Dave shared. “It was her 21st birthday and she had decided she was done with treatments and it was her time. She was an avid MSU fan and hoped for a birthday card from Tom Izzo. Tom not only signed a card for her, he mailed her this big box full of MSU gear that only the team had. The card was also signed by the team and had other items from the players. When my sister sent me a picture of the gift, I couldn't believe it. It brought tears to my eyes. She passed away at Christmastime and we ended up burying her with that gear and that card. We saw Tom soon after and he remembered it all.”
Terri added, “I don't think other universities are like that. That really made us feel like we were family. That 'pay-it-forward' attitude — the coaches have that, Spartan Fund has that, and that's what we believe in as well.” Initiated by relationships formed with other coaches, Dave and Terri have also donated to the men's soccer, men's tennis, and cheerleading teams. “Everyone thinks the donations we've made are great for MSU, which they are, but what Dave and I have gotten back is unbelievable,” said Terri.
When asked about their most recent gift commitment, Dave said, “We've been very fortunate and very blessed. It was time for us to make a bigger donation to the university. We believe that you should pay it forward in life. Our hope is when you extend a helping hand out to people, then they can go further in life, too.”
Dave finished by saying, “If you can give, you should give. We owe it to the kids who may not have this opportunity. Then, they will become Spartans, and hopefully be sitting here someday able to give back, too. That's the legacy we hope to leave as donors, to encourage people to step up. We hope someone will read our story and decide to come forward, too.