Lori Strom Retiring from Michigan State

Lori and her dog, YogiLori Strom, Lifespan and Family Services Coordinator at the WorkLife Office is retiring at the end of March. Lori has been at Michigan State University for over 20 years, previously serving as the Coordinator of the Family Resource Center. She has impacted countless lives, especially by supporting and advocating for students, faculty, staff (and yes, even sometimes community members) juggling work, life, and family responsibilities.

As Lori nears her retirement, she jokes that she is very ready to complete this part of her career journey, but it is easy to see that her retirement comes with bittersweet emotions as she recounts life changing memories and relationships. She said that she will always remember her time working in the Nisbet Building with colleagues in Human Resources and the amazing Halloween festivities they would have each year. In particular, she recounts one of her favorite Halloween celebrations when, in alignment with the “carnival” theme, she dressed up as a box of popcorn. She shared that she also loved working with students and all of the events that were held for student parents, such as the Breslin Takeover and Shop with a Cop. But above all, it is clear that what Lori has valued most are the many, lifelong relationships that she has built with students and her colleagues.

Lori shared that she is most proud of having had a positive impact on the lives of families. “I am proud that I could support families to feel empowered in their responsibilities,” she said. She is also proud to have been a recipient of the Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award in 2005. Lori said that she recognizes how meaningful this award is and that she was honored and humbled to be a recipient for her work of supporting families.

Through and through, Lori is a Spartan. Having been a student at Michigan State University, and working here for over 20 years, Lori certainly bleeds green. She is also proud that both of her sons will be MSU alumni. “We are Spartans all the way,” she said. And because of that, Lori has some great advice for enjoying MSU. “Come out of your office. Laugh with your colleagues. Appreciate your time here. We lose so much by being on screens all day. Get to know your colleagues. I really have loved my job here. It goes very fast,” she said.

Lori’s other recommendations for the MSU community:

  • Attend sporting events
  • See a show at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts
  • Enjoy the many types of music at MSU
  • Visit the museums and gardens
  • Go to the art shows
  • And Lori’s favorite: “Enjoy the green space on campus. Sit by the river by yourself and contemplate gratitude. We get caught up in the ‘busy, busy’ – take advantage of all that MSU has to offer.”

In retirement, Lori is looking forward to a cruise in Alaska – one of her bucket-list adventures. She also looks forward to being away from a computer and spending extensive hours in her garden, hiking, camping, and bicycling with her partner, or as she likes to call him, her “honey” Bill.

If you would like to celebrate Lori’s retirement with the WorkLife Office, please drop into her Retirement Open House on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 from 11am—2:00pm at the WorkLife Office in Linton Hall, Suite 118 (479 West Circle Drive). Please RSVP at http://bit.ly/loristrom.