When people come together with a shared purpose, transformation happens. That spirit was alive at the inaugural Blue & Gold Downtown Crew event, where volunteers from Lake Superior State University and across the community gathered to enhance the appearance of the downtown area near the Farmers Market. The event marked more than just a cleanup – it was a reflection of a growing partnership between Lake Superior State University and the Sault Ste. Marie community. Launched in 2024 at LSSU, the Campus and Community Partnership Fund – initiated by LSSU President Dr. David Travis and his wife Lynsey Schwabrow with an annual $10,000 gift – supports joint initiatives that strengthen town-gown ties. The fund’s first project brought LSSU-branded flags to the downtown area, flying proudly from July through October. Building on that momentum, new DDA Specialist Jon DeRoo created the Blue & Gold Downtown Crew to put his vision into action: building civic pride through community collaboration.
Jon DeRoo, a 2000 Lake Superior State University graduate, is a familiar face in the Laker community, and has recently stepped into the role of Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Specialist, bringing a mix of leadership experience, community spirit, and deep ties to both the Soo and LSSU. Since his first day on the job, he has hit the ground running – meeting business owners, talking with residents, connecting with local officials, and diving into revitalization efforts. One of his earliest successes was supporting this grassroots beautification initiative that brought together students, staff, city leaders, and residents – the Blue & Gold Downtown Crew – to make a tangible impact downtown.
The Campus & Community Partnership Fund reflects LSSU’s commitment to strengthening ties between the university and the broader Sault Ste. Marie community – a vision rooted in shared investment and mutual pride. That same spirit is echoed in Jon DeRoo’s mission to revitalize downtown blending bold ideas with a deep connection to local identity. The DDA’s broader goals include preserving historic charm, promoting economic growth, and developing long-term plans to enhance the city’s core. For DeRoo, that means thinking big while staying grounded in the people and places that make Sault Ste. Marie unique.
“When I graduated back in 2000 from Lake State, I always planned on coming back when the time was right,” DeRoo said. “Back in 2022, I was appointed to the LSSU Board of Trustees. Then this summer, the DDA position opened up and I thought it felt like I was a good fit for it. Once I got back up in the Soo, I just love it here. Here I am starting a new career at 48.”
Despite having only recently stepped into his new role, DeRoo is already facilitating projects like the Blue & Gold Downtown Crew – initiatives that unite university and community around shared goals. DeRoo understands that lasting change doesn’t come from a single office or department. It comes from building partnerships and cultivating momentum. That’s why he sees the Blue & Gold Downtown Crew as just the beginning. The team will continue to grow, rallying neighbors, schools, businesses, and leaders to invest in the future of downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
“I love this place. The strength is in the people and the way they make you feel up here,” he said. “I cross that [Mackinac] bridge and immediately stress goes away. I want everybody to feel that. I want everybody to have that weekend away up here and see what people are like here.”
The arrival of DeRoo and his efforts to partner with LSSU to improve the downtown area compliments the vision that President Travis has had since he took on the presidency in June 2024.
“Jon and I both recognize how important the university is to the community and vice-versa,” Travis said. “I’m thrilled to have him in this role and look forward to working together to find mutually beneficial ways to grow the university and downtown Sault Ste. Marie.”
From LSSU student to trustee to now leading downtown revitalization efforts, Jon DeRoo’s path has come full circle. With boots on the ground, hands in the dirt, and the community behind him, the future of downtown Sault Ste. Marie is already taking shape. And through the Campus & Community Partnership Fund, LSSU is committed to walking that path with him – supporting initiatives that strengthen the connection between campus and community, and investing in a shared future.
For more information about the Campus and Community Partnership Fund or to get involved in upcoming projects, please contact Andrew Rubinstein in the LSSU Office of Advancement at [email protected] or (906) 635-6219.