David Saunders recognized for his mad wrestling skills

NEWS RELEASE
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY
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SAULT STE. MARIE, MICH. - David G. Saunders will be recognized by Lake Superior State University and the LSSU Alumni Association as they pay tribute to four highly accomplished alumni at the annual Alumni Awards Banquet on Friday, Oct. 11 on campus. The banquet is part of Great Lake State Weekend 2019.
 
David will receive the Outstanding Alumnus Award. This award, established in 1968, is the highest honour the Alumni Association presents. It recognizes recipients for their personal and professional accomplishments and their involvement with LSSU, highlighting the significant achievements of alumni who serve as leaders in their region and nation.

"We are proud to recognize the accomplishments of our distinguished alumni. Their dedicated commitment to their communities and the university truly embodies the value of service that we hold as Lakers," stated Dr. Rodney Hanley, LSSU president.

“The Alumni Association is thrilled to be able to recognize David Saunders,” said LSSU Alumni Director Susan Fitzpatrick. “His professional accomplishments speak for themselves; he has been very supportive of his alma mater and his community. He set the bar high for others to aspire to.”

David jokes he was the only Canadian student-athlete ever recruited by Lake Superior State at the time who couldn’t skate. It’s probably true since most Canadian athletes were recruited for hockey, not wrestling. But David’s engagement with LSSU goes far beyond his days as a wrestler.

David has served on the LSSU Foundation Board since 2009; he received the Lukenda School of Business distinguished alumnus award in 2010; and he has been a generous donor to the university for more than 20 years.

“I would like to thank Dr. Madan Saluja for encouraging me to become involved with LSSU after achieving a level of professional success, and encouraging me to become a member of the LSSU Foundation Board,” said David. “I would also like to thank Tom Coates and Virginia Zinser of the Foundation for their ongoing support and encouragement in my involvement with the School and the Foundation.”

David completed his bachelor of science in accounting at LSSC in 1980. Along with earning a varsity letter for wrestling, David was also a member of the Lambda Sigma Beta professional business fraternity. His education subsequent to LSSU includes a CICA International Tax Course in 1992 and a CICA In-Depth Tax Course in 1988. David is a tax partner with BDO’s International Tax Practice. He practices extensively in the area of Canada – U.S. income taxation at the corporate, personal, and partnership levels.

David’s professional affiliations include the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario; Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants; Canadian Tax Foundation; and the International Fiscal Association.  David has been quoted on cross-border tax planning issues in Canada’s national newspaper, Toronto Globe and Mail.

David said, “I was fortunate to have received the Lukenda School of Business Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2010. The award means very much to me as Dr. Lukenda and the Lukenda Family have been long-time clients of BDO. When talking to students I often refer to myself as having gone to the ‘real’ Lukenda School of Business. It gives me great pride to have been involved in the fundraising efforts to secure the Lukenda School of Business naming opportunity.”

David is very involved in the Sault, Ont. community. He is a member of the gift planning and advisory committee of the Sault Area Hospital Foundation; past president and treasurer of the Rotary Club; past treasurer of the Sault Ste. Marie Children’s Foundation; past board member, president, and treasurer of the Algoma Community Legal Clinic; past treasurer of the Searchmont Ski Association; and past board member, president, and treasurer of Hospitality and Travel Sault Ste. Marie.

Regarding his wrestling roots, David said, “I attended LSSU and I was fortunate enough to have wrestled for Lake Superior State for four years under Coach Jim Fallis and obtain a great business education.” Even though he still does not skate, he has been able to relate to hockey players by providing accounting services based on his U.S. – Canada taxation acumen.

David went on to say, “I have always been proud to have graduated from Lake Superior State University and believe it gave me the education and background necessary to have succeeded in becoming an International Tax Partner at BDO. Considering all the successful alumni of LSSU, it is a great honour to be named LSSU’s 2019 Outstanding Alumnus.” David and his wife Elizabeth have a daughter, Dr. Nora-Beth Mercier.

Other LSSU alumni being honoured along with Saunders include Anthony Bosbous ’73, Sault Ste. Marie; Cory (Gallaway) Andersen ’04, Silverthorne, Colo.; and Wendy (Menard) James ’74 of Burbank, Calif. The public is welcome at the Oct. 11 Alumni Awards banquet, and friends and family of David Saunders are encouraged to attend. Dinner reservations are $25 each and must be reserved by Tuesday, Oct. 8.

Reservations are available online; in person at Lukenda Alumni House on LSSU’s campus; or by calling the LSSU Alumni Office at 906-635-2844.

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