11-07-2025
Lake Forest College Board of Trustees chooses a Chicago area native to be the institution's next president
The Lake Forest College Board of Trustees has tapped West Chicago native Michael 'Mike' Sosulski to be its next president, the school announced.
Sosulski, currently the president of Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, is set to take over on August 11 at LFC.
'Growing up in suburban Chicago, I saw Lake Forest as the ideal liberal arts college — personal, rigorous, and full of opportunity. The chance to return home — personally and professionally — felt like a perfect fit,' Sosulski said in a statement. 'From the start, I was drawn to this community's spirit: smart, curious, creative, and deeply caring. That's a mission I deeply believe in, and I'm honored and excited to be part of it.'
Sosulski has been president of Washington College since September 2021, per his LinkedIn page.
At Washington, Sosulski oversaw a 120 % increase in applications, the start of a $5 million campus innovation hub, fulfilled a $20 million first-year housing renovation, and guided the school through its 10-year reaccreditation in 2024, LFC reported.
Other parts of his nearly four-year run at Washington included $125 million in fundraising ahead of a capital campaign highlighted by a $15 million gift to start a new school concentrating on global business, economics, and social impact, LFC added.
Before his selection as Washington's president, Sosulski was provost and professor of German at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Prior to that, he was an associate provost at Kalamazoo College where he also was an associate professor of German.
Music is another focus of Sosulski's academic background, as he studied saxophone performance at the Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts.
Sosulski graduated with a BS in German from Georgetown University and then earned both an MA and PhD in Germanic studies from the University of Chicago.
The LFC board unanimously supported Sosulski's selection as the school's 15th president.
'We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sosulski to Lake Forest,' LFC William Lowry said in the statement. 'His passion for liberal arts education, strategic leadership, and strong record of results make him the right person to guide the College into its next chapter.'
The date for Sosulski's inauguration has yet to be determined, LFC spokeswoman Linda Blaser said.
Sosulski succeeds Robert Krebs, who was named Interim President in December 2024 following the sudden departure of President Jill Baren.
Blaser added that Krebs will remain on the LFC Board of Trustees.
Blaser noted LFC currently has approximately 1,850 students and about 450 faculty and staff members.
