As a volunteer at MSU Safe Place, MSU retiree Sashi Reddy was impressed with not only the expertise but also the kindness of the program’s staff in helping victims of domestic violence. Sashi and her husband, an MSU professor, recently decided to establish a new endowment to support the program’s advocacy work. The Sasikala and C.A. Reddy Advocacy Endowment for Safe Place provides critical resources to directly ensure safety and welfare for victims of domestic violence in need of help.
Sashi was so inspired by the dedication of Safe Place Volunteer & Advocacy Coordinator Alyssa M. Baumann, the Reddys chose to focus on the advocacy mission of MSU Safe Place. The advocacy program assists clients in finding appropriate resources for their legal, educational, temporary housing, financial or emotional needs. “I am extremely impressed with the caring service Safe Place Director Holly Rosen and her staff provide to those who are in need of support and help to get back on track with their lives,”Sashi said. “They always go that extra mile to help their clients.”
The first and only domestic violence shelter and support program on a college campus in the U.S., MSU Safe Place was founded over fifteen years ago through the community organizing efforts of Joanne McPherson, MSU’s first lady from 1993-2004. The program offers shelter to approximately 65-90 adults and children each year. In addition, MSU Safe Place provides training and education to over 15,000 people on campus and in the greater Lansing community, seeking to end domestic violence through public awareness and community education. All services are confidential and, thanks to the generosity of donors like the Reddys, offered free-of-charge.
Lee June, vice president for Student Affairs and Services, expressed his deepest thanks to the Reddys for their endowment. “Safe Place continues to be a unique program within the nation, thanks to the pioneering and visionary efforts of Holly Rosen, the director, and Joanne McPherson, former first lady of Michigan State University. This endowment is much appreciated and will allow Safe Place to continue to be on the cutting edge of providing quality services for those who need assistance with issues of domestic violence.”
Sashi Reddy began her employment at Michigan State University as a computer programmer and subsequently earned a master’s degree in computer science. She served MSU for 30 years in a variety of information technology positions and recently retired as the director of College Information Systems at Health Information Technology. Dr. C.A. Reddy has been a faculty member in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at MSU for 37 years. He is currently a professor in the department and is affiliated with the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. He enjoys his teaching in CVM and is recognized nationally and internationally for his research contributions on lignin biodegradation.
The Reddys are members of MSU’s Beaumont Tower Society. In addition to their endowment to benefit MSU Safe Place, they have supported the colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine, WKAR Broadcasting Services, and the department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics.
To learn more about MSU Safe Place visit www.msu.edu/unit/safe. For more information about making a gift to MSU Safe Place, contact Director of Development for Student Affairs and Services Ann Marie Lindley at (517) 355-7535.