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University Club of Michigan State University CEO & General Manager to Be Honored During Virtual ATHENA Recognition Program on Thursday, October 8

Lansing, MI – Karen Grannemann, CCM, CEO & General Manager, University Club of Michigan State University, was recognized as the recipient of the 2019 ATHENA Leadership Award, during a virtual ATHENA Awards program.

The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented annually in over 500 communities internationally. It recognizes individuals for professional excellence, provides valuable service to the community, and actively assists women in attaining professional excellence and leadership skills.

In response to the cancellation of the annual awards gathering, Grannemann is turning the spotlight on the community and inviting everyone to join her in a project designed to enhance the love of reading in the Lansing School District. The program, called Lansing Reads, has three goals: to provide every student with a CADL library card, to collect at least 200 videos of area residents reading children’s books, and to raise $50,000 for Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), an organization that distributes children’s books to LSD students. Learn more about the project and how to participate by attending the program, by visiting www.lansingreads.org.

Grannemann joined the University Club (U-Club) as the membership director in 1996. During her tenure, she has been instrumental in creating and overseeing many significant changes and dramatic growth. Grannemann helped negotiate and implement the merger with the City Club of Lansing and served on the planning team to construct and open the Henry Center for Executive Development. She was instrumental in the design and operational plan for the Club’s fitness center & spa, Kidz Club child care room, Mingle restaurant, and Mixx lounge. She led the development of a master plan for the Club’s outdoor recreation, and oversaw the design, construction, and opening of the new outdoor pool and hot tub facility. She became CEO & General Manager in 2014, and has earned her Certified Club Manager designation through the Club Management Association of America. Prior to working at the Club, Karen served as Vice President of the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Grannemann has also been extremely active in the community, having created Dapper Dads, the popular fundraiser benefiting the Sparrow Foundation. She has served on many boards and community service organizations, including Women Working Wonders, the Wharton Advisory Council, the Empty Plate Dinner Host Committee, the Lansing Promise Foundation Board, 100 Women Who Care, Zonta Club of East Lansing Area, and others.

Several organizations have honored Karen for her creativity, initiative and leadership skills. She was presented with the Susan B. Anthony Award for Leadership in Women by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. She was also honored with the Virginia Hilbert Award by Women Working Wonders and given the Women of Achievement Award by Zonta Club of East Lansing Area.

The ATHENA Awards program was originally scheduled for March, 2020 but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.