LANSING Mich. – Lansing Community College announces that Richard Peffley has been named the 2024 Distinguished Alumni. This award honors an outstanding alumnus who has excelled in their career and service to their community.

Richard Peffley graduated from Lansing Community College in 1982 with an associate degree in science. Since that time, he has devoted himself to public utility service, currently as general manager of the Lansing Board of Water and Light Board.

Peffley’s leadership over BWL – Michigan’s largest publicly owned utility – is paving the way to a coal-free, clean energy future with commitments to an expanded renewable energy portfolio and carbon neutrality.

His experience at BWL is extensive, having served in many electric and water utility roles. In January 2022, he oversaw contract negotiations between General Motors and Ultium for BWL to provide power for a new battery cell manufacturing plant, a transformational $2.6 billion investment that will support electric vehicle production in Lansing for the next generation. He also was project manager for the $182 million natural gas-fired REO Cogeneration Plant and Headquarters, completed in 2013.

Of particular note, Peffley oversaw the removal of all lead water service lines in 2016, making BWL the second utility in the country to do so. Additionally, Peffley served as the project manager for the chilled water plant named after his father, BWL retiree Roy E. Peffley.

He previously served as Executive Director of Operations and was plant manager at the Erickson Power Station and Eckert Power Station, and now serves as a board member for the Michigan Municipal Electric Association.

Peffley will address graduates and be presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at LCC’s 66^th Commencement ceremony at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center on the campus of Michigan State University.

LCC will also honor graduates at the following ceremonies:

• Dental Hygiene pinning – May 2
• Fire Academy graduation – May 2
• Police Academy graduation– May 3
• American Sign Language graduation – May 6
• Nurse Pinning ceremony – May 7
• EMS graduation – May 8
• ERESA Awards ceremony – May 16

 

About Lansing Community College

Lansing Community College, founded in 1957, is one of the largest community colleges in Michigan, serving more than 14,500 students across a six-county area each year. LCC offers courses in general education for those interested in transferring to a four-year institution, career and workforce development, developmental education and personal enrichment. To meet the professional development and training needs of regional employees, the college offers customized programs for credit, non-credit and continuing education. The Transfer Center at LCC offers students the opportunity to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from five partner universities on the downtown LCC campus. For more information, visit lcc.edu.

Lansing Community College provides equal opportunity for all persons and prohibits discriminatory practices based on race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, creed, ancestry, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, familial status, marital status, military status, veteran’s status, or other status as protected by law, or genetic information that is unrelated to the person’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position or participate in educational programs, courses, services or activities offered by the College.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Equal Opportunity Officer, Washington Court Place, 309 N. Washington Square Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1730; Employee Coordinator 504/ADA, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1875; Student Coordinator 504/ADA, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1885; Human Resource Manager/Employee Title IX Coordinator, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1879; Student Title IX Coordinator, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-9632.