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Honoring Decades of Service & Leadership

Posted December 09, 2021 in Articles

The highest honor Lawrence School can bestow is Trustee Emeritus. In acknowledgment of their exemplary leadership, the Board of Trustees voted to formally recognize Susan R. Karas and Mario Morino with this distinction.

Honoring Decades of Service & Leadership

Susan Karas found Lawrence as a parent when she enrolled her son Chris ’10 in 1999. Mario Morino’s introduction was quite similar, as his son Matt ’09 joined the Lower School just one year later. With huge hearts and a passion for service, Karas and Morino became fast friends and enthusiastically jumped into the Lawrence fold. Together, they asked hard questions and strove indefatigably to make Lawrence the ultimate school of choice for students who learn differently.

With an extensive professional background in mental health and a personal dedication to improving the lives of children, Susan was the perfect candidate to help bring the school’s mission to life. She took a sabbatical from her work as a therapist to commit herself fully to Lawrence, where she served on the Board for 19 years, and as president for an unprecedented nine years.

Mario’s experience as a successful entrepreneur and tech trailblazer made him incredibly well suited to help the school realize its potential and vision for the future. For many years, he put his busy professional life on hold one full day a week, in order to dedicate those hours to Lawrence, where he served on the Board for 15 years.

Together, they asked hard questions and strove indefatigably to make Lawrence the ultimate school of choice for students who learn differently.

During their tenure, Susan and Mario oversaw a period of extraordinary growth in the life of the school. In partnership with the administration and their fellow trustees, they guided the development of an academic program for students in grades 9–12, the acquisition of land in Sagamore Hills, the construction of the Upper School building, and so much more. They were integral in the recruitment and eventual hiring of nationally-recognized, former Head of School Lou Salza. And it was their financial acumen that allowed the school to successfully navigate the national economic downturn of 2008. Lawrence’s unique culture, which combines educational innovation with empathy and empowerment, is very much a product of their leadership. And even now, as retired trustees, their forward-thinking perspectives continue to help the school flourish.

Head of School Doug Hamilton said it best when describing this dynamic duo, “The Lawrence community owes Susan and Mario a huge debt of gratitude. They are too modest to admit their personal contributions, which is why I’m grateful our trustees voted unanimously to bestow this honor upon them. Lawrence School, as we know it today, would not exist without their wisdom and influence.”


Thank you, Susan and Mario! Every student and staff member who walks the halls of Lawrence School stands proudly on the foundation you worked tirelessly to build.

Honoring Decades of Service & Leadership

Karas and Morino, pictured here in fall 2021 at their installation ceremony.



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