August 2020
ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
LAKER E-FFECT

Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press

Lake Superior State University among 1st in Michigan to test campus living during pandemic

The move-in and start of classes, on August 10, were moved up as part of the university's reaction to the COVID pandemic. The early start put Lake State students among the earliest non-athlete students to arrive on a college campus in the nation. The early August start meant it was the first Michigan public university to begin the fall semester. 

Other than a one-day break, school will be in session from Aug. 10 into November, keeping students on campus. The university is touting it as a get-here-stay-here philosophy, said Provost Lynn Gillette. Read More. 
ALUMNI IN THE NEWS

Dan Anderson '93, captured the Oak Crest title for the 16th time. Dan has won the championship at least one time, in each of the last four decades. 


Marie Charbonneau '03, was hired as the Assistant Vice President of Branches for MSU Federal Credit Union.


Kevin Czuczman '14, shared his experiences of being in the NHL bubble with the Pittsburgh Penguins. 


Nathan Perkovich '09, agreed to terms with the Jacksonville Icemen, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets and American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose.




Theresa Turmel '98, released her book Mnidoo Bemaasing Bemaadiziwin: Reclaiming, Reconnecting, and Demystifying Resiliency as Life Force Energy for Residential School Survivors. 


FRIENDS WE WILL MISS

Donald Gerrie, Sault Ste Marie, passed away on July 18. Don began teaching part-time at Lake Superior College in 1965, became full-time faculty in 1969, and assumed chairperson of the Business and Economic Department in 1970. In 1980, he became V.P. of Administration and in 1985 the Director of the MBA Program. Don retired from Lake Superior State University in 1995.


Dr. Hellmuth Kornmueller, LSSU Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, passed away on Friday, August 21. He was 93.  He received his PhD from the Pontifical Institute of Philosophy in Salzburg, Austria in 1953.  In 1955, he left his native Austria to begin a teaching career in the United States.  Dr. Kornmueller was an assistant professor in the Philosophy Department of the University of Detroit before moving to Sault Ste. Marie with his wife Gabrielle (who passed away in May 2020) to begin his life-long career at Lake Superior State University. 
CAMPUS UPDATES

Lake Superior State University is expanding its degree completion offerings in Petoskey by adding baccalaureate programs in elementary education and secondary education.

These opportunities, again offered in partnership with North Central Michigan College, went into effect with the fall 2020 semester and build on the undergraduate options already in place between the two institutions. Students take classes at NCMC-the site for LSSU's regional center in Petoskey-from both schools and ultimately can earn select bachelor's degrees from LSSU. Read more.



Students applying to Lake Superior State University now can do so through The Common Application (Common App), a single online undergraduate application for approximately 900 member colleges and universities worldwide. According to Common App, more than one million students apply to college annually through it; cumulatively, three million-plus applicants, teachers, counselors, and advisers across all 50 U.S. states and 20 countries around the globe utilize the digital platform each year.



American Flag Flies Again at Lake Superior State University, Now That Adjustments to Second Pole Have Been Completed

Lake Superior State University has resumed flying the American flag at its second site, now that adjustments to the pole have been made.
The flagpole in question, adjacent to the Central Heating Plant, is technically a cell tower that, at the top, can fly a flag. The structure, spanning 110 feet tall, is the larger of LSSU's two locations that fly flags. The other, an actual flagpole in the middle of Pleger Commons, a grassy expanse at the center of campus, has been flying continuously. The flag that LSSU flies on the cell tower stanchion measures 38 feet x 20 feet. The flag on the smaller Pleger Commons flagpole is 8 feet x 5 feet; that pole reaches 56 feet high. Read more.
CAMPUS EVENTS

Online Silent Auction to Run Through August 28th

Many great items are available including jerseys autographed by Red Wings Dylan Larkin and Justin Abdelkader, a complimentary stay on Mackinac Island, as well as other premium items and Laker gear.

The Lake Classic Silent Auction closes Friday, Aug. 28th at 11:55 PM.



Check here regularly for updates regarding future events.
LAKER ATHLETICS

The LSSU Laker Club has launched for the 2020-21 school year, it is the principal fundraising initiative for athletics at Lake Superior State University. Our aim is to ensure a financially stable and highly competitive program for all of our men's and women's teams.

Laker Club members are able to designate gifts to a specific sport, or choose to support athletics as a whole. Join Laker Club and make an impact today!

Check out our new member levels and benefits! 



Following a thorough evaluation of all COVID-19 risks and safety protocols, and numerous meetings involving various GLIAC governance groups, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously on Tuesday, Aug. 11, to suspend all sports competition until Jan. 1, 2021.
PHOTO OF THE MONTH


Governor Gretchen Whitmer wearing her LSSU mask! Order your Laker themed protective mask now at foundation.lssu.edu/mask to support the Bud Mansfield Student Emergency Fund.
WRAPPING IT UP

I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Laker E-ffect. From what you read you will notice there has been a lot of progress being made at Lake State in spite of the challenges of the pandemic. Most notable, was welcoming our students back earlier this month. A secondary benefit of the early start is our students have the chance to enjoy the tail end of summer, one of the most beautiful times here in the Eastern U.P.

Thank you to those of you that participated in the Match and Mask Campaign to raise funds for the Bud Mansfield Student Emergency Fund.  We set a goal of $20,000 and raised over $34,000 in support of our students. That is 74% above the goal! Watch your email for an upcoming opportunity that includes a very attractive and special edition mask.

Please remain safe and healthy as always...Go Lakers!
Thomas W. Coates '86 - Lifetime Member
Executive Director ~ LSSU Foundation

 

Visit us online for information about alumni events and programs, to update your information with LSSU, and to become an Annual or Lifetime Member of the Alumni Association.
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Contributors/Staff:
Ryan Sigmon, Laker E-ffect Editor
Thomas W. Coates, Executive Director ~ LSSU Foundation