Welcome to the Laker E-ffect, the monthly newsletter of the LSSU Office of Alumni Relations. Please note: Due to document size limits, this newsletter is clipped. To view the full newsletter, click at the bottom where you see: [Message clipped]  View entire message. Thank you!

Happy New Year and Welcome Back, Lakers!

We hope you had a restful holiday season and are settling into 2025!

As the snow falls, campus takes on a quiet calm, providing a moment to reflect and focus on the opportunities the new semester brings.

Go Lakers!

Lake Superior State University's

2025 Banished Word List

LSSU has released the 2025 list of banished words submitted by friends & alumni from around the world. The tradition began in 1976 as the "List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-Use, Over-Use, and General Uselessness." The list seeks to offer the chance to both laugh and consider our everyday vocabulary. Do you agree? Should these words be put to rest, or are they worthy of carrying into the new year?

Click here for the full list of banished words being left behind in 2024!

LSSU's CFRE Launches New Winter Study

to Explore the Great Lakes

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) is advancing its research into the Great Lakes with a groundbreaking winter study, aiming to deepen our understanding of the region’s freshwater systems during the colder months. This initiative is led by LSSU’s Center for Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE), strategically located along the St. Marys River, providing direct access to two Great Lakes and the Soo Locks.

“The resources here are right in our backyard,” said Associate Professor Jonathan Doubek. “For someone who studies freshwater, this location is super important for a lot of reasons.”

The winter study focuses on limnology, the scientific study of lakes and other freshwater bodies. Unlike traditional summer studies, winter limnology presents unique challenges due to the frozen conditions. “Most of what we know about freshwater systems is from the non-winter period,” Doubek explained. “It’s easier to study in the summer when the lakes aren’t frozen.”

This year’s study is made possible by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and involves collecting samples from various spots on the northern Great Lakes. Researchers are drilling through the ice to gather data on a range of factors, including snow thickness, light penetration through ice, and the impact of cold temperatures on oxygen levels in the water.

These samples are crucial in understanding the health of the Great Lakes, particularly regarding bacteria, algae, and phytoplankton populations, which are essential to the food chain. Doubek noted, “Getting samples helps for a lot of things, like bacteria populations and abundance of algae or phytoplankton, which fuels the fish in the water.”

Ultimately, this research aims to better understand the effects of climate change on the Great Lakes, which have seen less ice cover in recent years. The ongoing study will also examine the implications of these changes on both the environment and human activities, particularly those relying on the lakes’ ice during the winter months.

By partnering with universities across the state, LSSU is contributing to a larger effort to monitor and protect the Great Lakes—one of the world’s most significant freshwater resources.

LSSU’s Online MBA Program Earns

High Praise After First Semester Success

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) proudly announces the successful completion of the inaugural semester of its online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. This innovative program, designed specifically for working professionals, has received outstanding feedback for its practicality, flexibility, and impact.

Empowering Professionals with Real-World Skills

Tailored to accommodate the busy schedules of professionals, the LSSU online MBA program equips students with skills that can be immediately applied to their careers. With an emphasis on collaboration, problem-solving, and a dynamic virtual learning environment, the program ensures students are prepared to tackle real-world challenges.

Student Stories: Transforming Careers Through Education

Joseph N., an LSSU alumnus and Executive Director, highlighted the program’s adaptability:

“With my time heavily invested in my professional work, I can learn and build at my own pace. The program maintains the essential classroom roundtable feel, even online. It has been both resourceful and impactful for my career.”

Molly Ri., a full-time professional and MBA student, praised the program’s flexibility and relevance:

“Courses like Digital Marketing and Finance have significantly enhanced my understanding of business practices. Studying on my own time gave me the flexibility to maintain my job while completing assignments.”

Paolo D., another LSSU alumnus, commended the personalized learning experience:

“The focus on discussions and essay-style responses fosters critical thinking and real-world application. The supportive and cooperative culture among students and faculty has been truly motivating.”

Key Features of LSSU’s Online MBA Program

• Asynchronous Learning: Study at your own pace, balancing education with professional and personal commitments.
• Collaborative Environment: Engage in group discussions and interactive projects that enhance learning and networking.
• Immediate Impact: Apply newly acquired skills and knowledge directly to your current job, boosting career growth.

Join the Next Cohort

Applications are now open for the next cohort of LSSU’s online MBA program. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current field or explore new opportunities, this program offers the tools, resources, and flexibility to succeed without compromising your responsibilities.

For more information, visit www.lssu.edu/mba

LSSU Engineering Alumni Connect at

AMT-hosted Dinner in Lake Orion

We had a fantastic time with LSSU Engineering alumni and their families at the AMT-hosted dinner in Lake Orion on January 24th! Great conversations and plenty of Laker pride shared.

Check out some photos from the evening in our Facebook post!

Lake State Night at the Red Wings

A great time was had by all who attended Lake State Night at the Red Wings this past Saturday night (January 25th)! Alumni and friends gathered for a fun pre-game meet-up, reconnecting and gearing up for the Red Wings game ahead. And the Wings delivered a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning!

For more photos, visit our Facebook post!

CAMPUS NEWS

College of the Great Lakes Ecology and Education

January 19th-22nd, 13 members of Lake Superior State University’s Fisheries and Wildlife Club were in St. Louis, Missouri, attending the 2025 Midwest Fisheries & Wildlife Conference, where they gained valuable insights and networked with industry professionals. They attended a large variety of workshops, research symposia, and poster presentations to learn about research that is happening within the Midwestern region. Conferences like Midwest are a great opportunity to network with other peers and professionals from universities, as well as private, state, and federal agencies.

Four students presented their research on their Senior Thesis projects. Two of these students also were selected as finalists for the Janice L. Fenske Award, competing against undergraduate, graduate and PhD students from around the region!

College of Engineering & Technology

We were excited to receive MiR robots and systems from Mission in late December. This included the MiR-UR robot combos and the 2 UR robot carts. This was, of course, in addition to the UR robot cart with the shoe polishing demo and the individual MiR robot we had received previously. The labs and demos that came with these systems were huge assets to LSSU Engineering and Robotics.



We looked forward to many years of training future LSSU Robotics engineers and to the numerous opportunities to showcase LSSU Robotics to K-12 students, visitors from industry, and members of our community.

ALUMNI IN THE SPOTLIGHT

LSSU Robotics Alumni Showcase Cutting-Edge Work

at Acme Manufacturing Tour

Acme Manufacturing welcomed LSSU staff and faculty for a tour of their facilities and a look into the incredible work LSSU alumni are contributing to their field!

LSSU was the first university in the nation to institute an accredited B.S. degree program in Robotics Engineering Technology in 1985. Acme has several team members who are proud LSSU Alumni.

LSSU alumni Dylan Brown, JD Schmidt, Sadie Denman, Ryan Kruger, and Robert Thornton are pictured above alongside LSSU Professor and Director of Robotics Center - Jim Devaprasad, LSSU VP Advancement, Legislative and Alumni Affairs -Scott Smith, and Senior Advisor - Brad Lebouef.

These alumni were able to show their former professors and university staff how they apply their cutting-edge education and in-class experience to their everyday work while also strengthening the bond between Acme and LSSU.

Alumni Spotlight

Meet Tyler Mroz.



His hometown is Lapeer, MI and he just graduated from LSSU with a BS Mechanical Engineering this past Fall (2024). Congratulations Tyler!

Why Tyler chose LSSU, "I chose Lake State because of the smaller class sizes, faculty ratio and location. The easy access to the national forests and public waters as well as its relative location to home made it an easy choice. Far enough away to leave but close enough to come back."

Tyler's hobbies consist of powersports, specifically snowmobiling, hunting, camping and enjoying the outdoors. He was the president of the LSSU snowmobiling club.

His favorite class was Solid Modeling because "I use what I learned in this class almost every day."



Tyler's advice to current and incoming students "Take advantage of professor's office hours and open-door policies. You'll get good 1 on 1 time, the help you need, and it can foster important relationships with them. You'll have the same few professors for all your years here, so getting to know them can help you."

Tyler currently works as a Project Engineer at Kokosing Industrial.

Calling all alumni from 1946-1975 –

You're part of our Golden Graduate Society!

You are cordially invited to march in Lake Superior State University's 2025 Commencement ceremonies as a member of the Golden Graduate Society on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The Golden Graduate Society includes those who left campus at least 50 years ago or earlier. If you didn't receive a diploma, we define your "graduation year" as the last year you attended as a student.

There will also be a special brunch for the Golden Graduate Society on Friday, May 2nd, beginning at 10:30am at the Barch Center for Freshwater Research and Education (located next to the Cloverland Hydroelectric Plant on Portage Avenue). We look forward to seeing you there!

Please RSVP no later than Monday, February 3, 2025, to guarantee your name is included in the 2025 Commencement program.

For questions, please contact the LSSU Alumni Association at 906-635-2844 or email alumnirelations@lssu.edu.

Laker Track & Field Athletes Set Personal Records at 2025 Jack Skoog Invitational

Nine Lakers set new personal records at the competition, which was hosted by CMU. Sophomore Derrian Kumfer (Romeo, MI) set a record 9:56:00 time in the 3,000-meter run. Junior Avery Timm (Petoskey, MI) finished the 60-meter hurdles with a personal best time of 8.91 seconds. Junior Trey Nieman (Morenci, MI) threw a record distance of 14.95 meters in the men's weight throw. Sophomore Ethan Ring (Fair Haven, MI) and Freshman Terry Sigler set new personal records in the weight throw and shot put, respectively. Senior Sydney Kapushinski (Imlay City, MI) finished the 800-meter run with a personal best time of 2:33.02, and Junior Grace Kreps (Goulais River, ON) at 2:54.19. Freshman Madison Morgan (Chelsea, MI) recorded a person best time of 5:42.18 in the women's mile run. Sophomore Keira Lamming (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) cleared a personal best height of 1.50 meters in the high jump.

To read more, click here.

Men's Laker Basketball Top Huskies 82-72

LSSU's men's basketball team declared victory over Upper Peninsula rival Michigan Tech in an 82-72 win on January 23rd. The Lakers pulled ahead with an early 7-0 lead and kept up the momentum through halftime, leading by 10 points. Even when the Huskies managed to trim the Lakers' lead to a slim one, the Lakers never failed to pull ahead.

To read more, click here. 

Back to the Future Showing at the LSSU Arts Center

A screening of the movie Back to the Future will be shown at the LSSU Arts Center on Friday, February 14th at 7:00pm, and Sunday, February 16th at 2:00pm. The screening, made possible by the generous support of Kevin and Pam Cooper, is FREE for LSSU students, staff, and faculty. Tickets for the general public are $5 each.

Back to the Future follows California teen Marty McFly, who accidentally travels back in time after a science experiment goes wrong. In the past, Marty meets younger versions of his parents and must ensure they fall in love, or he risks erasing his own existence. Meanwhile, Marty also needs to find a way back to his own time to save his scientist friend, Doc Brown, the inventor behind the experiment that sent him to the past.

Join Us for Business After 5! 

The LSSU Lukenda School of Business and the Graduate Program are thrilled to invite YOU to Business After 5! 

When: Thursday, February 20, 2025

Where: Considine Hall, LSSU Campus

This FREE event is open to all Sault Area Chamber of Commerce members and LSSU alumni. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to:

Network with fellow community members and professionals

Explore Lake Superior State University's newest state-of-the-art building

Discover more about the incredible MBA Graduate Program at LSSU

Enjoy delicious food and drinks in a welcoming atmosphere

Let’s come together, make connections, and celebrate our vibrant business community! We can’t wait to see you there.

Mark your calendars now!

For more information, reach out to us at 906-635-2426. See you on February 20th!

Calling all Laker Men's and Women's Basketball Alumni!

Join fellow teammates, coaches and Laker fans back at the Cooper Gym for the annual Laker Basketball Alumni Reunion Weekend on Saturday, February 22nd! Register for the weekend and you will receive up to two FREE tickets to Saturday’s basketball games, and two FREE tickets to Friday's hockey game.

We will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 2004-05 Women's GLIAC Regular Season Championship, and the 10th anniversary of the 2014-14 Men's GLIAC Regular Season Championship.

As part of the event, attendees can also stop by the LSSU Bookstore, which will be open from 9am-1pm on the day of the event, offering a selection of LSSU gear and other Laker swag items!.

For more information, please contact the Alumni Office at 906-635-6219, or email alumnirelations@lssu.edu.

LSSU Alumni Day at the Greyhounds



Join your fellow Laker Alumni at the GFL Memorial Gardens in Sault, Ontario for LSSU Alumni Day at the Greyhounds on February 23rd, at 2:07pm. To get your tickets, call 705-574-0090 and mention LSSU!

Create a Lasting Legacy:

Explore Your Gift Planning Options at LSSU

There are many factors to consider when choosing how to make your future gift. You can direct your philanthropy to LSSU in the areas that mean the most to you. Visit our gift planning site, explore the giving opportunities, and find a charitable plan that lets you provide for your family while supporting Lakers for generations to come! We look forward to helping you translate your LSSU story into a lasting legacy.

Laker Pride for your Ride!

Lake Superior State University fans, alumni, and friends can display their Laker pride with the LSSU affinity license plate. The Michigan Secretary of State's Office offers specialty fund-raising license plates, including state-supported universities. $25 from the sale of each new license plate goes to the LSSU Alumni Association and we receive $10 for each renewal. Proceeds help fund various alumni programs and services, like Great Lake State Weekend!

Photo of the Month

Photo of the Month: This dynamic moment from the November 2nd, 2024 LSSU Men's Basketball game against Carson-Newman, was captured by David Dermer.