Lake Superior State University Celebrates 2023 Commencement

Lake Superior State University celebrated 341 new graduates along with their families and friends at the 61^st annual commencement held on May 6, 2023. Lake State students earned 315 bachelor’s degrees, 153 associate degrees, and 12 certificates during fall 2022, winter 2022-23, spring 2023, and summer 2023 (based on satisfactory completion of all academic requirements).

Keynote speaker Whitney Gravelle, president of the Executive Council of the Bay Mills Indian Community, observed that graduates “will leave LSSU with a strong foundation,” advised them to “keep learning and never accept the status quo,” and urged that they “pursue your passions and fulfill your purpose.” To inspire the Lakers, she drew on cornerstone touchstones of her Indigenous ancestors: love, respect, bravery, honesty, truth, wisdom, and humility. Read More.

Golden Grads Lead the Way

Lake Superior State University continues its celebrated history and tradition by inviting a

very special group of our alumni, the Golden Graduates – to be a special part of the

2023 Commencement ceremony. Since 2000, the Golden Grads have received a special

invitation to come back to campus to attend a special reception and lead the

Commencement procession. This year we welcomed back 10 members of the Golden

Graduate Society who lead the way for the 2023 LSSU graduates.

The LSSU Alumni Office began the tradition of honoring our 50 th anniversary alumni in

1996 with a ‘Pioneer Reunion’, and in 1998 held the inaugural 50 th Anniversary Reunion

of the Sault Branch of the Michigan College of Mining and Technology during Great Lake

State Weekend. It was also that same year that the Golden Graduate Society was

formed. That inaugural group consisted of those who completed their studies at Soo

Tech 50 years prior (1946 through 1948).

This year, those who graduated from LSSC in 1973 were eligible for induction into the

Golden Graduate Society, and we welcomed new members Rick ‘73 and Sue ‘73

Schuemann, Walter Keskine ‘73 and Janet (Stevenson) Hess ’73.

To date, there are 115 members who have been inducted into the Golden Graduate

Society. In 2014, this group established a scholarship – the Golden Graduate Society

Scholarship – as a way to give back to the University that has made such a difference in

their lives. The scholarship was endowed in 2019, and is awarded to a student who has

earned sophomore status with a minimum 3.0 GPA, attends full-time and is majoring in

any course of study at the University, with preference given to students majoring in

Engineering or Education. Eligible candidates must also submit a minimum 250-word

essay answering the questions: Why did you choose to attend LSSU? And, what unique

historical fact have you learned about LSSU during your time at the University? To date,

six students have received this scholarship. This year’s recipient, Katie Mendrick, is a

senior electrical engineering major and is a second generation LSSU engineering

student. Her father is a 1992 LSSU engineering alumnus.

If you wish to support this special scholarship, please visit lssu.edu/give and note Golden

Graduate Society Scholarship in the additional instructions box or call 906-635-2665.

Lake Superior State University’s Board Of Trustees Names Search Committee, Conducts National Search For Next Lake State Permanent President

Lake Superior State University’s Board of Trustees will conduct a national search for Lake State’s next permanent president and has named a presidential search committee accordingly.

“The goal is to have the 11^th permanent president in place as soon as is practical while emphasizing the importance of a thorough search process,” said LSSU Board Chair Timothy L. Lukenda. “We also intend for the search process to engage all LSSU stakeholders as well as the general public.” Read More.

Lake Superior State University Creates First Post-Baccalaureate Rural Nurse Residency Certificate Program In The World To Address Urgent Need For Rural Healthcare

To address the urgent demand for nurses in rural America, Lake Superior State University has created a Post-Baccalaureate Rural Nurse Residency Certificate Program, the first of its kind in the world.

The 24-credit, one-year, three-semester program is open to all graduates, whether licensed or not, from any accredited BSN program in their first year of practice; taught mostly via asynchronous online learning of simulation and virtual reality; and folded within a 36-hour weekly paid residency at a rural healthcare agency or hospital.

“Six hundred, or 30 percent, of all rural hospitals in the U.S. are at risk of closing, according to the American Nurses Association, among other alarming shortfalls in rural nursing. Our new Post-Baccalaureate Rural Nurse Residency Certificate Program is designed to help do something about this,” said LSSU Interim President Dr. Lynn G. Gillette. “Lake State is located in a rural part of the country, the Great Lakes region, and we have a responsibility to assist our neighbors. This innovative, transformative offering is the latest example of our partnership with the surrounding community on current and emerging exigencies, per priorities in the LSSU strategic plan.” Read More.

LSSU Nursing, EMS, Fire Science, Criminal Justice, and Public Safety

Lake Superior State University teamed up with Soo Fire Department, My Michigan Medical Center and the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department for a drill involving a car wreck with multiple injuries. LSSU’s Nursing, EMS, Fire Science, Criminal Justice and Public Safety programs all participated.



Officials say communication between multiple agencies is crucial in emergencies like the one they practiced for.

LSSU Center for Freshwater Research and Education

Dr. Jonathan Doubek is leading CFRE research technicians, LSSU undergraduate students, and multiple federal, state, and tribal agencies on a project to better understand the factors influencing lake whitefish recruitment. Funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, crews are sampling for larval lake whitefish and their zooplankton prey at day and night time periods in Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Superior.

LSSU Lukenda School of Business

Join the community of family, friends, colleagues, and LSSU alumni on July 7 to support a special endowment in honor of Steven Glezen, a Lake Superior State University alumnus and community leader. The Steven Glezen Memorial Endowment benefits a junior majoring in any Lukenda School of Business academic program at LSSU.

Mark Schwiderson '99, joined the General Motors Defense group in December 2022 working as the Power Electronics Design / Release Engineer responsible for Batteries, Power Converters, Equalizers and Power conversion devices for all GM-D programs. He also currently volunteers with the City of Troy's Fire Dept. and is a veteran of the Michigan Army National Guard.

Katie (Hoy) Batten '97, was inducted to the 2023 Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame. The 51st annual induction banquet honored 10 athletes into the Hall of Fame. Batten was LSSU’s defensive player of the year in 1995-96 and female athlete of the year in the GLIAC Conference. 

Carrie Betts ' 01, the librarian for West Maple Elementary School, won the 2023 National School Library of the Year by the American Association of School Librarians. This prestigious award recognizes school libraries as a unique and essential part of their respective learning community.

Lake Superior State men's basketball head coach Steve Hettinga has announced the recipients of the team's awards for the 2022-23 season at their team banquet on. Read More.

Lake Superior State University sophomore golfer Marko Banic was named Honorable Mention All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), as announced by the conference office on Monday, May 1. Read More.

Junior thrower Jenna Fleming came away with a tenth place finish at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championship Meet on Saturday, May 27, to earn her second consecutive USTFCCCA Second Team All-American honors in the women's javelin event. Read More.

Fleming has also been named to the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Midwest Region Team for women's javelin, as announced by the USTFCCCA on Wednesday, May 17. Read More.

The Lake Superior State University hockey program has released its full 2023-24 schedule, as announced by head coach Damon Whitten on Thursday, May 25. Read More.

Join your fellow Lakers to cheer on the Detroit Tigers at this season's Lake Superior State Night at Comerica Park. Enjoy America’s favorite pastime and show your Laker/Tiger pride alongside your friends, family and colleagues.

Our next Lake Superior State University alumni event will be at Comerica Park for the Tigers v. Padres game on Saturday, July 22 at 6 p.m. EST. An informal, pre-game meet-up will take place inside Comerica Park at Comerica Landing in right field.

A portion of the proceeds from each ticket sold will come back to support Lake Superior State University. This popular event usually sells out, so order your tickets early!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the 34th Annual Lake State Classic taking place on Friday, August 4 at Wild Bluff in Brimley, Michigan. The event is a tremendous opportunity for LSSU and friends to interact, while supporting LSSU and Laker Athletics.

Click the links below to view available sponsorship opportunities, and make sure to register your team early as we anticipate a full event.

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at Bay Mills Resort & Casino until July 20. Those wishing to book can call (888) 422-9645.

Save the Date! Great Lake State Weekend will be held on October 13 and 14. Stay tuned for more exciting details to be shared!

May's Photo of the Month features Lake Superior State graduating class of 2023! During the 61st Commencement Ceremony, 341 students graduated and Professor of Psychology, Dr. Kristina Olson-Pupek, received the Distinguished Teaching Award. Congratulations to the Class of 2023!