Welcome to the Laker E-ffect, the monthly newsletter from the LSSU Office of Alumni Relations. Please note: Due to length, this email may be clipped by your email provider. To ensure you’re viewing the full content, scroll to the bottom and click “[Message clipped] View entire message.” Thank you for staying connected with LSSU!

Great Lake State Weekend — Events for Students

Start October 19th and Continue throughout the Week!

We’re looking forward to welcoming alumni, families, and friends back to campus for Great Lake State Weekend 2025, happening October 24–25! Events especially for LSSU Students will start Sunday, October 19th. These special events include the following:

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Mini Golf - Major Fun!

Sunday, October 19 | 8–10 PM

SAC - Norris Center

Open to all LSSU students — Free event, no registration needed.

LSSU Students - Register Now for Broomball Tourney!

We’re still registering students for the GLSW Broomball Tournament, a time-honored LSSU student activity you won’t want to miss! Join us on Monday, October 20th from 8:30–10:30 PM (new time!) at Taffy Abel Arena for a night of fast-paced, no-skates-needed fun. Whether you have a team or need one, we’ve got you covered — sign up today and be part of the tradition! To register email Justin Fountain at jfountain@lssu.edu and make your subject line 'Broomball GLSW 2025.'

University Responds to Brownout with

Swift Evacuation and Safety Measures

A campus-wide brownout at approximately 5:45 p.m. on September 30, 2025, quickly escalated into a full campus evacuation. The Sault Ste. Marie Fire Department and Soo Township Volunteer Fire Department responded to automatic fire alarms in several campus buildings shortly after the brownout, as smoke began to accumulate from a then-unknown source.

For the safety of both students and staff, all campus buildings were evacuated. Students remaining on campus were gathered in Pleger Commons for several hours while LSSU Public Safety and the Sault Fire Department worked to clear all buildings of any immediate danger. As a precautionary measure, the university’s Emergency Response Team and Public Safety maintained firewatch in all campus buildings overnight to prevent any potential further incidents.

Classes were canceled for the remainder of the week, and students were fully evacuated from campus until the afternoon of October 2, when all university systems were confirmed to be fully operational. Students were encouraged to return home for the long weekend or stay with friends and family nearby until they could return to campus. Those without alternative accommodations were placed in local hotels until the campus reopened.

LSSU Extends and Expands Tuition Agreement

with the U.S. Coast Guard

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) has renewed and expanded its longstanding tuition agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes, continuing a collaboration that began in 2009. The agreement encourages Coast Guard active-duty personnel, reserve members, civilian employees, and their spouses and dependents to pursue higher education at LSSU by significantly lowering the cost of study.

For undergraduate programs, participants continue to pay $250 per credit hour, aligning with the allowable amount offered by the Coast Guard’s tuition assistance program. This represents more than half off LSSU’s standard tuition rate. Building on this success, the 2025-2026 agreement now extends benefits to graduate studies, making advanced degrees more affordable and accessible to Coast Guard members seeking to further their education and careers.

“Lake Superior State University is proud to honor and expand our partnership with the United States Coast Guard,” said LSSU President Dr. David Travis. “This initiative reflects our mission to serve the Great Lakes region by investing in the people who protect it. Adding a graduate tuition rate strengthens our commitment to education, career advancement, and the well-being of Coast Guard families.”

The University also welcomes Captain James Bendle as Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes, which oversees operations across Lake Superior, the St. Mary’s River, northern Lake Michigan, and northern Lake Huron, covering 1,850 miles of shoreline and 560 miles of international maritime border with Canada. With more than 750 personnel, 23 boats, and multiple mission stations, Sector NGL plays a vital role in the safety and security of the Great Lakes region.

“This tuition agreement is a tremendous resource for our service members and their families,” said Captain Bendle, “It allows them to pursue personal and professional growth while continuing their service to the nation. We value our strong relationship with Lake Superior State University and look forward to building upon this partnership.”

CAMPUS/COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

CFRE Supports Little Anglers

CFRE supported the Little Anglers event at the Kid's fishing pond, in partnership with Rotary Park and the Tackle Shack. CFRE student employees Shelby Eavou (Environmental Education Intern) and Blake Patterson (Education and Outreach assistant) kicked off the evening with a story time activity at the Bayliss Library, and then moved on to Rotary Park for the rest of the evening of fishing where Blake did a "how to fish" overview before working with Shelby to support kids learning how to fish. At one point in the evening, all 40 poles from the Little Anglers fishing shack were in use!

The event was a new initiative launched by our very own CFRE hatchery technician, Riley

Waterman, and his wife Jasmin who works at the Bayliss Library.

LSSU Hosts Second Sault International Festival of Races Following 6 Year Hiatus

The Sault International Festival of Races, founded in 2019, is comprised of a 5 mile run across the International Bridge and a 5k race through downtown Sault Ste. Marie. The 5 mile bridge race began and ended at the Pleger Commons on the campus of LSSU.

Hundreds of runners showed up to challenge themselves while getting the unique experience of crossing the bridge between the United States and Canada on foot. Participants were also able to take in the historic buildings on the LSSU campus and were cheered on by students and community members alike who came out to support runners.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Lukenda School of Business

Business Administration-Marketing student Tayla Brasier was awarded a $2,500 Centennial Scholarship through Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business. Delta Mu Delta selects recipients based on scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and character. About 52 recipients are selected each year from a competitive application pool of active Delta Mu Delta members.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

LSSU Alumnus Dakota Baker '19 Hired as Director of the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance

Lake Superior State University alumnus Dakota Baker '19 has been named the new director of the Michigan Chamber Alliance by Traverse Connect in mid-September. The Michigan Chamber Alliance is a coalition of chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and similar groups in the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula.

Baker brings with him several years of political and public policy background, as well as a bachelor's degree in political science from LSSU.

CAMPUS NEWS

College of Arts & Sciences

Dr. Barbara Evans hosted an aquaculture workshop with students from the Alpena Trio Overnight Group. Students learned about crayfish anatomy and investigated the response of crayfish to low oxygen water. They also toured the aquaponics learning lab and learned about problems with invasive crayfish.

Dr. Evans also ran a 6-week "Aquatanker" club for 4-H'ers this summer. Students learned about water quality, growing plants, fish, and friendly microbes. The students designed and built aquaponics systems at the end of the program which they were able to take home with them.

LSSU's Team AMORE Attends 2025 Njord Challenge

LSSU's engineering group, Team AMORE, attended the 2025 Njord Challenge in Trondheim, Norway, representing both LSSU and the United States. The Njord Challenge is one of the largest student autonomous ship challenges. The team was one of two who received a perfect score on their technical presentation, and Team AMORE received the team spirit award.

While at the competition, Team AMORE also joined forces with Team Node from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia in Spain in a combined project. Team Node provided the hull and safety systems for the combined project, while Team AMORE provided the software and vision systems.

Bay College & LSSU Regional Student BPA Members Gather Winter Gear For Warm Gear for Warm Hearts Campaign

Students at Bay College and the Escanaba/Iron Mountain Regional Center for LSSU began collecting winter clothing for those in need in Delta County in early October. The program, which runs through October 20, is organized by student members of Business Professionals of America (BPA). The students are collecting new and gently used donations from the community in all sizes, serving their community while also improving their own skills in leadership, organization, and professionalism.

LAKER ATHLETICS

DII Men's Hockey Sweeps NMU

The LSSU DII Men's Hockey team beat out the NMU Wildcats 18-4 over the weekend of September 26 & 27. The double sweep of a strong U.P. rival to start the season was a dream start for the Lakers. Following a 12-1 loss on Friday, the Wildcats upped their game on Saturday, but the Lakers held strong and finished with a 6-3 win. The team is off to a fantastic start with a goal to keep the momentum going for a successful season.

To read more about the team's opening weekend, click here.

DI Laker Women's Hockey Delivers

Fierce Wins Over Aquinas College

The LSSU DI Women's Hockey team recently skated and scored their way to two indisputable wins against Aquinas College at Big Bear Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. The Laker Ladies swept the competition with 8-0 and 6-0 wins, shutting out Aquinas College's every attempt to score and returning fearsome strikes of their own. The recent wins increased the Lakers' winning streak against Aquinas to 8+ games since February 2023. Within the first two weeks of the new season, the Lakers have set themselves up for success with a score of 5-1 for the season.

DI Laker Men's Hockey Opens New Season With a Win

The 2025-2026 Laker Hockey team opened the new season with a display of fighting spirit and strong team chemistry. The Lakers took on the Stonehill Skyhawks in Massachusetts in early October and walked away with their heads held high and a 5-3 win under their belts. Both freshman players and veteran Lakers put their best skate forward, including goalie Rorke Applebee, who stopped 40 shots by the Skyhawks. The team kept control of the game throughout with excellent passes and crisp breakouts posing a threat to the Skyhawks every time the Lakers got the puck.

To read more on the Lakers' first game, click here .

Lake Superior State Announces Superior Ice Showdown at GFL Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

LSSU Athletics announced that the university's DI men's hockey team with host the second Superior Ice Showdown on January 23, 2026 at the GFL Memorial Gardens. This year the Lakers will face off against the University of St. Thomas Tommies in a regular season game. LSSU is proud to bring NCAA Hockey to its sister city of Sault Ontario for an international celebration of hockey. The move brings Laker hockey into town for passionate LSSU alumni in the Sault Ontario area and highlights the unique bond shared by the sister cities on opposite sides of the U.S.-Canada border.

Reserve your tickets at the GFL Memorial Gardens box office or online using the button below. We hope to see you there!

Purchase Tickets for the Superior Ice Showdown

Lake State Day at the Red Wings

Join your fellow Lakers as we cheer on the Detroit Red Wings as they face off against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, January 31, 2026! The game starts at 1:00pm. You won’t want to miss out on this excitement! Included with your ticket is a co-branded LSSU x Red Wings Centennial sweatshirt! And a portion of each ticket sold through our link will once again be donated back to the LSSU Alumni Association and LSSU Athletics.

The pre-game social will take place inside Little Caesar’s Arena at the UWM District Market from 11:30am to 1:00pm. Register for the event below!

Purchase Tickets & Register for Pre-Game Social!

LSSU Now Accepting Applications

for 2026 Online MBA Cohort

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) is now accepting applications for its 2026 online Master of Business Administration (MBA) cohort. The program offers professionals an opportunity to advance their careers and provides substantial returns on investment for employers.

Offering flexibility through asynchronous course delivery, LSSU’s MBA allows students to focus on one course at a time. This flexibility lets students integrate education into their schedules without compromising their professional or personal responsibilities.

The program equips students with strategic leadership skills and comprehensive business acumen, preparing them for high-demand roles in industries like consulting, technology, and finance. MBA graduates often experience significant salary increases and accelerated career progression, making the program a valuable investment.

The program’s curriculum emphasizes practical experience and real-world application, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to tackle complex business challenges. Emphasizing a holistic approach, LSSU provides comprehensive, individualized support throughout, ensuring a personalized experience beyond the virtual classroom. The collaborative environment encourages engagement with peers through group projects, simulations, and discussions.

Prospective students are encouraged to apply early to secure a spot in the 2026 cohort. The application deadline is July 15, 2026.

For more information on the MBA program at LSSU, visit our webpage here!

Update Us & Stay in the Loop

Stay connected with LSSU by updating your mailing and email address so you don’t miss important news and events. Share your life milestones — career changes, weddings, births, military service, and more — for the next Laker Log Class Notes. And don’t forget to subscribe to alumni emails to get the latest updates, including highlights from events like Great Lake State Weekend!

To stay in touch, click here.

Laker Pride for your Ride!

Show off your Laker pride wherever you drive with an official LSSU affinity license plate! Offered through the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office as part of their specialty fundraising plate program, this plate lets alumni, fans, and friends represent Lake State on the road. Even better — $25 from each new plate and $10 from every renewal goes directly to the LSSU Alumni Association, helping support key programs and events like Great Lake State Weekend!

Photo of the Month

Photo of the Month: This month's photo is from the October 8th Arts in the Legislature reception in Lansing. The photo includes the student artists, guest speakers Todd Cook, Director of the Senate Business Office, and Daniel Hurley, CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities. The photo was taken under the Great Seal of Michigan in Heritage Hall at the state Capitol building. You can find the 2025 Artwork Guide here.

Our very own Lakers, Brady Myers and Maggie Chism participated in this year's Arts in the Legislature. Congratulations on your well deserved recognition!

Brady Myers

Maggie Chism

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.