The latest issue of the Laker Log will be released next month! Look for a link in your Inbox soon.

Did you get married, receive a promotion or award, receive a higher degree or add a "little Laker" to your family? That's newsworthy stuff! Let your Alumni office know - we'll include your story in the next Laker Log. Recognition and awards can get you featured on our alumni website or in the Laker E-ffect e-newsletter. Share your update with us or send an email to alumnirelations@lssu.edu with your update; include a link to any associated news release.
The Superior Give-A-Thon is currently underway and we need your support! For 2023, our goal is to raise $20,000 combined for the Fund for LSSU, Laker Club, and the Nursing Simulation Center from February 13 through May 5, 2023. So far we've raised just over $12,500, which means we're more than halfway to our goal and have one month to go!

Any gift, big or small, during Superior Give-A-Thon will help LSSU students in achieving their goals. It is our donors and their willingness to come together to sustain and build Lake Superior State University that is so inspiring.
UNIVERSITY NEWS

Lake Superior State University has created its first endowed faculty position through a $1 million gift.

Dr. Marty Vanderploeg, CEO of Workiva, an Ames, Iowa-based provider of cloud-based and mobile-enabled platforms for enterprises, bestowed the seven-figure gift to establish the Martin Vanderploeg Endowed Assistant Director of Research at the Richard and Theresa Barch Center for Freshwater Research and Education (Barch CFRE), named after his father. Eighty percent of the funding is allocated for salary and 20 percent for research for the endowed position.

Dr. Kevin Kapuscinski, assistant director of research at Barch CFRE and associate professor in the School of Natural Resources & Environment, has been appointed as the Martin Vanderploeg Endowed Assistant Director of Research at the Barch Center for Freshwater Research and Education.

Scott Smith, Vice President of Advancement said, “This significant gift from Marty Vanderploeg and this career highlight for Dr. Kevin Kapuscinski typify LSSU’s mission of enhancing the quality of life of the Great Lakes region, LSSU’s core values of academic excellence and environmental stewardship, and LSSU’s strategic plan priorities of partnership and conservationism. What a wonderful and integral development for the current generation of scientists and the next generation of scientists.”

The first day of spring means the end of winter, no matter what Mother Nature says, thanks symbolically to Lake Superior State University’s annual Snowman Burning.

Mounds of cold, wet flakes still blanket the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The stubbornly low thermostat proves all the more reason for LSSU to continue its 52-year tradition of setting fire to an enormous skeleton of wood covered in straw, wire, paint, and, on the outermost layer, artful white paper to usher in—or wish for—warmer weather. The rite of passage ends with students from Lake State’s fire science program, one of the signature academic offerings at the institution, dousing the flames but not the spirits.

The family-friendly event took place on Monday, March 20 on the LSSU campus on the north side of the Cisler Center. Festivities began with poetry readings that addressed this year’s theme of stress release. The giant frosty figure was torched around 6 PM. Live music from Nelly’s Echo, billed as folk with soul, followed the event.

Forty high school teams from across the state of Michigan gathered at Lake Superior State University to participate in a FIRST Robotics Competition district event on March 24-25, 2023, vying in the ultimate sport for the mind. This marks the first time that LSSU has hosted the event since 2019.

In the FIRST Robotics Competition, high school students design, build, and program robots for a series of challenging contests that test their robots’ abilities. Students work together in teams, applying their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and math to create innovative solutions to real-world problems. The competition is intended to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM fields and develop important life skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.

“We are thrilled to host this exciting event at Lake Superior State University,” said LSSU President Dr. Rodney S. Hanley. “As a leader in STEM education and with a 30-year history of robotics, computer science, and automation, we are committed to providing opportunities for young people to explore and develop their skills.”
CAMPUS NEWS

Natural Resource CTE students presented at the Michigan Science Teachers Association conference about their work with LSSU's MiWaterNet sensors.

The LSSU Kinesiology Club attended the Michigan chapter's American College of Sports Medicine conference and walked away as winners of the 2023 Exercise Physiology Jeopardy Competition.
ALUMNI IN THE NEWS
LAKER ATHLETICS
The Lake Superior State men's and women's golf programs competed at the Klash in Kentucky over the weekend of March 25 and 26. The men's team were able to secure a third place finish overall after being led by Marko Banic, who was able to shoot a consistent three over par in both rounds to finish tied for third on the individual leaderboard. For the women's team, Marie Mathieu paced the women's team on her way to a top-10 finish individually, shooting for a two-day total of 167, and Julia Vess was not far behind, placing 12th overall after a five-stroke improvement on day two. Read More.
The Lake Superior State University men's tennis program earned a 4-3 victory over the Michigan Tech Huskies to open conference play on Sunday, March 19. Read More.
Freshman Marilou Cote has been named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Women's Tennis Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Wednesday, March 15. Read More.
Senior captain Louis Boudon has been named to the All-CCHA Second Team for the second time in his career, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday, March 14. Read More.
Grace Bradford has been named the 2023 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Freshman of the Year. In addition, Mattison Rayman was selected to the All-GLIAC Second Team, as voted on by the coaches. Read More.
Caden Ebeling and Kemon Bassett have each been named to the All-GLIAC First Team, and C.J. Robinson was named to his second-consecutive GLIAC All-Defensive Team, as voted on by the coaches. Read More.
Upcoming Events

The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra will be performing at the Lake Superior State University Arts Center on April 22, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. This performance is an exceptional opportunity to celebrate the beauty and culture of the Great Lakes region and pay homage to our rich Native American culture in the beautiful environment of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The concert will feature three distinct pieces that will take the audience on a journey through the region's history and traditions.

Great Lakes Cantata
Composed by renowned American music educator and composer Gwyneth Walker, this piece was inspired by the beauty of the five lakes and celebrates the region's natural wonders. The music will take the audience on a journey through the lakes' unique landscape, highlighting the region's environmental significance.

Spirit Chief Names the Animal People
The second piece by Jerod Impichchaachaaha Tate is a narration with musical accompaniment that recounts an Okanogan Indian story about how Coyote retained his name, given by the Great Spirit Chief. It will provide an opportunity for the audience to connect with the region's indigenous traditions and culture.

Terra Nostra
The final piece will be a 30-minute multimedia symphony composed by Christophe Changard. The composition includes poetry by Emily Siff and film by Charlie Spears and explores the issue of climate change. The symphony is a call to action for the audience to take responsibility for preserving the region's natural resources.

How to buy tickets
This event is appropriate for all ages, and everyone is encouraged to attend. This is a ticketed event, however, thanks to generous support from the LSSU Issues and Intellect Fund, admission will be FREE.

For those looking to elevate their experience, VIP tickets are available for $50, which provides priority seating, access to a VIP Lounge for a patron’s cocktail hour, and a meet and greet with members of the orchestra. Tickets can be purchased by calling 906-235-2787, online, or in-person at the Box Office. The Box Office will open at 5:30 p.m. on the day of the performance. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra's musical celebration of the region.
Save the Date! The 34th Annual Lake State Golf Classic is set to take place at Wild Bluff Golf Course on Friday, August 4 in Brimley, MI in support of LSSU and Laker Athletics.
The event is intended for everyone, regardless of golfing ability.

"As always, we are ecstatic to be back with our partners at Wild Bluff for another great event, supporting our students," said Annual Fund and Athletic Development Director, Andrew Rubinstein.

"The Lake State Classic is always a great way to welcome our Laker community back prior to the upcoming academic year," said LSSU President, Dr. Rodney S. Hanley. "It is a tremendous way to have a great time out on one of the most beautiful courses in our area and support such a great institution."
Photo of the Month
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.