“The material covered in LSSU's engineering program provided me a solid foundation for graduate studies. The systematic approach and communication skills needed to tackle engineering projects were taught and then practiced over and over again. In particular I appreciate the many hours spent by the faculty to develop oral presentation skills in each student. As a graduate student now, these skills have proven to be highly beneficial and, to my surprise, obviously not taught to the same extent at many other universities.”
Mark Reese, Mechanical Engineering 2005
Hawaii Natural Energy Institute
School of Ocean & Earth Science and Technology
Graduate Student, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Alumni Association
Alumni in the News
Tim Gallaway '12 shares his love of kayaking in a new video.
In May of 2012, after graduating from Lake Superior State University with a mechanical engineering degree, Tim embarked on a solo and self-supported kayak expedition. Click here to read of his amazing story.
LSSU Alumnus Bates Battaglia ’97 Wins The Amazing Race!
Heather Wines/CBS
Laker hockey alumnus Bates Battaglia ’97 and his brother Anthony are the winners of this season’s The Amazing Race. The popular CBS reality show pits 11 teams of two people against each other to complete various physical and mental challenges and overcome numerous obstacles in 10 countries on five continents, all while working against the clock. The winning team gets $1 million and plenty of bragging rights.
Travis Rosema'03 received a Meritorious Award from the Muskegon Parole Office
Travis Rosema '03 received a Meritorious Award from Director Daniel Heynes and Deputy Director Charles SinClair at the Muskegon parole office for his actions leading to the arrest and conviction of a breaking and entering suspect. Thanks to Rosema's quick action, all the stolen items were returned to the owner within hours of them being stolen.
Nancy J Bailey '81 touring with her amazing horse Clifford
Nancy Bailey ' 81 has a horse who connects with people with disabilities. Clifford the horse is house trained. Nancy has toured all over the eastern United States with Clifford performing at various events and visiting libraries and assisted living centers.
Capt. Craig Moser '85 named New Muskego Police Chief
The Muskego Police and Fire Commission announced today that Captain Craig A. Moser has been selected to succeed Chief Paul Geiszler as Muskego’s next police chief. Chief Geiszler will be retiring from this position at the end of December after nearly 33 years with the department, at which time Captain Moser will become the new chief. Read the full press release here (pdf).
Mike Hammill '00 named Wildlife Officer of the Year by Shikar-Safari Club
Department of Natural Resources conservation officer
Mike Hammill '00 has been named the Shikar-Safari Club’s 2012 Wildlife Officer of the Year. The award is given annually by the international hunting group to a conservation officer in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces and the territories of both nations.
In earning this award, Hammill also captured the DNR Law Enforcement Divison title as 2012 Conservation Officer of the Year. Both awards were presented to Hammill at last week’s regular meeting of the Natural Resources Commission in Saginaw. Click here for full story (pdf).
Mark J. Duty '88 wins the Walter P. Chrysler Award for Innovation
Mark J. Duty '88 was named winner of the Walter
P. Chrysler Technology Award, given to holders of Chrysler Group’s most
outstanding patents.
Duty, a 47-year-old engineer who joined the company
in 1996, earned the prize – his second – for work on the Powertrain Matching
Analysis Toolset. Known within Chrysler Group as PMAT, it helps identify
engine-transmission pairings that afford the most bang for the customer’s
buck. Read more about Mark here.
Bates played for LSSU from 1994 to 1997 before being drafted by Anaheim and then acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997. His NHL career included stints with Carolina, Colorado, Washington and Toronto. Bates and his brother Anthony will form one of 11 teams that race through 10 countries around the world for a $1 million prize.
This season premiers on Sunday, February 17 at 8:00 p.m. on CBS. Read more about Bates and Anthony here. Click on Meet the Cast here to watch Anthony take his teeth out in the promotional video. It takes a hockey player!
Read an interview with Bates about his appearance on The Amazing Race here.
Ben Mitchell '06 Mechanical Engineering graduate is changing lives in sub-SaharaAfrica.
Ben Mitchell '06 is the co-founder of the Baisikeli Ugunduzi (Innovative Bicycles) firm and has been working and living full time in Kitale Kenya.
Baisikeli Ugunduzi endeavors to provide low cost quality bicycle parts to people who rely on bicycles for their livelihood.
Todd Buck '90 LSSU Fisheries and Wildlife Management graduate was recently profiled on Arizona Wildlife Views.
Todd Buck '90 LSSU Fisheries and Wildlife Management graduate was recently featured on Arizona Wildlife Views. The segment was titled "A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Manager" . See the video!
Navy 2nd Lt. Tom Thornton '08 eagerly anticipates watching his brother take the court as MSU takes on North Carolina
Tom Thornton '08 a newly commissioned 2nd Lt. in the United States Navy ran track at LSSU for 4 years. Now he is eagerly anticipating watching his younger brother Austin take the court as a senior at MSU. The game will be the first college basketball conference game played aboard an aircraft carrier. Read More!
Steve Diekema '97, superintendent of Story Fish Hatchery helps revive golden trout population
Steve Diekema '97, superintendent of Story Fish Hatchery in Wyoming's
Sheridan County,
gets to work with the only captive population of golden
trout in the world. See the video!
Dallas Stars Name Paul Jerrard ‘87 Assistant Coach
The Dallas Stars named Laker Alumn Paul Jerrard ‘87 as Assistant Coach.
Read More
Future LSSU Alum Ryne Du Shane '14 and Dylan Smith try to best world dart record
Future LSSU Alumn Ryne Du Shane '14 recently made an attempt to best world dart record. Read more in the The Holland Sentinel.
23 Michigan Conservation Officers all grads of LSSU gathered in Gaylord recently
23 Michigan Conservation Officers, all LSSU alumni, gathered for 2010 fall
firearms training at Camp Grayling. Read more.
Holly (Julian) Johnson '00, recently promoted to Associate Vice President for Development at UIU.
UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY recently announced the promotion of Holly Johnson, Director of Alumni and Development,
to Associate Vice President for Development. Read more.
Kristin (Bullock) Dunbar '92 is inducted into the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame
The 2011 Class of the 40th Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame was inducted
at Danforth Place in Escanaba Saturday. Read more.
Col. Steven Charbonneau '84 Named to Academic Fellowship in Terrorism Studies
The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), a
non-partisan policy institute headquartered in
Washington, D.C., named U.S.
Air Force Col. Steven Charbonneau, a U.S. Naval War College military
professor, as an academic fellow for 2011-2012. Read more.
Aaron Mize '02 has The Greatest Job in
the World!
Fisheries and Wildlife Management Alumn Aaron Mize '02
finds joy in
The Greatest Job in the World. Read more (pg. 3).
Marci (Iatarola)
Crozier
'83 'wins' despite being voted off NBC's Biggest Loser
The Biggest Loser: Couples eliminated Marci Crozier, a
49-year-old
health club manager and
restaurant owner
from Valparaiso, IN, during
Tuesday night's broadcast
of the NBC reality
weight-loss competition. Read more.
Future Laker first baby born in the new Sault Area Hospital
The new Sault Area Hospital was officially christened today
with the arrival
of the first newborn.
Landon Jace Zelonko, was born at 10:34 a.m., weighing in
at
eight pounds, 10 ounces and measuring 20 inches.
Proud parents are Kaya and LSSU Alumn Laramie Zelonko '09. Read more.
Cynthia Williams '76 gets “Crime Fighter Award”
Members of the board of directors for the statewide nonprofit organization Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan convey the 2010 Crime Fighter Award to Cynthia Williams, LSSU alumna, '76. Read more.
CADCA Recognizes LSSU Graduate
Laura Fitzpatrick
'92 for Advocacy Efforts
The Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) recently recognized Laura Fitzpatrick,
Program Manager at the Muskegon Community Health Project for her advocacy efforts on behalf
of the Coalition for a Drug Free Muskegon County. Read more.
Michigan Works! Association honors Mary Brown.
Michigan Works! Association honors local alumna, Mary Brown. Read more.
Audrey Hewitt '07 gives the gift of life to high school senior.
Audrey Hewitt '07 shows an amazing generousity of spirit and offers a stranger a second chance at life. Read more.
Kathy “K.P” Pelleran '78 received honors for 10 years of service
Kathy “K.P” Pelleran accepted an award this month recognizing her 10 years of service as
State Director of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan. The award recognized Pelleran for her
leadership of the statewide anti-crime organization supporting investments in children’s programs
proven through research to cut crime. Read more.
Kendra (Harris) Faustin '01 living her coaching dreams.
Off to a 1-9 start a season after winning the Metro Atlantic Atheletic Conference coach of the year award LSSU Alumn
Kendra (Harris) Faustin '01 knows the highs
and lows of being a head coach in Division I women's
basketball. Read more.
Laker teammates Steven Kaunisto '10, Troy Schwab '09 & John Scrymgeour '09 continue their on ice success.
Wichita Thunder defenseman Steven Kaunisto '10 has been named the Oakley CHL Player of the Week.
Read more.
Troy Schwab '09 coninues his on ice success with the Wichita Thunder. Read More.
John Scrymgeour '09 scored winning shoot-out goal for Reading Royals. Read More.
Doug Weight '91 shares the secret behind the no. 93
Doug Weight '91 enlightens all to the meaning behind jersey number 93. Read More.
Soo Eagles to honor Paul Theriault '72
Legendary career coach Paul Theriault '72 will be honored by the Soo Eagles when they play host to
The
Soo Thunderbirds in a Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League game on Friday night at Pullar Stadium.
Read More in Sault Ste Marie This Week or The Osprey Blogs.
Paul Theriault (far left) was on campus recently for the JV Hocky reunion. Read more.
Lake State Alumni break Guinness World Record
Chantelle Gorham-Kurtis '97 & David Kurtis '86 completed the
World's Largest Slab of Fudge at their Levack, Ontario business,
Northwest Fudge Factory, on October 23, 2010.
Read More.
Renee Jent '95 was elected to State Bar of Michigan
Rene Jent ' 95 was recently elected as a council member of the State Bar of Michigan Legal Assistant Section. Read More
Scott J. Bentley '93 named first superintendent of River Raisin National Battlefield Park
Scott J. Bentley, currently Superintendent at San Antonio
Missions National Historical Park NHP), Texas, has been named
the first
Superintendent
of River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, Mich.
Bentley, a 19-year National Park Service (NPS)
veteran, will report for
this new position on January 16, 2011. Read More.
Tiffany Jastorff-Gillies named Assistant Professor- Pharmacy Practice
Tiffany Jastorff-Gillies has been named Assistant Professor- Pharmacy Practice at South Dakota
State University.
Tiffany earned a BS in Psychology from Lake Superior State University
in 2004 and her Pharm.D. from SDSU in 2009.
Read More.
Blazejewski Team a major
presence at 2nd Annual Women's Walk
This group of LSSU alumni walked together along with Maria Blazejewski, a current student and Laker basketball athlete,
whose parents are Mark ‘78 & Kathleen ‘77 Blazejewski. Left to right are Sue (Ehr) Millon ‘90, Kathleen (Hein) Blazejewski, '77,
Maria Blazejewski, Kay Baetsen ’77, and Rita (Bourdeau) Chapman ’75. Read More.
Kenneth Williams '80 wins the Rising Entrepreneur of the Year award
The Shred Authority CEO Kenneth Williams '80 wins the Rising Entrepreneur of the Year award. Read More.
Nancy Steinhaus '91 recently received honors from the Chippewa County Historical Society
Nancy Steinhaus, Past President of the Chippewa County Historical Society, received
the Charles Follo Award for her outstanding contribution to the preservation and promotion
of U.P. history through her many years of work with the Chippewa County Historical Society. Read more.
Peter M. Petainen '98 receives Michigan Department of Transportation’s top award
Peter M. Petainen (Professional, Supervisor) of the International Bridge Administration (IBA) Executive Bureau in Sault Ste. Marie was recently named winner
of the 2010 MDOT Director's Award – the department's highest honor for outstanding service. For more than 20 years, the annual award has recognized MDOT employees who exhibit leadership and exemplary public service. Read more.
Jeff Culhane '99 named Vice President of Perishable Marketing
Tops Friendly Markets announced today that Jeff Culhane has joined Tops as vice president
of perishable marketing.
Tops is a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York and
northern Pennsylvania. Read More in the Daily Review.
Bryan Dort '89 earns project management Professional Credential
Bryan Dort of Alpena, MI has earned the Project
Management Institute’s most recognized and respected global credential -- the Project Management
Professional or PMP. Read more.
Steve Willobee '98, LEED AP Elected Vice Chair of
USGBC West Michigan Chapter
The U.S. Green Building Council - West Michigan Chapter has announced its 2010 Board of Directors. Read more.
Former English major Chris Zimmerman ‘87 has released his fourth novel, Forty Mile Point.
Much like his previous three novels, Forty Mile Point has an outdoorsy flavor, a suspense-filled plot, and a delightful twist at the end. Read more.
Alumnus Zak Stelmaszek ‘00 release new CD
Alumnus Zak Stelmaszek ‘00 and his rock band Fifth Way released their new CD titled “No Boundaries” at the Magic Bag Theater in Ferndale on Saturday, January 30, 2010. Read More.
Kelly Bruning '94, a Boston Transplant to Northern Michigan Publishes Book
Kelly Bruning has been a transplant from a Boston suburb to northern Lower Michigan for twenty-two years now. She has published
a book that will make the reader chuckle with her true stories of outdoor adventures that usually underscores some type of mischief.
Read more.
Cassie Parker '98 inspires students
"For many people, illness can put a halt on life. But Casie Parker, of Petoskey, wasn't going to let a diagnosis get in the way of what she loves — her students and athletes." Read more from the Petoskey News - Review.
James Childs '79 heads OptiTemp as it is honored with Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award
OptiTemp, Inc. has been named one of Michigan’s top companies to watch in 2009 as part of the Michigan Celebrates Small Business program. The “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” Award honors 50 second-stage Michigan companies that have earned our attention in the years to come. Read more.
Nancy Barr '00 authors new mystery novel
Nancy Barr, a 2000 LSSU graduate with a degree in business, has a new novel in stores. Published by Arbutus Press, Page One: Whiteout features Upper Peninsula newspaper reporter Robin Hamilton. Still grieving the murder of her fiancé,
Robin gets an unexpected visit from an old friend from Chicago who has uncovered an important clue. The pair take off on
an adventure that leads to Miami and
back to the woods of Upper Michigan to face down a killer during a blizzard.
Read the Page One: Whiteout press release.
Jason Krebill ' 00 helps fight the sea lamprey in West Michigan
2000 Fisheries and Wildlife graduate Jason Krebill, originally of Kentwood Michigan, is interviewed on Fox television.
The video available here shows LSSU Fisheries and Wildlife the alum helping to keep Michigan waters safe for fishing
as
he assists in the eradication of the invasive sea lamprey. Jason (as shown to the right) is the young man being interviewed
standing in the stream, and thoroughly enjoys his job with the U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service.
NCAA PRO-file with Doug Weight ' 91 By
Bob Snow
Doug Weight's accomplishments are profiled on NHL.com including a recent endowment to Lake Superior State University. Read more from NHL.com
Hockey alum Bates Battaglia '97 graces Forbes magazine cover
Bates Battaglia, who played on the Laker hockey team from 1994-1997 and
now
is a member of
the
Toronto Maple Leafs,
was caught on the
Nov. 26 cover of Forbes Magazine"
Philip Ellison '04 shares opinon at Mackinac Policy Conference
Educators, government officials and business leaders at the Mackinac Policy Conference announced a possible solution to the mass exodus of Michigan's talent to other states: internships. Read more in the Crain's Detroit Business.
Kevin Borseth '76 named U of M Womens Basketball Coach
Kevin Borseth a Laker Alumni from 1976 was recently named head coach of the Women's Basketball team at Michigan. Read more(photo courtesy of U of M website)
Jennifer Sheppard '02 shares her vision for Boys and Girls Club
Jennifer Sheppard, the new director of The Boys and Girls Club of Sault Ste. Marie, shared her vision this week as the opening of the new youth club approaches on Monday, October 17. Read more
On Patrol with Conservation Officer Joe Molnar ‘02 & Conservation Officer Kelly Ross ‘91
Conservation Officer Joe Molnar ‘02 poses with an elk he and CO Kelly Ross ‘91 were forced to kill after finding it injured and sick in the northern Lower Peninsula. Michigan Out-of-Doors noted the incident in its “On Patrol” column in the January issue. The two LSSU graduates were part of a group of four Laker alumni involved in the search for the elk once it had been reported by a group of hunters. Mike Budd ’04, a fisheries and wildlife management grad, and Marissa Kelso ’04, parks and recreation management, also assisted in the hunt for the injured animal. Kelso happened to be in the area to look at elk with Budd, who was working with the DNR on an elk telemetry project. (Photo by Mike Budd)
Miller '84 Paddling Route Lewis & Clark
Norman Miller '84 is celebrating the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark's exploratory expedition by paddling the same route solo by canoe, from St. Louis to the Pacific. Follow his journey. Norman will depart in Spring 2004 and send updates via digital camera and laptop computer throughout his journey. Read more
Klaft '89 Sings the Blues
Ken Klaft '89 sings the blues in Toledo with his cubicle colleagues at NFO WorldGroup. Check out their site and you'll see the Cube City Blues Band in action with music samples, bios, and more. The Cube City Blues Band has put all of their greatest IT blues hits together on this one CD to benefit the Mason Bailey Fund. Read more
