Established in 1968, this recognition was originally named the Distinguished Citizen Award and was presented to an individual who has enjoyed success in their profession and community, and who is a strong advocate of the University, its programs, faculty, staff and students.
The LSSU Board of Trustees approved renaming the award in honor of Dr. Donald and Catherine Finlayson in the fall of 1999. Organizations and businesses, as well as non-alumni individuals and couples, may be recommended for this award.
The recipient is selected by the Nominations Committee of the LSSU Foundation Board of Directors, and the award is presented by the President of Lake Superior State University.
2019 – Robert and Sally Wiles
- Educators, retired since 1994.
- Bob served as president of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP) from 2013-2015.
- Local community involvement in various organizations provides other avenues of volunteerism for Sally and Bob in their retirement years.
- Established the Robert W. and Sally A. Wiles Scholarship at LSSU, to benefit students who are pursuing a two-year associate’s degree. The Wiles’ also created a scholarship in memory of Sally’s brother, Richard W. White, in 2018.
- Inspired by the work of EUP Hospice in Sault Ste. Marie, solidified their love for their community with a gift to support an assisted living home in Rudyard.
2018 – Tony and Melissa McLain
- Lifelong educators and learners
- Seventh President and First Lady of Lake Superior State University
- Established the Tony McLain Student Leadership Scholarship at LSSU
- proudly active in the Sister City Exchange Program between Sault Ste. Marie and Ryuoh, Japan and led both a student delegation and the city exchange
- long and meaningful commitment to North Start Habitat for Humanity as volunteer builders, organizers, fundraisers, and service as board president
2016 – Charles and Mary Weber
- Emeritus Associate Professor of Engineering at LSSU
- Recognized by LSSU Trustees in 2005 for gift to replace electronic signs on campus
- Served on selection committee for Society of American Military Engineers scholarship at LSSU
2015 – Dr. Rachael McCoy ’97 & Dr. Peter Scornaiencki
- Chiropractors and owners, Bordertown Chiropractic PC
- Staunch supporters of LSSU Academics and Athletics
- Sponsor annual award for best biology senior thesis poster
- Assist LSSU seniors with research projects
- Donate equipment and services to LSSU
- 2010 United Way Business Neighbor Award
- 2012 F.M. Mansfield Business of the Year Award
- Community Involvement includes Rotary Club, Chippewa County Community Foundation,
Upper Peninsula Horseman’s Association, Sault Ste. Marie Hockey Association and Hospice of the EUP
2014 – Dr. David Knowles
- Retired LSSU Geology professor.
- Instrumental in organizing fund raising efforts for Kemp Mineral Resources Museum
- Actively involved in hosting open houses for the Kemp museum
- Strong advocate for the Kemp Mineral Resources Museum
2013 – David R. & Patricia L. Hubbard
- Generous supporters of LSSU through Laker Club, Cooper Scholarship, and fund drive for a new gym floor
- Created an endowed scholarship to assist full-time students of all majors
- Contributed to the Arts Center, the Aquatic Research Lab, and the South Hall Renovation Project
- David formerly served on the LSSU Foundation’s Board of Directors
2012 – Precision Edge Surgical Products
- Generous donor to LSSU’s engineering program and to LSSU in general
- Funds an annual scholarship for Chippewa County students attending LSSU
- Funded an endowment for LSSU’s engineering program
- Donated thousands of dollars worth of equipment to the engineering program
- Donated a building in Dafter to LSSU
- Employs many LSSU grads: engineers, accounting and other majors
2011 – J.C. Huizenga
- Owner of JR Automation in Grand Rapids
- JR Automation recruits on LSSU’s campus every year and employs a number of LSSU grads
- Very generous donor to LSSU’s engineering program
- His donations have helped dozens of incoming freshmen get started in engineering, and hundreds of middle and high school students attend LSSU’s summer engineering programs
2010 – Peter & Georgia Gianakura
- Retired owners of the American Cafe
- Endowed a scholarship at LSSU
- Support local programs, including the Bayliss Public Library, the Chippewa County Historical Society & Lake Superior State Univeristy.
- Support Lake State Elders, an educational group of senior citizens who meet monthly and sponsor speakers, tours and a variety of learning experiences.
- Founding members of the Superior Legacy Society
2009 – Chuck Cliff ‘77
- Attended LSSC in mid-1970s, studied business
- Founded and runs an engineering company
- Company does business all over US and into Mexico
- Staunch supporter of Laker hockey
2008 – Dr. Shane Woolever
- Founded Greater Peninsula Orthopedics, 2001
- Accomplished orthopedic surgeon
- Director of Adult Joint Reconstruction and Chairman of the Operating Room Operations Committee at War Memorial Hospital, 2001-03
- Title sponsor of Lake State Golf Classic
- Extremely generous supporter of Laker Athletics, both financially and in spirit
2007 – Roberts P. and Ella B. Hudson Foundation
- Established Hudson, Coates and Kline Scholarship at LSSU, 1989
- Major benefactor of the following LSSU programs:
- Arts Center
- Cooper Gym Floor Campaign
- Cisler Center expansion and renovation
- Athletics
- Health Care Center
- LSSU Foundation’s Development Fund
- Establishment of scholarship endowment for LSSU students who are graduates of a Chippewa County high school.
2006 – William and Sharon Bollin
- Established a scholarship at Lake Superior State University in honor of daughter Leah Marie, to benefit those afflicted with epilepsy or other seizure disorders
- Organized various fundraising efforts which brought in more than $120,000 for the Leah Marie Bollin Memorial Award
- Member, LSSU Foundation Board of Directors (Bill)
- Member, Zeta Tau Alumni Control Board, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity (Bill)
- Honorary member, Alpha Kappa Chi Sorority (Sharon)
- Continue to volunteer time and treasure to advance Lake Superior State University
2005 – Demosthenes (Denny) Booth
- Established the Sault High/Loretto Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of his father’s request 50 years earlier.
- The fund has more than $150,000 with donations from more than 300 people. It has helped nearly 50 Sault High students earn a degree at LSSU.
- Served in Korea as a second lieutenant in the Infantry.
- Twice retired – First, as regional budget manager for Montgomery Ward. His second retirement came years later in California, where he was general manager of two cemeteries and three funeral homes.
2004 – Robert Andersen
- Supervisor of Instrumentation, Continental Teves
- Active LSSU advocate, volunteer and benefactor
- Member, LSSU Industrial Advisory Board
- Arranges for and supervises Senior Projects for LSSU Engineering students
- Continental Teves, through Bob’s leadership, has hired many LSSU alumni
- Awards received from Continental: Achievement Award – 2002, Special payment award – 2004
- Has hosted alumni gathering of engineers, etc. in corridor
- Named honorary LSSU engineering alumnus at February 2003 engineering banquet
- Granted official honorary LSSU alumnus status in 2003
- Major donor to LSSU
2003 – Walter North
- A staunch and generous LSSU advocate
- Chaired the LSSU Foundation Board of Directors on three different occasions, serving more than twenty years as a volunteer
- District 37 State Senator (1994-2002),
- As Senator, helped secure funding for Crawford Hall of Science, Shouldice Library and the Fine and Performing Arts Center projects
- Comptroller of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, 1966-1982
- Executive Secretary of the Bridge Authority, 1982-1993
- Korean War veteran, U.S.A.F.
2002 – Rick Fitzpatrick
- Active in the life of the community and LSSU, sharing time and treasure
- Member of the re-chartered Alumni Association Board of Directors
- Honorary member, Student Alumni Involved for Lake State (SAILS), 1998
- President and owner, Pingatore Cleaners, Inc.
2001 – Tom Robinson, DDS
- An ardent advocate of the University
- Charter member, LSSU Foundation Board of Directors
- Member of American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association and American Association of Orthodontists
- Extremely active in the community including the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce, Sault Ste. Marie Foundation for Culture and History, Downtown Business Association and the Downtown Development Authority.
2000 – Gary McClellan
- President, McClellan Properties, headquartered in Frankenmuth
- Long time LSSU benefactor and advocate
- A founding member of the Soo Blue Liner Club
- Board of Directors, LSSU Foundation, Inc.
1999 – Donald Finlayson, M.D.
- Campus physician, 1946-1978
- World War II veteran, U.S. Navy, 1940-1946
- Longtime Sault physician who delivered many babies