Each year, the Alumni Association and the University honor the parents of a current
Lake Superior State University student. Nominations are solicited from current students
and must include an essay explaining “Why my parent(s) should be Parents of the
Year.”
The award is named in honor of Bud and Mary Mansfield. Bud, who was the Executive
Director of the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce, was also a member of the very first
class to attend the Sault Branch of the Michigan College of Mining and Technology in
1946. All eight of the Mansfield children attended Lake State and most of their sons and
daughters-in-laws are LSSU alumni as well. A third generation – Jeff, son of Susan
(Mansfield) and Paul Sullivan of Big Rapids, graduated from LSSU in 2002.
The Mansfield family’s academic association with LSSU spanned almost two decades,
a total of 19 years, Regretfully, Bud Mansfield has passed on but he once recalled,
gratefully, that “without Lake State, I don’t think it would have been possible for all eight
of our children to go to college.”
Bud and Mary Mansfield
2024 – Ese Osumili
Mother of Uwaoma Osumili
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
2023 – Steven & Samantha Hect
Mother of Brooklyn Abbott
Harrison, MI
2022 – Colleen Burton
Mother of Kaylin Burton
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
2021 – Jim & Sarah Voisinet
Mother of Megan Voisinet
St. Johns, MI
2019 – Darlene McNichol
Mother of Sarah McNichol
Richmond, MI
2018 – Gregory & Gail Thebo
Parents of Kaitlyn Thebo
Trufant, Michigan
2017 – Ed & Lori Miller
Great Aunt & Uncle of Victoria Jordan
Barbeau, Michigan
2016 – Fred Becker
Father of Elisabeth Becker
Holly, Michigan
2015 – Arthur & Memory Massey
Parents of Payton Massey
Pellston, Michigan
2014 – Matthew & Mary Slocum
Friends and Advocates for Kaitlyn Brogan
East Lansing, Michigan
2013 – John & Karen VanDusen
Parents of Melody VanDusen
Williamsburg, Michigan
2012 – John & Rita Plotzke
Parents of John Plotzke
St. Clair Shores, Michigan
2011 – Kevin & Teresa Gordon
Parents of Michael Gordon
Redford, Michigan
2010 – Suzzanne Luton
Mother of Lisa Luton
Mancelona, Michigan
2009 – Bill & Candi McAlvey
Aunt & Uncle of Cheyenne Shinabarger
Carson City, Michigan
2008 – Debbie Garcia
Mother of Angela Chartier
Menominee, Michigan
2007 – Dan Zeiger
Father of Amy Zieger
Lansing, Michigan
2006 – Dale & Joan Betcher
Parents of Michelle Betcher
Trout Lake, Michigan
2005 – Will & Claudia Kaul
Parents of Cicely Kaul
Afton, Minnesota
2004 – Thomas & Penny Underwood
Parents of Lance Underwood
Danville, Michigan
2003 – Neil & Cindy Gallaway
Parents of Cory Gallaway
Lewiston, Michigan
2002 – Wayne & Sue King
Parents of Tiffany King,
Freeland, Michigan
2001 – Phil & Christine Butler
Parents of Courtney Butler
Elk Rapids, Michigan
2000 Donna Vinette
Mother of Nicole Vinette
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
1999 – Emily Chandauka
Mother of Sophie Chandauka
Zimbabwe, Africa
1998 – Patricia Johnson
Mother of Candy Johnson
Perry, Michigan