Dr. Lou and Mae Lukenda Alumni House
The Lukenda Alumni House is a former officer’s quarters that sits next to the LSSU Presidential home. The main floor is available for small group receptions and events. The Alumni and Foundation offices are located on the first and second floors.
Driving Directions: Exit I-75 at exit 394. Travel east on Easterday Ave. and take a left at the second stop light onto Ryan Street. Travel north on Ryan and turn left again at the main university entrance (it has two large brick pillars) and continue to the stop sign. At the stop sign, turn right, and turn right again. This will bring you to the Alumni House parking lot.
Address:
650 W. Easterday Ave.
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
906-635-2844
Fax: 906-635-2856
Email: [email protected]
History of the Dr. Lou and Mae Lukenda Alumni House
Lake Superior State University named the building which houses its Alumni Relations department and LSSU Foundation offices after longtime friends of the University, Dr. Louis and Mae Lukenda of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. The dedication took place on May 4, 2001, outside the building, which is located on the northeast corner of campus. Many friends and family members attended, along with LSSU students, alumni and staff. “We are truly honored to dedicate this building to Lou and Mae,” said LSSU President Robert Arbuckle. “He is one of the best friends of the University, and we know that LSSU has always held a special place in his heart.”
Dr. Lou Lukenda attended LSSU from 1948-50 before heading to dental school in Toronto. He retired from his Sault, Ont., dental practice in 1990, to become chairman and CEO of Tendercare Michigan, a Michigan-based health care company. He also served as president of Tendercare Nursing Homes-Indiana and Tendercare Nursing Homes Ltd., until his final retirement in 2007. He received LSSU’s Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1983. He served on the LSSU Foundation board of directors since its establishment and was instrumental in securing the future of LSSU through his advocacy.
Mae Lukenda served the twin Sault’s in many community organizations and projects. She served on the Sault Ste. Marie Area Community Foundation’s board of directors and is the mother of seven children.
During the dedication, Lou spoke fondly of his days as a student at LSSU, remembering how he came across the St. Mary’s River in the pedestrian ferry that once served the two communities. Dr. Lukenda passed away May 4, 2017.