On Monday, September 6, Lake Superior State University is participating in 906 Day, which is a very special day set aside to celebrate the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This year we hope to raise $5,000 in support of the Fund for LSSU from Monday, September 6 through Friday, September 10.

Additionally, if you like the LSSU Foundation Facebook page and share our 906 Day posts, you will be entered in for a chance to win a vintage LSSU Flag that adorned poles around campus.
LSSU’s Great Lake State Weekend Features 75th Anniversary and More.

Traditionally each fall since 1995, the Laker Community gathers for LSSU’s version of homecoming known as Great Lake State Weekend (GLSW). It is a campus-wide celebration to welcome alumni and friends as well as prospective students and their families on the weekend of October 15 to 17, 2021.  

The overarching theme of GLSW 2021 will be celebrating the institution’s 75th Anniversary. This will entail a fireworks display on the north side of the Cisler Student and Conference Center immediately after Friday night’s Laker Hockey game. Everyone is welcome.

Here are some other special events during the weekend:

LSSU Alumni Awards Reception & Ceremony – 
Friday, October 15th – 4:30 p.m., LSSU Arts Center

Annually, the LSSU Alumni Association recognizes awardees with four awards for their outstanding contributions in their respective communities while also advancing the University. This year’s recipients are:

  • Jan Bednarz ’72 ~ Outstanding Alumnus Award
  • Cynthia Williams ’76 ~ Kenneth J. Shouldice Alumni Achievement Award 
  • Hannah Pierson-Compeau ’05 ~ Paul Ripley Award for Young Alumni ~ 
  • To be named ~ Mansfield Parents of the Year 

LSSU Athletic Hall of Fame Reception & Induction
Saturday, 1:30 p.m., LSSU Arts Center

Since 1999, the Laker Athletic Hall of Fame honors athletes, coaches and administrators for their successes while at Lake Superior State University. This year’s class includes:

  • Tom Borrelli, Wrestling Coach (1986-91)
  • Becky Marquardt-King ’07, Women’s Basketball 
  • Anthony Pavicic ’07, Track & Cross Country
  • Megan (LaMothe) Schwab ’09, Women’s Tennis
  • Sean Tallaire ’96, Hockey


Laker Pre-Gamer on the Courts 
Saturday 5 p.m., Norris Center Outdoor Tennis Courts

This is a revised version of past “Tailgates” that have been located on the tennis courts. This year there will be activities for all ages with activities for kids, music, food, refreshments and a cash bar. The culmination of the ceremonial Laker Athletics Women’s Walk and raffle drawings will occur at the event.

The Pre-gamer is a way to warmup for Laker Hockey Vs St. Thomas Tommies hockey and the raising of LSSU’s 2020 WCHA Championship Banner during Saturday’s game.  

This year the LSSU Alumni Association is introducing the GLSW Power Pack, which provides discounted access to many of the weekend’s festivities and includes a special edition 75th Anniversary wristband and long-sleeve t-shirt. 

For more information about getting a GLSW Power Pack and to register click here, email alumnirelations@lssu.edu or call 906 635-2844.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
LSSU Creative Writing Professor Mary McMyne Sells Debut Novel In Two-Book Deal

LSSU creative writing professor Mary McMyne’s debut novel has sold to Hachette Book Group in a two-book deal. The novel, The Book of Gothel, will be published in July 2022 by Hachette’s Redhook imprint in the United States and Orbit in the United Kingdom. The Book of Gothel is a speculative historical novel based on the premise that a manuscript found in a Black Forest cellar reveals the secret history of the Rapunzel folktale—as told by the witch. Read more.
The 32nd Lake State Golf Classic was held back in person this year at Wild Bluff out in Brimley, Michigan. Over 100 golfers participated in this years' event in support of the Lake Superior State University Foundation Development Fund, Laker Athletics, the Soo Blue Liners, and LSSU Club Sports. Including the net proceeds from this year, over $665,000 has been raised in support of the university and its students.

LSSU greatly appreciates all of the sponsors, companies, and individuals for their generosity and making the event a resounding success.
ALUMNI IN THE NEWS
Nick Chenier '19, has been appointed to the Bay de Noc Community College Board of Trustees. Read more.
Alex Czarnecki '20, is the new curator/executive director of the Presque Isle County Historical Museum.
John Pistulka '83 and Chris Nance '96, will be inducted in the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022. Read more.
LAKER ATHLETICS
The Lake Superior State hockey program has announced that junior forward Louis Boudon has been named captain for the 2021-22 season. Senior forward Miroslav Mucha, senior defenseman Jacob Nordqvist, and junior forward Dustin Manz will serve as assistant captains for the Lakers. Read more.
The Lake Superior State women's volleyball team was ranked sixth in the Fall 2021 GLIAC North Division Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll as announced by the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) on Tuesday, Aug. 24.
Quentin Hunt '02, Men's Basketball Alumnus visited LSSU the weekend of August 28th with his fellow alumnus and teammate Matt Smith, '00. Matt's son Kendall is a member of the current Laker Men's Basketball team. Part of the weekend visit included Quentin exhibiting his ability to still dunk a basketball. Quentin is just as spirited as he was on the court as he is as a member of Rock RX. Check for upcoming dates in the Kalamazoo area here.
The 1994-1995 LSSU Women's Basketball team had a reunion earlier this summer in Marquette. Here are a couple of the group photos they took.
CULINARY ARTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Great Lake State Weekend: October 15 - 17
Save The Date 
Saturday, October 9th - Pre-Game alumni event at the Pretzel Bell in Ann Arbor - Time TBD 
Game time Saturday TBD 
Email alumnirelations@lssu.edu if you would like to receive more information about this event.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Matt Breed '86 and his mother Sandy went skydiving earlier this month at the Charlevoix Airport. They each had tandem jumpers on their backs. Their family, Nick & Kate Breed '12, Joe Breed '85, and Pete Breed '87 were in attendance for the jump. Sandy is 86 years old and skydiving was on her bucket list
WRAPPING IT UP
For many reasons it seems that August is the month that escapes us the quickest here in Laker Country. We have enjoyed some fantastic weather this summer and I am pleased that our students are able to enjoy it too.

As noted the very popular 906 Day is upon us and has become a tradition to celebrate and embrace all that is great about our special area code. Please consider a gift to help us reach our goal established for the Fund for LSSU.

We hope that Great Lake State Weekend is starting to dominate the thoughts of our alumni and friends. There is a massive slate of events scheduled for the weekend of October 15, 2021 as listed above in this newsletter. Sign up for your GLSW Power Pack so you don’t miss out any of the fun. We have some special surprised related to kicking off LSSU’s 75th Anniversary. Check it out and put it on your calendar.

We look forward to finally gather again and celebrate all things Laker! Spread the word to your fellow alums and friends and let’s make this the best GLSW ever.
 
Go Lakers!
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.