Justin Kelly Scholarship Signing

Justin Kelly Memorial Fire Scholarship

COMMITMENT AND SCHOLARSHIP (Above) – John and Joan Kelly sign documents with former Lake Superior State University President Peter Mitchell (standing, left) in April to create the Justin Kelly Memorial Endowment in memory of their son. His scholarship will benefit eligible LSSU fire science students entering their junior year. In uniform is Kelly’s former LSSU professor, Fred Newton.

A community of family and friends have banded together to endow a scholarship fund in the memory of Justin Michael Kelly, a Lake Superior State University fire science student who died this past February at age 20 as the result of an accident. The Justin Kelly Memorial Endowment will benefit eligible LSSU fire science students entering their junior year.

Kelly grew up in Milford, Mich., graduating from Milford High School in 2016. He played basketball, ran track, and was a swimmer in high school. He joined the Michigan National Guard and was assigned LSSU Science Helmet #24 during the 2017-18 academic year. Kelly loved Laker Hockey and was one of the loudest fans. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an avid Tigers fan.

Successful fire science candidates for the awards must have at least 26 credits – sophomore status – with a GPA of 2.8 or higher, and submit an essay that shares the spirit of fire science service. Financial need is a consideration. The minimum award will be $1,024. The criteria stipulates that the award amount will end in $24 to represent Justin’s fire science helmet number at Lake Superior State University.

The first recipient of the endowment is Jacob Sieloff, a junior in the Fire Science program from St. Clair, Mich.

“Justin was a classmate and a friend of mine,” said Sieloff. “He is and always will remain a huge part of LSSU, long after we have all graduated. He left a part of himself in all of us and we are better for having a part of him in our lives.”

Additional contributions may be forwarded to the LSSU Foundation Office, 650 W. Easterday Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, online, or by calling 906-635-2665.


Would you like to support the Justin Kelly Memorial Scholarship?


  1. Use the Foundation Giving Form
  2. Select "Other Designation"
  3. Enter your donation amount
  4. Enter the words "Justin Kelly Memorial Scholarship" in the Gift Designation field
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