{"id":9,"date":"2018-09-20T08:35:10","date_gmt":"2018-09-20T12:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring2018\/?p=9"},"modified":"2018-10-12T17:05:52","modified_gmt":"2018-10-12T21:05:52","slug":"alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/","title":{"rendered":"Distinguished Alumni to be Recognized at Annual Awards Banquet"},"content":{"rendered":"<div  class=\"x-toc left\" ><h4 class=\"h-toc\">In this article<\/h4><ul class=\"unstyled cf\"> <li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/ title=\"Go to 1. Introduction\">1. Introduction<\/a><\/li> <li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/2\/ title=\"Go to 2. Outstanding Alumnus Award\">2. Outstanding Alumnus Award<\/a><\/li> <li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/3\/ title=\"Go to 3. Kenneth J. Shouldice Alumni Achievement Award\">3. Kenneth J. Shouldice Alumni Achievement Award<\/a><\/li><li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/4\/ title=\"Go to 4. Paul Ripley Young Alumnus Award \">4. Paul Ripley Young Alumnus Award <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<p class=\"custom-dropcap\">Lake Superior State University and the community will celebrate three distinguished alumni of the institution during its annual Alumni Awards Banquet, part of Great Lake State Weekend, November 2-4, 2018.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEach year the Alumni Association is proud to honor select alumni who have excelled in their professions and engaged with their alma mater,\u201d said Susan Fitzpatrick, director of LSSU Alumni Relations. \u201cThere are more than 34,000 graduates and former students of the Soo Branch of Michigan Tech, Lake Superior State College and Lake Superior State University. It is our privilege to honor these three incredibly accomplished alumni, selected from among those 34,000. Reading about them makes me so proud! And also thrilled, knowing that LSSU played an important role in preparing them for the successes that each has enjoyed after graduation. Read on for their personal stories!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><div  class=\"x-toc left\" ><h4 class=\"h-toc\">In this article<\/h4><ul class=\"unstyled cf\"> <li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/ title=\"Go to 1. Introduction\">1. Introduction<\/a><\/li> <li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/2\/ title=\"Go to 2. Outstanding Alumnus Award\">2. Outstanding Alumnus Award<\/a><\/li> <li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/3\/ title=\"Go to 3. Kenneth J. Shouldice Alumni Achievement Award\">3. Kenneth J. Shouldice Alumni Achievement Award<\/a><\/li><li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/4\/ title=\"Go to 4. Paul Ripley Young Alumnus Award \">4. Paul Ripley Young Alumnus Award <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h3>Outstanding Alumnus Award<\/h3>\n<span  class=\"x-dropcap\" >T<\/span>his year&#8217;s Outstanding Alumnus recipient\u2019s service to the Northern Lower and Eastern Upper Peninsulas hearkens back to the early days of the traveling physician, making their rounds to distant communities caring for their patients while building long-term, personal relationships with them and their families.<\/p>\n<p>Edward F. Smith M.D. perpetuates this tradition as a modern-day oncologist who visits with patients at hospitals in Petoskey, St. Ignace, Newberry and Sault Ste. Marie while being supportive of the communities he serves through his philanthropy and volunteerism.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Smith is the recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Alumnus Award \u2013 the highest award bestowed by the Alumni Association. Dr. Smith earned a bachelor of arts degree in biology\/chemistry from Lake Superior State College, graduating cum laude in 1978. He completed his doctor of medicine from Michigan State University, graduating with honors from the College of Human medicine in 1982.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-681 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Dr.-Smith-professional-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ed Smith\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Dr.-Smith-professional-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Dr.-Smith-professional-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Dr.-Smith-professional-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Dr.-Smith-professional-100x125.jpg 100w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Dr.-Smith-professional-864x1080.jpg 864w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Dr.-Smith-professional-1200x1500.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/>\u201cI am very honored to receive this recognition from LSSU,\u201d said Dr. Smith. \u201cFor me, it was a very memorable four years at LSSU as a student, and I would do it again. I was attracted to LSSU by the small size and the excellent academic reputation in the science programs. I had many wonderful professors and I would like to express a special thanks to all who were part of the Biology, Chemistry and Math departments from 1974-1978. I will not single out any individuals because each of them provided me with knowledge that helped me throughout medical school at Michigan State University as well as my Hematology\/Oncology training at the University of Michigan.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With more than 36 years of diverse experience, Dr. Smith affiliates with many hospitals, including Mackinac Straits Hospital, Northern Michigan Hematology and Oncology in Petoskey, McLaren Northern Michigan, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, Mackinac Straits Hematology\/Oncology, and War Memorial Hospital. Prior to this, Dr. Smith served as a National Health Service Corp Physician from 1986 to 1989; a physician in private practice in St. Ignace as well as medical staff member of Mackinac Straits Long Term Care Facility from 1986-1995. He was the deputy medical examiner for Mackinac County from 1986-1995 and served as the medical director for Mackinac Straits Long Term Care Facility from 1988-1991.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Smith is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine for general medicine, hematology and oncology. He was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians in 2013.<\/p>\n<p>He interned in internal medicine at Blodgett Memorial Medical Center in Grand Rapids from 1982-83; he was a resident at the same location from 1983-85; and was a fellow in hematology and oncology at the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor from 1995-98.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Smith is or has been a member of the American College of Physicians; the American Society of Hematology; the American Society of Clinical Oncology; the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium Steering Committee; and the Michigan Society of Hematology and Oncology (also serving on the Board). The MSHO, based in Troy, Michigan, notes that Dr. Smith is admired by his fellow board members for his heroic efforts in traveling long distances to attend board meetings. They are grateful for his service on the board and for representing the Upper Peninsula.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Smith\u2019s research experience includes working as a research fellow to develop and investigate thrombostatins; as well as time with the Southwest Oncology Group through Karmanos Cancer Institute and also through the Community Clinic Oncology Program with Grand Rapids. He was the principal investigator for Northern Michigan Regional Hospital from 2007-2009.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Smith has taught LSSU nursing students in their oncology rotation. He has done Grand Rounds for thrombosis and hemostasis at Northern Michigan Hospital; for nonsmall cell lung cancer at War Memorial Hospital; for iron deficiency anemia at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital; for iron deficiency anemia at War Memorial Hospital; and for lymphocytosis at War Memorial Hospital.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Smith is quite involved in his community and also with LSSU. He served on the Board of Directors of the UP State Credit Union in St. Ignace from 2012 to 2105. He helped establish the \u201cNo Cancer Patient Left Behind Fund,\u201d a financial assistance fund for cancer patients, at Mackinac Straits Hospital. He created and developed a nursing scholarship\/internship for LSSU nursing students at Mackinac Straits Hospital. He generously supports the Sault High hockey team, where his son Bradley played. Long after his son\u2019s graduation from Sault High, Dr. Smith teamed up with the Blue Devil Hockey\u2019s Board of Directors for their \u201cPink in the Rink\u201d events to support War Memorial Hospital\u2019s Road to Recovery Program, providing transportation for cancer patients requiring radiation treatments in Petoskey, Michigan.<\/p>\n<blockquote  class=\"x-blockquote x-pullquote left\" >Lake Superior State gave to me a great education, great friends, great memories \u00a0&#8211; and how can anyone ask for more than that from a college?<cite class=\"x-cite\">Edward F. Smith M.D.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<p>Dr. Smith has served on the Lake Superior State University Foundation Board of Directors since 2012. He and his wife Jill established a scholarship at LSSU to assist a student who is enrolled in a pre-med concentration program. Jill is an oncology nurse at Mackinac Straits Hospital. Dr. Smith regularly participates in the Lake State Golf Classic tournament. He supported the South Hall renovation project, the Center for Freshwater Research and Education, Laker Club and the Fund for LSSU.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLiving in St. Ignace the last 32 years has made it easy to return to LSSU and Sault Ste. Marie and watch the campus change with construction of new buildings and renovation of old ones,\u201d said Dr. Smith.\u00a0 \u201cFirst it was cheering on the Laker hockey team, then it was watching our son Bradley play both youth and high school hockey in Sault Ste. Marie and now my wife Jill and I regularly travel there to provide care for cancer patients.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have also had the privilege of giving academic lectures to biology and nursing classes. Our Oncology Department at Mackinac Straits Hospital has nursing students spend time with us learning about cancer care. The Lake State Classic and being part of the LSSU Foundation have been a good way to see alumni from the past as well as meet new Lakers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Smith and his wife Jill have one son, Bradley.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Outstanding Alumnus Award will be presented at the annual Alumni Awards banquet on November 2 during Great Lake State Weekend, LSSU\u2019s homecoming. Tickets for the banquet must be reserved in advance and are available <a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.lssu.edu\/great-lake-state-weekend\/registration\/\">online <\/a>or by phone from the Alumni Association 906-635-6219. <\/em><\/p>\n<p>The Outstanding Alumnus Award, established in 1968, is the highest honor that the association presents. It recognizes recipients for their personal and professional accomplishments and their involvement with LSSU, highlighting the significant achievements of alumni who serve as leaders in our region, state and nations.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><div  class=\"x-toc left\" ><h4 class=\"h-toc\">In this article<\/h4><ul class=\"unstyled cf\"> <li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/ title=\"Go to 1. Introduction\">1. Introduction<\/a><\/li> <li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/2\/ title=\"Go to 2. Outstanding Alumnus Award\">2. Outstanding Alumnus Award<\/a><\/li> <li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/3\/ title=\"Go to 3. Kenneth J. Shouldice Alumni Achievement Award\">3. Kenneth J. Shouldice Alumni Achievement Award<\/a><\/li><li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/4\/ title=\"Go to 4. Paul Ripley Young Alumnus Award \">4. Paul Ripley Young Alumnus Award <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h3>Kenneth J. Shouldice Alumni Achievement Award<\/h3>\n<span  class=\"x-dropcap\" >O<\/span>ne of the many hallmarks of the Laker experience is how the University embraces students from small communities who would not be comfortable in a mega-campus setting and provides a transformational educational and social experience that launches our alumni fully prepared into their respective fields with potential for successful and enriching careers.\u00a0 This year\u2019s Shouldice Professional Achievement Award winner came from a very small high school graduating class in the Northern Lower Peninsula, graduated from the smallest public university in Michigan and advanced on to attain truly big goals nationally in the field of medicine.<\/p>\n<p>Julie Ann Vincent, M.D. is the 2018 recipient of the Kenneth J. Shouldice Professional Achievement Award. She earned a bachelor of science in medical technology from Lake Superior State College, graduating summa cum laude in 1983, and was awarded her doctor of medicine degree by the Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1988. Now Julie is chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, a professor of pediatrics and the Welton M. Gersony Professor of Pediatric Cardiology Endowed Chair at Columbia University in New York. From 2010 to 2014 she also directed the pediatric cardiology fellowship program there.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-682 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Julie-Vincent-photo-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"Julie Vincent\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Julie-Vincent-photo-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Julie-Vincent-photo-768x1160.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Julie-Vincent-photo-678x1024.jpg 678w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Julie-Vincent-photo-100x151.jpg 100w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Julie-Vincent-photo-864x1304.jpg 864w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Julie-Vincent-photo-1200x1812.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/>Prior to her service at Columbia, from 1999 to 2002 Dr. Vincent was an assistant professor of pediatrics and director of cardiac catheterization research in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston; from 1997 to 1999 she was an assistant professor of pediatrics at Wayne State University; and from 1995 to 1997 she was an assistant professor of pediatrics at Stanford University.<\/p>\n<p>Concurrent with these academic appointments, Dr. Vincent actively practiced medicine at various hospitals. From 1995 to 1997 she was director and attending physician of the pediatric cardiac catheterization laboratory of Lucile Salter Packard Children\u2019s Hospital in Stanford, Cal.\u00a0 From 1997 to 1999 she was director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory and attending physician at the Children\u2019s Hospital of Michigan in the Detroit Medical Center. From 1999 to 2002 she was associate director and attending physician in the cardiac catheterization laboratory of Texas Children\u2019s Hospital in Houston. From 2002 to 2006 she was the director and consulting physician of the pediatric cardiac catheterization laboratory at St. Joseph\u2019s Hospital in Phoenix. At the same time, she was also director and attending physician of the cardiac catheterization laboratory of Phoenix Children\u2019s Hospital, where she was responsible for overseeing the development of the first state-of-the-art pediatric hybrid catheterization lab in the southwest. In 2007 she spent a year as the section chief of pediatric cardiology at Phoenix Children\u2019s Hospital. From 2008 to 2014 Dr. Vincent was the director of the pediatric cardiac catheterization laboratory &amp; pediatric interventional cardiology at New York Presbyterian in the Komansky Center for Children\u2019s Health in New York City. Since 2008 she has been the director of pediatric cardiac catheterization laboratories and pediatric interventional cardiology at New York Presbyterian and Morgan Stanley Children\u2019s Hospital in New York.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Vincent received her medical training at Wayne State University, the Children\u2019s Hospital of Michigan, and at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children\u2019s Hospital in Houston. She taken multiple courses in leadership training and holds numerous medical licenses and board certifications. Dr. Vincent belongs to numerous professional organizations and societies, she consults nationally and internationally, and she is a reviewer for several medical journals. She has written successful grant proposals and advised and mentored junior faculty and post-doctoral trainees. She has written a variety of professional education materials and helped to direct multiple clinical trials of various medical devices. She has authored or co-authored dozens of peer reviewed <a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.lssu.edu\/awards\/kenneth-j-shouldice-achievement-award\/dr-julie-ann-vincent\/publications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">publications<\/a>, as well as case reports, abstracts and posters. She has <a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.lssu.edu\/awards\/kenneth-j-shouldice-achievement-award\/dr-julie-ann-vincent\/presentations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lectured and moderated<\/a> at numerous cardiology conferences, regionally, nationally and internationally. Dr. Vincent belongs to numerous<a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.lssu.edu\/awards\/kenneth-j-shouldice-achievement-award\/dr-julie-ann-vincent\/professional-organizations-societies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> professional organizations<\/a> and has received copious <a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.lssu.edu\/awards\/kenneth-j-shouldice-achievement-award\/dr-julie-ann-vincent\/awards-honors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">awards and honors<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Julie tells her own story:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I grew up in a very small town in northern Michigan.\u00a0 There were 40 students in my graduating class of 1978 from Central Lake High School.\u00a0 In those days, (at least from my school), it was not a \u201cgiven\u201d that students would go on to college.\u00a0 In my junior year our school counselor asked us what we wanted to do after high school.\u00a0 I wanted to be a teacher and a basketball coach, as it had been teachers and coaches through the years that had inspired and mentored me.\u00a0 My father, Floyd Vincent, had been a very popular high school teacher and subsequently the superintendent in the Clarkston School systems (Clarkston, MI) in the 1960s when I was young.\u00a0 He was my first inspiration to being a teacher.\u00a0 He died when I was 10 years old of pancreatic cancer.\u00a0 It was my eighth grade biology teacher in Central Lake, MI, Chet Budzynski, who piqued my interest in biology and the sciences.\u00a0 He and his wife Patricia were two of my first coaches.\u00a0 Chet became the principal of my high school when I was a freshman.\u00a0 He was instrumental in my decision to actually go to college.\u00a0 Two other teacher\/coaches who played a significant role during my formative high school years were Dennis Richardson, my mathematics teacher and Coach Gary Johnson, my high school basketball and softball coach.\u00a0 <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 My decision to attend Lake Superior State College (LSSC) was made after one of my closest high school friends and teammate, Brenda Adams (Ryder), had enrolled at LSSC a couple years prior and joined the Women\u2019s Basketball team there.\u00a0 When I was a senior in HS, Brenda had Gunile Myers, then the Women\u2019s basketball coach at LSSC, come to watch one of my games.\u00a0 Coach Myers offered me room and board to come play basketball at LSSC, so in the fall of 1978 I headed north across the Mackinac Bridge to LSSC.\u00a0 <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Coming from a small town and growing up on a farm, I was nervous about going off to a \u201cbig city\u201d college (or to any college for that matter)!\u00a0 It was my housemates and teammates at the then \u201cLaker Hall\u201d who helped me navigate life through my college years.\u00a0 Though most of them do not even know it, my LSSC basketball teammates were as instrumental as any of my teachers or coaches, in me becoming the person I am today! <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I started out taking basic education and math classes preparing for a career teaching mathematics. Then I had my first course with the late Professor Steven J. Person.\u00a0 What a superb teacher!\u00a0 He took such an active role in his students\u2019 education and career choices.\u00a0 He made biology, anatomy, histology and all the many other courses he taught so exciting and interesting. I decided to change my major in my second year to get a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t sure what I was going to do with that degree but I knew that I wanted to take more of Dr. Person\u2019s classes.\u00a0 By my last two years of college, I had decided to get a degree in Medical Technology (as one of the school counselors told me it was a good job in the medical field \u201cfor a girl\u201d).\u00a0 Hmmm!\u00a0 It was Dr. Person who encouraged me during my senior year to take the medical college admission test (MCAT).\u00a0 I didn\u2019t understand why he thought I should take this test as I had never ever considered going to medical school! Turns out I took the test in Marquette, this very weekend (Alumni Weekend) in 1982!\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<em>\u00a0 In any event, I ended up doing my internship for Medical Technology in Petoskey, MI.\u00a0 Near the end of my internship year I realized that I still wanted to work with children and be in a healing type profession.\u00a0 I decided that I would get my Master\u2019s Degree in Physical Therapy and had gotten accepted to go to Grand Valley State College.\u00a0 Ten days prior to moving to Grand Rapids, MI, my mentor, Dr. Lars Kleppe, a Clinical Pathologist at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, MI asked me what I was doing?\u00a0 He told me that instead of going to graduate school for three years to become a physical therapist, I could go to medical school and in \u201cjust one extra year\u201d (4 years instead of 3) I could be a doctor! Dr. Kleppe hired me to work in the lab for another year while I applied to medical school.\u00a0 It was eleven years later when I called Dr. Kleppe up to tell him that I had just accepted my first faculty position as an Interventional Pediatric Cardiologist at Stanford University in 1995! <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Now, you might think that Interventional Pediatric Cardiology is a long way from being a teacher and a coach but my career in medicine has been exactly that!\u00a0 I have had the opportunity to teach parents, patients, medical students, residents and fellows about congenital heart disease!\u00a0 It is my privilege to mentor and train subspecialty fellows and colleagues how to perform diagnostic and therapeutic catheter-based procedures for infants, children and adults born with congenital heart defects. In regards to coaching, over the years I have \u201ccoached\u201d or directed teams caring for patients and performing procedures as Medical Director of Pediatric Cardiac Catheterizations at the Lucile Salter Packard Children\u2019s Hospital in Palo Alto, CA; the Children\u2019s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit; Texas Children\u2019s Hospital in Houston, TX and Morgan Stanley Children\u2019s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian Hospital in NYC.\u00a0 For the past 6 years I have had the privilege of \u201ccoaching\u201d my team of faculty, nurses, administrative and clinical support staff as the Division Chief of Pediatric Cardiology, in the Department of Pediatrics at Columbia University, College of Physicians &amp; Surgeons in NY.\u00a0 <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When I was asked who I might want to present me with the Shouldice Achievement Award, I first thought of Professor Person.\u00a0 It is because of his teaching and mentorship that I even thought about going into a science-based or medical profession.\u00a0 Sadly, it was when I was trying to find his whereabouts to ask him if he would do me the honor of presenting me with this award that I found out he had passed away in February of this year.\u00a0 I am so grateful for the role he played in my life.\u00a0 My sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and past students.\u00a0 I am sure he had a similar impact on so many students\u2019 lives and careers over the years!<\/span> <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<em>\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> I always say that Pediatric Cardiology and caring for those with congenital heart disease is a TEAM SPORT!\u00a0 It was my basketball teammates at LSSC who taught me the meaning of a team!\u00a0 It was this group of women who modeled teamwork, collaboration, and what it meant to be a team player.\u00a0 Together we learned how to compete; how to win and lose; how to lead.\u00a0 We helped build each other\u2019s confidence and self-esteem.\u00a0 Together we learned how to navigate life and succeed! Again, though most of them do not even know it, my LSSC basketball teammates were as instrumental as any of my teachers or coaches, in me becoming the person I am today! \u00a0I can truly say that I have used and continue to use what I learned (both on and off the court) from my years at LSSC in all aspects of my adult life and career.\u00a0 For these reasons, I would like to share this Achievement Award with my basketball teammates from 1978-1982 including Karleen Thompson Stephens, Lee Ann Huffman Wise, Linda Thompson Hula, Laurie Thompson Parker, Martha Wallace, Linda Putney, Susan Elzinga Whiteside, Cheryl Carlton, Margaret Olson Pollard, Elizabeth Bogue and Brenda Adams Rider.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 My life partner\/wife of nearly 25 years, Christine Jones, grew up in Wisconsin where the Shouldice family was from.\u00a0 Dr. Shouldice\u2019s brother, Doug, was Chris\u2019s Dad\u2019s best friend growing up.\u00a0 They actually joined the Marines together and fought in WWII.\u00a0 Chris grew up calling Dr. Shouldice\u2019s brother \u201cUncle Doug\u201d!\u00a0 It really is such a small world after all!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I am most grateful to my wife, Christine, who has taught me how to love and be loved and is my faithful companion, partner and friend on this most adventuresome journey called life!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>The Kenneth J. Shouldice Achievement Award will be presented at the annual Alumni Awards banquet on November 2 during Great Lake State Weekend, LSSU\u2019s homecoming. Tickets for the banquet must be reserved in advance and are available <a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.lssu.edu\/great-lake-state-weekend\/registration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">online<\/a> or by phone from the Alumni Association 906-635-6219.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Kenneth J. Shouldice Achievement Award, established in 1994, is presented to alumni who have demonstrated significant success in their chosen professions. The award is named in honor of the school&#8217;s first chancellor and president, who is considered to be the &#8220;father of Lake Superior State Universit<\/em>y.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><div  class=\"x-toc left\" ><h4 class=\"h-toc\">In this article<\/h4><ul class=\"unstyled cf\"> <li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/ title=\"Go to 1. Introduction\">1. Introduction<\/a><\/li> <li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/2\/ title=\"Go to 2. Outstanding Alumnus Award\">2. Outstanding Alumnus Award<\/a><\/li> <li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/3\/ title=\"Go to 3. Kenneth J. Shouldice Alumni Achievement Award\">3. Kenneth J. Shouldice Alumni Achievement Award<\/a><\/li><li  class=\"x-toc-item\" ><a href=https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/alumni-association-to-recognize-outstanding-alumni-friends-at-annual-awards-banquet\/4\/ title=\"Go to 4. Paul Ripley Young Alumnus Award\">4. Paul Ripley Young Alumnus Award<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h3>Paul Ripley Young Alumnus Award<\/h3>\n<span  class=\"x-dropcap\" >W<\/span>hen one conjures up the image of the typical entrepreneur, one thinks of an individual who is high energy, multi-talented, adaptable, jack-of-all trades and actively involved.\u00a0 These characteristics sum up this year\u2019s Paul Ripley Award recipient, both while a student and student-athlete, and also how she has applied her LSSU education and personality in assisting other entrepreneurs in reaching their goals.<\/p>\n<p>The 2018 Recipient of the Paul Ripley Award for Young Alumni is Erin Strang, LSSU class of 2002. Erin is President and Chief Executive Officer of Central Michigan University Research Corporation (CMURC) in Mt. Pleasant, a position she has held since 2010. The company is a professional coworking space with an accelerator program that focuses on advancing economic development in the Great Lakes Bay Region.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-683 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Erin-Strang-256x300.jpg\" alt=\"Erin Strang\" width=\"256\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Erin-Strang-256x300.jpg 256w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Erin-Strang-768x900.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Erin-Strang-874x1024.jpg 874w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Erin-Strang-100x117.jpg 100w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Erin-Strang-864x1012.jpg 864w, https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/09\/Erin-Strang-1200x1406.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px\" \/>\u201cI graduated from LSSU with a solid business foundation that I have been able to leverage to assist entrepreneurs in their business strategy and development,\u201d said Erin.\u00a0\u201cI am honored to be receiving the Ripley Award, as I am fortunate to have found my passion due to the education of my alma mater.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI transferred to Lake Superior State University from Glen Oaks Community College, where I had earned an associate\u2019s degree in general studies,\u201d Erin continued. \u201cI was very hesitant to declare a major as I was unsure of the direction I wanted to pursue.\u00a0 Through great mentors and professors, I found that business was the route I wanted to take and I never looked back. In addition to the academic excellence that I encountered, I was also fortunate enough to be part of the Laker Volleyball athletics program. It was here that I gained an almost immediate extended family along with additional skillset that prepared me for the world.\u00a0 The complete LSSU experience was something that I will always cherish.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As President and CEO of CMURC, Erin serves organizations which have directly led to the creation of more than 170 companies \u2013 84% of which are still pursuing growth, creating more than 490 new jobs and investing 53 million dollars. She has created sustainable, repeatable programs and services to grow the organization to add facilities throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.\u00a0 Erin designed and managed facility development in Bay City and Saginaw. She created the tech transfer process to commercialize university researcher\u2019s technology and she led the Smartzone District Development in Mt. Pleasant.<\/p>\n<p>Prior to becoming President, Erin served as Director of Operations in 2010. In that role she managed day to day operations for business development and business insights; recruited and retained entrepreneurial start-up tenants and affiliate client companies to provide industry, market, and feasibility analysis; product, manufacturing, and supply chain development; business strategy and implementation; investment relations and partnerships.<\/p>\n<blockquote  class=\"x-blockquote x-pullquote left\" >The complete LSSU experience was something that I will always cherish.<cite class=\"x-cite\">Erin Strang '02<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<p>In 2009 she was the Grant Development Director. As such she identified potential grant opportunities for clients and CMU faculty, managing, preparing and submitting proposals totaling more than 122 million dollars.<\/p>\n<p>From 2007 to 2008 Erin was the Assistant Director of Business Innovation for the Oakland University SmartZone Business INCubator. There she provided due diligence and investor analysis to venture capital and angel investors; developed business process design and facilitated planning sessions; assisted OU faculty with the design and delivery of appropriate entrepreneurship minor courses; and conducted economic development research in conjunction with OU Public Affairs Research Laboratory<\/p>\n<p>From 2003 to 2007 Erin was employed by Michigan Virtual University, a nonprofit organization that is the premier provider in the delivery of interactive, web-based education and training to advance the knowledge and skills of Michigan K-12 students and educators. In her first year she managed special projects. From 2004 forward she was the marketing director, responsible for the marketing, public relations and internal communication efforts. She directed long and short-term strategic planning, developed campaign theme and key messages for all products and divisions; planned and managed the department budget; developed marketing promotional campaigns; conducted event management &amp; community outreach; delivered presentations to Michigan Legislatures and Michigan Educational Organizations; handled graphical design of all collateral materials, print and electronic; designed, edited and managed all four divisional web sites and created a brand image, identity and market position.<\/p>\n<p>From January 2003 to December 2004 Erin was also the project manager for the website restructure and promotional video of the Freedom to Learn grant program. She designed content and layout for brochures, invitations and promotional materials while maintaining a direct relationship with the Michigan Department of Education on funding, data analysis, and developing key system changes in the Michigan Electronic Grant System (MEGS). She managed and coordinated all major events and acted as the central point of contact for school districts, demonstration sites, and ISDs for grant information.<\/p>\n<p>Currently Erin is chair of the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce. She is the vice chair of the Michigan Small Business and Development Center and a member of the CMU Senior Leadership Team. Previously Erin served on the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance Board, the Mid-Michigan College, M-Tec Advisory Board and the Middle Michigan Development Corporation.<\/p>\n<p>Erin played volleyball for LSSU from 2000 to 2002 and earned her bachelor of science degree in business administration with a minor in marketing. Prior to attending LSSU, Erin completed an associates degree at Glen Oaks Community College in Centreville. Currently she is taking courses at Oakland University, working towards a masters of public administration.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI had never really been further than an hour away from my family, let alone six hours away,\u201d remembers Erin. \u201cPrior to my selection to come to LSSU, I remember debating on if I were to pursue additional education at all.\u00a0 Looking back, I could not have asked for a better experience or better education.\u00a0 LSSU was a big part of the journey that molded me into the individual I am today, and I am honored to be receiving this award.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTHANK-YOU LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>The Paul Ripley Award for Young Alumni will be presented at the annual Alumni Awards banquet on November 2 during Great Lake State Weekend, LSSU\u2019s homecoming. Tickets for the banquet must be reserved in advance and are available <a href=\"https:\/\/alumni.lssu.edu\/great-lake-state-weekend\/registration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">online<\/a> or by phone from the Alumni Association 906-635-6219. <\/em><\/p>\n<p>The Paul Ripley Award for Young Alumni honors graduates who have enjoyed exceptional personal and professional success early in their careers. Those honored must have graduated withing the past 15 years. Paul Ripley was Lake State&#8217;s first Alumni Director and was a member of the Pioneer Class of 1946. He also served as the Director of Placement and College Relations and taught journalism. Paul retired in 1987 after more than 20 years of service. He died this past August.<br \/>\n<div id=\"x-content-band-1\" class=\"x-content-band border-top border-left border-right border-bottom\" style=\"background-color: #F5F5F5; line-height:120%; border:1px #e1e1e1 solid; padding:5px;\"><div class=\"x-container max width\"> <h4  class=\"h-custom-headline h4\" style=\"margin-top: 10px;\"><span>Lake Superior State University partners exclusively with Liberty Mutual to help you save $782 or more a year on auto and home insurance.<sup>1<\/sup><\/span><\/h4><img src=\"\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2018\/03\/liberty_statue.png\" alt=\"Young adult taking photo while hiking\" \/><hr  class=\"x-gap\" style=\"margin: 20px 0 0 0;\"><div  class=\"x-column x-sm x-3-5\" style=\"padding:10px;\" >\r\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.7em; color: #003f87; line-height: 120%;\">Join thousands of satisfied customers with Liberty Mutual Insurance<sup>2<\/sup>.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"font-size: .9em; color: #003f87;\"><strong>Discounted Rates<\/strong> - You could save up to $782 a year on auto insurance and receive additional discounts on home insurance.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"font-size: .9em; color: #003f87;\"><strong>Exceptional Service<\/strong> - Whether you\u2019re in an accident or just need some advice, know we\u2019ll always be on call for you.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"font-size: .9em; color: #003f87;\"><strong>Superior Benefits <\/strong>- Enjoy a number of superior benefits, such as 24-Hour Claims Assistance, Accident Forgiveness<sup>3<\/sup>, Roadside Assistance<sup>4<\/sup> and Better Car Replacement.<sup>TM5<\/sup><\/p>\r\n<\/div> <div  class=\"x-column x-sm x-2-5 last\" style=\"padding:10px;\" ><hr  class=\"x-gap\" style=\"margin: 30px 0 0 0;\"><img src=\"\/fall2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2018\/03\/liberty_mutual_logo.png\"  alt=\"Liberty Mutual Logo\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.1em; color: #003f87; line-height: 120%;\">For a free quote, call 800-295-6682 or visit <a href=\"http:\/\/libertymutual.com\/lssu-alumni\" target=\"new\">libertymutual.com\/lssu-alumni<\/a>Client #122113<\/p>\r\n<\/div><hr  class=\"x-clear\" >\r\n<div style=\"font-size: .8em;\">\r\n\r\n<sup>1<\/sup> Average combined annual savings based on countrywide survey of new customers from 1\/1\/15 to 1\/29\/16 who reported their prior insurers\u2019 premiums when they switched to Liberty Mutual. Savings comparison does not apply in MA.\r\n<sup>2<\/sup> Based on Liberty Mutual Insurance Company\u2019s 2014 Customer Satisfaction Survey in which more than 81% of policyholders reported their interaction with Liberty Mutual service representatives to be \u201camong the best experiences\u201d and \u201cbetter than average.\u201d\r\n<sup>3<\/sup> For qualifying customers only. Accident Forgiveness is subject to terms and conditions of Liberty Mutual\u2019s underwriting guidelines. Not available in CA and may vary by state.\r\n<sup>4<\/sup> With the purchase of optional Towing & Labor coverage. Applies to mechanical breakdowns and disablements only. Towing related to accidents would be covered under your Collision or Other Than Collision coverage.\r\n<sup>5<\/sup> Optional coverage in some states. Availability varies by state. Eligibility rules apply.\r\n\r\nCoverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116. \u00a92018 Liberty Mutual Insurance. Valid through August 28, 2018.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div id=\"x-content-band-2\" class=\"x-content-band border-top border-left border-right border-bottom\" style=\"background-color: transparent; border:1px #d1d1d1 solid;\"><div class=\"x-container\"> <div  class=\"x-container max width\" > <h4  class=\"h-custom-headline h5 accent\" style=\"margin: 0;margin-bottom: 20px;\"><span>About the Author<\/span><\/h4><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-410\" src=\"\/spring2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2018\/03\/sfitzpatrick.jpg\" alt=\"Susan Fitzpatrick\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><span style=\"margin-top: 10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lssu.edu\/employee-directory\/?smid=8340\" target=\"new\">Susan Fitzpatrick<\/a><br>\r\nDirector of Alumni Relations<\/span><p style=\"font-size: .9em; margin-top:15px;\">Susan started working at Lake Superior State University one year after she graduated from Lake State with a bachelor's in English Language and Literature in 1987. She has held various positions for the Foundation and Alumni offices and has been Alumni Director since 2006. In her free time Susan enjoys reading, running, biking, hiking, kayaking and gardening, and cooking as long as someone else cleans up!<\/p>\r\n<\/div> <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lake Superior State University and the community will celebrate three distinguished alumni of the institution during its annual Alumni Awards Banquet, part of Great Lake State Weekend, November 2-4, 2018. &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":713,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8,14],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/713"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/fall2018\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}