{"id":2465,"date":"2023-04-20T16:36:44","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T16:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring2024\/?p=2465"},"modified":"2025-05-09T18:21:43","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T18:21:43","slug":"commencement-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring25\/commencement-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\udf93 Commencement 2025 \ud83c\udf93"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lake Superior State University proudly celebrated the outstanding academic accomplishments of its graduating class during the 63rd annual Commencement Ceremony, held on May 3, 2025. The ceremony, which brought together 347 graduates, their families, and guests, honored students from fall 2024, winter 2024-25, spring 2025, and summer 2025, highlighted <\/span>their <\/span>consistent <\/span>effort <\/span>and <\/span>drive <\/span>to <\/span>succeed <\/span>in <\/span>their <\/span>education<\/span>. The event featured commencement speaker, Austin Lowes, Chair of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.<\/p>\n

\"AustinLowes was re-elected in December 2024, after winning a special election for Chair in December 2022. He is originally from Sault Ste. Marie, and holds a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science from Lake Superior State University, along with a master\u2019s in social work from Michigan State University. He has been awarded fellowships from the National Congress of American Indians and the National Association for his social work efforts among various tribes, including the Sault tribe, the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, and the Bay Mills Indian Community.<\/p>\n

Throughout his leadership, Lowes has focused on strengthening the Tribe\u2019s cultural, educational, and economic well-being. His efforts have included initiatives to enhance community development, preserve cultural heritage, and provide opportunities for the next generation to succeed. He is committed to fighting homelessness and has worked to establish transitional housing for tribal members experiencing hardship.<\/p>\n

\"Laura<\/a>

Laura Kathryn Yukich, Student Commencement Speaker<\/p><\/div>\n

The <\/span>graduating <\/span>class <\/span>was <\/span>represented <\/span>by <\/span>Laura <\/span>Kathryn <\/span>Yukich, <\/span>a <\/span>Biology <\/span>major <\/span>with <\/span>a <\/span>Pre-<\/span>Medicine <\/span>concentration <\/span>and <\/span>Biochemistry <\/span>minor <\/span>from <\/span>Prince <\/span>Township, <\/span>Ontario, <\/span>Canada. <\/span>Just <\/span>days <\/span>before <\/span>the <\/span>ceremony, <\/span>Yukich <\/span>decided <\/span>to <\/span>toss <\/span>out <\/span>her <\/span>original <\/span>speech <\/span>and <\/span>instead <\/span>spoke <\/span>from <\/span>the <\/span>heart, <\/span>thanking <\/span>her <\/span>mentors, <\/span>peers, <\/span>and <\/span>family <\/span>for <\/span>their <\/span>support <\/span>throughout <\/span>her <\/span>academic <\/span>journey.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Professor<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. <\/span>Kimberly <\/span>O. <\/span>Muller, <\/span>Provost <\/span>and <\/span>Vice <\/span>President <\/span>of <\/span>Academic <\/span>Affairs, <\/span>announced <\/span>Professor <\/span>Koral <\/span>Brady <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>recipient <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Distinguished <\/span>Teaching <\/span>Award, <\/span>honoring <\/span>not <\/span>only <\/span>her <\/span>excellence <\/span>in <\/span>teaching <\/span>at <\/span>LSSU <\/span>but <\/span>also <\/span>her <\/span>incredible <\/span>dedication <\/span>to <\/span>supporting <\/span>and <\/span>uplifting <\/span>her <\/span>students.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lake Superior State University extends its heartfelt congratulations to all graduates and wishes them continued success in their future endeavors.<\/p>\n

Enjoy these photos from Commencement 2025!<\/p>\n