{"id":1526,"date":"2020-10-28T16:18:46","date_gmt":"2020-10-28T16:18:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring2024\/?p=1526"},"modified":"2026-05-07T19:41:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T19:41:47","slug":"academic-spotlights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/academic-spotlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Academic Spotlights"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"cs-content\" class=\"cs-content\" >\n<div class=\"e1526-1 x-section\" >\n      \n<div class=\"e1526-2 x-row x-container max width\" >\n  <div class=\"x-row-inner\">\n    \n<div class=\"e1526-3 x-col\" >\n    \n<div class=\"e1526-4 x-text x-text-headline\" >\n  <div class=\"x-text-content\"><div class=\"x-text-content-text\"><h1 class=\"x-text-content-text-primary\"><h3><strong><span style=\"color: #003f87;\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_pfttw_8\">LSSU Students Place Top-Three in NMU Programming Contest<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<img  class=\"x-img x-img-none\"  src=\"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/04\/coding.png\" >\n<div class=\"e1526-6 x-bar-content-area\" >\n  <p>A team of three LSSU students competed in Northern Michigan University\u2019s Programming Contest on March 28, 2026. LSSU\u2019s Soo Superior Semaphores placed 3rd overall out of 14 teams from four universities. Additionally, LSSU placed 2nd in the university standings.<\/p>\n<p><em>Pictured above (left to right): Dr. Christopher Smith, Dylan Ballone, Christopher Burie, Rusty Trim.\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n\n<hr class=\"e1526-7 x-line\" >\n\n<hr class=\"e1526-8 x-line\" >\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"e1526-9 x-col\" >\n    \n<div class=\"e1526-10 x-bar-content-area\" >\n  <h3><strong><span style=\"color: #003f87;\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_pfttw_8\">Behavioral Neuroscience Students Host Neuropalooza Event for Brain Awareness Week<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n<img  class=\"x-img x-img-none\"  src=\"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/04\/neuro.png\" >\n<div class=\"e1526-12 x-bar-content-area\" >\n  <p>Students in PSYC 459 Behavioral Neuroscience and their instructor, Dr. Kris Olson-Pupek, organized a Neuropalooza event, part of Brain Awareness Week from March 16\u201320, 2026, at the Kenneth J. Shouldice Library. On March 19, students presented their projects to an audience that included students, faculty, staff, and other library visitors. The projects explored diverse topics such as the effects of dance, music, nightmares, and trauma on the brain, as well as other areas related to the brain and neuroscience research. Thanks to the generosity of the library staff, the student projects remained on display through the weekend, allowing more patrons to engage with the creative and educational exhibits, showcasing the importance of brain research and its role in understanding the human experience.<\/p><\/div>\n\n<hr class=\"e1526-13 x-line\" >\n\n<hr class=\"e1526-14 x-line\" >\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"e1526-15 x-col\" >\n    \n<div class=\"e1526-16 x-bar-content-area\" >\n  <p><img src=\"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/04\/fire.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"398\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3844\" \/><\/p><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"e1526-17 x-bar-content-area\" >\n  <h3><strong><span style=\"color: #003f87;\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_pfttw_8\">Fire Science Students Create Pre-Fire Plans for Local Businesses<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"e1526-18 x-bar-content-area\" >\n  <p>LSSU's Fire Science students worked with Professor James Garlitz to create a Pre-fire Plan for two local businesses: Guido\u2019s Pizza and Circle K Gas. These local businesses welcomed the students to assess their building and occupancy type, fire tactics and strategy, fire codes, and presence of hazardous materials. Fire Departments use pre-plans to prepare for emergencies that may occur at the location in the future. This exercise is designed to introduce students to activities associated with fire inspection divisions within fire departments, while providing a valuable service to our local businesses.<\/p><\/div>\n\n<hr class=\"e1526-19 x-line\" >\n\n<hr class=\"e1526-20 x-line\" >\n\n<hr class=\"e1526-21 x-line\" >\n<img  class=\"x-img x-img-none\"  src=\"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/04\/Engineering-Freshmen.jpg\" >\n<div class=\"e1526-23 x-bar-content-area\" >\n  <h3><strong><span style=\"color: #003f87;\"><span class=\"_fadeIn_pfttw_8\">Celebrating Emerging Talent in Engineering &amp; Technology\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"e1526-24 x-bar-content-area\" >\n  <div class=\"\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:efeb20d0-6ca3-4dde-95de-bf52b28ee78c-5\" data-is-intersecting=\"true\"><section class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&amp;:has([data-writing-block])&gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:efeb20d0-6ca3-4dde-95de-bf52b28ee78c-5\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-12\" data-scroll-anchor=\"false\" data-turn=\"assistant\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\">\n<div data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"b4acf84d-85f8-40e0-bc92-04d8f994f7b7\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-3\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word light markdown-new-styling\">\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"329\">At the LSSU Engineering &amp; Technology Spring Banquet, alumni and faculty gathered to celebrate the next generation of Lakers making their mark. One of the evening\u2019s highlights was recognizing outstanding freshmen across each degree program\u2014students who are already demonstrating the drive and curiosity that define LSSU graduates.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"331\" data-end=\"537\">These first-year students have distinguished themselves early in their academic careers, and their achievements reflect the strong foundation and tradition of excellence built by those who came before them.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"539\" data-end=\"750\">Congratulations to:<br data-start=\"558\" data-end=\"561\" \/>Jonah Spina \u2013 Robotics Engineering<br data-start=\"595\" data-end=\"598\" \/>Hunter Styczynski \u2013 Mechatronics<br data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"633\" \/>Emmet Thompson \u2013 Mechanical Engineering<br data-start=\"672\" data-end=\"675\" \/>Cason Dowdy \u2013 Electrical Engineering<br data-start=\"711\" data-end=\"714\" \/>Evan Spring \u2013 Computer Engineering<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"752\" data-end=\"872\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">We look forward to seeing how these students continue to grow\u2014and to welcoming them as future alumni in the years ahead.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"border-token-border-default mt-2 border-t py-4 text-sm\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col justify-between gap-3 mt-3\">\n<div class=\"max-w-[480px] min-w-[300px]\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"pointer-events-none -mt-px h-px translate-y-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom)-14*var(--spacing))]\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<hr class=\"e1526-25 x-line\" >\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n<div class=\"e1526-26 x-section\" >\n      \n<div class=\"e1526-27 x-row x-container max width\" >\n  <div class=\"x-row-inner\">\n    \n<div class=\"e1526-28 x-col\" >\n    \n<div class=\"e1526-29 x-bar-content-area\" >\n  <p><hr  class=\"x-hr\" >\r\n<div id=\"x-content-band-1\" class=\"x-content-band border-top border-left border-right border-bottom\" style=\"background-color: #F1F8ED; color: #333;font-size: 90% !important; border: 1px solid #333;\"><div class=\"x-container max width\">\r\n\r\n<h3  class=\"h-custom-headline center-text h2\" style=\"margin-top: 0;\"><span>LSSU Alumni Insurance Program<\/span><\/h3><p>Did you know that the LSSU Alumni Association sponsors an Alumni Insurance Program as a service to our graduates? The program offers a variety of attractively priced insurance products, most of which are available to alumni, students, faculty and staff, as well as their spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, and siblings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div  class=\"x-column x-sm x-1-2\" style=\"\" ><img src=\"\/august2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2018\/02\/li.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"float:left;padding-right:5px;\"><h4 style=\"font-size: 1.5em; color: #003f87;\">Life Insurance<\/h4><p>Long-term protection with great rates and fantastic features. Coverage is available from $10,000 to $50 million.<\/p><hr  class=\"x-clear\" ><img src=\"\/august2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2018\/02\/ti.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"float:left;padding-right:5px;\"><h4 style=\"font-size: 1.5em; color: #003f87;\">Travel Insurance<\/h4><p>Travel Medical and Trip Protection coverage is available for individuals or groups, for personal or business travel.<\/p><hr  class=\"x-clear\" ><img src=\"\/august2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2018\/02\/ltci.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"float:left;padding-right:5px;\"><h4 style=\"font-size: 1.5em; color: #003f87;\">Long Term Care Insurance<\/h4><p>Protect your assets from serious erosion while allowing access to quality care in the most appropriate and desirable setting.<\/p><hr  class=\"x-clear\" ><img src=\"\/august2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2018\/02\/pi.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"float:left;padding-right:5px;\"><h4 style=\"font-size: 1.5em; color: #003f87;\">Pet Insurance<\/h4><p>Simple, customizable dog and cat insurance plans are available.<\/p><hr  class=\"x-clear\" ><img src=\"\/august2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2018\/02\/sei.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"float:left;padding-right:5px;\"><h4 style=\"font-size: 1.5em; color: #003f87;\">Special Event Insurance<\/h4><p>Liability coverage up to $2 million is available for events lasting from a few hours to as much as 10 days.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n <div  class=\"x-column x-sm x-1-2 last\" style=\"\" > <img src=\"\/august2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2018\/02\/di.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"float:left;padding-right:5px;\"><h4 style=\"font-size: 1.5em; color: #003f87;\">Dental Insurance<\/h4><p><mark  class=\"x-highlight dark\" >COMING SOON<\/mark> Family dental coverage that provides a national network of dentists, online enrollment, and travels with you to any employer<\/p><hr  class=\"x-clear\" ><img src=\"\/august2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2018\/02\/itp.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"float:left;padding-right:5px;\"><h4 style=\"font-size: 1.5em; color: #003f87;\">ID Theft Protection<\/h4><p><mark  class=\"x-highlight dark\" >NEW!<\/mark> Protect yourself and your family against identity theft with a comprehensive solution you can count on.<\/p><hr  class=\"x-clear\" ><img src=\"\/august2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2018\/02\/sbi.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"float:left;padding-right:5px;\"><h4 style=\"font-size: 1.5em; color: #003f87;\">Small Business Insurance<\/h4><p><mark  class=\"x-highlight dark\" >NEW!<\/mark> We offer an all-in-one simple solution that includes a selection of plans, employee enrollment, and ongoing administration.<\/p><hr  class=\"x-clear\" ><hr  class=\"x-clear\" ><img src=\"\/august2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2018\/02\/as.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"float:left;padding-right:5px;\"><h4 style=\"font-size: 1.5em; color: #003f87;\">Advisory Services<\/h4><p>A licensed insurance professional is available, at no charge, to answer questions and provide customized guidance.<\/p><\/div><hr  class=\"x-clear\" >\r\n\r\n<p><strong>For more information visit <a href=\"http:\/\/lssu.meyerandassoc.com\" target=\"new\">Meyer and Associates<\/a> or contact our Meyer and Associates program administrator at 1(800) 635-7801.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A team of three LSSU students competed in Northern Michigan University\u2019s Programming Contest on March 28, 2026. LSSU\u2019s Soo Superior Semaphores placed 3rd overall out of 14 teams from four &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":1678,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1,10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1526"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1526"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1526\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1678"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1526"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1526"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/spring26\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1526"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}