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The Alumni Association has been reaching out to successful alumni who are active on their social media accounts and also have interesting jobs or hobbies. Our first social media takeover was hosted by 2012 Lake State alumna, Jeanna (Radzinksi) Trotman. Trotman played Volleyball at LSSU while earning a bachelors degree in communication with minors in professional speaking and public relations. She is now the Sports Director at NBC 25 & Fox 66 in Flint, Mich. Her job as anchor and reporter take her all over the state and she was able to give us an inside peek at several news stories she was working on for her broadcast. Jeanna took over the LSSU Alumni Association's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for one day and posted photos from her days at LSSU and videos from her work. We have several more alumni signed up to host takeovers, if you or someone you know is interested, email [email protected].

Martha Wolf, 12, from Oxford, Mich., (center, with microphone) sets a Staubli robot in LSSU’s robotics and automation laboratory loose to draw the Mackinac Bridge. The July 8 demo in front of parents capped an intensive week-long Robotics and Engineering Camp for girls that offered projects in electronics, computer simulation, webpage development, industrial robotics, and Arduino robotics. LSSU is the only university in the United States to offer an industrial robotics specialization in its undergraduate engineering and engineering technology degrees for 30 consecutive years. LSSU introduces a bachelor of science degree in robotics engineering this fall.

LSSU has been hosting orientation sessions for incoming freshman and transfer students since the beginning of June. The weather was has been great, providing a beautiful backdrop for our incoming Lakers. Students attending orientation, tour campus and participate in activities while learning valuable information that will help them succeed in their academic career.

The family of Sarah Robert Foster planted a Robinson Crab apple tree near the Lukenda Alumni House on June 22, 2018. Sarah was a 2003 LSSU graduate majoring in the pre professional studies program. She later graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School and became a general surgeon at Munson Healthcare - Charlevoix Hospital. Sarah passed away at the age of 33, in February 2014 following a lengthy and valiant fight against cancer. In Sarah's memory, her sorority sisters of the Alpha Theta Omega Sorority honored her with an LSSU memorial tree. The tree is located near the Lukenda Alumni House where she married fellow LSSU alumnus Chad Foster. Sarah is survived by her husband and son, Nolan.

All of the Lake Superior State University senior engineering and engineering technology bachelor's students are required to complete a challenging senior design project. The students work in multidisciplinary teams and use a composite of their technical and general education courses to successfully complete these projects. Summaries of each project and demonstrations of the equipment are presented by each senior project team the day before Commencement.

Team Superior Thermal Solutions (STS) updated one of the two thermofluids trainers located in CAS 106-C. This was done by replacing hardware with modern equipment, adding additional sensors, replacing the software and controls system, and incorporating an automated data acquisition system associated with the unit for use by students.

Team SEA (Superior Engineering and Automation) developed an automated vision alignment system to align to a steering column and perform a telescoping effort test for Nexteer Automtoive. This system allows Nexteer to test how much effort it takes to push a steering column in and pull it out when a user is adjusting the steering wheel in their vehicle. The process developed by Team SEA reduced the time for the alignment process and effort test from 10 minutes with the current method to an average of 13 seconds with Team SEA's method.

Team KRU Engineering

Automation of a Corning Particulate Filter Repair Station

Automotive Lighting and Vision Systems

The 29th annual Lake State Classic in support of the Laker Club and the LSSU Foundation Development Fund was held on June 28th and 29th at Treetops Resort in Gaylord. Over the history of the event in excess of $590,000 has been raised in support of the University and its students.

A highlight of the event was the induction of Rick and Susan Fitzpatrick of Pingatore Cleaners, Inc into the Lake State Golf Classic’s “Classic Circle” designed to honor those who have supported the fundraising goals of the event and have encouraged others to do so. They join Fudge Du Locke founder Gary “Mac” McClellan, long-time Laker Athletic Department employee Gil Somes and the Walt North Family as recipients.

“I think we surprised Rick and Sue with this well-deserved honor,” said Tom Coates, Executive Director – LSSU Foundation. “Pingatore Cleaners and the Fitzpatricks have supported LSSU in many, many ways whether it’s the Classic, Cooper Classic or Considine Hall and just last year the Lake State-themed mural on their business, they are among our strongest advocates.”

This year, the auction featured online pre-bidding for items, followed by a silent auction at the event. Items included an autographed Red Wings Dylan Larkin hockey jersey, Laker apparel, Pistons, Tigers, Red Wings and Lions merchandise and tickets, jewelry and more.

Taking first place with a score of 59, in the A Flight were Tim Cairnduff, Steve Hettinga, Mike Gohsman and Craig Stiff. Second place A Flight, was the foursome of Bob Spence, Mike Matteucci, Anthony Palumbo and Jim Leyndyke who scored a 62.

In the B Flight, Ritch Lewis, Mel Lewis, Mike Schauer and David Bohnett took second-place with a score of 63. Rick Fitzpatrick, Chuck Cliff, Greg Rambo and Paul Voss placed first due to a tie breaker with a score of 63 as well.

The Mixed team winners were Ken Wilkie, Madison Wilkie, Vance Barber and Jason Wallace with a score of 60.

Winners in the Soo Shooters Seniors Flight were Bill Crawford, Tom Ewing, Mike Bruce and Don Wilson with a score of 70. The Women’s Champions were Susan Fitzpatrick, Joan Kilips, Jen LeBonte and Linda Bouvet carding an 80.

The Charter School Challenge Flight was captured by Chris Oshelski, Pat Bennin, Tony Haller and Scott Menard with a score of 63.

Special event winners were Tim Cairnduff, longest drive, and Brad Smith, closest to the pin. The Women’s special events winners were Alexia Jarvi for the longest drive and Madison Wilkie closest to the pin.

Planning for next year’s 30th annual Lake State Golf Classic is already underway. Contact the LSSU Foundation at [email protected] or call 906-635-2665, to serve on the planning committee or for future sponsorship opportunities.