Dr. Paul Kelso hosts Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association (MESTA) Field Conference at LSSU

This summer, Dr. Paul Kelson hosted the MESTA conference at LSSU. Participants were primarily junior high and high school earth science teachers, as well as community college professors. During the conference the group learned about the Sault region's geology and participated in four days of field excursions, including sample collection from several areas of both the American and Canadian Sault. The group, as well as Dean Steven Johnson and LSSU Science Laboratory Coordinator Nicholas Gordon, were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the Soo Locks construction project with the Army Corps of Engineers. Attendees were also given a tour of the LSSU Microanalysis and Spectroscopic Characterization (MASC) Lab and LSSU Kemp Mineral Resources Museum. 

School of Chemistry, Environmental, and Geosciences Receives Large Mineral Donation

The LSSU School of Chemistry, Environmental, and Geosciences received a large donation of willemite and zincite from the Frank and Sterling Hills Mines. Ten percent of all known minerals can be found in the vicinity of the mine, which is located in Sussex Country, New Jersey, where there are 35 minerals unique to the site.

CFRE STUDENTS ASSIST U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in St. Mary's River

Center for Freshwater Resources and Education (CFRE) student technicians, including Alana Schofield (pictured above), assisted the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service with gill net surveys targeting lake sturgeon in the St. Mary's River. This unique opportunity allowed students to learn new skills, network with potential future employers, and for Alana, collect diet samples from lake sturgeon for her senior thesis.

Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Gives Positive Recommendation for Proposed Master's Program in Fisheries & Wildlife Management

The HLC visited campus July 14-15 to review the proposed 4+1 Master's program in Fisheries & Wildlife Management. After meeting with LSSU administration, School of Natural Resources faculty, and external partners, including representatives from the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Bay Mills Indian Community, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, LSSU received a positive recommendation. The HLC evaluator's recommendation will be considered by the HLC Institutional Actions Council at an upcoming meeting.

Samara Berger, pictured above (left), was named one of two Faculty Association Scholarship recipients at Bay College in Escanaba. Samara is pursuing an associate science degree in liberal arts from Bay College while also completing coursework for a bachelor's degree in Fisheries & Wildlife at LSSU through the university's regional program with Bay College. The scholarship awarded Samara $500 to go toward her education, and once she completes her degrees, she is hoping to work full-time with the Michigan DNR at Tahquamenon Falls State Park.