{"id":2560,"date":"2023-08-28T15:39:17","date_gmt":"2023-08-28T15:39:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/summer2025\/?p=2560"},"modified":"2025-09-01T12:38:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T12:38:40","slug":"lake-superior-state-university-establishes-jason-carstens-memorial-first-responder-scholarship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/summer2025\/lake-superior-state-university-establishes-jason-carstens-memorial-first-responder-scholarship\/","title":{"rendered":"Lake Superior State University Establishes Jason Carstens Memorial First Responder Scholarship"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) proudly announces the creation of the Jason Carstens Memorial First Responder Scholarship, established in honor of LSSU alumnus and respected community member, Jason Carstens. The scholarship was initiated by one of Jason\u2019s friends, Phillip Donnay, and his father, Ken Carstens, who approached the university with a desire to honor Jason\u2019s life and service.<\/p>\n

\"Carstens

Front l to r: Phillip Donnay, Dr. David Travis
Back l to r: Scott Smith, Erin Lake, Trenton Collins, Dr. Kathy Berchem, Andrew Rubinstein<\/p><\/div>\n

The scholarship signing ceremony was attended by Phillip Donnay \u2014 Jason\u2019s longtime hunting and fishing companion, and a detective with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department \u2014 along with Trenton Collins, Jason\u2019s colleague and fellow firefighter; Dr. Kathy Berchem, Dean of the College of Health & Emergency Responders; LSSU President Dr. David Travis; and members of the university\u2019s Advancement Team: Scott Smith, Andrew Rubinstein, and Erin Lake. The gathering served as a tribute to Jason\u2019s enduring legacy of service.<\/p>\n

\u201cJason embodied everything we hope our students will become<\/em> \u2014 courageous, compassionate, and committed to making a difference,<\/em>\u201d said Dr. Travis. \u201cThrough this scholarship, his impact will continue to guide and support the next generation of first responders.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

A 2000 graduate of LSSU\u2019s Fire Science program, Jason Carstens served the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Department with distinction, rising to the rank of First Lieutenant. A certified paramedic and the city\u2019s fire investigator, Jason was known for his professionalism, integrity, and dedication to public safety.<\/p>\n

Jason passed away unexpectedly on September 8, 2024, during an elk hunting trip in Colorado, doing what he loved and surrounded by family. Affectionately known as \u201cTrapper,\u201d he had a deep passion for the outdoors and a gift for forming lifelong friendships through shared adventures.<\/p>\n

Funded by generous contributions from Jason\u2019s family, friends, and community members, the scholarship will support students pursuing bachelor\u2019s degrees in Fire Science, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, or Paramedic programs through LSSU\u2019s School of Criminal Justice, Fire Science, and Emergency Services.<\/p>\n

\u201cJason never stopped giving back,<\/em>\u201d said Donnay. \u201cJason was very humble and was always willing to help others, and this scholarship will help others pursue their dreams. This scholarship ensures his legacy lives on by supporting students who share his passion for service and protecting others.<\/em>\u201d To raise additional funds, Donnay has planned an ATV ride in early October in Jason\u2019s honor.<\/p>\n

Rooted in the values that defined Jason\u2019s life \u2014 service, selflessness, and love for family and community \u2014 the Jason Carstens Memorial First Responder Scholarship will help future leaders to carry his spirit forward in the communities they serve.<\/p>\n

Those wishing to support the scholarship can do so by contacting the LSSU Advancement Office at Lake Superior State University, 650 W. Easterday Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) proudly announces the creation of the Jason Carstens Memorial First Responder Scholarship, established in honor of LSSU alumnus and respected community member, Jason Carstens. The …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":3040,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[14],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2560"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2560"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2560\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3040"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2560"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakerlog.lssu.edu\/summer2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}