Dear LSSU Alumni & Friends,
I love the fall. After a long and unusually warm summer, the mornings are beginning to have a refreshing chill in the air. As I write this, I look outside my office window and see several of our new freshmen moving into Brady Hall. There is nothing better than the excitement of having students back on campus and the prospect of a new academic year getting underway!
This year, we are welcoming approximately 350 new students to campus along with another 150 or so taking LSSU classes in high school. Our recruitment strategies are changing as we recognize that, with population decline throughout much of Michigan—particularly in the Upper Peninsula—and the new Michigan Community College Guarantee, which provides free tuition at Michigan community colleges for up to two years, we can no longer rely primarily on traditional freshmen from Michigan to fill our incoming classes.
Instead, we are placing greater emphasis on recruiting students from Canada and other states as well as students transferring from community colleges. Of course, Michigan students will always be the primary audience we serve, but if we are going to stabilize and ultimately grow enrollment, we need to broaden our reach. During freshman orientation sessions this summer, I was pleased to meet many students from Canada and from states as far away as Colorado, Louisiana, and North Carolina. Expanding our recruitment footprint is a top priority this year as we look ahead to the fall 2027 class.
To assist in this effort, we have made significant progress this summer in developing personalized recruitment strategies that match the interests of prospective students. For example, our well-known Fire Science program may appeal particularly to students in parts of the western United States and western Canada, where wildfires have become an annual challenge. Our Cannabis Chemistry and Cannabis Business programs could appeal to students in states where cannabis-related industries are expanding. We are also working to establish a clearer national identity for some of our most well-known and well-established programs, including Engineering Technology and Fisheries & Wildlife.
For each of these programs, and many others, we have developed Ideal Student Profiles—detailed profiles that help us better understand the students who are most likely to be interested in and benefit from specific programs at LSSU. By combining these profiles with artificial intelligence technology, we can identify prospective students across the country and develop more personalized recruitment strategies tailored to their interests. This approach puts Lake State at the forefront of recruitment technology. More importantly, it allows us to broaden our outreach and introduce LSSU to students who may not otherwise know about the opportunities available here.
Awareness has been one of our biggest challenges—and we are working hard to change that.
Speaking of awareness, we have spent much of the summer filming the new docuseries Raising State. The series is intended to provide a real look at what makes LSSU and the surrounding region such a special place. However, this is not intended to be a “fluff” story. Instead, it will offer a raw and vulnerable look at the challenges facing small colleges and universities in the United States today, while also examining the struggles facing small, rural communities such as Sault Ste. Marie.
I believe this will be a compelling story that draws viewers in and generates significant interest in both the university and the surrounding area. Our hope is that people will become invested in the story and discover the special characteristics of this place—including the people who make it happen, their resilience, and their commitment to supporting one another.
The show is expected to air later this winter as an eight- to 10-episode docuseries. Stay tuned for future updates on when and where you can watch it!
Hockey will also be a big part of this year’s story. We are expecting big things from our men’s Division I hockey team this season. We have assembled one of the most talented collections of players at LSSU in many years, including seven NHL draft picks.
As filming for Raising State winds down, a new series will begin production. Called Our Shot, the series will follow this year’s hockey team as it pursues a successful season and, hopefully, an opportunity to make a difference on the national stage.
The show will likely be a combination of Welcome to Wrexham and Hard Knocks, following the team in near real time to capture the action both on and off the ice. The university will also continue to be a major part of the story, highlighting improvements taking place throughout the year and bringing greater national awareness to LSSU.
Regarding improvements, that might be the word that best defines this past summer.
Through the generous support of our donors, nearly $10 million has been invested in infrastructure improvements. This includes replacing or repairing roofs on six different buildings, replacing the ice and HVAC systems in Taffy Abel Arena, repairing the pool, and replacing many tens of thousands of square feet of sidewalks across campus, along with significant landscape improvements.
In addition, new signage is going up throughout campus to provide a more consistent and modern look while strengthening our visibility and identity. One of the most visible additions is the new LSSU sign on the lawn behind the Cisler Center. It can be seen from much of the International Bridge, particularly at night when it is illuminated.
All of this has led to a noticeable improvement in the way our campus looks and feels. I am proud to report that I have received many unsolicited compliments about how much better things look—and, perhaps more importantly, about the greater sense of pride that is evident across campus.
If you haven’t been to campus lately, please stop by and say hello. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Great Lake State Weekend is October 23–24, with events taking place throughout the week leading up to it. This will be a particularly special celebration as we welcome alumni and friends back to the newly renovated Taffy Abel Arena as we mark its 50th anniversary, celebrate 60 years of Laker Hockey, and recognize the achievements of several of our outstanding alumni.
Most importantly, we’ll be together to celebrate a common love for LSSU.
I hope to see you then—or sometime soon.
Go Lakers!!
Dr. David Travis
President
LSSU Alumni Insurance Program
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.
Life Insurance
Long-term protection with great rates and fantastic features. Coverage is available from $10,000 to $50 million.
Travel Insurance
Travel Medical and Trip Protection coverage is available for individuals or groups, for personal or business travel.
Long Term Care Insurance
Protect your assets from serious erosion while allowing access to quality care in the most appropriate and desirable setting.
Pet Insurance
Simple, customizable dog and cat insurance plans are available.
Special Event Insurance
Liability coverage up to $2 million is available for events lasting from a few hours to as much as 10 days.
Dental Insurance
COMING SOON Family dental coverage that provides a national network of dentists, online enrollment, and travels with you to any employer
ID Theft Protection
NEW! Protect yourself and your family against identity theft with a comprehensive solution you can count on.
Small Business Insurance
NEW! We offer an all-in-one simple solution that includes a selection of plans, employee enrollment, and ongoing administration.
Advisory Services
A licensed insurance professional is available, at no charge, to answer questions and provide customized guidance.
For more information visit Meyer and Associates or contact our Meyer and Associates program administrator at 1(800) 635-7801.