My education at Lake State taught me not only the basics of exercise science and health and wellness but prepared me for my future research career. I became involved in national organizations, improved my networking skills to create working relationships, and ended up with an amazing paid internship that turned into a 3-year research professional position at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA. Now in graduate school pursuing a doctorate degree at Virginia Tech, I rely on the knowledge I acquired at Lake State and put it to practice daily while discussing health-related topics in class or conducting obesity and inflammation research in our laboratory.
Elaina Marinik
Exercise Science Alum,
Graduate Student,
Virginia Tech.
Admissions
Snowman Trivia
The fastest way to melt snow: LSSU’s annual Snowman Burning
As with snowmen of the past, politics have an influential role in their design. The snowman of 2001 was no different. The Florida ballot was still the hot topic the following spring. In the foreground, students enjoy a sign of spring with daffodils.
Here in Sault Ste. Marie, winters are as beautiful as they are long. Every year, right before “cabin fever” sets in, LSSU holds one of it’s most beloved and time-honored events. We here at Lake State burn a "snowman" to welcome spring! It is believed by some that the rising smoke from the fire will protect Sault Ste. Marie from additional winter weather.
As fun as this tradition is, it is also full of history. In March of 1971, a former LSSU organization called The Unicorn Hunters created this event. They got their idea from the Rose Sunday Festival in Weinheim-an-der-Bergstrasse, Germany, where the mayor burns a straw snowman to welcome spring in exchange for obedient children.
In recent years children have played an important role in the LSSU snowman burning ceremony. Traditionally, poetry is read at the ceremony and prizes are given to the most accomplished poet. However, now local area school children are encouraged to write poetry for the event.
The snowmen throughout the years have consisted of little more than used paper, wood, wire and paint. It is remarkable that this tradition inspires so many students, faculty, and community members to come together and celebrate the changing of season.
The snowman burning that takes place every year is just another way of showing the community, the state and the world that we here at LSSU love Sault Ste. Marie—weather and all! Rather than bemoan the winter temperatures, we look forward to a brighter (often warmer) day. This idea extends to all aspects of campus life. After all, LSSU is here to see you reach and look forward to a brighter future.
The snowmen throughout the years have consisted of little more than used paper, wood, wire and paint. It is remarkable that this tradition inspires so many students, faculty, and community members to come together and celebrate the changing of season.
