“LSSU gave me the educational and organizational tools to be able to succeed at those endeavors after college.”
Scott Shackleton '83
Former State House of Representatives
LSSU Outstanding Alumnus Award '05
Office of the President
Past Presidents: The Shaar Years, 1986-1992
Dr. H. Erik Shaar assumed the Presidency in 1986. He was the first leader of the institution not to be associated
with Michigan Tech. Among the highlights of Dr. Shaar's six-year tenure was the granting of the university status in 1987
and the Laker Hockey rise to national prominence by winning the NCAA Division 1 Championship in 1988 and 1992. Lake
State's student enrolment grew to 3156 in 1988, the first time it exceeded 3000, and would reach an all-time high of 3500
in 1991.
New academic courses were added in Native American Studies and a Native American Center was established.
Dr. Shaar recognized that in order to be a complete University, LSSU needed programs in the fine and performing
arts and a facility to house these programs. He worked to persuade the state to fund the planning for such a facility. A
change in the political environment saw those resources diverted to the much-need expansion of the Shouldice Library in 1993.
The expansion of the Walker Cisler Student and Conference Center was a hallmark of his tenure—the much-needed
construction added offices, a dining hall and meeting space to an overtaxed building.
Before Dr. Shaar left to become President of Minot State University (ND) in 1992, he successfully launched a
strategic planning effort to chart Lake State's course for the remainder of the twentieth century.
Bio-
Chemistry
...
Peter Bonneau
Biology
"I’ll be beginning medical school at Wayne State University beginning the fall of 2009 while participating in the U.S. Air Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program. Upon receipt of my MD, I intend to enter into a residency in family Medicine and afterwards practice as a family physician in the U.S. Air force."
