After five decades, still a matter of Lake State pridePosted: May 14th, 2009CONTACTS: John Shibley, e-mail, 906-635-2314; Tom Pink, e-mail, 635-2314; Alumni Director Susan Fitzpatrick, e-mail, 635-2831.
SOO BRANCH CONTINGENT – Lake Superior State University's "Golden Grads" acknowledge a formal introduction during commencement ceremonies in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., on May 2. Left to right are Doug Schroeder ('54) of Chicago, Ill.; Bob Butler ('47) of Aurora, Ont.; Art Disbrow ('51) of Troy, Ohio; and Roger Fortin ('54) of East Lansing, Mich. The Golden Graduate Society is comprised of alums and students who attended LSSU more than 50 years ago when it was a branch of Michigan Technological University. (LSSU/John Shibley)
A print-resolution photo that runs with the caption above can be found by clicking here.
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State University leaves room in its annual commencement festivities for a few special guests, a handful of former students and graduates who attended LSSU when it was still a branch of Michigan Technological University. This past May 2, these "Golden Grads" continued a tradition established by the University's alumni association almost 10 years ago when they joined the Class of 2009 for commencement in LSSU's Taffy Abel ice arena.
Students and alums that attended the “Sault Branch” at least fifty years ago are invited annually to return to campus for presentations and demonstrations by graduating engineering students, followed by a wine and cheese reception the evening before commencement.
And each year, a new face or two gets added to the growing roster of LSSU's Golden Graduation Society. First-timers get a commemorative medallion embossed with an official LSSU seal and engraved with the words, Sault Branch. Because there are no true graduating classes dating back to LSSU's early days — Houghton was the main campus — an inductee's graduation year becomes the last year enrolled at the Soo Campus.
The induction ceremony takes place during an honors breakfast on graduation day, after which the Sault-Branchers lead the traditional processional march into commencement ceremonies.
This year, Mr. H. Robert (Bob) Butler of Aurora, Ont., who attended the Sault Branch of the Michigan College of Mining and Technology between 1946 and 1947, returned to campus for induction, accompanied by his wife, Dorothy. He was joined in the weekend's activities by Art Disbrow (’51) of Troy, Ohio; Roger Fortin (’54) of East Lansing, Mich.; and Doug Schroeder (’54) of Chicago, Ill.
“These folks laid the ground work for today’s Lake Superior State University,” says Alumni Director Susan Fitzpatrick. “We owe them a debt of gratitude for the role they played in building the Lake State legacy.”
HANDS ACROSS THE DECADES – Lake Superior State University's "Golden Grads" pose with their wives as LSSU's Class of 2009 mills about in the background just prior to commencement on May 2. Left to right are Art ('51) and Joanne Disbrow of Troy, Ohio; Doug ('54) and Joanne Schroeder of Chicago, Ill.; Bob ('47) and Dorothy Butler of Aurora, Ont.; and Roger ('54) and Millie Fortin of East Lansing, Mich. The Golden Graduate Society is comprised of alums and students who attended LSSU more than 50 years ago when it was a branch of Michigan Technological University. (LSSU/John Shibley)
A print-resolution photo that runs with the photo above can be found by clicking here.
SOO BRANCH WELCOME – Mr. H. Robert (Bob) Butler of Aurora, Ont., reflects upon receiving the Golden Graduate Society medallion from Lake Superior State University alumni director Susan Fitzpatrick during an honors breakfast on May 2. Butler, who attended the Sault Branch of the Michigan College of Mining and Technology between 1946 and 1947, returned to campus with his wife, Dorothy, to participate in LSSU’s commencement ceremonies at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Each year the alumni association invites former students to campus who attended “Sault Branch” at least 50 years ago. After induction into the Golden Graduate Society, they lead the commencement processional march. This year Butler was joined in the march by Art Disbrow (’51) of Troy, Ohio; Roger Fortin (’54) of East Lansing, Mich.; and Doug Schroeder (’54) of Chicago, Ill. (LSSU/John Shibley)
A print-resolution photo that runs with the photo above can be found by clicking here.
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