The Shaar Years, 1986-1992

The Shaar Years, 1986-1992

“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.”

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.