The 60th Lake Superior State University (LSSU) commencement was its first in-person ceremony in three years, taking place on campus Saturday at 11 a.m., where special guest U.S. Senator Gary Peters spoke to 522 graduates and several hundred listening ears.
Peters acknowledged the adversities faced by Michigan students and their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic to highlight the extraordinary efforts behind each LSSU student’s achievements.
“You have all persevered and that is why we are here today, to honor you,” said Peters. “So, with that, I want to begin by saying to the Lake Superior State University graduates of 2021 and 2022, congratulations. You did it. You are here graduating. All those years of hard work have finally paid off, and you will soon walk across this stage.’
On behalf of the 2022 graduating class, LSSU Commencement Student Speaker Kirk Smallegan of McBain, Mich. thanked the LSSU staff for their consistent commitment and support. Smallegan has graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
“I'm very honored to be speaking to you all today," he said. "As a representative for this 2022, graduating class. I would like to extend my congratulations to all the students who have completed remarkable work and put forth tremendous, exceptional effort to reach this milestone today. I would also recognize and thank Lake State’s faculty and staff, who have put forth tremendous work through unprecedented setbacks over the past couple of years. “They worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure we received the best education possible. I want to extend my appreciation and thanks to all of you from myself and all the graduating class of 2022.”
Honor Usher Candice Leblanc prepped for the ceremony this morning by ushering in traffic and greeting people. Not that she minded in the least. It was an opportunity “to give back,” just as LSSU faculty has inspired. In the spirit of giving back, Leblanc offered some advice to university students.
“Always work towards your dreams,” she said. “They are bound to happen.”
Leblanc now holds a Bachelor of General Studies, with a concentration in business and a minor in business studies. She is excited to begin her journey.
Graduates Isabella Kish and Allison Orr stuck close together, eagerly waiting for the graduation ceremony to begin. In almost just as short of time, they will travel their own ways in pursuit of vastly different goals.
Orr graduated from the university’s criminal justice program and hopes to stay in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, while Kish graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Come June, she will leave the area to begin her career as a practicing nurse in St. Joe’s Mercy Ann Arbor’s progressive care unit.
But it’s only the beginning said a few LSSU Golden Graduates.
“Michigan College of Mining and Technology or Lake Superior State College, who graduated 50 or more years ago and are seated in the front row, would you please stand?” asked LSSU President Dr. Rodney Hanley.
The eldest of the bunch was Arthur Disbrow. He left LSSU in 1953 to study mechanical engineering at Michigan Technological University.
This notable alumni retired from Hartzell Propeller in 1997 as “President Arthur R. Disbrow.” Disbrow worked for TRW as vice president and general manager, promoting to president when the company was sold.
A Hartzell Propeller press release printed on Sept. 11, 1997, reads that Disbrow saw the company through the aviation market’s collapse in the early 1980’s. He even developed the industry’s first composite structure propeller blades.
“The university helped me immensely,” said Dibrow. “It was my foundation. Then, I went on up to Michigan Tech. The reason I am here is because I am very proud of that beginning, here, at LSSU. At the time it was the Michigan College of Mining and Technology.”
Disbrow will celebrate his 90th birthday next month.
Gerry Munsell was seated to the right of his elder.
“I graduated in 1971 with an associates in mechanical engineering,” Munsell said. “I got married before the end of that year. We got married in 1970. We’ve had our 50th wedding anniversary, so it’s been good. After graduation, I went into the military and spent six years there.”
Munsell went on to earn a masters degree in electrical engineering from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. He went to school during the night hours and worked full-time with three kids at home. He also had something to share. He also went on to have a highly successful career.
“Realize the opportunities you are going to have after graduation,” said Munsell. “Have your eyes open. As soon as you find one that looks good, jump on it. Take it for as much of a ride as you can. That is what everything is about. If you get that opportunity, don’t hesitate. Jump. If you don’t like it, move on.”
Joyce Henderson, alumni class of 1967, studied at a time when men outnumbered women in university at a "ten to one" ratio. She had also had some words of wisdom for Saturday’s newest graduates.
“Pursue whatever your dreams have,” she said. “Even if you doubt yourself, just do it. If you fail, you won’t be sorry you tried.”
A similar message was delivered by Smallegan during his speech on humility and continued learning.
“When I made the decision to attend Lake State back in 2018, my older brother, Kiffin, had just graduated from nursing a year before,” said Smallegan. “He also graduated at the top of his class, a great achievement. A family friend knew how well he did while he was here and heard that I was going into the same program. In just talking to me, she stated, ‘Wow, you have some big shoes to fill. I quickly reported back with, ‘Yes, but I have a pair of shoes of my own.’
Smallegan used his friend's statement as the fuel needed to fulfill the goals his own shoes sought to travel.
Smallegan's first stop is a new position at Munson Medical Center as a Registered Nurse in a Critical Care Unit.
“I'd say I filled my shoes pretty well,” he said, scanning the audience for his brother. “Don't know where you're at, but I don't mean it. I have to rub it in. Some say it's bragging and, well, maybe a little bit. I just think it's some healthy sibling rivalry, regardless of opinions. The rest of my speech, a little ironically, I'm talking about humility.”
Smallegan wanted the graduating audience to know that ”there's always a bigger fish,” and that is OK.
“No matter what you do in life, there's always going to be someone out there that’s a step better than you,” he said. “Maybe you will become a world leader or one in your field. But there may be other aspects of your life where you may not excel. And I don't say this in any way to discourage you. Quite the contrary. I say this to inspire you, make graduating today less of an ending and more of a new beginning. Don't stop learning today or earlier this week when final exams were over.”
Smallegan urged his fellow LSSU Class of 2022 graduates to always do better, backing his message with James 1:9: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
