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海角社区 Celebrates 341 Graduates at 2023 Commencement

calender iconMay 07, 2023
Graduates move their tassels at commencement.
Graduates move their tassels at commencement.
Graduating Lakers move their tassels at the 61st annual commencement held on May 6, 2023.

海角社区 celebrated 341 new graduates along with their families and friends at the 61st annual commencement held on May 6, 2023. Lake State students earned 315 bachelor鈥檚 degrees, 153 associate degrees, and 12 certificates during fall 2022, winter 2022-23, spring 2023, and summer 2023 (based on satisfactory completion of all academic requirements).

LSSU also awarded its first cohort of cannabis chemistry bachelor鈥檚 degrees, with six students completing all four years at LSSU. In 2019, Lake State launched the first cannabis chemistry program in the nation; since then, 40 students have earned bachelor鈥檚 degrees, associate degrees, or certificates in this field.

Faculty and administrators cheered, clapped, and high-fived graduates in the corridors of Taffy Abel Arena as they marched to their seats. The several thousand well-wishers similarly applauded and whooped throughout the ceremony.

Decorated graduation caps.

Keynote speaker Whitney Gravelle, president of the Executive Council of the Bay Mills Indian Community, observed that graduates 鈥渨ill leave LSSU with a strong foundation,鈥� advised them to 鈥渒eep learning and never accept the status quo,鈥� and urged that they 鈥減ursue your passions and fulfill your purpose.鈥� To inspire the Lakers, she drew on cornerstone touchstones of her Indigenous ancestors: love, respect, bravery, honesty, truth, wisdom, and humility.

Keynote speaker Whitney Gravelle, president of the Executive Council of the Bay Mills Indian Community.
Keynote speaker Whitney Gravelle, president of the Executive Council of the Bay Mills Indian Community.

Graduating student speaker Hannah Grace Brood, who earned bachelor鈥檚 degrees in mechanical engineering and robotics engineering, listed 鈥渟upport of people around me,鈥� 鈥渕y belief in God,鈥� and a 鈥渟tubborn commitment to excellence鈥� as three factors of her success. She also thanked Lake State for having 鈥渆quipped us for life outside of college.鈥�

Graduating student speaker Hannah Grace Brood.
Graduating student speaker Hannah Grace Brood.

Professor of Psychology Dr. Kristina Olson-Pupek received LSSU鈥檚 2022-23 Distinguished Teaching Award for instruction methods 鈥渁s diverse as they are effective,鈥� wrote a nominator. She 鈥渨orks tirelessly,鈥� praised another, and students leave her office hours with 鈥渜uestions answered and a sense of confidence,鈥� cited a third.

Professor of Psychology Dr. Kristina Olson-Pupek walks up the ramp to receive her award.
Professor of Psychology Dr. Kristina Olson-Pupek (walking up the ramp).

Interim President Dr. Lynn G. Gillette congratulated graduates for an 鈥渋mportant accomplishment and milestone,鈥� commended their inner circle for 鈥渓ove and support,鈥� and saluted faculty for their 鈥渒nowledge, wisdom, and tenacity.鈥�

Interim President Dr. Lynn G. Gillette shakes hands with a new graduate.
Interim President Dr. Lynn G. Gillette shakes hands with a new graduate.

A joyous graduate

Celebrating by the alumni anchor.