海角社区

Tony McLain Ph.D. was 海角社区鈥檚 seventh president, serving from May 2009 through June 2014.

Dr. McLain presided over a number of advancements during his tenure, including the groundbreaking for a refurbished school of business in South Hall, the establishment of a state-of-the-art laboratory for nursing students and community medical professionals, strengthening of the shared governance process on campus, and an improved presence in the state capitol.

Both President McLain and his wife, Melissa, were popular with LSSU鈥檚 student body, and the couple always took time to talk with students about their studies and plans.

鈥淭his has been the most challenging, but most rewarding job I鈥檝e had in public education,鈥� President McLain said during the last graduation ceremony that he presided over in May 2014. 鈥淚鈥檝e had the pleasure of getting degrees, taking classes, and of working with at least a dozen other universities other than Lake Superior State. One difference I鈥檝e noticed here is the often-used phrase 鈥楲aker family.鈥� In all the other universities I鈥檝e come to know, I don鈥檛 think I ever heard them speak of their family, at least not like we do. To me, it鈥檚 the Laker family that makes this place unique.

鈥淢y wife Melissa and I have said it over and over; that the great people we were able to spend time with was the best part of this job. The students, faculty, administration and staff really take pride in this institution.鈥�

A lifelong hunter and fisherman, McLain shared those passions with legislators and members of the news media, inviting them to Sault Ste. Marie to hunt rabbits with his beagles and catch Atlantic salmon raised by students working and studying in LSSU鈥檚 Aquatic Research Laboratory.

Dr. McLain鈥檚 42-year career in education took him to a variety of positions, from working as an English teacher to superintendent positions with the Sault Area Public Schools and Superior Central Schools. He was a principal, curriculum director and guidance director for 16 years with the Thornapple Kellogg Schools.

His background includes 30 years of experience in contract negotiations, as well as membership and leadership positions on a variety of community and state school professional associations, including past president of the Michigan Association of School Administrators Region 1, campaign chair for the Eastern Upper Peninsula United Way in 2000-2001, and many more, especially Habitat for Humanity. He was honored with the Sault Schools鈥� 鈥淲hat Parents Want Award鈥� for six consecutive years, 1997-2002, and is the recipient of several other awards, including a Certificate of Heroism from the Boy Scouts of America.

He holds a doctorate in K-12 education administration from Michigan State University, as well as a master鈥檚 degree in counseling and personnel administration, and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English, both from Western Michigan University.

A Michigan native, Dr. McLain is a 1965 graduate of Mason County High School in Scottville. The McLains have two grown daughters; Michelle, of Lansing, and Adelle, of Grand Rapids.