[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1438-E1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY 50TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 1996

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to bring to the 
attention of the House and the entire Nation the 50th year anniversary 
of Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, on January 
1, 1996.
  Lake Superior State University has a growing history stretching back 
to when it was Fort Brady in 1893. When the fort closed, local 
businessmen wanted to find use for the buildings and property that 
would benefit the community. About the same time, the Michigan College 
of Mining & Technology--currently Michigan Technological University--
was looking for a way to accommodate the great number of war veterans 
who had applied to the college and had been looking for a branch site.
  Thus, the Michigan College of Mining & Technology branch college was 
established for two purposes: to increase the college's facilities for 
the education of war veterans and to serve the Upper Peninsula, an area 
comprising one-sixth of the State, that is a considerable distance from 
other institutions of higher learning.
  The Michigan College of Mining & Technology branch at Sault Ste. 
Marie provided engineering students with their first year of 
engineering studies and a second year of studies in chemical, 
electrical, mechanical engineering, or forestry. In addition in 1946, 
Michigan State University set up a general studies program so that 
liberal arts credits could be received in Sault Ste. Marie for the 
first 2 years of course work, and then would be transferable to other 
4-year institutions.
  In 1966, the college was renamed Lake Superior State College and 
accorded 4-year status by the Michigan State Board of Education and 
authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. The first 4-year graduating 
class was in 1967. On January 1, 1970, Lake Superior State College was 
granted complete autonomy and separated from Michigan Technological 
University. On November 4, 1987, Gov. James Blanchard signed 
legislation changing Lake Superior State from a college to university.
  Since opening in 1946 with a class of 272, the university has grown 
steadily, and currently has an enrollment of approximately 3,000 
students. The campus is a blend of historic and modern architecture 
that serves the academic, residential, and recreational needs of the 
university's faculty, students, and community.
  Sheri Davie, Chair of the Superior Legacy Committee is sponsoring an 
all-school reunion

[[Page E1439]]

weekend this August 2-4, 1996. One of the key events slated is the 
burying of a time capsule on the campus to be opened 50 years from now.
  Besides a fine academic and cultural center, Lake Superior State 
University is a division I, NCAA hockey powerhouse. Even though it is 
the smallest division I school, college's hockey champions reside in 
Sault Ste. Marie.
  Mr. Speaker, Lake Superior State University has a proud history. On 
behalf of the State of Michigan and the entire Nation, I would like to 
congratulate Lake Superior State University on 50 years of quality 
education.

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