Offering Congratulations to Our Many Grads

Posted by Lake Superior Community Partnership on June 22, 2017

With the hustle and bustle of the Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) graduation season behind us, I’d like to take some time to dedicate today’s column to all of the people that have graduated from programs under the LSCP umbrella over the past month.

Since its establishment in 1998, the Lake Superior Leadership Academy (LSLA) has had the mission of helping the leaders of today build skilled leaders for tomorrow. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the program, it is a project of the LSCP that is designed to educate and motivate emerging and potential leaders from within Marquette County, while helping them build important business networks and leadership skills.

With 379 graduates over the past 18 years, the LSLA continues to make an impact on the development of our local communities. We congratulate this year’s class, committee, day chairs and hosts on a great year and a job well done.

This year’s LSLA graduates include: Eric Anderson, County of Marquette, Rene Cope, Marquette-Alger RESA, Jessica Cruz, Northern Michigan University, Gradon Haehnel, Upper Peninsula Power Company, Andrea Ingmire, Peter White Public Library, Jane Joffee, Upper Peninsula Health Plan, Amy Kuivanen, Lake Superior Community Partnership, Katrina Mattila, VAST, Sally Huddle, Eagle Mine, Monica Nordeen, Marquette-Alger RESA, Jim Pearson, Potlatch Corp., John Schultz, Marquette Board of Light & Power, Logan Stauber, Bloch Brian M PLLC Attorneys & Counselors, Karen Thompson, GLCYD, April Valela, Bell Physician Practices, Inc., Tanner Wagner, VAST, Megan Wales, Upper Peninsula Health Plan, and Leslie Warren, Northern Michigan University.

The Electrical Line Technician Program also graduated a wonderful group of students in the past month.  The ELT Program is a joint effort between Northern Michigan University (NMU), the Lake Superior Community Partnership Foundation (LSCPF), and the Midwest Skills Development Center (MSDC). This one-year program trains students and provides them with the skills needed to install, maintain, and operate electrical systems for multiple industries.

Some of the time spent in this program was also put towards enhancing their community. The students installed six poles, conductors and lighting fixtures to provide lighting at the Noquemanon Forestville Trail Head. “Projects like this help students gain an appreciation for the real-world activities that line crews must accomplish on a daily basis, while also providing community services at low or no cost,” commented Lead Instructor, Jerry LePage. The students also installed 20 wooden poles, 5,000 feet of underground conductor and 38 energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures at the Neguanee Township ski trail. This project was completed with the assistance of Marquette Board of Light and Power and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local 906 apprenticeship training. Isn’t it great that these students can complete their education and give back to Marquette County at the same time?

We are pleased to see the fourteenth graduating class of the ELT program move forward toward successful careers in their field. Congratulations to those thirty-two students on their certification and all of their hard work.

This year’s ELT program graduates include: Dave M. Bennett, Seth N. Brewer, Corey M. Bush, Trevor J. Burke, Wyatt W. Chaney, Jonathan A. Clemens, Derek L. Decaire, Jason D. Duranso, Lee A. Graff, Austin M. Hanninen, Connor G. Hannon, Lonnie J. Hess, Oliver L. Huhta, Cody M. Johnson, Kyle M. Johnson, Jed R. Kallio, Nicholas W. King, Phil M. King, Andrew J. Kolich, Cody A. LaValley, Christian R. Liberty, Justin W. Lundberg, Casey J. Markham, Jake R. Moras, Austin P. Person, Zack J. Rankinen, Tom R. Shauland, Tyler M. Soave, Zac C. Suardini, Tom R. Viitala, Tony W. Walters, and Jordan Windahl.

We look forward to seeing the graduates of the Lake Superior Leadership Academy (LSLA) and Electrical Line Technician (ELT) Program go on to do great things throughout Marquette County.

Recruiting for these programs has already started for next year. For more information please contact the Lake Superior Community Partnership office or visit www.marquette.org.

Amy Clickner, CEO, writes a bi-weekly column for the Mining Journal.