Lake State club lands boatload of awards

NEWS RELEASE

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY

*************************** Fisheries and wildlife club lands boatload of awards

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI - Lake Superior State University's Fisheries and Wildlife Club has been named the best student subunit of the American Fisheries Society (AFS), along with most active student subunit for the North Central Division of the AFS.

The best subunit was garnered during the annual AFS meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while the most active subunit was received at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

LSSU Biology Professor Geoffrey Steinhart joined three student club members for the September trip to Pittsburgh.

"It was a great experience for them and the award was quite an honor," said Steinhart, one of the group's advisors. "AFS staff were specifically seeking out the students to congratulate them and, more important, to thank them for the service to the society and the community."

This is the second year in a row that the club has received national recognition as the best student subunit. “I am extremely impressed by the level of activity by the students in the Lake Superior State University student subunit.

It is truly an outstanding student subunit,” said Dr. Wayne Hubert, president of the American Fisheries Society. “Student subunits are extremely important components of university education that introduce students to the AFS, fisheries science, and the potential of a profession in the field."

The club continued its travels when nine students battled a December blizzard to attend the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Minneapolis.

The annual meeting is largest gathering of fisheries and wildlife professionals in the Midwest.

Several students participated in a “Beginning Your Professional Journey” workshop and networked with professional mentors who helped prepare for their careers.

At the conference Jessica Kosiara gave a talk about her research into how spawning Pacific salmon affect benthic (bottom-dwelling) algae.

Kosiara, who is a biology major from Alpena, Michigan, also received a travel grant from LSSU's newly-established Undergraduate Research Committee (URC).

The URC is charged with promoting and recognizing the student research efforts that occur across campus.

A conference highlight was the club being cited as the North Central Division's most active subunit for the fourth consecutive year.

In addition, one former and three current LSSU students were honored at the annual Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award brunch.

Brianne Lunn (’09) was the Fenske Award winner for fisheries.

Current LSSU students Jessica Kosiara, Tiffany Mielens, and Kelly Turek were all named finalists for the award. Lunn is the former president of the LSSU FWC, an LSSU fisheries and wildlife management graduate, and is currently completing a Masters in aquatic ecology at the University of Alberta.

The Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award was created to recognize undergraduate and graduate students for their achievements in the field of fisheries or wildlife management.

The award creates incentive for outstanding students to become more engaged by providing them an opportunity to network with their peers, as well as leaders in fisheries and wildlife management, thus helping students become more successful in pursuing their careers.

Fisheries and wildlife club Vice-President Doug Galvas got a chance to meet with AFS President Wayne Hubert.

“I thought it was great that so many people who are highly respected put a lot of effort into answering questions, passing along knowledge, and sharing stories with students who are just starting in their career," said Galvas, a senior in fisheries and wildlife management from Mayville, Michigan.

“Attending conferences like these gives students a unique opportunity to network with professionals and to learn about current research,” said club Secretary Tiffany Mielens. “The networking opportunities were of high value to me. Individuals gave me advice on everything from job searching, who to know, and much more. Many students may not realize how valuable these conferences are.”

To see a video of the award presentation in Pittsburgh, go to the 1hr 23min 35sec mark in the following video: http://vimeo.com/17122926.

Run a web search on "LSSU fisheries" to learn more about studying fisheries and wildlife management at Lake Superior State University.

*************************** Pictured: A student contingent of Lake Superior State University's Fisheries and Wildlife Club receives the most active subunit citation, for the fourth consecutive year, from American Fisheries Society North Central Division President Randy Schultz.

The division encompasses 16 mid-western states and provinces.

The LSSU club also landed the AFS best student subunit award for all of North America at another conference, for the second time in as many years. Accepting the award is club secretary Tiffany Mielens, who was also a finalist for the Society's Janice Lee Fenske Award in wildlife.

Looking on, left to right, are club members Doug Galvas, Renee Williams, Paige Filice, Jessica Koisara, Kelly Turek, and Kris Dey.

Turek and Koisara were fisheries category Fenske Award finalists.

Photo courtesy of the American Fisheries Society. ///