Photo of Kristin putting weird stuff on Christina Coutu's hat

As Danielle Pittman from Malawi, Africa looked on, Christina Coutu from the Ontario Sault had her mortarboard decorated with golden accoutrements by classmate Kristin Tracey before today's graduation ceremony at Lake Superior State University. Christina and Kristin, LSSU graduates in finance and economics, joined almost 650 other students receiving degrees this afternoon.

What we wrote about Christina Coutu three years ago

The following article was prepared by Lake State's John Shibley, who also supplied the photograph:

********************** SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Michigan Representative John C. Stewart, R-Plymouth, told Lake Superior State University graduates today that they "are the jet engine of our economy" when he made remarks as speaker during the university's annual commencement ceremonies in Taffy Abel Arena.

Along with Stewart, who represents the state's 20th District, the university's nearly 650 graduates heard from student respondent Nancy Braschayko, Lapeer, and saw the annual Distinguished Teaching Award presented to James W.T. Moody Ph.D.

The ceremony included graduates of the university's newly established master of arts degree in curriculum and instruction, all of whom are teachers in the Eastern Upper Peninsula communities of Sault Ste. Marie, Rudyard and Newberry.

"Your college education at Lake Superior State University provided you with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge," Stewart told the graduates. "Almost 85 percent of you will remain in the Michigan area and you are the jet engine of our economy. Savor this day and work to remember it. Take a moment to look around and thank your family, your colleagues and your friends."

Stewart, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education, thanked LSSU students and the Sault Ste. Marie community for welcoming him to the U.P. today and last February, when he spent two days visiting departments on campus.

"I'm humbled by you as a people. I truly have come to know that I am in God's Country," he said, referring to the popular expression that has become a motto for U.P. residents.

Stewart also lauded the more than 60 students who traveled to Lansing earlier this week to meet with members of the legislature in the State Capitol.

"You made a very strong, positive impression on the Michigan Legislature," Stewart said. He thanked students in LSSU's fire science program who accompanied him on his morning run in downtown Lansing.

Stewart, who is finishing his third and final term in the State House, attended the ceremony with his wife, Beth Stewart, who is now a candidate for his seat in the Michigan Legislature.

"We extend our appreciation to Rep. Stewart for his eloquent and passionate commitment to higher education," said LSSU President Betty J. Youngblood, who said she wholeheartedly agreed with Stewart's assertion that "higher education is the essence of economic recovery in our great state."

William Whitman, acting vice president for Student Affairs, called biology graduate and pre-med student Nancy Braschayko a model ambassador for Lake Superior State University when introducing her as student respondent.

Braschayko, who leaves LSSU to attend the University of Michigan medical school, credited the university's professors with doing whatever they could to help all of their students succeed.

"I asked a lot of people for advice on my speech," Braschayko said. "I asked them what they love about Lake State, and what kept them here. All of the students I asked said it was their professors."

The summa cum laude graduate said her internship last summer at Ford Research Laboratory in Santa Barbara, Calif., and her acceptance to three medical schools, confirmed that she has been well prepared for life after LSSU.

"I want you to know how much we graduates appreciate all that you've given us," she said to her professors.

Youngblood told the graduating class, "You are well prepared for the world ahead of you. As students, your lives have been changed forever because you chose to study at Lake Superior State University. You chose to pursue a college education and you chose to be successful. You leave here as leaders."

This year's graduating class is made up of 53 percent women.

The average age of the students is 28 years, with the youngest graduate being 20 and the oldest being 60.

LSSU graduates this year represent 75 of Michigan's 83 counties, six states and seven countries.

Saturday's ceremony was attended by several members of LSSU's "Pioneer Class," the first group to graduate from what was then the Sault Branch of Michigan College of Mining and Technology.

Also among those attending the program was State Representative Gary McDowell, D-Rudyard.

********************* Incredibly good-looking guy wins an award