Nov 22
Apr 02, 2020
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sharmay Wood
Phone: 906-635-2676
Email: smwood@lssu.edu
Lake Superior State University Provides Support for Sault Ste. Marie Community Fight of COVID-19
Springtime at Lake Superior State University usually is welcomed by the annual burning of the snowman, students taking part in activities on Pleger Commons and the return of hammocks outside of Osborn Hall. This year is quite different as Michigan continues its fight of COVID-19, the community of Sault Ste. Marie, MI is coming together to donate supplies to War Memorial Hospital. Although students, faculty and staff have transitioned to virtual forms of communication, their involvement and dedication towards campus remains at the forefront of their thoughts.
To quote Ron Hutchins, Dean of College of Health and Behavior, “it takes a village, and we have a great one here!” Pulling together existing resources from Nursing Labs, Chemistry and Biology areas, LSSU has provided additional hospital beds, IV pumps, N95 masks and face shields to War Memorial Hospital for the fight against COVID-19.
Additionally, the use of LSSU 3-D printers through the Engineering department have provided additional support to Great Lakes Composites Institute of Bay Mills Community College to assist in producing 40 face shields per day over the next 14 days. The face shields will be provided to local healthcare and hospice facilities to support the immediate and long term needs of the facilities.
The transition to remote learning also brought a transition to virtual programming. LSSU student organizations such as Student Government and University Activities Board were able to quickly transition to providing virtual opportunities to our students. These organizations have come together and donated $7,000 of their budgets towards the purchase of needed protective equipment for those on the front lines. “We think it is amazing what our healthcare professionals are doing. Working around the clock to care for those in need. We are grateful for them and just want to make sure they have what they need to continue to serve others. It’s our way of saying we see you and we support you,” said LSSU Student Government President Katie Smith.
LSSU is thankful and appreciative of those on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle, with a special thank you to our LSSU Nursing alumni. Many of our nursing alumni have indicated that the superior education provided through a LSSU education has been of extreme importance as they work to battle COVID-19. Dr. Rodney Hanley, President of LSSU, stated, “I am proud of the commitment and dedication our students, faculty and staff have shown, not only towards LSSU, but to the Sault Ste. Marie community during this unprecedented time.”
Lake Superior State University is one of Michigan’s most affordable public universities with One-Rate at Lake State tuition for all. Surrounded by three Great Lakes, LSSU is an unsurpassed location for research, focusing on real-world experiences. Well known for programs such as fisheries and wildlife management, engineering, nursing, criminal justice, and fire science; Lake State is also leading the way with innovative new programs, including cannabis chemistry and cannabis business. For more information, visit LSSU.edu.
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