This ceremony will recognize all fall 2023 graduates, winter 2023-24 graduates, spring 2024 candidates for graduation, and summer 2024 candidates for graduation.
Find important information and resources to ensure a smooth
and memorable graduation experience.
Graduation Candidates Full List
Claude H. (Bud) Denker III graduated from Lake Superior State University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He went on to Western Michigan University to get his Masters of Business Administration in Marketing. Bud is originally from the Eastern Upper Peninsula and he is a dedicated supporter of LSSU. He received the Kenneth J. Shouldice Achievement Award in 2008 and the Lukenda School of Business Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2018.
Bud is the President of Penske Corporation, a global transportation services company. Penske Corporation manages businesses with consolidated revenues of more than $41 billion, operating in over 3,200 locations and employing more than 74,000 people worldwide. Bud also serves as Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Penske Automotive Group, overseeing the organization’s associates across its 350 globally located automotive dealerships and heavy-duty truck locations.
In addition, Bud serves in other roles within Penske Corporation including Executive Vice President of Team Penske, with teams currently competing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the NASCAR Cup Series, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the World Endurance Championship. He was instrumental in bringing world-class Indy car racing back to Belle Isle in 2007 after a six year absence.
Bud also serves as Chairman of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, which generates over $100 million in total spending annually in the Metro Detroit region, while showcasing the city to a worldwide audience. He helped lead the effort to bring the event back to its original home on the streets of downtown Detroit, beginning in 2023.
Throughout Bud’s business career, he has been deeply involved in leading the efforts to support his community at the local, city, and state levels. He remains engaged in many Detroit-based organizations, including executive boards of The Parade Company, Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Detroit Partnership, and the CEO Group.
Bud resides in Birmingham, Michigan with his wife Melissa and has two grown sons, Christian and Cameron.
Emilee McDaniel, a resident of Manistique, Michigan, graduates Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology: Pre-Veterinary Medicine concentration and a Biochemistry minor. She was recently accepted to Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
While attending LSSU, Emilee worked at her hometown veterinary clinic when school was not in session. She conducted her senior thesis with another local veterinary clinic, researching the effects of human vocalization on canine stress. In the summer of 2022, she was accepted into the Enrichment Summer Program at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine where students were able to further their leadership skills, attend classes and anatomy lab, and job shadow at the MSU Veterinary Medical Center. These opportunities helped prepare her for her career in the field.
Beginning in January 2023, Emilee worked on campus under Dr. Li as part of the Undergraduate Research Mentorship program. She gave presentations and created visual aids to better inform students of the senior thesis process. This employment position allowed her to mentor underclassmen, speak to various clubs and classes, and work to help organize the annual Senior Symposium at LSSU.
Emilee was also a member of LSSU’s NCAA Div. 2 Volleyball team, through which she received GLIAC All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2023, as well as the GLIAC Academic Excellence Award. She acknowledges that athletics have shaped her into the person she is today, and this team impacted her in a way that will last a lifetime. With the hope of sharing her passion with youth athletes, Emilee has coached at multiple LSSU camps, volunteered at tournaments, and this spring was the coach for a junior high volleyball team in Manistique. At LSSU, she was a board member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), where she worked to increase camaraderie between teams and improve campus life.
Equally important to Emilee is volunteering for many events through her involvement with SAAC and volleyball. She participated in the United Way’s food truck drive, read books to elementary students as part of reading buddies, and helped clean up the community gardens. Giving back to her community is something she will continue to do because she has seen firsthand the difference a small gesture of kindness can make.
As a recipient of the Senator Philip A. Hart Scholarship, Jim Smith and Tom Wiles Science Scholarship, and Faculty Association Scholarship, Emilee was enabled to focus on her studies while school was in session and pursue her passion for veterinary medicine.
Emilee is the daughter of Cindy and Troy McDaniel, and sister to current LSSU student-athlete Sarah McDaniel. She wishes to thank her family for their continued support of her goals, her professors, mentors, and coaches for their guidance, and her teammates and friends for their encouragement and much needed comedic relief.
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For more information, call the LSSU Bookstore at (906) 635-2645.
Commencement Practice will take place on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Student Activity Center (SAC).
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For more information, call the Registrar’s Office at (906) 635-2682 or email [email protected]
Sault Ste. Marie is conveniently located at the northernmost end of I-75; travel on I-75 to exit 394 (the last before Canadian toll bridge), the Easterday Avenue exit. After exiting, turn right on Easterday Avenue and continue to the first stoplight; turning left at this light will take you through LSSU’s main entrance and to visitor parking. Turn left at the stop sign for Lot K (next to Cisler Center) and Lot E (behind Cisler Center).
Cross the International Bridge and immediately after the toll booths exit to your right. At the stop sign, turn left onto Eureka Street. When you reach the intersection, turn left onto the overpass and continue on this road (Easterday Avenue) until you reach the first stoplight; turning left at this light will take you through LSSU’s main entrance and to visitor parking.
Area Hotels/Motels/Dining Guide
Commencement is held in the Taffy Abel Arena.
For more information, call the Provost Office at (906) 635-2211 or email [email protected]
A reception for the Distinguished Teacher recipient will be held in Considine Hall immediately following Commencement.