Walt North Receives LSSU Honorary Doctorate Degree
Recognized for Longtime Support of University

Walter North of St. Ignace (center) is hooded to symbolize his honorary degree by Lake Superior State University Provost Dr. Bruce Harger (left) and LSSU Board Chair Chuck Schmidt, while LSSU President Dr. Betty Youngblood observes. (Lake Superior State University photograph)

Retired State Senator Walter North of St. Ignace received an honorary doctorate degree from Lake Superior State University (LSSU) during its 44th annual commencement Saturday, May 5. Mr. North was honored for his support of LSSU over the years.

An honorary doctorate was also bestowed upon dentist Louis B. Lukenda of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the chairman of Tendercare-Michigan.

Graduates and families attended a reception before commencement.

As the Michigan State Senator from District 37, Senator North helped secure state funding for several projects, including the renovation and expansion of the Crawford Hall of Science, Kenneth J. Shouldice Library, and the Arts Center.

Mr. North was elected to the state senate in 1994 and served two terms. He served on the Appropriations subcommittees for Corrections, which he chaired, the Environmental Quality Judiciary, State Police and Military Affairs, Human Resources and Labor, Transportation and Tourism, and Great Lakes Conservation Task Force.

Mr. North chairs the LSSU Foundation's board of directors and has served on the board since the late 1980s. In October 2003, he received LSSU's Donald and Catherine Finlayson Award, presented annually to a friend of the University who has made it a better place to live and learn. He has always been a supporter of the annual Lake State Classic Golf Tournament that raises funds for Laker Club student-athlete financial aid, and twice has been the primary sponsor of the tournament.

Mr. North began his career in state service as assistant to state treasurer Allison Green. He was appointed comptroller of the Mackinac Bridge Authority in 1966, a position he held until 1982, when he was promoted to executive secretary, the chief executive of the bridge. He was a driving force behind establishing the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk that has become a tradition for thousands.

A U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the Korean War, he grew up in Battle Creek and was graduated from Western Michigan University in 1959 with a degree in business administration.

He serves on the boards of the St. Ignace, Mackinac Island, and Sault Ste. Marie community foundations.

Mr. North and his wife, Sally, have four sons, Tom, Dave, Jim, and Mike, and seven grandchildren.