This endowment was established in 2013 to benefit a child or grandchild of a dues-paying member of the LSSU Alumni Association. Upon the passing in 2018 of Paul Ripley, the University’s first alumni director and a member of the first class in 1946, the endowment was renamed to honor his tremendous legacy at LSSU. The longtime administrator held several positions during his tenure, including Director of Career Planning and Placement, and Director of College Relations. An associate professor of journalism, Ripley established the Laker Log alumni newspaper and published it for more than 20 years. Regular membership status in the LSSU Alumni Association shall consist of all dues-paying individuals who have been enrolled and earned the equivalent of two years of academic credit at LSSU or attended its predecessor institutions including the Sault Branch of Michigan College of Mining and Technology, Sault Branch of Michigan Technological University, and Lake Superior State College. Successful candidates must be a student majoring in any course of study with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Selection is based on an application and a 250-word essay.