The Lake Superior Community Partnership presented the 2017 Distinguished Service Awards Thursday. The awards are sponsored by the Marquette County Ambassadors. Northern Michigan University was selected in the business category and Brett French as the individual award recipient. Above, Lake Superior Community Partnership CEO Amy Clickner presents the award to Dr. Steve VandenAvond, NMU vice president for Extended Learning and Community Engagement. VandenAvond accepted the award for NMU. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE — The Lake Superior Community Partnership has announced the recipients of the 2017 Distinguished Service Awards, sponsored by the Marquette County Ambassadors. Northern Michigan University was selected in the business category and Brett French as the individual award recipient. The awards were presented in front of community members attending the LSCP’s Annual Dinner Thursday held in Northern Michigan University’s Great Lakes Room.

“The Marquette County Ambassadors are pleased to be able to help recognize businesses and individuals who are making significant contributions to economic development,” commented Travis Hongisto, Ambassadors Leader. “I am very pleased with the selection committee’s choice for these prestigious awards. Both recipients are extremely deserving of this honor.”

Criteria used in the award selection process include:

• Makes a strong contribution to the betterment of Marquette County through the use of time, talent and/or treasure

• Helps the Lake Superior Community Partnership reach its community and economic development goals

• Demonstrates leadership within the community

“Brett has devoted so much of his time to the LSCP and our community, most recently, with his work as an LSCP officer, Marquette County Ambassador, Chairman of the Electrical Line Tech program, co-chair of Operation Action U.P. and much more,” said Amy Clickner, LSCP CEO. “We are also very excited to honor NMU. It is hard to imagine Marquette County without the economic engine that is our university as well as all they do to give back to our community.”

For information on the LSCP’s 2017 Annual Dinner or to purchase tickets, contact the LSCP office at 226-6591 or visit www.marquette.org.