Photo courtesy of Great Lake State Weekend
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – What can leaders learn when things don’t go according to plan? For Lake Superior State University alumnus Bud Denker ’80, the answer comes from a career where success often depends on how teams respond to adversity.
Denker, president of Penske Corporation, will return to LSSU during Great Lake State Weekend to present “Leadership in Today’s Environment” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, in the Shouldice Library. The free, public presentation will explore leadership, navigating challenges, and guiding organizations through uncertainty and change.
Denker will also receive LSSU’s 2026 Outstanding Alumnus Award during the university’s annual Alumni Awards and Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 24.
As president of Penske Corporation, a global transportation services company with more than 74,000 employees and $45 billion in revenue, Denker has spent his career working in a high-stakes business environment. His leadership experience also extends to Team Penske, which has competed in more than 6,600 races.
That perspective will inform his conversation with the Laker community as he draws on experiences from across his career to discuss the realities of leadership in a changing environment.
Denker’s presentation is part of Great Lake State Weekend, an annual LSSU tradition that brings the campus community together for a celebration of Laker pride, alumni achievements, and university traditions.
Event Details
– What: Leadership in Today’s Environment, featuring Bud Denker ’80
– When: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at 6 p.m.
– Where: Shouldice Library, Lake Superior State University
– Admission: Free and open to the public.
In addition to the presentation, Denker will be honored as LSSU’s 2026 Outstanding Alumnus during the university’s Alumni Awards and Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 24. The awards ceremony is a ticketed event, and tickets are expected to sell out.
For more information about Great Lake State Weekend, visit www.lssu.edu/GLSW.
About Great Lake State Weekend
A Lake Superior State University tradition since 1995, Great Lake State Weekend (GLSW) is an annual homecoming-style celebration that brings LSSU students, alumni, families, friends, and the community together in celebration of Laker pride. The week(end) features a variety of activities, including athletics, alumni celebrations, student engagement, and community events. For the full schedule of events and registration information, visit www.lssu.edu/GLSW.
About Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University is a close-knit university in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where faculty and staff know their students by name. Founded in 1946, LSSU offers a unique personal education shaped by its size, setting, and spirit of community. The University’s one-rate tuition seeks to make education accessible to all students, while Laker athletics foster competitive spirit and school pride. Learn more at www.lssu.edu.
