Last year, the Michigan Maritime Museum received a generous gift from Ron Wiser in honor of his wife’s birthday. Ruth always loved going to the Museum and served on its board of directors for several years. This gift turned into a major boon for Lawrence Technological University’s media communication students.
Bringing the Great Lakes to the Classroom
Kevin Walsh is an assistant professor of practice and media communication program director. His longtime friend and fellow Detroit booster, Bailey Sisoy-Moore, is executive director of the Michigan Maritime Museum. Education and awareness-building are major parts of the Museum’s mission to celebrate, preserve, promote, and steward the heritage and culture of Michigan’s Great Lakes and waterways.
She contacted Walsh to record some of her experts’ talks for K-6 students to experience the Museum and learn the facts and lore of one of Michigan’s greatest resources. Much like TED Talks, these online presentations allow school children to learn about what Walsh calls “the best-kept secret.” Founded in 1974 by Rowland Sylvester in South Haven, Michigan, “this gem of a museum is beloved and well supported by its strong community,” he said.
Media Production In Action!
That collaboration quickly evolved into a hands-on opportunity for LTU students. In November of 2025, nine of Walsh’s students recorded actual talks and activities related to fish living in the Great Lakes, the environment, and the care of the state’s water resources, to become part of the Museum’s educational offerings.
Over two and a half days, eight talks were recorded. Just like a professional production team, media communication juniors Kayla Zygmontowicz and Zach Kaechle served as executive producers. The crew comprised junior Jordyn Bebus and seniors Sylvester Jones and Luke Wismer on B-roll and interviews, with senior Katelyn Moreland as producer. Junior Cavan Burpee handled the multi-cam with support from multi-cam producers junior Luke Weinberger and senior Evan McIntyre. While junior Riley Monk wasn’t part of the on-site team, he is editing all the footage for the project and doing a paid internship with the Museum.
Walsh was one of the expert speakers. He discussed the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975.
The result was a professional-quality set of educational videos that now serve both the Museum and its audiences.
A Gift That Keeps Giving
Ron and Ruth’s gift to the Museum is a gift that will keep on giving. The Museum created the Ruth Wiser Educational Portal for children and adults to access the current eight student-produced educational videos. The Education Committee has set aside funds for more videos planned for this year. These LTU media communication students will take the valuable, hands-on experience this project afforded them into their careers as writers, producers, interviewers, and broadcasters.
The experiences of LTU’s media communication students, members of the Michigan Maritime Museum team, and the children come alive in a new video titled “On Location.”
Walsh said, “The Museum has been as excited as my students,” adding that the LTU team received t-shirts with the Museum and LTU logos emblazoned on them. My students loved working for a real client, getting off campus, and conquering a challenging shoot.
“What’s more, they were wonderful representatives of Lawrence Tech and respectful of the legacy and history of the place. I was really proud.”
By: Renée Ahee
