Society of Les Voyageurs
Encyclopedia
The Society of Les Voyageurs is a co-ed fraternal outdoors society at the University of Michigan
and one of the oldest university outing clubs in the United States
. Founded in 1907, the Society of Les Voyageurs is the second oldest student group
on the University of Michigan campus.
of the Great Lakes
fur trade
whom they admired as early outdoorsmen.
After nearly two decades of renting space on the University of Michigan campus, the Society drew up plans in 1924 to construct a permanent cabin in Ann Arbor. Completed the following year, Pine Lodge has continually served as the home for the Society as well as a residence for student members. The Society has published an annual yearbook
since 1910 as well as several volumes of Society history.
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and one of the oldest university outing clubs in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 1907, the Society of Les Voyageurs is the second oldest student group
Student group
A student group is an organization of students, typically at a high school, college or university, who share a common background or interest. Student groups may be supervised by a member of faculty, but are typically organized and attended independently...
on the University of Michigan campus.
History
The Society of Les Voyageurs was founded in 1907 by University of Michigan students Elmer "Lindy" Lehndorff, Lawrence "Larry" Lark, and Chester MacChesney. They named the Society after the pioneering French-Canadian voyageursVoyageurs
The Voyageurs were the persons who engaged in the transportation of furs by canoe during the fur trade era. Voyageur is a French word which literally translates to "traveler"...
of the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
fur trade
North American Fur Trade
The North American fur trade was the industry and activities related to the acquisition, exchange, and sale of animal furs in the North American continent. Indigenous peoples of different regions traded among themselves in the Pre-Columbian Era, but Europeans participated in the trade beginning...
whom they admired as early outdoorsmen.
After nearly two decades of renting space on the University of Michigan campus, the Society drew up plans in 1924 to construct a permanent cabin in Ann Arbor. Completed the following year, Pine Lodge has continually served as the home for the Society as well as a residence for student members. The Society has published an annual yearbook
Yearbook
A yearbook, also known as an annual, is a book to record, highlight, and commemorate the past year of a school or a book published annually. Virtually all American, Australian and Canadian high schools, most colleges and many elementary and middle schools publish yearbooks...
since 1910 as well as several volumes of Society history.
Notable Members
- Laurence McKinley GouldLaurence McKinley GouldLaurence McKinley "Larry" Gould was an American geologist, educator, and polar explorer.Gould was born in Lacota, Michigan on August 22, 1896. After completing high school in South Haven, Michigan in 1914, he went to Boca Raton, Florida and taught grades 1 to 8 in a one-room school for two years,...
: noted American geologist, educator, polar explorer, and president of Carleton CollegeCarleton CollegeCarleton College is an independent non-sectarian, coeducational, liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, USA. The college enrolls 1,958 undergraduate students, and employs 198 full-time faculty members. In 2012 U.S... - Harold C. "Bud" Jordahl: noted environmental leader and Earth DayEarth DayEarth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. The name and concept of Earth Day was allegedly pioneered by John McConnell in 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. The first Proclamation of Earth Day was by San Francisco, the...
pioneer - Milan C. "Mike" Miskovsky: CIACentral Intelligence AgencyThe Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
lawyer who negotiated the release of downed U2 pilot Francis Gary Powers and the failed Bay of Pigs InvasionBay of Pigs InvasionThe Bay of Pigs Invasion was an unsuccessful action by a CIA-trained force of Cuban exiles to invade southern Cuba, with support and encouragement from the US government, in an attempt to overthrow the Cuban government of Fidel Castro. The invasion was launched in April 1961, less than three months...
prisoners in 1962 - Grant W. Sharpe: pioneer of environmental interpretation and author of Interpreting the Environment
- John F. TurnerJohn F. TurnerJohn F. Turner was Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service from 1989 to 1993 and United States Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs from 2001 to 2005.-Biography:...
: former director of the United States Fish and Wildlife ServiceUnited States Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
, president of The Conservation FundThe Conservation FundThe Conservation Fund is an American environmental non-profit with a dual charter to pursue both economic development and environmental preservation.The Fund partners with community, government and corporate leaders to fulfill their conservation priorities...
, and Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific AffairsAssistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific AffairsThe Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs is the head of the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs in the United States Department of State... - Red Berenson: former professional ice hockey player and coach of the University of Michigan men's ice hockey teamMichigan Wolverines men's ice hockeyThe Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...