Marquette, MI – February 3, 2026 – WLUC-TV has named Dr. Stephen Grugin as the 2025 recipient of their annual Carl V. Pellonpaa Lifetime Achievement Award. Grugin is a longtime resident of Marquette and originally hails from Frankfort, Kentucky.
WLUC-TV General Manager Rick Rhoades spoke about the award with Mark & Walt in the Morning.
Rhoades explained the Pellonpaa award is presented annually to an area individual who dedicates a lifetime of service to their industry and community.
He said Grugin has a career of nearly five decades of music education, performance, and community service, adding he is best known for 27 years as Director of Bands at Northern Michigan University, where he directed the Wildcat Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Pep Band.
Rhoades said Grugin has also served as Music Director and Conductor of the Marquette City Band and has been a key factor in fundraising for the construction of the Peg Hirvonen band shell at Presque Isle Park in Marquette.
The award will be officially presented to Dr. Grugin during a special broadcast of “Upper Michigan Today” on Wednesday, February 4 at 9:00am est, on FOX UP.
-mediaBrew Communications News
