Lakehead’s Humanities 101 students celebrate success

Graduates of Lakehead’s Humanities 101 program gathered at Era 67 restaurant last night to celebrate their successful completion of the program, directed by Lakehead’s Dr. Linda Rodenburg, along with student assistant Jeff Black (far left).

Graduates of Lakehead’s Humanities 101 program gathered at Era 67 restaurant last night to celebrate their successful completion of the program, directed by Lakehead’s Dr. Linda Rodenburg, along with student assistant Jeff Black (far left).

 Humanities 101 students were congratulated by Program Director Dr. Linda Rodenburg and received certificates from Lakehead Orillia Dean & Vice-Provost Dr. Kim Fedderson at last night’s graduation celebration at Era 67 Restaurant.  Pictured here is graduate Jamie Hutchings, one of the evening’s valedictorians.

Humanities 101 students were congratulated by Program Director Dr. Linda Rodenburg and received certificates from Lakehead Orillia Dean & Vice-Provost Dr. Kim Fedderson at last night’s graduation celebration at Era 67 Restaurant.  Pictured here is graduate Jamie Hutchings, one of the evening’s valedictorians.

April 8, 2015 – Orillia, ON 

A group of 15 Lakehead University students gathered with family and friends last night for a special convocation dinner and ceremony at Orillia restaurant, Era 67. 

The event celebrated the students’ successful completion of Lakehead’s Humanities 101 program, an outreach initiative providing adult learners who may never have believed that they could participate in post-secondary education, with access to a university experience despite financial and other barriers.

“This is the fourth year we have offered the 12-week program,” explained program director, Dr. Linda Rodenburg, a faculty member at the Orillia campus.  “I see this as one of Lakehead’s gifts to the community.” 

Rodenburg expressed her appreciation to those responsible for helping to bring the program to the community, including Tony Gulmen, Trevor Walker, representing the Community Foundation of Orillia and Area, and Steve Clarke and Chris Marsh of Brewery Bay, who were all instrumental in raising funds.  She also introduced and thanked the faculty members who volunteered to lead the weekly lectures. “Humanities 101 has been a great success since its launch, which is thanks to many individuals, community organizations and businesses.” 

Each evening session of the 12-week program included a meal, thanks to community sponsors including Brewery Bay, Madison County, Patilero, Theo’s Eatery, Topps in Pizza, and West Ridge Subway.  Doug and Catherine West also donated food, and Era 67 sponsored the graduation dinner. 

Students will be able to continue to connect with their academic community through attending special events associated with Humanities 201, a new program sponsored by the Smart and Caring Communities Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Orillia and Area. 

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MEDIA:  For more information, please contact Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca. 

In 2015, Lakehead University will celebrate 50 years of exceptional education. Guided by its Strategic Plan (2013-2018), Lakehead is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies.

Maclean’s 2015 University Rankings places Lakehead University 2nd in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and 1st among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2014, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead 2nd in Ontario and 3rd among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.