Insights from our community
Turning Wetlands into Wonderlands
Dr. Florin Pendea Partners with Communities to Unleash their Superpowers
Message from the President
Committed to Community
Without community, Lakehead University wouldn’t exist.
Individuals, organizations, and groups united to build an unshakeable foundation for us long before we opened our doors in 1965. As former Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Bob Rosehart observed in the 1987 book A Northern Vision:
“Without vision and drive on behalf of the residents of Northwestern Ontario by academic and community leaders during the past forty years, none of what Lakehead University is today would have been possible.”
His words have a special resonance for me as we release the 2023-24 Annual Report—a period that marks my first year as Lakehead’s president and vice-chancellor.
Honouring our promises to the people we serve and fulfilling the aspirations of communities drives our mission as an institution of higher learning. In the spirit of Lakehead’s origins—by the community, for the community—we’ve made tremendous progress meeting emerging social and economic needs. This year alone, Lakehead struck an agreement with the University of Guelph to deliver the new Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program to increase the number of veterinarians in northern Ontario; we forged a partnership with the City of Barrie to open a STEM Hub to prepare students for in-demand skilled jobs in Simcoe County and Central Ontario; and we made important strides in our plans to expand the Orillia campus through a new building, more program offerings, and increased student enrolment.
In addition, Lakehead was named an Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) University, a testament to our success in fostering resilient economies, and we had a total annual economic impact of $4.54 billion on Ontario’s GDP.
We’ve continued to be a powerful champion of accessible, high-quality postsecondary education, which Maclean’s 2025 University Rankings has recognized by naming Lakehead the number one primarily undergraduate university in Ontario and fifth in Canada. Similarly, our transformational impact can be seen in the number of first-generation students at Lakehead. Ten years ago, 58 per cent of students were first generation, meaning that neither of their parents had a degree. Today, that figure has dropped to 35 per cent—demonstrating how Lakehead is changing the demographics of communities, generation over generation, by making education more accessible.
Our commitment to community extends well beyond our home regions.
In 2024, the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings again placed Lakehead in the top 10 per cent of universities globally—and the top-ranked university with under 10,000 students in Canada and North America—for our work advancing environmental sustainability and positive societal change. Lakehead, moreover, has increased global research collaborations and international opportunities for our students, including a newly launched business degree offered in partnership with the United Kingdom’s Northumbria University.
Furthering truth and reconciliation is also pivotal to Lakehead’s mission as we build on earlier initiatives such as being the first Canadian university to have an Indigenous-content course requirement for every student. The two stunning beaded sashes designed for my presidential installation ceremonies are a visual expression of our resolve to move the truth and reconciliation process forward. The Orillia sash was created by artist Melissa Benson from Rama First Nation and the Thunder Bay sash was created by Daanis Pelletier, a Lakehead student from Fort William First Nation.
My work relies upon amazing students like Daanis and our equally outstanding faculty and staff. Together with the communities we serve, we are embracing a shared purpose and a common future.
Dr. Gillian Siddall President & Vice-Chancellor
