Lakehead U Tops Canadian Universities for “Value Added”

(Thunder Bay - November 8, 2004) Lakehead University has retained its spot as Canada's number one university for Value Added in Maclean's annual university ranking issue 2004.

This is the third time Lakehead has been number 1 in Value Added, and the seventh year it has been in the top three. Value Added measures the entering average of students and achievement through the retention rate, the proportion who graduate, and the number of students receiving national awards.

"This is overwhelming proof of the overall quality and value of the educational experience our students gain at Lakehead University. And it is a testament to the outstanding quality of instruction, research, and support for all aspects of student life that Lakehead consistently offers," says Dr. Fred Gilbert, President of Lakehead.

Lakehead's Value Added standing confirms what students already know about the University. Surveys of undergraduate students at Lakehead show that 9 out of 10 are satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of their education at the University, and they indicate a higher than average level of satisfaction with the smaller class sizes, library facilities, study space, access to high-technology products and services, and personal counselling services, among many programs and services that make the Lakehead campus life unique.

"Lakehead University has continually provided excellent educational opportunities," says Dr. Laurie Hayes, Lakehead University's Vice-President (Academic) and Provost. "Lakehead's faculty and staff are committed to the success of each student, and this has again been demonstrated by our top Value Added score."

Lakehead measures its own performance by the quality of its graduates and the excellent education they receive while they are students here. Dr. Gilbert adds, "The fact that Lakehead is above the Ontario university average with 97% of our graduates employed two years after leaving the University, is an indication that Lakehead attracts good students and positions them well in the competitive job market. Employers understand the quality of education we provide our students."

"Our continued high standing in the Value Added category illustrates the quality of the educational experience at Lakehead," says Dr. Jane Birkholz, Vice-Provost (Student Affairs). "It is a product of the value we add to the community as well as to the students and faculty who work and study here. This is the case today, it was the case last year and will be the case next year, regardless of where we place in the overall Maclean's ranking."

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Contact: Marla Tomlinson, Lakehead University, 807-343-8177