Lakehead University hosts Eggsplosive Egg-Drop Competition as Part of Youth Week

(Thunder Bay - April 26, 2006) Youth Week Thunder Bay is a Community Youth Coalition initiative that encourages and supports positive youth development through its support of the Youth Advisory Council. As part of Youth Week Thunder Bay, Lakehead University is hosting the Eggsplosive Egg-Drop Competition in the Agora on Sunday, April 30, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Youth Advisory Council consists of more than 40 youth representatives from all parts of the city who volunteer their time to plan, design and man numerous activities during Youth Week. Through the planning of numerous Youth Week activities, the Youth Advisory Council hopes to encourage all youth to become more actively involved in their community and increase awareness of the services available to them. The main goal of Youth Week however, is to have fun while recognizing and celebrating the positive contributions of youth.
The Eggsplosive Egg-Drop Competition is one of the break-out events planned and orchestrated by youth for Youth Week 2006. Student teams from Grades 7-12 use their imagination to construct a safety device that will allow their egg to survive a drop from the Agora balcony. Prizes are to be awarded on the basis of survival and most creative design of the safety device. Judges include several Lakehead University faculty, staff, and students.
At the same time, the Agora will also host the High School Art Expo, showcasing works of art from local high school students. Craft tables will be set up to allow visitors to make artistic creations of their own. Add face painting, refreshments, and door prizes and you have an event that is fun for the whole family.
Lakehead University is proud to be supporting Youth Week Thunder Bay 2006, and to have its faculty, staff, and students involved with this initiative.
Members of the media are welcome to attend this exciting event.

Bright Young Mathematicians Invited to Lakehead U

Lakehead U Hosts TD Canada Trust High School Mathematics Competition
(Thunder Bay - April 11, 2006) Lakehead University's Department of Mathematical Sciences is inviting students from across Northwestern Ontario to take part in the 2006 TD Canada Trust High School Mathematics Competition on May 10.
Since 2003, the Department of Mathematical Sciences has been hosting this competition to challenge the brightest young minds in Thunder Bay both in individual and team events in the junior and senior levels.
"The aim of this competition is to stimulate interest in mathematics among young people," says event organizer Dr. Peter Mah, with the Department of Mathematical Sciences. "We anticipate that some of these students will have careers in mathematics, but many will find themselves in careers requiring mathematical ability (such as any occupations in the sciences or engineering). The ability to reason that is nurtured by the study of mathematics is becoming steadily more important as our society advances technologically."
This year, the competition is sponsored by an Endowment Grant from the Canadian Mathematical Society, as well as increased funding from the major sponsor, TD Canada Trust. This allows the organizers to expand our contest beyond the boundary of Thunder Bay into other high schools in the Northwestern Ontario region.
For more information on the competition, contact Dr. Peter Mah at 343-8469 or email pfmah@lakeheadu.ca.

NOSM Bursary Fund Hits $12.9 million

(Thunder Bay - April 7, 2006) On Friday April 7, the Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty and Mr. Bill Mauro, MPP, Thunder Bay-Atikokan and Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Northern Development and Mines, formally marked the closure of the first year of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine's Bursary Fund Campaign. During two separate announcements, in Sudbury and in Thunder Bay, NOSM's first year of public fundraising ended on a positive note with a balance of $12.9 million.

(l to r) Greg Pilot, NOSM Northwest Fundraising Chair; Liz Dougall, NOSM Board Chair; Michael Gravelle, MPP; Bill Mauro, MPP; and Dr. Fred Gilbert. LakeheadUniversity President.

Elizabeth Dougall, Chair of the NOSM Board of Directors Fundraising Committee was extremely pleased with the announcements. "This campaign could not have been so successful without the generosity and support from a wide range of Northerners - individuals, communities, businesses, media, and government - all working together to support Northern Ontario medical students."

More than 300 of the 2000 donors to the Bursary Fund attended the announcements which highlighted the Ontario government's contribution of funds to match donations and pledges received through the efforts of over 90 members of volunteer fundraising committees across Northern Ontario.

Dr. Roger Strasser, Founding Dean of the Medical School, noted that the success of the campaign could not have been achieved without the leadership of the campaign co-chairs, "Greg Pilot (west) and Gerry Lougheed Jr. (east), who were tireless in their efforts to raise the awareness of, and ultimately the support for, the Bursary campaign."

Donors contributed $6.7 million. The Ontario Government raised this total to $12.9 million through a $5M matching grant from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and additional provincial government funding.

Dr. Judith Woodsworth, President of Laurentian University and Chair of the NOSM Board of Directors noted that, "Raising $12.9 million over such a short period of time is a testament to the

generosity of Northerners, and their commitment to achieving quality medical education in the North, for the North."

Lakehead University President Dr. Fred Gilbert further expressed his appreciation for the financial assistance made available to medical students. "Every donation, sponsorship, and hour of volunteer time, regardless of the amount, helps to assist students to achieve a medical education in Northern Ontario."

The Bursary Fund will provide financial aid to Northern Ontario medical students on an as-needed basis, and will help them to avoid significant debt at the end of their training. The more opportunities students have to limit financial concerns, the better able they are to focus on their studies.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is a pioneering faculty of medicine. The School is a joint initiative of Lakehead and Laurentian Universities, with main campuses in Thunder Bay and Sudbury, and multiple teaching and research sites across Northern Ontario. By educating skilled physicians and undertaking health research suited to community needs, the School will become a cornerstone of community health care in Northern Ontario.

Lakehead U Engineering Student Wins First Place at National Competition

(Thunder Bay - April 5, 2006) Graham Shrive picked up a first-place standing at the Canadian Engineering Competition (CEC) held in Montreal from March 9 to 12.
Shrive entered the Engineering Communications category, in which he had already won a first place during the qualifying Ontario Engineering Competition in February. This category requires students to develop and present a viewpoint on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of any current technological issue. The students must make their presentation in language that the general public would understand by simplifying Engineering terms, technical processes, and issues. Shrive's presentation was entitled "MicroCHP Applications of Modern Stirling Engines," which focuses on the social, environmental, and economic implications of a distributed energy model with particular emphasis on the applications of the Stirling engine for household power and heat production.
"Our society is in the midst of an energy crisis. The sustainability of current consumption, production, and distribution models has been severely challenged in recent years. Any solution must be environmentally, economically, and technologically feasible," he says.
There are six competitions in the CEC, focusing on Engineering Communications, Innovative Design, Consulting Engineering, Junior Team Design, Senior Team Design, and Extemporaneous Debate.
"I chose to compete in this category because it appeals to my strongest suit -- communications," Shrives says. "In addition to the personal satisfaction derived from improving my own communication skills, I also sought to gain positive exposure for Engineers in the public eye. Unfortunately the general public often labours under the impression that Engineering is neither accessible nor comprehensible. This competition addresses that gap by introducing the public to complex ideas and concepts in language they can understand and relate to."
Members of the Media: Graham Shrive is available for interview by calling directly at 344-7974.

Lakehead U Fourth Annual Nursing Forum Marks Special Milestones

(Thunder Bay - March 31, 2006) On Monday, April 3, the Fourth Annual Nursing Scholarship Forum will take place at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. This year marks a special milestone as the first graduating class of the collaborative nursing program with
Confederation college will be taking part in the forum, as well as the celebration of 40 years of baccalaureate nursing at Lakehead.
"We are so excited to be honouring such a special event at our fourth annual forum," says Sally Dampier, a faculty member with the School of Nursing at Lakehead University. "The collaborative nursing program is entering its fourth year, and our first graduating class will be taking part in the forum. The forum is an excellent opportunity for our students to get together and share their areas of expertise."
The Nursing Forum is an opportunity for fourth year nursing students to demonstrate their scholarly skills in an appropriate setting. The day-long event represents a culmination of the fourth-year students' learning experience throughout their program, and is supported by the nursing faculty. This forum also marks the 40th nursing graduating class at Lakehead University.
Members of the Media are invited to take part in the opening remarks and the celebration of 40 Years of Baccalaureate Nursing, starting at 8:30 a.m. Then at 9:30 a.m., Lakehead U president Dr. Fred Gilbert and Confederation College president Pat Lang, will bring greetings to the graduating class of 2006. The presentations by nursing students start at 10:30. Topics covered include Hope and Spirituality in Palliative Care Nursing; The Nurses Role in Changing the Paediatric Obesity Problem; Health Human Resources in Isolated Areas; Breastfeeding Self-efficacy; and many other topics.
For more information, contact the School of Nursing at 343-8395. The Forum will be in the Education Centre on the third floor of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. All media are welcome to attend.

Lakehead U Honours 40 Research Stars During Research and Innovation Week

40 Years of Research Excellence Celebrated
(Thunder Bay - Tuesday, March 28, 2006) This week is Research and Innovation Week at Lakehead University. As part of this celebration, Lakehead is honouring its research stars.
The 40 Research Stars of the past 40 years at Lakehead University (the 40/40 Awards) will be awarded on Wednesday, March 29, at 4 p.m. Members of the media are welcome to attend the reception or to speak with some of the researchers before the event (please call the Office of Research at 343-8201 to set up these interviews).
The 40/40 Awards honour 20 researchers in the social sciences, humanities, health, and arts disciplines, and 20 in the natural sciences and engineering areas. All faculty members who have demonstrated research of excellence at Lakehead University over the past 40 years were eligible to be nominated for this award.
"This award is for researchers who have accomplished consistent and significant research excellence at Lakehead, research that has been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally over the history of the University," says Dr. Rui Wang, Vice President (Research), Lakehead University. "Since we have just celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the University, we felt that it was the right time to honour 40 of our research stars."
For more information, or to set up interviews, please call the Office of Research at 343-8201, or visit http://research.lakeheadu.ca/40researchstars/

Research and Innovation Week at Lakehead U

Public invited on campus to explore research projects and meet with researchers
(Thunder Bay - Wednesday, March 22, 2006) Lakehead University is showcasing many of its dynamic researchers to the Thunder Bay community. From March 27 to 31, the first annual Research and Innovation Week at Lakehead University will take place.
This week-long event is designed to celebrate and showcase research excellence here at Lakehead and raise awareness in the community about research and its benefits to society.
"Research and Innovation Week is a great chance for the people of Thunder Bay to visit the campus, meet with our researchers, and see what we're doing," says Dr. Rui Wang, Vice President (Research) at Lakehead University.
The Opening Ceremonies take place on March 27 at 11 a.m. in the Agora. This is linked with Gerontology Research Day, which is also in the Agora. On March 28 and 29 the public can drop by the Agora between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for the Research Exhibition & Trade Show where they can meet the researchers and their graduate students and learn about their fascinating and innovative areas of research.
The community can also attend some lectures, designed for the general public, delivered by some of Lakehead's leading researchers. On Monday, March 27, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Dr. Lada Malek, Department of Biology, will present "Natural Health Products - Slow Killers or Benign Money-Makers?" in the NOTC Building. Dr. Malek will discuss the pros and cons of science-based medicine as opposed to traditional herbal remedies. The regulation of natural health products in Canada and the potential for building new industries around natural health products will also be discussed.
On Tuesday, March 28, Dr. Carney Matheson, Department of Anthropology, will present "Mummies Around the World" in the Lower Lecture Theatre (UC-0050). This lecture will explore the Mummies of the world and present the different types of mummies there are and where these mummies are found. Mummies from Africa, Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia and the Pacific will be presented, from the far reaches of the Taklamakan desert to the high summits of the Andes. The majority of the mummies presented will be those that have been analyzed and studied at the Paleo-DNA laboratory as part of its projects involving mummified remains.
In addition, there will be a Film Festival, poster displays, and more (see the complete schedule below).
Lakehead University Research and Innovation Week Schedule
(This schedule is for media use only. Members of the media are welcome to attend any event. Events in italics are either not open to the public, or require registration to attend. For more information on the schedule, please call the Office of Research at 343-8201.)
Monday, March 27
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Gerontology Research Day (Agora)
11 a.m. Opening Ceremonies (Agora)
11:15 a.m.-12 p.m. Gerontology Research Day: Singers and Dancers (Agora)
1:30 p.m. Keynote Speaker Nils Aarsaether (Faculty Lounge) "Innovations in the Nordic Periphery Project"
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lada Malek Presentation (NOTC Building) "Natural health products - slow killers or benign money-makers?"
Tuesday, March 28
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Films, Banana Split and Rosies of the North (Faculty Lounge)
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Research Exhibition and Trade Show (Agora)
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Barb Eccles, Manager, Technology Transfer Presentation, (ATAC 5035), "Innovation at Lakehead: Helping Researchers Help Society"
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Carney Matheson Presentation (UC 0050, Lower Lecture Theatre) "Mummies Around the World"
Wednesday, March 29
8:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Films, The Mystery of the Shroud and Women and Science - Asking Different Questions (Faculty Lounge)
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Research Exhibition and Trade Show (Agora)
Thursday, March 30
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Films, The Mystery of the Shroud, Cures from the Crypt, Rosies of the North, Titanic's Ghosts (UC-1017)
12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Psychology Research Day (Agora)
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dr. Will C. van den Hoonaard, University of New Brunswick, (ATAC 5035) "Making Room for the Social Sciences in Research Ethics Review" Space is limited; please call Lisa Norton (807-343-8283, lisa.norton@lakeheadu.ca) to register.
Friday, March 31
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Films, Titanic's Ghost and Turning Points (Faculty Lounge)
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tour of the Paleo-DNA Laboratory and Presentation by Genesis Genomics (NOTC Building) Space is limited; please call Lisa Norton (807-343-8283, lisa.norton@lakeheadu.ca) to register.

Lakehead U DNA Expert Assists in International Bestseller

An expert in molecular and paleo DNA, Dr. Carney Matheson has applied his work in Paleo-DNA to exploring ancient populations, unravelling mummies, and even investigations of the Tomb of the Shroud - a tomb containing the oldest shroud found in the Holy Land. It's the latter that caught the interest of a national bestselling author.
Kathy Reichs' latest novel, Cross Bones, is a murder mystery which delves into the world of forensic anthropology, biblical archaeology, and a tomb that may have held the remains of Jesus' family.
Dr. Matheson was part of a research team that worked in Israel to undertake the investigation on the Tomb of the Shroud. This work was conducted in Jerusalem by Dr. Matheson with archaeologist Shimon Gibson, microbiologist Charles Greenblatt, and microscopist Azriel Gorski.
Dr. Matheson explains: "The tomb is the oldest tomb in the Holy land that has a burial shroud. We were able to look at the disease state of the individuals and the genetic relationships within the tomb as well as identify what the fabric of the Shroud was made from. Kathy Reichs wanted to understand all the aspects of the molecular studies so that she could use the context and the Tomb of the Shroud as part of her novel."
Reichs acknowledges the work of Dr. Matheson and the Paleo-DNA Laboratory in her book, and mentions the Paleo-DNA Laboratory in the body of her novel.
"Dr. Matheson and the folks at the Laboratory were a great help to me with the details of this research, and they added a sense of realism to the novel," Reichs says. "I am thankful for their help, and look forward to the possibility of working with them again."
Members of the Media: To book an interview with Dr. Matheson, call Marla Tomlinson at 807-343-8177.

International Speakers Gather to Discuss How the World is Being Reshaped

"Old Economy Regions in the New Economy: A North/South Dialogue on Social, Cultural, and Economic Issues"
(Thunder Bay - March 17, 2006) On March 24 and 25, people from around the world will be gathering in Thunder Bay to share their knowledge and ideas on how the world is being reshaped by technological, economic, and social forces, and how people around the world are responding.
The conference "Old Economy Regions in the New Economy: A North/South Dialogue on Social, Cultural, and Economic Issues" will have speakers from Canada, Norway, Finland, Mexico, India, Cameroon, and Guatemala.
"The new economy is rapidly transforming the world in which we live," says Dr. Thomas Dunk, a Sociology faculty member at Lakehead, and an organizer of the event. "This conference is designed to bring people together to talk about these changes and how people are responding to them. The objective is to stimulate a dialogue between the North and the South in order to better understand how solutions to development problems in one region might be applied to other regions of the world."
Over the two days, the conference will focus on topics such as "In Search of Flexibility: Restructuring Canada's Social Model in the Face of Globalization" and "Cultural Resistance in Land Use Conflicts: What Wolves May Mean to the Rural Working Class" (a complete schedule is below).
"We invite members of the community to join us in this important discussion," says Dr. Bruce Muirhead, a History faculty member at Lakehead, and also an organizer of the event. "Our speakers will address the cultural, social, and economic situation of regions in the new economy in the North and the South, particularly social movement responses to regional inequities, sustainable development, and developmental prospects in those regions that are or were based on resource economies."
Sponsors for this event include Lakehead University's Department of Sociology and Department of History, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Lakehead University Alumni Bookstore, the Centre for Northern Studies, the City of Thunder Bay, and Thunder Bay Ventures.
The conference takes place at the Prince Arthur Hotel. The cost for faculty members and the general public is $50. Lakehead University students are welcome for free.
Members of the Media: Dr. Dunk, Dr. Muirhead, and Dr. Harpelle are available for interview by calling Marla Tomlinson at 343-8177.
Conference Schedule
Friday, March 24
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Session One: Keynote Address
Chris Smart, IDRC, "Development Issues in the Age of the New Economy: Connecting North and South"
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Coffee Break
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Session Two: Facing the New Economy in Canada, Mexico, and Africa
Chair: Livio Di Matteo, Economics, Lakehead University

Stephen McBride, Political Science, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, "In Search of Flexibility: Restructuring Canada's Social Model in the Face of Globalization"
Pekka Tapani Valtonen, Renvall Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, "From subsistence economies to global markets: Mexican experiences in opening up the economy"
George Agyare, Political Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, "Subsaharan Africa and the New Economy"
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Lunch at the Prince Arthur Hotel
1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Session Three: Community Development Issues
Chair: Chris Southcott, Sociology, Lakehead University
Clara Sacchetti and Todd Dufresne, Anthropology and Philosophy, Lakehead University, "Re-thinking the geographies of economic development: the place of place and beauty in the New Economy"
Nils Aersather, Planning and Community Studies, University of Tromso, Tromso, Norway, "The transformation of places in the Nordic Periphery: A study of innovations in 21 Northern municipalities"
Asbjorne Roiseland and Brynhild Granas, Social Science, Bodo University College, Bodo, Norway, "Industrial Production or Cultural Economy? Urban Governance and Path Dependence in two Norwegian Communities"
3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Session Four: Community Development in Northwestern Ontario and Beyond
Chair: Thomas Dunk, Lakehead University
Chris Southcott, Lakehead University, "Old Economy/New Economy Transitions and Shifts in Demographic and Occupational Patterns in Northwestern Ontario"
Panel Discussion on Community Development Issues: Nils Aersather, Asbjorne Roiseland, Catherine Dugmore (City of Thunder Bay), Mark Smith (City of Thunder Bay), Leslie McEachern (City of Thunder Bay), Chris Southcott, and Livio di Matteo (Lakehead University)
Saturday, March 25
9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Session One: Inclusions, Exclusions and Identity in the New Economy
Chair: Pamela Wakewich, Women's Studies, Lakehead University
Belinda Leach, University Research Chair in Woman and Rural Change, University of Guelph, "Rumours of the Old Economy's Death ... Dangerous for Women"
Thomas Dunk, Sociology, Lakehead University, Masculinity and the Old Economy/New Economy Transition"
Scott Thompson and Gary Genosko, Sociology, Lakehead University, "A Kind of Prohibition: Alcohol and Risk Assessment in Northern Ontario 1927-1962"
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Session Two: The New Economy, Nature, and Social Movements
Chair: Bruce Muirhead, Lakehead University
Ketil Skogen and Olve Krange, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Lillehammer, Norway, "Cultural Resistance in Land Use Conflicts: What Wolves May Mean to the Rural Working Class"
Harvey Lemelin, School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, Lakehead University, "Black Bear-human encounters in Northwestern Ontario: Understanding the Human Dimension of Wild Life Management"
José G. Vargas-Hernández, Instituto Tecnologico de Cd. Guzman, Jalisco, Mexico, "Co-operation and Conflict Between Firms, Communities, New Social Movements and the Role of Government: The Cerro de San Pedro Case"
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Lunch at the Prince Arthur Hotel
1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Session Three: Global Perspectives on the Prospects and Realities of the New Economy I
Chair: Jean-Yves Bernard, History, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Canada
Nils Semmler, Rentec Renewable Energy Technologies, Inc., Peterborough, "Tosepan Titataniske: United We Stand"
G.Koteswara Prasad, Politics and Public Administration, University of Madras, Chennai, India, "New Economy and Farm Sector in India"
Suzanne Fish, Political Science, University of Toronto, "The Botswana Success Story in Critical Perspective"
3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Session Four: Global Perspectives on the Prospects and Realities of the New Economy II
Chair: Ron Harpelle, Lakehead University
Ellie Ngongang, Economics and Management, Université de Yaoundé II, Cameroun, Africa, "Impact des sources de financement et l'effet de coûts de régulation sur la propension de l'entrepreneuriat au Cameroun."
Andrés Marroquin Gramajo, Economics, George Mason University, Washington, D.C., "Social Structure, Craft Production, and Development: The Case of the Wayúu of Colombia"
Mark Purdon, Political Science, University of Toronto, "Designing the Carbon Market to Promote Sustainable Rural Development in Regions of the Declining Old Economy"

Lakehead U Instructor Brings Classroom Alive

Extremely creative approach to teaching earns professor top honour
(Thunder Bay - March 16, 2006) A Lakehead University Education faculty member has been selected as the 2005 Distinguished Instructor -- the highest teaching honour awarded at the University.
Dr. Walter Epp has been with the Faculty of Education at Lakehead U since 1992, and he specializes in preparing teacher candidates who will teach History at the high school level. The Senate Committee on Teaching and Learning will be hosting Dr. Epp's address "CIDA, Educational Reform in the Balkans - Teaching at the University of Pristina" on Tuesday, March 21, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Faculty Lounge.
Each year Nominations are submitted to the Senate Committee on Teaching and Learning, and are considered based on a number of criteria including providing evidence of:
a) Distinguished Classroom Presentations
b) Development Of Innovative Teaching Methods
c) Excellence In Course Design
d) Involvement in Major Curriculum Development Projects
e) Research & Scholarly Work On University Teaching
According to the nominator: "Dr. Epp has made it his goal to bring history alive in his classroom so that his students, in turn, can bring it alive during their teaching careers. Walter has developed an extremely creative repertoire for classroom presentation and has tremendous versatility as a teacher. He is renowned for his experiential approach to teaching and learning."
Walter spent the past year on a secondment to the University of Calgary to engage in a Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) project to improve the teaching and learning of children, adults, and future teachers in a war zone.
Members of the Media are invited to attend the address. Interviews with Dr. Epp are also available prior to the event by calling Marla Tomlinson at 343-8177.

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