Students Receive $48,000 Toward Post-Secondary Education in One Year

(November 12, 2008 - Thunder Bay, ON) Amid the worldwide economic downturn, Lakehead University students are on the other side of Fortune's Wheel. Last Friday, Lakehead University Senate presented students Luc Cousineau, Michael Mason, and Brent Moyer with Canadian Millennium Scholarship In-Course Excellence Awards, valued at $5000 each renewable for one year.

Robert Buchkowski and Mario Nucci were recognized for having won Lakehead University Presidential Scholarships at the same Senate meeting. These national entrance awards, valued at $6,000 each per year for four years, are awarded to full-time students entering Lakehead University upon graduation from high school with a minimum average of 90% in best 6 Grade 12 U and M courses, or the equivalent.

Five other Lakehead students have been awarded Millennium Entrance Awards which can be taken to any Canadian University. Jazmyn Balfour-Boehm, Robert Buchkowski, Kaylie Lundgren, and Mario Nucci received awards valued at $4000 each, while Katie Robinson received a $5000 award. The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation has distributed more than $2.2 billion in bursaries, awards, and scholarships since 2000. Its goal is to support students throughout Canada prepare for the future by improving access to Canadian post-secondary education. Richard Longtin, President of the Lakehead University Student Union, says "Awards such as these make a real difference to students' lives. In addition to recognizing students' success, they relieve a great deal of strain and worry that result from the high cost of post-secondary education."

Phyllis Bosnick of Lakehead's Office of Student Financial Aid and Awards, says "These deserving students, honoured by the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation for their community and academic achievements, have demonstrated their commitment to excellence. As first-level award winners, the In-Course winners have the potential to have their award renewed next year."

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Media: Phyllis Bosnick is available for media interview. For more information or to arrange interview times, please contact Lisa Pelot, Communications Officer, at 343-8177, or commun@lakeheadu.ca

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,700 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca