One-Year MBA and MSc Programs Offer Affordable, Unbeatable Business-Based Education

On Friday, November 26, the Faculty of Business Administration is holding an information session on its Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Management programs.

The session will cover admission requirements, program costs, program duration, curriculum, financial assistance, and career opportunities.

Everyone interested in these programs are encouraged to attend. The session takes place from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. in RB 1044.

Lakehead's one-year MBA program cultivates students' essential business skills and knowledge. Whether working in the private or public sector, Lakehead MBA students can accomplish their career objectives more efficiently. The program is designed to benefit both full-time and part-time students. Full-time students can minimize any disruption to their careers with the one-year MBA program. They will acquire significant qualifications and can be reinvigorated in an intellectually stimulating and challenging environment. For part-time students, the three-year MBA has been designed to enable working professionals to fulfill the program requirements with even less disruption to their careers.

The MBA is a general program with no specific major, which improves the business skills among a wide variety of student backgrounds. It provides exposure to key management concepts and practices in the following business areas:

  • Operations Management - logistical efficiencies, quality control, manufacturing and service production, enterprise resource planning, and capacity planning.
  • Marketing Management - research analysis, advertising account and sales management, public relations, product development, inventory and distribution control.
  • Financial Management - money and banking, capital markets, investments, and financial analysis, public sector finance.
  • Human Resource Management - training and development, labor relations, benefits management, policy development.
  • Management Information Systems - theory, technology, and application of management information systems to revitalize business processes, conduct electronic commerce/business, improve business decision-making, facilitate collaboration and initiate knowledge management.
  • Financial and Management Accounting - financial accounting, auditing, and controllership.

Admission requirements include a four-year degree and GMAT with a recommended score of 500, or GRE with a recommended combined score of 300, or complete the Business Skills Development Program (subject to availability). Applicants with work experience of more than two years are preferred.

For more information visit http://mba.lakeheadu.ca.

The one-year Lakehead MSc (Mgt) is primarily a research-oriented program which is open to business graduates only. It offers a deeper understanding of the decision-making processes involved in business and management. Courses are geared toward challenging students intellectually and academically through debates and discussions; in-depth analysis of current managerial problems, opportunities, and situations; and oral presentations delivered by individuals and groups. Students also gain the understanding for the application of research methods and the integration of these methods into a comprehensive theoretically-based research project. The program offers an attractive student/professor ratio and enhanced interaction opportunities with professors.

Admission requirements for the MSc (Mgt) include a four-year business degree and GMAT with a recommended score of 500, or GRE with a combined score of 300.

For more information visit http://mba.lakeheadu.ca.

"Both of these programs offer an uncompromising, quality business education, and are also two of the most affordable graduate programs in Canada," says Dr. Bahram Dadgostar, Dean of Lakehead's Faculty of Business Administration. "Experienced academics and professionals can use state-of-the-art technology, become immersed in the programs through interactive learning, participate in collaborative team projects, and undertake challenging business cases that reflect the requisites of the contemporary business world," he adds.

Attractive financial assistance opportunities are also available. The deadline to apply for September 2011 is February 1, 2011. Late applications may be considered.

Lakehead Researchers "¨Awarded SSHRC Grants

(October 4, 2010 " Thunder Bay, ON) Today, Lakehead University announced and highlighted a number of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grants awarded to its researchers over the past year. These grants, comprising Standard Research Grants, Research Development Initiative Grants, and Aid to Workshops and Conferences in Canada, and Major Collaborative Research Initiative grants total $701,791. The grants are shared by various Lakehead faculty members and graduate students including:

FACULTY MEMBERS

Standard Research Grants

  • Dr. Lori Chambers (Women's Studies): $54,500
    "¨History of Illegitimacy in Ontario
  • Dr. Todd Dufresne (Philosophy): $29,215"¨
    The Late Sigmund Freud: The Death Drive at Work, 1920-1939
  • Dr. Patricia Jasen (History): $33,510
    "¨Mental Health and the Student Experience in English-Canadian Universities, 1945-1995
  • Dr. Lisa Korteweg (Education): $117,710
    "¨Points of Viewing into Culturally Responsive non-Aboriginal Teacher Education
  • Dr. Jane Nicholas (History): $57,602"¨
    Freaks: The Display of the Spectacular Body in English Canada, 1900-1960

Research Development Initiatives

  • Dr. Harvey Lemelin (ORPT): $36,754"¨Photovoice and Photo-History: Visualizing Climate Change from the Mocreebec Perspective

Aid to Workshops and Conferences in Canada

  • Dr. Ron Harpelle (History): $20,000
    FinnForum IX - An International Conference

Major Collaborative Research Initiative (Letter of Intent)

  • Dr. Chris Southcott (Sociology): $20,000"¨
    Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic (ReSDA)


GRADUATE STUDENTS

Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Doctoral Level)

  • Jennifer Newby (Psychology)

Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Master's Scholarships

  • Sandrine Badio (Sociology and Women's Studies)
  • Heather Cameron (Sociology and Women's Studies)
  • Julie Follis (History and Women's Studies)
  • David George (History)
  • Adrianne Johnston (Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism)
  • Andrew Lints (Archaeology)
  • Vanessa Lucky (Sociology and Women's Studies)
  • Mark Stewart (Centre for Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Research)
  • Rhonda Stock (Social Work)
  • Meggan Welch (English)
  • Justin Gates (Psychology)
  • Caroline Cox (English and Women's Studies)

  • Sarah Arthurs (Psychology)

 

Jane Newby SSHRC ward recipient
Jennifer Newby, PhD student in Clinical Psychology and SSHRC award recipient

As noted by Dr. Brian Stevenson, President, Lakehead University, "This is indeed exciting news. I am regularly amazed by the passion with which Lakehead's students and faculty have embraced their participation in our university's research mission. Research in the social sciences and humanities builds understanding and, in the process, changes the way we think, how we live, and how we interact with each other and the world around us. Congratulations to all the students, and to my faculty colleagues, whose excellent work is being recognized today."

"Funding research projects and research training programs in social sciences and humanities fields will provide the much-needed resources for enhancing our research capacity and advancing our understanding of the complex and interrelated societal and economic challenges confronting our region and the nation," explains Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research), Lakehead University.

Dr. Harvey Lemelin SSHRC ward recipient
Dr. Harvey Lemelin, received a SSHRC award for a project entitled "Photovoice and Photo-History: Visualizing Climate Change from the Mocreebec Perspective"

During a recent announcement by Dr. Chad Gaffield, President of SSHRC, in which SSHRC Standard Research Grants and graduate student awards were announced nationally, Dr. Gaffield stated that "To understand innovation today is to understand human thought and behaviour"why we do the things we do, and why we strive to change or stay the same. The investments in these research projects will generate understanding of the political, social, cultural and economic issues that are vital to our future."

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) is the federal agency that promotes and supports university-based research and training in the humanities and social sciences. Through its programs and policies, SSHRC enables the highest levels of research excellence in Canada, and facilitates knowledge-sharing and collaboration across research disciplines, universities and all sectors of society.

2010 SSHRC announcement at Lakehead University
Jennifer Newby, PhD student in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Lisa Korteweg (Education), Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research), Dr. Lori Chambers (Women's Studies), Dr. Jane Nicholas (History), Dr. Chris Southcott (Sociology), Dr. Martha Dowsley (ORPT), Dr. Todd Dufresne (Philosophy), Dr. Harvey Lemelin (ORPT), Dr. Michel Beaulieu (History), Dr. Gillian Siddall, Dean, Social Sciences and Humanities, President Brian Stevenson, and Dr. John O'Meara, Dean, Faculty of Education


"¨-30-


MEDIA: For more information, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, at "¨807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca, or Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications, "¨807-343-8372 or eleanor.abaya@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

Lakehead's Canada Research Chairs Shine at Conference Celebrating Decade of Chairs Program

(December 1, 2010 " Thunder Bay, Ontario) Lakehead University's research talents were recently showcased by a number of its Canada Research Chairs (CRC) as well as their postdoctoral fellows and graduate students at Thinking Ahead for a Strong Future, thenational conference celebrating the tenth anniversary of the CRC Program. The two-day event was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on November 24 and 25.

Dr. Gary Genosko, Canada Research Chair in Technoculture Studies, presents his research on past governmental monitoring methodologies

Among more than 500 Ontario leading researchers who attended the conference, five of Lakehead CRCs and their highly qualified personnel participated, which brought tremendous recognition to the University. The attending Lakehead CRCs included: Dr. Aicheng Chen (Chemistry); Dr. Gary Genosko (Sociology); Dr. David Greenwood (Education); Dr. Ellie Prepas (Natural Resources Management); and Dr. Alla Reznik (Physics/TBRRI). Dr. Judy Iseke (Education), CRC in Indigenous Education, sent her postdoctoral fellow and research assistant to the Conference to present a poster highlighting the research they have conducted.

Dr. Genosko's work was further highlighted through his invitation to speak on a special panel regarding the future of art, society, and technology.

Lakehead graduate students were given the opportunity to present posters and showcase their work while networking with some of Canada's greatest research minds.

Dr. Aicheng Chen, Canada Research Chair in Materialand Environmental Chemistry, with Rasha Tolba,postdoctoral fellow

"This event was a great success as far as raising awareness about the calibre of excellence among Lakehead's CRCs, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students," says Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research), Lakehead University. "In addition to the recognition Lakehead's Chairs received, our Office of Research hosted a booth at the conference to bring increased attention to the institution's many world-class research initiatives," he notes.

The CRC program has been credited with reversing the "brain drain" in Canada. The conference was organized with the support of the Council of Ontario Universities, Tourism Toronto, and the Public Policy Forum. In addition to the participation of the Canada Research Chairs, the conference featured prominent guest speakers including renowned chemist and Nobel Laureate John Polanyi; Minister of Industry Tony Clement; Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation Glen Murray; and Chair of the International business law firm Torys LLP Robert Pritchard. More than 1000 researchers, graduate students, and leaders from the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors took part in the event.

Additional photos are forthcoming on Lakehead's Office of Research website.


-30-

MEDIA: Some of Lakehead's CRCs, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students are available for media interview. For more information or to arrange interview times, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca, or Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications, at 807-343-8372 or eleanor.abaya@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 8,280 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

Lakehead U and Con College Host Annual Powwow

(March 8, 2010 - Thunder Bay, ON) The Lakehead University Native Student Association (LUNSA), in partnership with Confederation College's Oshki Anishnawbeg Student Association (OASA), is gearing up to welcome hundreds of guests to the Annual Powwow. The theme of this year's event, which takes place at Lakehead University's C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse over the weekend of March 13 and 14, is Our Mother Earth, Our Culture, Our Language.

Through various events and activities offered throughout the year, LUNSA strives to promote spirit and unity among Lakehead's Aboriginal students, and to raise cultural awareness among members of the Lakehead University student community.

"The annual powwow is LUNSA's signature event," says Sarah Nelson, LUNSA Secretary. "It has developed a loyal following because it showcases tremendous entertainment, free of charge, and reinforces traditional aspects of Aboriginal culture, such as drummers, dancers, song, and giving thanks." Vendors will be on site to sell traditional Aboriginal merchandise, and attendees can also enjoy a free feast. Nelson adds that student organizers are looking forward to welcoming returning and first-time guests to this year's event, which is sure to be another crowd pleaser.

"The LUNSA/OASA Powwow is special and unique because it is fully organized by students," says Lisa Wabange, Aboriginal Liaison/Advisor, Lakehead University. "Not only can its continued success be attributed to the time these students dedicate, but also to the cultural and financial support provided by Lakehead University's Office of Aboriginal Initiatives, as well as LUSU, and community stakeholders."

Ralph Taylor serves as Arena Director, Elder Clarence White serves as Master of Ceremonies, and the Little Bear Singers are the Host Drum. Admission and parking are free.

Community members of all ages and from all walks of life are welcome to attend this free event.

-30-

Media: For more information or to arrange media interviews, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 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

Holiday Cheer from Admissions and Recruitment Branches Out to Community

As part of its recruitment efforts, Lakehead's Office of Admissions and Recruitment travels throughout the fall season to high schools, colleges, and universities. A number of staff within this area also travel to attend meetings and events at the Orillia Campus and other locations around Ontario. In September, Admissions and Recruitment staff decided to pool together the small toiletry items they collected at hotels during their travels and created a "Tree of Giving."

Lakehead's Admissions and Recruitment staff collected more than 200 travel-sized toiletry items to donate to Shelter House
The "Tree of Giving" was set up in the atrium of 1294 Balmoral and was decorated with approximately 200 toiletry items collected by these staff members. As a means of giving back to the local community and those in need, the items were packaged and will be delivered to Shelter House, to be presented as a gift donation for the holiday season.

Lakehead Historians Explore Social Impacts of Forestry: Comparing Declining Industry in Canada and Finland to Boom in Uruguay

(December 21, 2010 " Thunder Bay, Ontario) Lakehead History Professors Drs. Michel Beaulieu and Ronald Harpelle, both members of the Lakehead University Centre for Northern Studies (CNS), attended an international seminar, meetings, and workshops in Montevideo, Uruguay from December 7 to 16. The goal of the conference was to discuss natural resource communities and forestry in Canada, Finland, and Uruguay.

The researchers are examining the social impact of a declining forest industry in Canada and Finland in the context of Uruguay's booming pulp industry. A number of forest industry giants are making or planning to make massive investments in Uruguay's pulp production and the plantations associated with it, which creates questions about what northern communities in Canada can learn from the experience of the industry's decline in Finland and the corresponding development of new single-industry resource communities elsewhere in the world.

"We want to look at how northern communities can adapt to the changes taking place and what role governments can and should play in this transition," says Dr. Beaulieu, noting the researchers' main priority in attending the conference was to explore community development and resilience in the global pulp and paper industry. Entitled La situación y perspectivas de la agroindustria forestal y celulósica en Canadá, Finlandia y Uruguay, the conference is the product of a SSHRC Research Development Initiative sponsored by the Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de la República (Uruguay), and the CNS.

(L - R) Dr. Thomas Dunk and Dr. Michel Beaulieu present the changing nature of labour in Northern Ontario forest communities to Uruguayan representatives
The December conference also included Lakehead's former Finnish Chair Hanna Snellman, as well as Dr. Thomas Dunk and Dr. Bruce Muirhead, former Lakehead faculty.

For approximately three years, Drs. Beaulieu and Harpelle, Dr. Chris Southcott (Sociology), and a network of researchers from other universities in Canada, Finland, and Uruguay, have examined resource development and the consequences and impacts arising from the growth of a thriving global forest industry. As Dr. Harpelle notes, "Today's forest industry in Northern Ontario faces challenges and is undergoing important changes, although neither are occurring in isolation." In May 2010, this network of researchers conducted the first international seminar in Thunder Bay under the sponsorship of Lakehead's CNS and the Canadian International Council.

Drs. Beaulieu and Harpelle also travelled to Uruguay as part of an AUCC-IDRC Canada-Latin America and Caribbean Research Exchange Grant, which supports small collaborative research activities that contribute to the creation, dissemination, and sustained application of knowledge. Dr. Beaulieu, Director of the CNS, explains that "By participating in these and other activities, members of the CNS are working to ensure that Lakehead's expertise in northern development research plays a significant role in the growing field of north-south collaborative international research, particularly in the southern cone region."

(L-R) Kelly Saxberg and Dr. Ron Harpelle present their film on the politics of development to University of Waterloo's Dr. Bruce Muirhead, and South American dignitaries Federico Burone, Latin America Regional Director, IDRC,
and John Henry Biehl del Río,
OAS Ambassador to Uruguay

While in Uruguay, Drs. Beaulieu and Harpelle celebrated nineteen years of Canadian cooperation in the development of sustainable coastal development as guests at an event organized by the IDRC and the Canadian Embassy in Uruguay. Additionally, they presented the Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de la República, with a collection of the CNS' publication series, met with students and faculty to strengthen the CNS' international links, and undertook fieldwork in the Uruguayan countryside.

-30-

MEDIA: Additional information about the conference and presenters can be found at: http://www.universidad.edu.uy/ prensa/renderItem/itemId/ 26880/refererPageId/12

Drs. Beaulieu and Harpelle are available for media interview until 4:00 p.m. today. To arrange interview times, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 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 8,280 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

Lakehead Researchers Discover Green Cement Additive for Stronger Concrete

(December 17, 2010 " Thunder Bay, Ontario) A green cement additive that shows potential to significantly strengthen concrete and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions has been licensed to GreenCentre Canada by Lakehead University.

"Technology commercialization involves four important steps: invention disclosure, patenting, licensing and finally introduction of new products to the market. This license to GreenCentre Canada is an important measure of the potential commercial value arising from Lakehead-based research, moving us one step closer to direct benefits to society and economic returns to the region. It showcases once again that Lakehead is a successful contributor to Canada's overall innovation agenda," says Barb Eccles, Manager, Technology Transfer in Lakehead's Innovation Management Office (IMO).

(L-R) Dr. Rui Wang, Barb Eccles, Dr. Rui Resendes, Dr. Lionel Catalan, Dr. Stephen Kinrade, Bruce Holm, and Dr. Brian Stevenson celebrate the announcement of Lakehead University's first external technology license agreement.
The technology, developed by Dr. Lionel Catalan (Chemical Engineering) and Dr. Stephen Kinrade (Chemistry), can potentially increase concrete strength by up to 40 percent and reduce the amount of Portland cement needed to make concrete. "This technology is exciting because it has the potential to create a better product for industry while also benefiting the environment," says Dr. Rui Resendes, Executive Director of GreenCentre Canada. "We are equally excited by the partnership we have formed with Lakehead, where we are fostering continuing development of this discovery within the University's Material Characterization Services labs. This is a living example of the "˜innovation ecosystem' that is at the core of GreenCentre's approach," he adds.

The production of Portland cement involves heating calcium carbonate and clay at extremely high temperatures. This process is responsible for an estimated seven percent of all greenhouse gases produced annually. Globally, approximately 1.35 billion tons of Portland cement are produced each year, releasing an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide into the air.

Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research, Economic Development and Innovation) of Lakehead University, says "The outstanding efforts and creativity of Drs. Catalan and Kinrade, time and again, show the capacity and commitment of Lakehead University to knowledge transformation and economic development." He adds that not only has GreenCentre in-licensed this exciting technology, but it has also invested significant financial resources in Lakehead to further develop, test, and scale-up the green cement formulations " with the development of specific applications to follow. Dr. Wang refers to this occasion as a true testament to the new technology transfer system developed in Canada.

GreenCentre Canada provides Canadian technology transfer offices, such as Lakehead's IMO, with access to expertise and resources that would not otherwise be available, enabling expert handling and support of green chemistry inventions to facilitate their move to the market place. Lakehead's IMO is the access point for Lakehead inventorsto GreenCentre Canada.

As Lakehead University President Dr. Brian Stevenson notes, "By solidifying Lakehead's partnership with GreenCentre Canada, which is one of Canada's new Centres of Excellence in Commercialization of Research, we are moving forward with a major component of the University's Strategic Plan, which is to foster continued research excellence, productivity, and growth."

Drs. Catalan and Kinrade are currently working on a new generation of concrete additives that will further decrease the requirement for Portland cement and are targeted to specific applications such as precast products.

-30-

MEDIA: Drs. Wang, Resendes, Catalan, Kinrade, and Barb Eccles are available for media interview. For more information or to arrange interview times with Lakehead representatives, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca, or Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications, at 807-343-8372 or eabaya@lakeheadu.ca. To arrange interviews with GreenCentre representatives, please contact Mary Anne Beaudette, Director of Communications, GreenCentre Canada, at 613-533-6000 ext. 78238 or maryanne.beaudette@greencentrecanada.com.

About Lakehead University
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 8,280 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

About GreenCentre Canada
GreenCentre Canada is a national Centre of Excellence for commercializing early-stage Green Chemistry discoveries generated by academic researchers and industry. Funded by the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, and industry sponsors, GreenCentre Canada is dedicated to developing environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional chemical and manufacturing products and practices. It is governed and operated with the assistance of industry members from across the chemical value chain. Founded in 2009 by PARTEQ Innovations, the technology transfer office of Queen's University, the centre is located at Innovation Park at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit www.greencentrecanada.com.


Business Students Initiate New LUSU Club

New Lakehead BOSS provides stepping stone to real world of business

An enterprising student enrolled in the one-year Business Administration program at Lakehead - Orillia has initiated a new club to provide hands-on experience for students while offering value to the business community.

"What we want to do is minimize the gap between the business community and academia," explains Kyle Petterson, who formed the new Business Orillia Student Society (BOSS) and is also its first president. "It's like a stepping stone to the real world," he adds.

Petterson originally formed the club to act as a study group for business students, but it quickly evolved into something more. Fellow student and BOSS member, James Elliott, says, "We realized this could be an excellent way to gain leadership skills, learn more about business, and meet and network with the community's business leaders."

The group holds regular study group meetings and is making plans to become involved with community-based activities. BOSS members have already attended the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce Business After Five events, during which they have had the opportunity to form valuable community connections. "There's lots of experience that Chamber members can offer us. In exchange, we can share the information and knowledge we have gained through our program," says Elliott.

The new student society hopes to offer workshops and business-related seminars to meet the needs of the local community. Since both Petterson and Elliot are accounting majors, they could teach accounting principles and procedures. Elliot notes that another club member is a Human Resources (HR) major and is interested in conducting a presentation on HR policies. The group is currently working with the Chamber of Commerce to develop its seminar plans.

As part of their plan to promote learning, both inside and outside of the classroom, club members plan to host a meeting of the local Toastmasters Club (Sunshine Speakers of Orillia) in the new year. Petterson is a member of the group and says this kind of outreach initiative is something the Toastmasters group is interested in doing more of. The meeting will be open to all students at the University, not just business students.

One of BOSS's faculty advisors, Professor Jo-Anne Ryan, Coordinator for the Business Administration College Transfer Degree program at Lakehead - Orillia, thinks the new club is fantastic. "This group is setting the foundation for future partnerships between the University's business programs and the community. The networking opportunities developed by BOSS could lead to the development of many exciting ventures, such as business competitions, conferences, or even a small business entrepreneurship centre." Ryan sees the club as becoming a voice for business students. "If BOSS is able to create a voice and set a solid foundation for future years, they will have achieved success," she says.

Kyle Petterson (left) and James Elliott are the founders of Lakehead - Orillia's new Business Orillia Student Society (BOSS), a new campus club that provides leadership skills to students and helps them build connections with the local business community.

Lakehead - Orillia's one-year Bachelor of Administration degree program is open to students with a three-year college diploma in business. Petterson and Elliot say they were attracted to the Lakehead program because of the ability to complete their degree in just one year. "At other universities, it takes two to three years to get a similar degree," explains Elliott. The two were also attracted to the small class sizes at Lakehead and recognize that this feature helped in their efforts to start the club. "We get to know our classmates and have developed strong, supportive relationships," Petterson notes.

By adding a Bachelor of Administration degree to their qualifications, along with the BOSS leadership experience, both Elliott and Petterson feel they will be better equipped to achieve their goals. Elliott says he hopes to join the armed forces and become a pilot. With a degree under his belt, he can sign on as an officer. "If that doesn't work out, my business degree will help me with whatever I do." Petterson concurs. Like Elliott, he also aspires to work in the military, and has enjoyed being a reservist in the past. "I have applied to be a logistics officer with the navy," he says, adding, "but I'm also interested in banking, finance, real estate, running my own construction company, or being a yacht broker. Regardless, my business degree will make it easier for me, no matter what I decide to pursue."

With the initiative these students have taken within a few short months of arriving at Lakehead University, it seems clear they have what it takes to achieve success and realize their dreams.

The Lakehead - Orillia Faculty of Business Administration offers Honours Bachelor of Commerce and Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programs, in addition to the one-year college transfer program.



FNRM Researchers Publish Two Reports Questioning Predicted Range Shifts in Biodiversity

(December 9, 2010 - Thunder Bay, Ontario) Researchers in Lakehead University's Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Philippe Stankowski, PhD candidate, and Dr. William Parker, professor, and Philippe Stankowski's advisor, have worked to resolve some of the fundamental uncertainties underlying future predicted range shifts with respect to biodiversity.

One of the growing concerns over climate change and its possible consequences to biodiversity is reaching the public in the form of maps which indicate dramatic predicted shifts of tree species' ranges, which may take place in the not-so-distant future. Some of the future range maps even imply mass extinctions of some native tree species over the next century. The work of Stankowski and Parker questions whether these predictions are realistic, if the species will have to relocate to survive, and if so where? Their findings were published this year in two separate reports in the Netherlands-based journal Ecological Modelling, and indicate that the predicted range shift maps which have been put forward require careful reevaluation.

The results of Stankowski and Parker's first analysis indicate that different sets of species-specific climate variables were needed to accurately describe the species' distributions. In contrast, previous predictions of species' future ranges have been made on a single generalized set of climate variables.

In their second analysis, results indicated that the climate dimensions of the ecological niche of willow species in Ontario varied qualitatively and quantitatively depending on which past time period was used. As a result, maps of predicted distributional change developed in different historical periods were generally different in both their direction and magnitude. This finding was true even for distribution maps based on overlapping historical time periods, when the predictor climate variables were the same.

Essentially, the findings imply that many of the recent reports concerning the threats to biodiversity posed by climate change need to be reconsidered. However, they also present an exciting opportunity, not just to refine the current modelling approaches of future range predictions, but also to learn more about the ecology of our individual plant species.

Both Stankowski and Parker's first and second analysis, entitled One Size does not Fit All, and A Stitch in Time is not Enough, respectively, can be viewed online.

-30-

MEDIA: Philippe Stankowski and Dr. Parker are available for media interview from 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon today. For more information or to arrange interview times, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca, or Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications, at 807-343-8372 or eabaya@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 8,280 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

2010 <i>Fall Preview Day</i> Opens Doors to Prospective Students

On December 7, 2010, Lakehead University will welcome hundreds of prospective students from around the city and region, alongside their families and friends, to its Fall Preview Day.The annual recruitment-based event takes place across various campus areas and one lucky student who attends will have a chance to win his or her first year of Lakehead tuition " compliments of the University's Office of Student Affairs.

Fall Preview Day lets prospective students interact with Lakehead University faculty and staff, explore the campus, and gain an intimate understanding of Lakehead's programs and student service offerings.

Students, family, and friends will have the opportunity to customize their day and choose from a wide variety of activities, hands-on interactive sessions hosted by various departments, and information sessions categorized by academic major. Attendees can also sit in on select lectures; learn about international exchange opportunities, career planning, and how to prepare for NOSM or graduate studies; take a campus tour; visit the Faculty Information Fair and Student Life Expo; or enjoy lunch in the University's residence cafeteria. A group of sessions is also catered specifically to family and friends to offer guidance and tips for use when dealing with completing/submitting university applications.

The full Fall Preview Day schedule and registration forms are available online at www.mylakehead.ca.

Pages