Lakehead University Preview Day 2011

Hundreds visit Lakehead University for Preview Day and academic conference

(October 27, 2011 - Orillia, ON) Lakehead University's Orillia campus on University Avenue was bustling last Saturday as hundreds of visitors came to the campus to attend Lakehead's Fall Preview Day. In addition, the University hosted over 100 delegates attending a Canadian Association of Geographers conference.

The annual Preview Day event attracted over 500 prospective students, families, and friends, who explored the campus, met current students, and participated in sample lectures by professors.

"We had prospective students visiting from high schools throughout Central Ontario," explained Betsy Maus, Lakehead Orillia's regional recruitment officer. "Some students came from as far south as Sarnia and Fort Erie and from as far north as Huntsville and Haliburton."

For many, it was their first time seeing the campus, including the new student residence and cafeteria. Tours of the facilities were scheduled throughout the day, led by student ambassadors and members of the student residence council. "We received an overwhelming number of positive comments," said Maus. "Many said they noticed a strong sense of community on campus and that the environment made them feel comfortable - which is extremely important when choosing a university."

"This was our largest Orillia Preview Day ever," said Robert Perrier, Lakehead University's manager of undergraduate recruitment. "It's great to see that prospective students are not only aware of and excited about the opportunities at the campus, but are planning to come and study here."

One of those students is Erika Bramwell of Midland, who won the Preview Day draw for free first-year tuition. Bramwell says she thought the Lakehead campus was "absolutely amazing" and especially liked the environmentally-friendly features. Currently, Bramwell is a Grade 11 student at Penetanguishene Secondary School and hopes to remain close to home for post-secondary education. "My visit to Lakehead was definitely a step in the right direction," said Bramwell. "I feel very lucky to have won the tuition prize!"

With the first university application deadline approaching in January, prospective students are welcome to continue exploring the opportunities available at Lakehead University in Orillia. Interested students should visit mylakehead.ca or contact recruitment officers Betsy Maus or Neil Quinn directly at 705-330-4008.

While hundreds of prospective students and their families and friends explored the campus on Saturday, graduate students and faculty members from universities throughout Ontario took part in the annual general meeting and conference of the Ontario division of the Canadian Association of Geographers.

"This is the first academic conference to be held at our new University Avenue campus," explained Dr. Rosario Turvey, assistant professor of environmental sustainability, and chair of the conference. Delegates had no trouble adapting to the busy Preview Day campus. "Everyone was very happy with the facilities," said Turvey. "They felt the setting was 'first-class' and commented on the welcoming atmosphere."

Lakehead University Orillia Campus Dean Dr. Kim Fedderson with Dr. Rosario Turvey, assistant professor of environmental sustainability.

There will be many more opportunities for visitors to experience the campus in the coming weeks and months, including two public presentations next week. On Wednesday, November 2 at 7 pm, Lakehead Orillia's Dr. Valerie Hébert, assistant professor of history, will present a public talk on "Genocide and the Law," as part of the 31^st annual Holocaust Education Week. On Thursday, November 3, a talk by Dr. Kristofer Helgen, curator of mammals at the Smithsonian Institute, will be videoconferenced to the Orillia campus. For more information, visit the Lakehead University website at orillia.lakehead.on.ca.

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