(June 14, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) Two researchers associated with Lakehead's Centre for Northern Studies will attend the 7th International Congress of the Arctic Social Sciences (ICASS) Conference in Akureyri, Iceland, June 22 - 26, 2011, with funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).

Dr. Harvey Lemelin, Lakehead University Research Chair, and Lillian Trapper, Land Use Plan Coordinator for Lands & Resources with the Moose Cree First Nation, will present the results of a two-year participatory photography project conducted in cooperation with citizens of the Moose Cree and MoCreebec First Nations.

In an effort to understand better the impact of climate change on the distribution of culturally significant flora and fauna as well as Cree livelihood in the Canadian sub-Arctic, the project explored and documented changes using photo-history and Photovoice. Participatory photography is an excellent tool for community-based research; community members and researchers work together and engage in meaningful dialogue throughout the project.

"This presentation gives the Centre an excellent opportunity to showcase its commitment to First Nations in Northern Ontario," says Dr. Michel S. Beaulieu, Director of the Centre for Northern Studies. "The project also demonstrates the benefits of conducting participatory research with First Nations detailed in Chapter 9: Research Involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada in the revised Tri-Council Policy Statement on the Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans."

The Centre for Northern Studies will be well represented at the ICASS conference as other centre members make presentations on education in Nunavut, the social economy of the Canadian Arctic, wildlife management, and tourism resilience in the Canadian North.

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Media: Dr. Lemelin and Lillian Trapper are available for media interview. To arrange interviews, please contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Over 8,280 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

(June 10, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) A state-of-the-art semiconductor research laboratory is officially opening today, June 10. A joint project between Lakehead University and MEAGlow Ltd. " an Ontario-based company established to help commercialize MEAGlow technology, the lab houses a Canadian-designed MEAGlow chemical film growth reactor, built in Thunder Bay, that grows very thin crystal layers of nitride semiconductors on micro, nano, and sub-atomic scales, including two dimensional (2-D) structures.

The lab was established with funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) Emerging Technology Program, FedNor's Economic Development Initiative, Lakehead University, and MEAGlow Ltd. Dr. Dimiter Alexandrov, MEAGlow University partner, is working to develop technology that will have many applications in the design of semiconductor devices such as energy efficient light emitting diodes (LEDs), higher efficiency solar cells, high speed transistor (field effect) devices, and semiconductor lasers based on quantum wells.

Dr. Alexandrov, a professor in Lakehead's Electrical Engineering Department, is a world expert in nitride semiconductors. He says "These advanced materials, combined with a new locally developed technology called MEAGlow (migration-enhanced afterglow), can overcome the limitations of current nitride semiconductor technologies, including a reliance on relatively high temperatures and large flows of pure ammonia, hydrogen, and other gases. MEAGlow technology is low-temperature, non-toxic, and hydrogen-free. Eliminating these materials means that production costs of devices can be cut dramatically and, in addition, novel electronic devices can be designed and produced."

"I am thrilled to see how our government's over half a million dollar investment in the MEAGlow project has created employment in the North and diversified the northern economy, as well as contributing to a cleaner environment," says Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, and chair of the NOHFC. "The work MEAGlow is doing is crucial to advancing environmentally friendly production options for semiconductor research around the globe."

The MEAGlow project is creating several jobs in Thunder Bay. Currently, the MEAGlow project employs seven engineers and physicists, all under the age of 30. In addition, MEAGlow Ltd. plans to add another 10-15 staff over the next few years as it exports MEAGlow technology by building custom chemical reactors for specific clients.

"This Canadian technology provides a unique opportunity for a very wide spectrum of applications in the field of electronics," says Dr. Alexandrov. "The MEAGlow reactor, with Lakehead University's new PhD programs, puts Thunder Bay on the map as a leader in the fields of semiconductor technology and electronic devices. The word is getting out " nine abstracts for scientific conferences have been written about our work and all of them have been accepted to date."

FedNor Minister Tony Clement says, "This project is a fine example of what can be accomplished when the public sector partners with industry. Our government believes that science and technology are crucial elements for stimulating our nation's productivity, competitiveness and growth. FedNor's contribution of more than $266,000 to purchase specialized equipment will not only assist with the development of innovative products, it will help revitalize the economy of Northern Ontario by creating a knowledge advantage and jobs right here in the region."

Lakehead President Brian Stevenson said, "Lakehead University is engaging in innovative research that not only supports local and regional socio-economic needs, but has the potential to affect research and outcomes on a global scale. The MEAGlow project demonstrates how powerful the results can be when business, academia, and government come together to nurture ideas. Best of all, this project employs young people and offers meaningful opportunities for our students to become engaged in commercialized research."

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Media: For more information please contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Over 8,280 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

z

(June 7, 2011 - Thunder Bay, ON) Today, in the Lakehead University Agora, CRIBE announced $3 million in funding for an innovative partnership between G2 BioChem and Lakehead's Biorefining Research Initiative.

CRIBE will provide $2 million to G2 BioChem in Chatham and $894,500 to Lakehead University. This funding allows LU researchers, students and CRIBE members to fully access the research facility and industrial expertise at G2 BioChem in Chatham. Results from work at the demonstration plant will be used by CRIBE, its clients in Northern Ontario, and Lakehead researchers to develop local projects that will generate revenue and bring new jobs to northern communities.

To learn more, read CRIBE Invests $3 Million in Partnership Between G2 Biochem Ethanol and Lakehead University

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Over 8,280 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

June 4, 2011

"Choosing to attend Lakehead University in Orillia when it first opened in 2006 has been, by far, the best decision I have made for my future."

This is what Jessie Clarke told me about her experience as a charter class member of Lakehead - Orillia. She and many of her classmates will celebrate their accomplishments at the University's convocation ceremony today.

Clarke, born and raised in Orillia, has much to celebrate. She is the recipient of the Orillia Campus Dean's Medal, which is awarded to the highest-ranking student in the Honours Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree program. Clarke finished the five-year program, including a Bachelor of Education degree, with an average of over 90 per cent. Clarke was also very active throughout university as a volunteer and part-time staff member with the Student Affairs Department. In addition to her studies, she was responsible for helping to plan and organize events such as orientation, convocation and campus tours. And outside of school, Clarke happens to be an award-winning car enthusiast, who builds, restores and shows vintage automobiles.

How does she do it?

Apparently, excelling at university is an extension of her previous success. She received the Governor General's Award upon graduation from Twin Lakes Secondary School in Orillia. This is the most prestigious award that students in Canadian schools can receive and goes to the student graduating with the highest average.

According to Jessie, it all comes down to putting in the time and doing the work. "I pay attention to details and do lots of proofreading and editing. I always go the extra step to make sure my work is correct. Among my classmates, I've even been known as a member of the 'citation police'."

Her work ethic has been evident among her professors and others at the University. "I have very high standards in my courses," says Dr. Sreekumari Kurissery, assistant professor of biology. "Jessie stands out in my mind as someone who perfected my expectations! Her love for biology, attention to details, systematic study strategies, and perfect answers to test questions, all contributed to her success. And still, she has a modest presence in class, a true pleasure to teach."

When Clarke finished high school, she had aspirations to become a doctor. "I was accepted into programs at McMaster, Queens and Western, and was offered excellent scholarships." But in the end, Clarke decided upon Lakehead in Orillia. "I'm a 'homebody," she says, "and I also liked the idea of living at home and saving money." Clarke says she was also attracted to the Interdisciplinary Studies program that combines arts and science.

By second year, Clarke says she changed her mind about becoming a doctor. "It just didn't seem to be me and didn't feel right."

She decided to combine her HBASc degree with the concurrent Bachelor of Education degree, thinking that she may like to be a teacher, but was just as interested in simply learning about how one learns. "The idea of taking what you know and learning how to share it with others appealed to me," she said. "I think what I've learned in this program will help with any kind of job or career I have in the future."

"Jessie was one of the first students I met in the summer leading up to opening of the Orillia campus," says Kelli Gray, manager of registrarial support services. "After hearing about her high school academic accomplishments, I knew she could have gone to any university she applied to, but she chose to come to a brand new, small university campus. I am not surprised that her academic excellence continued here - she has an amazing work ethic. Jessie has been a great ambassador for the University and the community of Orillia can be extremely proud of the efforts of this hometown student."

Within the community, Clarke is known - especially among local car enthusiasts - for excelling as a builder of quality cars and trucks. The hobby is a family pastime and it was Clarke's dad who inspired Clarke. "I bought my first car when I was 11 or 12." Clarke is currently customizing her 1989 GMC stepside pickup truck and working on another project to build a hot rod - a 1929 Model A Roadster pickup. Clarke's goal is to complete the work on her truck in time to drive it to graduation.

In anticipation of graduation, I asked Clarke what she enjoyed most about her Lakehead experience, Clarke said it is the people. "This is a small, tight knit community. Everyone wants to see you succeed -- from Kelli Gray, the first person I met here -- to many others throughout the years. I feel like I belong here and that people care. I'm glad I came here -- it was a good decision," she concludes.

If Lakehead was good for Clarke, the University certainly gained from her contribution.

"Jessie is one of our founding students and has helped to create the university culture that so many of our students value," said Campus Dean Dr. Kim Fedderson. "She has not only excelled academically, but through her outstanding example, has helped successive students understand what it's like to be a student at Lakehead and how to get the most out of the experience."

Congratulations Jessie! We look forward to celebrating with you at convocation, and hope to see you pulling up in that beautiful truck!

Joint Media Release

(June 6, 2011 - Orillia, ON) Lakehead University students enrolled at the Orillia campus this fall will have access to a wide range of athletic facilities and services, thanks to a creative partnership recently developed between the University and the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka.

Starting in September 2011, all full-time students will have access to YMCA facilities throughout Simcoe/Muskoka as part of their existing athletic fees. The student athletic fee was instituted last year for the first time at the Orillia campus to support recreation activities, intramurals, competitive sports, and special events. While many students took advantage of the programs offered, some students were interested in additional opportunities.

"The number one comment from students concerning athletics was the need for access to a gym facility," said Liz Ross, Lakehead - Orillia's Athletics and Recreation Facilitator.

Without its own athletic facility, or plans to develop one in the near future, it made sense for the Orillia campus to partner with an existing facility in the community. The YMCA became an obvious choice because of its locations throughout Simcoe County and Muskoka. "This is particularly important because many of our students are commuters who travel to Orillia from throughout Central Ontario," says Ross.

Frank Cappadocia, Assistant Dean, Student Affairs was also impressed by the YMCA philosophy of supporting healthy lifestyles, promoting youth leadership and encouraging families to become better people and citizens. "These values are a good match with ours and align well with the way we strive to support our students and provide a positive university experience."

Cappadocia, along with Brian Jeffs, Lakehead - Orillia's Assistant Vice-President, Administration and Finance worked with members of the YMCA, including Gilda Evely, General Manager at the Orillia YMCA; Tom Coon (former CEO, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka); and Karen Pulla (Vice President, Health, Wellness & Community Recreation Programs), to work out an agreement. The outcome is a partnership that will enable both organizations to realize significant benefits.

"This partnership will be a huge benefit to our students, who will now be able to stay active on their own schedule," notes Cappadocia. "Students will be able to take advantage of the huge number of drop-in classes offered by the Y and with the variety of offerings, students will be able to customize their own athletics program."

In addition to individual use, the YMCA facilities will also be used for the University's intramural sports leagues, while members of Lakehead's club and varsity teams will be able to use the fitness/weight room areas for training workouts.

The Orillia YMCA has a long history of supporting all of its community members, by supplying opportunities for all to participate. "We are thrilled with this new partnership," says Pulla. "We look forward to supporting the students of Lakehead as they join us to stay healthy and strong, as they journey through their studies and school work. The founding vision of the YMCA, over 160 years ago, was dedicated to developing individuals in spirit, mind and body, and we feel this is as important today, as our students embark on their life journey."

A study conducted by Dr. Ted Mitchell in 2008, Exercise Boosts the Brain, states that: "... exercise affects things like improved memory, academic performance and executive function at work... the connection is powerful... As our kids mature, improving their ability to remain focused for learning is critical; exercise has a role. As our schedules create more stress, achieving mental calmness is needed; exercise has a role."

The Orillia YMCA recently reopened a newly expanded and renovated facility. General Manager Gilda Evely commented: "The energy the students will bring as they join us at the Y, is the perfect addition to the excitement that the community has already shown with its support of our newly renovated YMCA."

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Media: For more information, please contact Lakehead University's Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca or Karen Pulla, Interim CEO & Vice President, Health, Wellness & Community Recreation Programs, at 705-726-9622 ext. 432 or Karen­­_Pulla@ymca.ca

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia. It offers post-secondary undergraduate and graduate programs as well as research expertise that meet specific regional needs. The University is known for its multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Lakehead-Orillia opened in 2006, and in September 2010 opened the doors of its new Academic Building at 500 University Avenue. This is the first phase in the development of a campus that will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka currently serves over 60,000 people in Simcoe and Muskoka Counties in Central Ontario. As our Mission Statement affirms, "The YMCA is a charity that excels in strengthening our communities by providing opportunities for all to grow in Spirit, Mind and Body." Our Vision is to be recognized as the community leader in lifelong health and personal growth.

Video View the recorded video stream of the ceremony

(June 1, 2011- Orillia, ON) Graduating students from Lakehead University's Orillia

campus are preparing for a special day of celebration this Saturday, as the campus presents its largest convocation to date. Attendees can expect a standing-room only crowd, as up to 1,800 students, staff, faculty, and guests attend this year's convocation at Rotary Place on University Avenue.

"We have had an overwhelming number of graduands confirm their attendance at this year's convocation," says Lakehead - Orillia Assistant Dean (Student Affairs), Frank Cappadocia. "We have a higher than average number of students [compared to other universities] who attend our convocation ceremonies. I think this demonstrates the close-knit group we have here at Lakehead. Students are looking forward to getting together with classmates, faculty, staff, and their families to celebrate their accomplishments."

The ceremony will highlight the accomplishments of students, as well as members of the community. Graduands will receive a commencement address from local community leader, J.A. "Pete" McGarvey. An honorary Doctor of Humane Letters will be conferred on McGarvey, who enjoyed a distinguished career as a journalist, broadcaster, and politician. Locally, McGarvey is well-known and respected for his leadership in securing and restoring the home of Stephen Leacock, now the Leacock Museum, a national historic site.

This year, community visionary Paul Weber will be awarded the Civitas Award, given annually to a community member residing in Simcoe County who has made a significant contribution to the community and to Lakehead University - Orillia. Weber is being recognized for his outstanding leadership of Lakehead University's Your Bright Future fundraising campaign to build the University's new University Avenue campus.

The inaugural Civitas Award was given to Sue Mulcahy in 2008, for her work spearheading the Simcoe College initiative in the 1960s and 1970s. In 2009, the second Civitas Award recipient was Lloyd Dennis, distinguished for his outstanding contribution to education in Ontario. In 2010, former mayor of Orillia, Ron Stevens, was honoured with the award for his leadership as chair of the Mayor's University Orillia Task Force in establishing the Lakehead University - Orillia campus.

Above all, this year's convocation will celebrate the accomplishments of Lakehead's students. It will be especially meaningful for those students who entered university as part of Lakehead - Orillia's charter class in 2006. Now, five years later, most of these students are graduating with an Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science/Bachelor of Education (HBASc/BEd). Also graduating this year are students who have completed the Bachelor and Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science (HBASc) (BASc), Bachelor of Education (BEd), Honours Bachelor of Social Work (HBSW), and Bachelor of Administration (BAdmin). A total of 308 degrees will be conferred at convocation this year.

The ceremony will highlight outstanding student achievements with special awards. This year represents the first time that the newly-named "Lloyd Dennis Award" will be presented. This award, recognizing outstanding citizenship and academic excellence, was recently renamed to distinguish it as a Lakehead - Orillia award. The recipient this year is Jodi Bernhardt-Gay. The Orillia Campus Dean's Medal, awarded to the highest-ranking student in the Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science program will be awarded to Jessica Clarke. The recipient of the William A. West Education Medal, awarded to the highest-ranking graduating student in the Bachelor of Education program, is Mark Wagner. The President's Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement and contribution to the University, will be given to Jaclyn Arscot.

2011 Convocation is especially meaningful to faculty member, Dr. Alice den Otter, who came to Lakehead - Orillia when the campus first opened in 2006, and is now chair of Interdisciplinary Studies. "It will be absolutely thrilling to see our charter class students graduate ­and be ready to pursue their goals," comments den Otter. "It has been wonderful to see the growth of the Orillia campus. We started with 120 students and now we have almost 10 times that number." Dr. den Otter completes her term as chair of the interdisciplinary program this summer, and will embark on a six-month sabbatical to complete a research project.

Lakehead - Orillia's Convocation ceremony takes place at Rotary Place at the West Orillia Sports Complex, University Avenue, at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 4. Graduates, their families, and their friends are invited to enjoy refreshments immediately following the ceremony.

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Media: For more information contact Kathy Hunt, Lakehead - Orillia Communications Officer at 705-330-4008 ext 2014 kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.

May 26, 2011

The first time I entered Paul Carr's office at Lakehead University's new Orillia campus, I was amazed and intrigued. Here was a faculty office that was not only filled with the usual shelves of books and journals, but decorated with a colourful collection of artifacts and photos, suggesting an international traveller with a sense of adventure.

Indeed, Dr. Paul Carr, an Associate Professor with the Faculties of Interdisciplinary Studies and Sociology, came to Lakehead - Orillia with an abundance of interesting experiences and global research interests. During the past couple of years, Dr. Carr has travelled to Brazil, Argentina, Romania, Sicily, Algeria and all over Canada and the United States.

Carr's interest in intercultural research, critical pedagogy and democracy is what led him to many international opportunities. His ability to speak and work in both French and Spanish also contributed to the development of international collaborations.

Originally from Toronto, Carr's interest in international culture and democracy began in his youth when he had the opportunity to spend two years studying in France. Upon returning to Canada, Carr enrolled in Political Science at York University's Glendon College. During his undergraduate years, Carr's interest in other cultures grew. He studied Spanish and began to work with Latin American refugees in Toronto and also became involved with Cuban and other Latin American solidarity movements. He went on to complete his Masters Degree in Public Administration at Queens University before embarking on a career in the public service. Carr worked for the Ontario Ministry of Education for almost two decades as a senior policy advisor.

During this time, Carr completed his Doctorate in the Sociology of Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto (OISE), with his thesis examining anti-racism and institutional culture in education. "I became more and more interested in these areas and in order to continue my research, I knew I would have to move from government to a university setting," said Carr.

Carr was offered a position at Youngstown University in Ohio, where he taught for five years before moving back to Canada to accept the Lakehead University position in September 2010.

During his academic career, Carr developed an area of specialization focused on social justice - including democracy, political sociology, critical studies in education, media literacy and peace studies. He has a wide range of publications in this area, including six co-edited books, as well as his first single-author book, Does Your Vote Count?: Democracy and Critical Pedagogy (New York: Peter Lang), published in 2011. Carr's most recent co-edited publication, The Phenomenon of Obama and the Agenda for Education: Can There Be Hope in a Time of Neoliberalism? (Information Age Publishing) is a collection of essays examining education under the Obama administration.

Another of Carr's co-edited books, The Great White North? Exploring Whiteness, Privilege and Identity in Education (Rotterdam: Sense Publishers), won awards from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and the Canadian Association for Foundations in Education. The book is used as one of the texts in Carr's Sociology of Education class.

"I really think the book and our study of social justice issues have made an impact on the students," says Carr.

Nicki Holmes, who took the course this year, agrees. "The discussions we have in Dr. Carr's classes encourage us to share different perceptions and think about things in a different way," says Holmes. "From the first day of class, Dr. Carr rearranged the desks into a circle to stimulate discussion." Holmes adds that she will now think about how to incorporate some of the social justice and anti-racial concepts from Carr's course into the classroom when she becomes a teacher.

Carr says that his teaching style is intended to encourage students to be critically engaged. "University is a place where we can delve into our consciousness and be very critical; it's an opportunity to interrogate what is happening, to ourselves and to others." Carr believes that we often overemphasize the notion of going to university to get a job. "The ability to read and think and synthesize won't necessarily lead you to a job, but they lead to a whole range of things. Being critically engaged means we can do things that are very important, and as we continue to try to understand our own and others' identities, we will be making a more decent society."

(May 25, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University's Civil Engineering Steel Bridge Team fared well in all seven scoring categories at the 20th annual AISC/ASCE US National Student Steel Bridge Competition to win first place, beating 47 other universities. Lakehead is the only Canadian team to place in the top five overall since the inception of the competition and the first Canadian team to win the competition. Hosted by Texas A & M University, May 20 - 21, 2011, the annual competition attracts participants from across North America.

One of only two Canadian teams to make it to the national level of the competition, Lakehead's steel bridge ranked well in all seven scoring categories. Their bridge took first place in three categories " assembly time, lightness, and structural efficiency; second place in construction economy; fifth place for stiffness; sixth place for display (aesthetics); and placed FIRST OVERALL to win the competition.

The five-member Steel Bridge Team, comprising graduating students Damien Ch'ng, Dave Enns, Cory Goulet, Chris Kukkee, and Kristen Myles, with faculty advisors Dr. Tony Gillies and Dr. Timo Tikka, travelled to Texas A & M University to compete against forty-eight universities which qualified through eighteen regional competitions that saw over 200 universities participate for an invitation to the National Competition. Lakehead's team earned its invitation by placing first at the Midwest Regional Qualifier Student Steel Bridge Competition, hosted by the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND, in March 2011.

Student teams come to the steel bridge competition prepared to build a bridge that they have conceived, designed, fabricated, erected, and tested to meet rigorous competition specifications and optimize performance and economy. The models are erected under simulated field conditions, and are then load-tested by judges at the host university. The specifications for the bridge change from year to year, constantly challenging the skills of civil engineering students from universities and to ensure that competitors must design and build new bridges.

This year, teams were faced with constructing a deck bridge to span a scenic river in a state park and carry utilities to a new welcome centre and campground. In addition, the bridge had to provide clearance for recreational boaters and protect sensitive wetlands.

Lakehead University's five-member student team used computer modeling to examine more than ten different bridge configurations before selecting a final design. The students learned and refined use of metal fabrication hand tools, welding, and a metal lathe, and learned how to program a CNC milling machine for the fabrication of bridge components.

Drs. Tony Gillies and Timo Tikka are thrilled with Lakehead's performance. "Success in intercollegiate competition requires outstanding teamwork and project management," says Dr. Gillies. "These future engineers have been incredibly innovative, professional, and efficient. Their elegant bridge design solution for this year's competition was the lightest and fastest built bridge in the competition, yet performed superbly in structural efficiency (a combination of bridge weight and stiffness under loading), which is a measure of design excellence."

"Although Lakehead's teams are veterans of the competition, it's impossible not to be anxious in this competitive environment where students are scored on how fast they can assemble their bridge," explains Dr. Tikka. "It gets really nerve wracking when the assembled bridges are loaded with 2500 pounds of angle iron to simulate a loaded truck crossing the bridge. This is nearly eighteen times more than the weight of the bridge. It's made even more stressful because the placement of the loading is determined by the roll of a dice at the team captains' meeting the night before competition day. Teams have to anticipate six possible load cases prior to the competition." Bridges are scored on strength and deflection, taking into account the weight of the bridge. In the end, the bridge with the best performance and lowest cost wins the competition.

"The Lakehead team is grateful to numerous local and national sponsors whose support makes it possible for us to participate in what has become one of the premier competitions for Civil Engineering students," adds Dr. Gillies. "It's a wonderful feeling to know we continue to do our sponsors proud while supplementing the education of our civil engineering students with a comprehensive, student-driven project experience."

Faculty Advisor Dr. Timo Tikka, says "I am so proud of the hard work of this team. They have devoted thousands of hours designing and fine-tuning their bridge to arrive at a structure that, what can I say? It's simply world-class. I was especially delighted to hear this team talking throughout the Texas competition. Lakehead was by far the most vocal group and had the best communication. They worked as a team. They performed as a team. And they won as a team."

Next year, a new team hopes to maintain Lakehead's incredible tradition of performance at the national competition to be hosted by Clemson University in May 2012.

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MEDIA: Drs. Gillies and Tikka and most team members are available for media interview. Contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca for more information.

About Lakehead University's Civil Engineering Steel Bridge Team
Lakehead's first place finish is the culmination of many years of excellent ranking at the US national level, placing tenth in 2001, second in 2002, fifth in 2003 and 2006, fourth in 2007, third in 2009 and 2010, and now achieving first place in 2011. Lakehead is the only Canadian team to place in the top five overall since the inception of the competition and the first Canadian team to win the competition.

Read more and view a video of Lakehead competing at www.modernsteel.com

2011 STUDENT STEEL BRIDGE COMPETITIONOVERALL TOP 10 RANKING

1. Lakehead University $2.024M
2. Michigan Technological University $2.367M
3. State University of New York at Canton $2.577M
4. Georgia Institute of Technology $2.624M
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology $2.635M
6. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
7. University of Alaska Fairbanks
8. University of Hawaii at Manoa
9. San Jose State University
10. University of Michigan

35. University of British Columbia

The dollar figure column is a total of each team's Construction Cost + Structural Cost scores.

Construction Cost (Economy) = Construction speed x number of builders x $50,000+ number of piers x $30,000

Structural Cost (Efficiency) = Total Weight x $4000 + (deflection)1.5 x $1,200,000

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Over 8,280 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

(May 25, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) Convocation is a wonderful time of the year for Lakehead University and its graduates in Thunder Bay and Orillia.

"We welcome convocation as a time when students, families, friends, faculty members and support staff can celebrate the long years of hard work that have led to this triumphant day," says Dr. Moira McPherson, Acting Vice-President Academic & Provost. "Lakehead students are well-prepared to apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities that they have developed during their studies as they embark on their careers. We are proud of our Alumni and will be honouring some of them at this year's Alumni Awards dinner."

University Registrar Brenda Winter notes that the number of degrees and diplomas for Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses this year totals about 2600.

Four honorary degrees will be conferred this year. In Thunder Bay on Friday, an honorary Doctor of Science will be conferred upon Dr. Tom Brzustowski, president of NSERC from 1995 to 2005 and an esteemed Canadian academic. The next morning, an honorary Doctor of Laws will be conferred upon The Honourable William G. Davis, who served as premier of Ontario from 1971 to 1985. In the afternoon, an honorary Doctor of Science will be conferred on Dr. Ronald K. O'Dor, chief scientist of marine life and lead scientist for the Ocean Tracking Network, and a respected Canadian scientist. A week later in Orillia, an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters will be conferred on J.A."Pete" McGarvey, journalist, broadcaster, and politician as Orillia campus graduands receive their degrees.

Other people being honoured this year include Lakehead University Professor Emeritus of Forestry, Dr. John Naysmith, a world-recognized forester, who will be made a Fellow of Lakehead University on Friday, May 27, and Paul Weber, past campaign chair for Lakehead University " Orillia Your Bright Future fundraising campaign, will be presented with the 2011 Lakehead University Orillia Campus Civitas Award on Saturday, June 4.

As well, four outstanding alumni will be recognized during Convocation ceremonies in Thunder Bay: Michael Power, Vice President, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and Shy-Anne Hovorka, singer, songwriter, and musician, will both receive a Young Alumni Award, and Steven Ashton, Manitoba Provincial Cabinet Minister, and David Shannon, human rights activist and lawyer, will both receive an Alumni Honour Award.

Alumni awardees are being honoured at the annual Lakehead University Alumni Awards Dinner on the evening of May 25, 2011, where the Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award is being presented to Vonnie Cheng, Investment Advisor.

Graduates and their family and friends in Thunder Bay are invited to attend LUSU's Graduate Reception in The Outpost on Saturday, May 28, starting at 5:00 pm.

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Media: Thunder Bay Campus Convocation: please contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177, or commun@lakeheadu.ca. Or contact Director of Communications, Eleanor Abaya, at 807-343-8372, ebaya@lakeheadu.ca. Orillia Campus Convocation: please contact Kathy Hunt, Communications Officer, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014, or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.

For more information visit the Office of the Registrar Convocation Information webpages.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Over 8,280 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

(May 17, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) Jeff Irwin, CEO of Electrodynamics Inc., along with Dr. Richard Khoury, Assistant Professor, Software Engineering at Lakehead University, are pleased to announce that fourth-year software engineering students Tony Sinclair and Nicole Negherbon, together with Greg Toombs, electrical engineer, have been chosen as one of 15 finalists to participate in the Ontario Centres for Excellence (OCE) Discovery 2011 Connections Competition.

The Lakehead University team will compete in the Best Connections Project by a University Team category. The competition will take place at Discovery 2011 in Toronto on May 18, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm in the Talent Theatre.

Funding for the project, in its second year, was made possible through James Doran, PhD, Business Development Manager for the Ontario Centres for Excellence who says, "It was quite a task to identify only 15 projects that would go on to participate in the OCE Discovery 2011 Connections Competition. When our project reviewers met last week we had to make some difficult decisions."

Competition for a spot in the finals was fierce " there were over 350 projects, 34 of which were funded from a special OPA Conservation Fund. Fourteen colleges and thirteen universities from across Ontario participated in the program, involving nearly 2000 students. Project topics were wide-ranging and included engineering design, mathematical modeling, culinary research, business planning, and more.

"Working on this project with such amazing industry and project partners was a great experience," says project member Nicole Negherbon. "Being chosen to participate out of all the projects submitted is a truly exciting opportunity. We can't wait to get there and hopefully win. This experience has definitely given us an edge in establishing our software engineering careers."

Tony and Nicole's degree project work continued development on the Electric Bus Management System (EBMS) in conjunction with research and development start-up Electrodynamics Inc., an industry partner to the OCE project. The EBMS concept is to develop a software control system to manage electrical components across multiple vehicle platforms.

Environmentally friendly alternatives are needed to decrease dependence on fossil fuels that contribute significant carbon emissions in high-traffic urban areas. A fully electric vehicle with range-extended capabilities is one option that would help cities reduce their carbon footprint and cost of fleet operations. Electric buses, for example, can be refuelled using a renewable source, produce no emissions, and operate virtually silently.

Local businessman, Jeff Irwin, is thrilled for Tony, Nicole, and Greg. "They proved to be an excellent, hard-working, professional group that overcame some significant obstacles. Their work has made a substantial contribution to the EBMS project and has set the benchmark for next year's expanded team."

Electrodynamics approached Dr. Khoury more than two years ago with an innovative concept that is now becoming a reality. CEO Jeff Irwin is passionate about nurturing local research and development and says, "Once you decide to buy rather than create a product or service you have essentially exported jobs and lost opportunities to create the knowledge we so desperately need in this region and this country to allow us to compete in the global marketplace."

Electrodynamics is pleased with the positive relationship they have established with Dr. Khoury and Lakehead University, and the fruitful connections with Dr. Doran and the OCE. Other local partners have also provided unwavering support - Paul Tulonen, MSc, Industrial Technology Advisor with NRC " IRAP, and Judy Sander at the Northwestern Ontario Technology Centre.

Jeff Irwin is enthusiastic about the future, "We hope to make many more positive announcements in conjunction with the best and brightest from Lakehead University. I hope that the city will be ready to support our endeavours once we have a fully functional vehicle ready for road trials."

Degree project advisor Dr. Richard Khoury has confidence in the team. "The work Nicole, Tony and Greg have done is of the highest calibre. They have definitely earned their spot as finalists in Discovery 2011. Their contribution to the EBMS project will have a lasting positive impact on future student teams that will continue developing the system."

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Media: Project members Tony Sinclair, Nicole Negherbon, and Greg Toombs, as well as Dr. Richard Khoury and Jeff Irwin, are available for interview. For more information or to schedule an interview please contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Over 8,280 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.