President’s Golf Invitational a community-driven success story for Lakehead

August 20, 2013 – Orillia, ON

Thanks to generous local sponsors and 148 golfers, Lakehead University’s President’s Golf Invitational, which took place at the Barrie Country Club on Monday, August 19, was a round of success, raising over $94,000 for academic scholarships and initiatives.

Monies raised by the daylong event will support student scholarships through an endowment fund created following the inaugural tournament in 2009. Two scholarships of $5,000 are awarded each year to Simcoe County students – one to a first year Lakehead student, and another to a graduating business student. 

Recipients of the 2012-2013 scholarships attended this year’s tournament and shared their experiences with the sold-out crowd.  The undergraduate scholarship was awarded to Katelynn Crawford of Severn Bridge, and the business scholarship went to David French of Barrie.

“Being awarded this scholarship was a great way to finish up my four years at Lakehead,” said French. “It has been an amazing experience – Lakehead has an outstanding learning culture and I feel like I got tremendous value here. I am grateful to the people behind this scholarship – it will definitely help as I take my next steps toward a new career.”

Crawford also expressed her appreciation. “I am paying for university myself, so the financial security this gives me is wonderful. I’m very grateful,” said Crawford.

For the first time this year, funds raised by the tournament will also support Lakehead Athletics and the University’s Humanities 101 program, both critical to Lakehead Orillia and its growing presence in Simcoe County. Humanities 101 is a unique program that provides a university experience to those who would otherwise not have the opportunity due to financial and other barriers.

“I am extremely proud and appreciative of the tournament’s group of outstanding organizers, supporters and participants,” said Lakehead University President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson. “The contributions and involvement of the people and businesses from throughout this region speak to how they value their University and understand the importance of supporting our local students.”

Tournament chair, Blake Hunter of Investors Group, said he believes the students at Lakehead are the future leaders of Simcoe County. “Our committee is dedicated to helping these future leaders by making an investment in their education. As a business person, I look at this not as a charity but as an investment from which we will all benefit.”

Since the inception of the Lakehead campus in Orillia, almost half a million dollars has been raised for student scholarships.

The President’s Golf Invitational is the University’s largest annual fundraiser — an event made more popular, every year, with its a renown for the value it offers. Because of the many generous sponsors and donors, golfers enjoyed a full day of golf, a silent auction, contests, prizes, and a wrap-up wine and cheese reception and dinner.

Dozens of area businesses support the tournament each year, including the top “degree” sponsors for 2013: BMO Nesbitt Burns; Casino Rama; C. C. Tatham & Associates Ltd.; Cordery Electrical Contracting Inc.; Investors Group; Mid Ontario Disposal/Best Western Mariposa Inn and Conference Centre; Monteith Building Group; The Sarjeant Co. Ltd.; and Wallwin Electric.

“This golf tournament is truly a community-driven success story,” said tournament organizer Paul Weber of Lakehead Orillia. “So many have played a critical role to ensure access to post-secondary education in Simcoe County. We look forward to continuing to work with our community partners to ensure the growth of the campus and its role in educating our future leaders.”

Lakehead University President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson with recipients of The President’s Scholarship Golf Tournament awards, David French (BAdmin ’13) of Barrie and Katelynn Crawford (HBASc ’16) of Severn Bridge.

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Media:  For more information, please contact Lakehead University’s Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 orkjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Over 8,700 students and 1,850 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, visitwww.lakeheadu.ca