May 3, 2013 – Orillia, ON

Lakehead University President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, is pleased to announce that Orillia business owner, artist and community leader, Will McGarvey, is the recipient of the 2013 Civitas Award.

The Civitas Award is given annually to a Simcoe County resident who has a record of community engagement that has significance or importance to Lakehead University Orillia. McGarvey will be presented the Civitas Award at Lakehead University’s June 8 convocation ceremonies at Rotary Place in Orillia.

“As we celebrate our graduates at this year’s convocation ceremonies, it is fitting that we also recognize those in our community who have helped realize the potential of our students and their future successes,” said Dr. Brian Stevenson. “The University is so fortunate to have Will as part of our community. His insight, creativity and passion are invaluable to the growth of our University and to the experience of students at our Orillia campus.”

 “McGarvey’s leadership has played a key role in how Lakehead Orillia has grown and developed over the years,” said Dr. Herman van den Berg, Acting Dean of the Orillia campus. “His thoughtful input has contributed to the development of numerous community partnerships which have benefitted the University and the community. He is helping us to ensure that our University remains responsive to community needs as we expand.”

McGarvey has been an active supporter of Lakehead’s Orillia campus for the past 10 years and was among the handful of community members who formed the Orillia University Committee in 2003 to advocate for a university campus in the City. He then joined four other community members on the Orillia Mayor’s University Task Force, chaired by then Mayor Ron Stevens. As a result of the work of this group, Lakehead University’s Orillia campus opened in 2006.

“The opening of Lakehead University in Orillia has been one of the most exciting developments in our community,” said McGarvey. “From the outset I was confident that the presence of a university campus would make a difference and I am honoured to be recognized for the role that I have played.” McGarvey adds that his contribution has always been as part of a team effort and Orillia should be proud of the outstanding leadership in this community.

Since the campus opened, McGarvey has been a member of the Orillia Campus Advisory Committee and has chaired the Community Relations sub-committee since its inception.

The Civitas Award was first introduced in 2008 when it was given to Sue Mulcahy, who spearheaded the Simcoe College initiative. Other Civitas Award recipients include Lloyd Dennis (2009), Ron Stevens (2010), Paul Weber (2011) and Anderson Charters (2012).

Lakehead University’s 2013 Orillia Campus Convocation Ceremonies will occur on Saturday, June 8 at 10 am, at Rotary Place, Orillia. For more information, visit lakeheadu.ca.

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

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 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, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

May 2, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON

Tyson Grinsell, a Lakehead University concurrent Honours Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education student, has received the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers from the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

"I'm proud of what I have accomplished and this has been such an awesome experience,” said Grinsell. “I'm happy that I am able to represent my hometown, my university and Northwestern Ontario."

Lakehead University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, said, “When people volunteer their time to noble deeds, that is the truest form of giving. It’s even more pleasing when youth like Tyson give so much of their time and inspire others to do the same.”

The Fort Frances native, who is completing his HBA/BEd requirements, was one of nine young people to receive the award on April 22, 2013. Tyson’s volunteer activities include the development of a math tutoring program for grade 9 students in his high school.

Grinsell’s tutoring program improved his classmates’ grades and confidence. He focused on meeting the individual needs of each student and eventually expanded the program to include all high school math students preparing for exams.

Grinsell has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Thunder Bay, the Lakehead University Student Union’s Food Bank, and Best Buddies.

Grinsell has also volunteered as a tutor for foster students in partnership with Lakehead University’s Psychology Department and the Children’s Aid Society, and as a student note-taker for Lakehead’s Student Success Centre.

Established in 1998, the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers acknowledges outstanding contributions made by youth between the ages of 15 and 24 who have given a large amount of time to a charity, not-for-profit organization, or person, and who have inspired other youth to volunteer. It is the highest honour a young person can achieve for voluntary contributions to the province.                                                                

See attached photo of Grinsell receiving his medal.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 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, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Thursday, April 11, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON

This summer, two Lakehead University students will cycle coast to coast across Canada, cooperatively organizing 22 food drives along the 10,000 km route.

Under the name FoodRide, the team strives to raise more than $100,000 in food and monetary donations for Canadian food banks. Donations will be distributed between community and campus food banks in the cities hosting the drives.

“We aim to create an open dialogue around food security,” explains FoodRide cyclist Adrian Arts. “Food banks were created as a temporary emergency service in the early 80s and are now a daily necessity to a growing population. As a country we need to re-evaluate how we feed ourselves and where that food comes from.”

The journey begins Thursday, April 25, 2013 in Victoria, BC, and ends with a final food drive in St. John’s, NFLD, on Sunday, Sept. 8.

Approximately 900,000 Canadians relied on access to food banks in an average month in 2011, according to the recent Food Banks Canada report, Hunger Count 2012. Findings of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council’s report from its Special Rapporteur on the right to food (in Canada) suggest that many Canadians report being hungry, but are not eating due to lack of financial means.

The report states that the growing inadequacy of access to safe, healthy food in many parts of Canada brings into question the foundations of Canada’s food security and the path the country is heading down.

The FoodRide team brings action to the issue by cooperatively organizing food drives with community and campus food banks in every province. Although FoodRide will not cycle through the territories, online donations to the cause will be shared with food banks in the territories’ capitals. 

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 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, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

(April 9, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON)

Lakehead University’s Steel Bridge Team placed first overall against eight other teams in the annual regional competition held Saturday, March 16 at Iowa State University.

With the victory, the Lakehead team of Civil Engineering students advances to the US National Steel Bridge Competition in Seattle at the end of May for the 13^th time in the past 15 years of competing.

Students Natalie Scalese, Joe Anger, Randy Roth, Cody Johnston and Raquel Almeida comprised the Lakehead team with faculty advisor Dr. Tony Gillies. Kailash Bhatia acted as machinist advisor to the team.

The Lakehead team placed first overall – taking second place for display, first for lightness, first for construction speed, second for stiffness, first for construction economy (based on construction time and bridge weight) and first for structural efficiency (based on bridge weight to stiffness ratio).

“Sometimes what we pictured didn’t pan out in real life. We had to design as we went, leading up to the competition,” said Natalie Scalese.

The competition challenged students to design a steel bridge and then fabricate a 17-foot long, 1:10 scale model of it that satisfied the 40-pages of specifications provided to all teams. The group had to take their bridge from their computer model, build it and then test it.

“We learned that what we assumed and what the computer model gave us didn’t always match up with what worked,” said Raquel Almeida.

“This competition gave us the hands-on experience of what happens in real life. The computer calculates things too perfectly – we have to account for the small tolerances,” Almeida said.

The bridge had to be constructed over a river from foundations set back from the river banks. Leading up to the competition, the bridge was designed and the components were fabricated by students at Lakehead University.

“Coming from a small university, it was awesome to be up against such notable schools,” said Joe Anger. “Some teams had dozens of people – we only have five people on our team. It was amazing to be so successful,” he said.

Faculty Advisor Dr. Tony Gillies said he was proud of the team. “Lakehead University has established a reputation for excellence since we started competing in 1998,” Dr. Gillies said. “This year’s team is no exception; they have succeeded in designing and constructing another very competitive bridge.”

The National Competition, to be held at the University of Washington in Seattle from May 31-June 1, 2013, will host approximately 45 teams. 

“We hope for a strong performance at the national competition,” Dr. Gillies said, “but so do about 45 other universities.”

Overall Ranking at Regional Competition

1)    Lakehead University

2)    Iowa State University

3)    North Dakota State University

4)    University of Wisconsin, Platteville

5)    University of North Dakota

6)    University of Iowa

Support Needed

The students appreciate the support from local companies, unions and associations to assist in meeting the costs of participating in the recent competition. The team would welcome additional sponsors for their upcoming competition at the University of Washington, Seattle in May. Potential sponsors can contact the team’s faculty advisor, Dr. Tony Gillies, at 343-8684.

For more information about the regional competition, visit: http://news.engineering.iastate.edu/2013/03/20/iowa-state-steel-bridge-team-advances-to-nationals/

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 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, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

(April 2, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON)

Lakehead University is pleased to announce its 2013 honorary degree recipients. All honourees will be awarded their respective degrees during Thunder Bay and Orillia campus Convocation ceremonies, this May and June.

“On a day when we graduate those who will transform our world, tomorrow, it is fitting that we honour those who have, and continue, to do so, today,” said Lakehead University’s Chancellor-elect, Dr. Derek Burney. “Our hope is that our graduates will be inspired by these degree recipients’ deeds and words during this, a very transformative moment in their lives.”

This year’s four recipients are former Canadian Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Paul Martin; Holocaust survivor and public speaker, Dr. Eva Olsson; Lakehead alumni and Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission’s John Mason; and radiologist and Associate Professor with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine’s Dr. Dermot McLoughlin.

“This year, as we graduate the next generation of leaders, we honour four people who have each made vital contributions to our society and communities,” said Lakehead University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson. “From fighting poverty and bullying, to enhancing health care and mining in Northwestern Ontario, our honorary degree recipients are visionaries in their respective missions.”

The Right Honourable Paul Martin

The Right Honourable Paul Martin leads the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative that aims to reduce the high school dropout rate of Canada’s Aboriginal youth and increase the number of Aboriginal students attending post-secondary institutions.

Along with his son David, Mr. Martin also founded the Capital for Aboriginal Prosperity and Entrepreneurship Fund, whose investments seek to further a culture of economic independence, ownership and entrepreneurship for both on and off reserve Aboriginal people through the creation and growth of successful businesses.

Mr. Martin was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada from 2003 to 2006. He was the Minister of Finance from 1993 to 2002 when he erased Canada’s deficit and virtually paid off Canada’s foreign debt. He then recorded five consecutive budget surpluses and restored the financial integrity of the Canada Pension Plan.

Dr. Eva Olsson

For more than 50 years, Dr. Eva Olsson was silent about the concentration camps, slave labour factories, disease and death – including the loss of most of her family – that she experienced during the Holocaust.

When her grandson was six-and-a-half years old he asked her how her mother had died. She told him he was too young to hear what happened. When he turned seven he said “I’m older now” and asked her again and Eva told him.

“I realized by his actions that children need to know and can truly express feelings of compassion. That’s how it started. Shortly after that, his sister had to do a school project about the war so I spoke to her class,” Dr. Olsson said.

She hopes that the people who hear her story will realize that it’s possible to survive the worst that life has to throw at them.

Dr. Olsson has spoken at more than 3,000 schools, churches, meeting halls, conferences, colleges and universities, and to more than 1.5 million people throughout Canada.

John Mason

John Mason, a proud Lakehead University Geology graduate (HBSc 1975), is currently the Project Manager-Mining Services with the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC).

Mr. Mason’s goal is to capitalize on business, job, and economic development opportunities for Thunder Bay and region, specific to the mineral exploration and mining sector.

Prior to joining the CEDC, Mr. Mason completed a 36-year career in 2011 as Regional Manager, Resident Geologists Program, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

He credits his success in work and life to the education he received at Lakehead University.

“Lakehead is a national leader in providing quality education and the linkage to job experience in Northwestern Ontario; that combination equals a career. The concepts and ideas I learned in university played a key role in my decision-making process in work and in life,” Mr. Mason said.

Mr. Mason is a Registered Professional Geoscientist in the Province of Ontario and a member of the following organizations: Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association, Ontario Prospectors Association, Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, and the Association of Mineral Exploration B.C.

Dr. Dermot McLoughlin

Dr. Dermot McLoughlin is an award-winning, community-minded staff radiologist with the Sioux Lookout Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre who takes pride in the role he has played as an Associate Professor with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) and a founding NOSM board member.

Dr. McLoughlin received the Chris Cromarty Award for Leadership in honour of his effective team work, quality leadership and significant contributions to the well-being of the people of the Sioux Lookout region.

He started his career in Ireland and Scotland, working in Africa and then Ontario where he has practiced as a radiologist in various hospitals.

“I would recommend to all newly graduated Health Professionals that they should include in their careers working in remote areas at home and abroad where the need for their services is the greatest,” Dr. McLoughlin said.

Dr. McLoughlin has also received the John C Sibley Award from McMaster University in honour of his outstanding contribution to health sciences education and research, and the Pope John XXIII Medallion for medical services to leprosy patients in Africa. He has been a strong supporter of health care in First Nations communities. Dr. McLoughlin is the Founding Director of the Basic Radiography Worker training program that has been instrumental in improving health services for Aboriginal people throughout the North.

2013 Honorary Degrees Schedule

Dr. Dermot McLoughlin will receive a Doctor of Science at the Friday, May 31, 2013 convocation ceremonies at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.

The Right Honourable Paul Martin will receive a Doctor of Laws at the Saturday, June 1, 2013 convocation ceremonies at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.  

John Mason will receive a Doctor of Science during the Saturday, June 1, 2013 convocation ceremonies at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.

Dr. Eva Olsson will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters from Lakehead University at the Saturday, June 8, 2013 convocation ceremonies at the Rotary Place in the West Orillia Sports Complex.

For a complete schedule of Lakehead University’s 2013 Thunder Bay campus convocation ceremonies, visit http://tinyurl.com/cy3rxgs, or see the complete conferral schedule, below. Lakehead’s Orillia campus convocation ceremonies will occur on Saturday, June 8 at 10am, at the West Orillia Sports Complex.

The 2013 Thunder Bay campus convocation ceremonies will take place at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on Friday May 31, 2013 and Saturday June 1, 2013.

Friday May 31, 2013 at 2:00 pm

Graduate and Undergraduate programs in:

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences

Faculty of Medicine

Saturday June 1, 2013 at 9:30 am

Graduate and Undergraduate programs in:

Faculty of Business Administration

Faculty of Education

Saturday June 1, 2013 at 2:00 pm

Graduate and Undergraduate programs in:

Faculty of Engineering

Faculty of Natural Resources Management

Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies

Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

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Media: For more information, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 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, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

(Monday, March 25, 2013 – Thunder Bay, ON)

Lakehead University’s Dr. Pauline Sameshima has been awarded a Canada Research Chair in Arts Integrated Studies.

She comes to Lakehead from Washington State University where she taught Arts Integrated Research in the Teacher Education Program and the Cultural Studies and Social Thought in Education Graduate Program.

Dr. Sameshima, an Associate Professor in Lakehead’s Faculty of Education, has also been awarded more than $25,000 by the Canada Foundation for Innovation Leaders Opportunity Fund to develop an Arts Integrated Research Lab.

“My work promotes the use of arts in learning, teaching and research. It nurtures individual researcher and student creativity development and provides new perspectives,” Dr. Sameshima said.

The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), made the Canada Research Chair announcement earlier this month at Western University.

“Our government is committed to attracting and retaining the world’s best and brightest researchers, supporting innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening our economy,” said Minister of State Goodyear. “By investing in programs such as the Canada Research Chairs, we are fostering cutting-edge research and the generation of new innovations for the marketplace, for the benefit of Canadians.”

The Canada Research Chairs program, which attracts world-class researchers to universities, has positioned Canada as an international leader and destination of choice in research and development.

In total, the Government of Canada will provide $90.6 million in support to 120 newly awarded and renewed Canada Research Chairs. The research, which will be conducted at 39 Canadian institutions, has potential benefits for Canadians and their families, businesses, practitioners and policy-makers. Of this total, 19 researchers have been recruited from abroad, including 10 Canadians returning to work in their home country – demonstrating the success of the program in attracting and supporting research excellence in Canada.

The Canada Research Chairs program invests approximately $300 million per year toward research in engineering and the natural sciences, health sciences, humanities and social sciences.

Dr. John O’Meara, Dean of Lakehead’s Faculty of Education, said Dr. Sameshima will work with partners and faculty in Thunder Bay, other parts of Canada and internationally to develop creative ways of exploring and expressing research.

“We are proud to have Dr. Sameshima in this new role and look forward to seeing her research results related to arts education,” Dr. O’Meara said.

Dr. Sameshima brings 17 years of elementary public school teaching and administration to her professional interests in curriculum theory, curricular design, teaching and interdisciplinary arts integrated studies. 

 “The successful recruitment of Dr. Sameshima to Lakehead is a prime example of Lakehead’s commitment to nurture scholarship, magnify research and creative activities, and enhance learners’ educational experience,” said Dr. Rui Wang, Lakehead Vice-President (Research, Economic Development and Innovation).

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 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, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead's Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Dr. Rod Hanley, is very pleased to announce the renewal of two of the University's deans: Faculty of Education's Dr. John O'Meara, and the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies' Dr. Andrew Dean.

"These decanal renewals are in recognition and response to the dedication and contribution these individuals have made to their respective faculties and Lakehead as a whole," said Dr. Hanley. "In a time of increased importance in post-secondary education, universities need to retain those in key positions whose strategies and philosophies only serve to benefit our students and the future of academia."

Dr. O'Meara is pleased to have the opportunity to continue serving the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University and the wider education community. "Our Faculty has a great deal to offer through scholarship, teaching, and service," he said. "I am looking forward to developing new initiatives in the education sector that will be widely beneficial and that will build upon our existing strengths.

Since arriving at Lakehead University in 1988 I have appreciated the values that our university community embodies and that form the foundation for our future."

Dr. John O'Meara was born in Dundee, Scotland and has lived in Canada since the age of four. Earning a BA (University of British Columbia) and his PhD in Linguistics (McGill University), his research interests include Algonquian languages (Ojibwe, Cree, Delaware), general linguistics, second-language learning, verbal art and literacy. He is a published author of journal articles, books, and a Delaware-English/English-Delaware dictionary.

Dr. Dean, who has been with Lakehead University since 2008, said, "I feel very fortunate and proud to continue as dean of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies." His goals for the Faculty are increasing and strengthening academic-, business-, resource- and environment-related partnerships, as well as initiatives with the government and Confederation College. He also aims to improve and enhance the academic experience for Lakehead undergraduate science students.

Dr. Andrew Dean was born in Kuala Lumpur, and has lived in Kingston, London and Saskatoon. He earned his HBA at McGill, his MM at the University of Waterloo and his PhD at Queen's University. He was Dean of Natural Science and Mathematics at Bishop's University and Dean of Arts and Science at Nipissing University prior to coming to Lakehead. His research interests include Representation Theory of Finite Dimensional Algebras and Integral Quadratic Forms.

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Media:For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 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.

(Thursday, March 14, 2013 " Thunder Bay, ON)

Lakehead University's Centre for Northern Studies forum Rapid Change and the Future of Canada's North will feature four internationally renowned speakers on Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16.

Biology Professor Dr. John Smol, of Queen's University, recently appeared on an episode of the CBC documentary series The Nature of Things. Other speakers include Juli Abouchar, a Partner in Willms and Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP; and Professor of Human Geography, Dr. Dieter Muller of Umea University in Sweden.

The forum is at 7:30 pm on Friday, March 15, in Lakehead University's Bora Laskin auditorium (BL - 1001).

Biology Professor Dr. David Hik from the University of Alberta will present during the Saturday, March 16 symposium, running from 8:30 am until noon in Lakehead's University Centre lower lecture theatre (UC - 0050).

Rapid changes in the environment will have dramatic effects on all aspects of life, legalities, and research in Northern Canada. This information should be of interest to all citizens of Northwestern Ontario.

These speakers will discuss a variety of topics, from reconciling development and First Nations, to Northern tourism and cultural geography with perspectives from the Swedish north; as well as ecological changes and evolutionary implications in Arctic ecosystems.

This conference is free for the public. All are welcome.

Media are invited to interview speakers in advance or during the conference.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 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.

(Wednesday, March 13, 2012 " Thunder Bay, ON)

Lakehead University's upcoming Science Olympics Northwestern Ontario will be a great opportunity for curious high school students to learn through doing, with help from professors and university students running the exciting events.

Local and regional students from grades 9 to 12 will work in groups to solve fun challenges that apply their knowledge of science and engineering in creative ways.

"Science Olympics is an excellent way to engage students in science, engineering and math while introducing them to Lakehead University," said Dr. Andrew Dean, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies.

Science Olympics Northwestern Ontario is a joint venture among Youth Science Ontario, the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies, the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Engineering at Lakehead University.

"Science Olympics events are designed to be challenging " each team must apply their scientific knowledge and skills to achieve success," said Dr. John O'Meara, Dean of the Faculty of Education. "In our eyes, success isn't winning, it's learning."

Students from Thunder Bay and the region will work in groups of four in Junior (grades 9 and 10) and Senior (grades 11 and 12) categories, using knowledge they've learned in high school to compete in three different events.

The fourth and final event brings Junior and Senior groups together to see which can design the best paper plane and helium balloon launch system.

"I'm looking forward to watching students compete in this final event because it will bring together everything they have learned and they should really enjoy it, too," said Dr. David Barnett, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.

Members of the media are invited to attend:

Location: Port Arthur Collegiate Institute, 401 Red River Rd., Thunder Bay
Date: Friday, March 22, 2012

Time: Between 9:20 am and 2:30 pm (Awards Ceremony is from 1:35 to 2:30 pm)

Schedule

Junior (Grades 9 and 10)

Event 1 " Models of Cells (9:20 to 10:05 am)
Teams spend 20 minutes using materials provided to build a labelled model of an animal and/or plant cell. Teams then make an oral presentation to the judges to describe key structural components. Materials chosen enable teams to demonstrate their creativity and knowledge.

Event 2 " Long Distance Runner (10:10 to 10:55 am)
Teams construct a balloon-powered vehicle using the materials supplied. The goal is to create the vehicle that travels the greatest distance along the gym floor. Teams will make two judged attempts. The team with the best attempt gains the highest score.

Event 3 " Race to the Molecules (11:15 am to noon)
Teams communicate to build molecular models. Photographs of completed molecular models, e. g. SO2 (sulphur dioxide) or C6H6CH3 (toluene), are placed in the hall. A team member communicates details of the structure to their team, who use the components to build that model that will be judged.

Senior (Grades 11 and 12)

Event 1 " Fermi Questions (9:20 to 10:05 am)
Fermi questions are well-defined problems solved through estimation and approximation. Teams solve 25 problems in 40 minutes. The event takes place in the gym. Calculators, computers or any other device, including crib sheets, lists of constants, formulae, etc., are not permitted. Pencils and scratch paper are provided. There is a local focus to some of the questions.

Event 2 " INDYcator 500 (10:10 to 10:55 am)
Teams use a range of indicators to measure the pH of three unknown liquids. They are provided with buffer solutions of known pH values and work to get precise values for the pH of all three unknowns in the lowest time possible (different from last year's Junior version).

Event 3 " Models of Cells (11:15 am to noon)
Teams spend 20 minutes using materials to build a labelled model of a biological macro-molecule (DNA, RNA or a protein such as Myoglobin). Teams make an oral presentation describing key structural components. The materials chosen by students enable them to demonstrate their creativity and knowledge.

Common Event 4 (all students) " Balloon Plane Launch (12:45 to 1:30 pm)
Teams in both categories design a paper plane and helium balloon launch system. The plane airborne the longest wins!

Visit http://facscien.lakeheadu.ca/?display=page&pageid=47 for more information.

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Media: For more information, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 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.

(Friday, March 8, 2013 " Thunder Bay, ON)

The Lakehead University Native Student Association (LUNSA) is hosting its annual powwow at the C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse from Friday, March 15 to Sunday, March 17, 2013.

This year's theme is Celebrating 25 Years of Powwow at Lakehead University.

"The LUNSA association executive is commemorating 25 years by kicking off the powwow season with this celebration," said Sarah Nelson, LUNSA President.

"We will be honouring those executive members who have gone before us and all of the wonderful university staff, local organizations and businesses, students and community members who make this possible. We look forward to seeing old and new faces at this year's powwow," Nelson said.

This powwow showcases local talent and entertainment, free of charge, while reinforcing traditional aspects of Aboriginal culture such as drumming, dancing, singing, and giving thanks.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Special Guests include:

• Master of Ceremonies: Nathan Moses (Pic River FN)

• Arena Director: Todd Genno (Pic River, FN)

• Spiritual Advisor: Kalvin Ottertail (Lac La Croix, FN)

• Host Drum: Little Bear Singers (Thunder Bay)

• Co-Host Drums: Mud Puddle Singers (Thunder Bay)

• Inuit throat singers: Becky Qilavvaq and Romani Makkik (Iqaluit, Nunavut)

Media are invited to visit the C.J Sanders Fieldhouse at 2 pm on Saturday, March 16.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 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.