Lakehead University and the County of Simcoe Further Solidify Relationship
Representatives from the County of Simcoe and Lakehead University gather to celebrate the official naming of Simcoe Hall.
Thursday, April 24, 2014 – Orillia, ON
Lakehead University’s Orillia campus was the site of a special announcement today, marking the invaluable relationship between Lakehead University and the County of Simcoe.
In recognition of the County’s ongoing, tremendous support, Lakehead University President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, proudly announced that the University’s academic building would be named ‘Simcoe Hall’. The official unveiling saw the building’s new name mounted onto its façade.
“The County of Simcoe has been enormously supportive of our University community and this beautiful campus since its inception,” said Dr. Stevenson, who thanked the County on behalf of the University community and Lakehead’s Board of Governors. “Without the County, Lakehead University would not be in Orillia, today.”
The County of Simcoe presented Lakehead University Orillia with a $1 million cheque during County Council on November 26, 2013. Since 2009, the total amount of contributions by the County to the University is approximately $3.5 million.
County of Simcoe Warden, Cal Patterson, explained that County Council understands the significant role our region’s post-secondary educational facilities have in our communities.
“On behalf of the County of Simcoe, I want to thank Lakehead University for this tremendous honour and express our pride in knowing that students will study in the newly named Simcoe Hall for generations to come,” said Warden Patterson. “County Council’s commitment to both Lakehead University and Georgian College stems from our Ten-year Economic Development and Tourism Strategic Plan, which identifies partnership opportunities that strengthen human services and education to support improved health and well-being of our residents.”
Dr. Stevenson reaffirmed that the County’s generous gifts continue to go directly into the funding of Lakehead University’s Orillia campus and to making its students’ academic experience an exceptional one.
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Media: For more information, please contact Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at (705) 330-4008 (ext. 2014), or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.
In 2015, Lakehead University will celebrate 50 years of exceptional education. Guided by a new Strategic Plan (2013-2018), our University is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses, in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years (Fall 2013) and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine's West Campus, Lakehead is among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities (2014 Maclean’s University Rankings), as well as 1st in Ontario and 2nd in Canada for its innovative research (Re$earch Infosource). Our Orillia campus is the first in North America to be built entirely to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. Share your Lakehead story as it relates to our Strategic Plan at www.lakeheadu.ca/presidents-office/nurturing-passion, and learn more about Lakehead at www.lakeheadu.ca.