Humanities 101 fundraiser celebrates community passion

November 25, 2014 – Orillia, ON

Last night (Monday, November 24) members of the community filled Brewery Bay in downtown Orillia for two dinner seatings to celebrate and raise funds for Lakehead University’s Humanities 101 program.

The fundraiser was organized in memory of Yuksel Gulmen, who was one of the founding community volunteers to help set up the program at the Orillia campus two years ago.

“Without the support and commitment from our community, we would not be able to continue to realize Yuksel’s goal of helping local residents access university opportunities,” said Yuksel’s husband, Tony Gulmen. “Humanities 101 meant a lot to her – she wanted to give students back some self-esteem and give them a chance to pursue their dreams.”

Two graduates of the Humanities 101 program, who are now full-time Lakehead University students, spoke about the opportunities Humanities 101 opened up for them. “I was inspired, especially by two of my Humanities 101 professors,” said Madeline Clarke. “They gave me the encouragement and confidence to return to school.” Erika Brown’s experience was similar. After taking time off after high school, it was the Humanities 101 program that made her want to take the step to university. ““We got to hear a little bit about the kinds of programs Lakehead offered and meet some of its great professors.” Both students are enrolled in the University’s Interdisciplinary Studies degree program.

Humanities 101 is a community-based outreach program that provides access to a university education experience to adult learners, despite financial and other barriers. Dozens of participants have successfully completed the program since it was launched at the Orillia campus in 2012, and several have gone on to explore post-secondary opportunities and make various important life changes.  The next 12-week session begins in January 2015.

To see photos from the event, visit Lakehead Orillia’s Facebook page here.

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 Humanities 101 graduates and current Lakehead students Madeline Clarke and Erika Brown spoke about their experience at the fundraising event for the Lakehead’s outreach program.

Humanities 101 graduates and current Lakehead students Madeline Clarke and Erika Brown spoke about their experience at the fundraising event for the Lakehead’s outreach program.

 Dr. Linda Rodenburg, director of Lakehead Orillia’s Humanities 101 program, with Steve Clarke of Brewery Bay, and Tony Gulmen, who helped organized the fundraising event.

Dr. Linda Rodenburg, director of Lakehead Orillia’s Humanities 101 program, with Steve Clarke of Brewery Bay, and Tony Gulmen, who helped organized the fundraising event.

 

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 its Strategic Plan (2013-2018), Lakehead is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies.

Maclean’s 2015 University Rankings places Lakehead University 2nd in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and 1st among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2014, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead 2nd in Ontario and 3rd among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.