October 17, 2014 – Orillia, ON

Hundreds of prospective students and their families are expected to visit Lakehead University’s Orillia campus next weekend, as the University opens its doors for its annual Fall Preview Day. The event takes place on Saturday, October 25 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at 500 University Avenue.

Preview Day gives prospective students the opportunity to explore the campus, meet their future professors, and learn from current students about what it’s like to be a student at Lakehead. Information sessions will help students gain valuable information about Lakehead’s programs, courses, and student life. A highlight will be the draw for a Freshman Prize Pack valued at $2,000 that contains “everything you’ll need to make first-year epic!”  

“This annual event showcases all of the unique programs and activities that Lakehead University Orillia has to offer,” says Lakehead Orillia’s Dean & Vice-Provost, Dr. Kim Fedderson. “We know that choosing a university is a difficult decision and attending Fall Preview Day is the perfect opportunity for students to see, first-hand, all of the exceptional options and opportunities that are available for them at Lakehead.”

For more information about Preview Day and to register to attend (although not required), visit: www.mylakehead.ca.

Prospective university students get a chance to meet professors and current students at Lakehead Orillia’s Fall Preview Day on Saturday, October 25.

Prospective students from across the province are expected to visit Lakehead Orillia for its Fall Preview Day on Saturday, October 25.

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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. Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and Faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Science and Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education and Graduate Studies. 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). Visit http://www.lakeheadu.ca.

November 11, 2014 – Orillia, ON

Lakehead University’s commitment to a sustainable future took centre stage this afternoon.

People from communities across Simcoe County gathered at Hawk Ridge Golf Club to celebrate the release of the 2013-14 Annual Report, which focuses on Lakehead’s achievements in the spheres of economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

The close relationship between Lakehead University and the community was revealed by the $40 million impact of Lakehead’s operating expenditures on the City of Orillia and surrounding communities in 2013-14.

“As the president of a university committed to sustainability, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the last year and how we are transforming the world we live in,” said Dr. Brian Stevenson, Lakehead University President & Vice-Chancellor

At the lunch event, President Stevenson interviewed, as “host” in a talk show format, Lakehead faculty, students, and supporters who are contributing to healthier communities and ecosystems. Stephen Van Wart of TD Canada Trust spoke about TD’s commitment to student success through its new TD Impact Award. Lakehead faculty members, Dr. Katherine Becker and Dr. Sonia Mastrangelo shared news about a new research journal they established focused on early learning and development. And students Kayla Snyder and Brooke Marion talked about how the research opportunities they experienced at Lakehead allowed them to pursue their passion for environmental sustainability.

The event also highlighted some of the other 2013-14 accomplishments including the founding of the Research Centre for Sustainable Communities.

A Report to the Community launch will be held on the University’s Thunder Bay campus on November 13.

Read more about the exceptional work being done by Lakehead’s researchers, students, and alumni by going to report.lakeheadu.ca.

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Lakehead University’s annual Report to the Community luncheon featured a new talk show format with President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson hosting guest students, professors and community supporters. The event was held at the Hawk Ridge Golf & Country Club on November 11.

Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Kathy Hunt, Communications Officer, 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 2^nd in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and 1^st among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2014, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead 2^nd in Ontario and 3^rd among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

October 9, 2014 – Orillia, ON

A professor from the Education program at Lakehead University’s Orillia campus has come up with a creative way to incorporate First Nations perspectives and values into the mathematics curriculum.

On Saturday, October 18, the University will host a one-day Algonquin Looming workshop where participants will learn about the historical and cultural importance of traditional beading.

“Ontario has an Aboriginal Education Strategy that recognizes the importance of First Nations content throughout the Ontario curriculum,” explains Dr. Ruth Beatty, associate professor of Education at Lakehead Orillia, and organizer of the workshop.

While participants learn how to design and weave with beads, the workshop will highlight the mathematical connections between Algonquin practices and the Western mathematics found in the Ontario curriculum.

“This will be a unique experience that combines hands-on learning with theoretical implications for teaching,” adds Dr. Beatty.

The one-day workshop features beaders Christina Ruddy and April Jones, who will guide novice beaders on how to design a pattern, string a loom and weave beads into original works of art.

The workshop is open to the public and takes place from 11 am to 3:30 pm at Lakehead’s Heritage Place site in downtown Orillia (1 Colborne Street West). A fee of $10/person is charged to cover the cost of supplies. 

To register and for further information, contact Dr. Ruth Beatty at rbeatty@lakeheadu.ca.

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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.

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. Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and Faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Science and Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education and Graduate Studies. 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). Visit http://www.lakeheadu.ca.

November 12, 2014 – Orillia, ON

Lakehead University’s In Conversation speaker series returns to the Orillia Public Library this year with talks scheduled from November until May.

Experts from Lakehead University will give free presentations about dream analysis, sexual violence, the chemistry of food, bacteria growth, local history, and local food policies.

The fall series begins on Monday, November 17 (6:15 – 8 pm) with a talk by Dr. Les Fleischer, Assistant Professor/Psychoanalyst, Department of Social Work, focused on “Understanding Your Dreams.”

“Dreams can be a window to our inner wishes, thoughts, feelings and conflicts that can contribute to greater self-awareness,” says Fleischer. His presentation will focus on how to understand your dreams and will provide explanations for various types of dreams. Dr. Fleischer will also discuss his current research project on the dreams of psychotherapists.

For a full schedule of In Conversation topics and dates, visit the Lakehead University website at https://www.lakeheadu.ca/about/orillia-campus/community-programs/public-lectures.

The “In Conversation” talks are free, but require registration. Registration is accepted in person at the Orillia Public Library (36 Mississauga St. W.); by email info@orilliapubliclibrary.ca; or by phone at (705) 325-2338.

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Dr. Les Fleischer, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work  at Lakehead University, will be “In Conversation” at the Orillia Public Library on Monday, November 17 at 6:15 pm.

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

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

November 4, 2014 – Orillia, ON

Lakehead University, in partnership with Brewery Bay Food Co., is hosting a fundraiser, November 24, in memory of the late Yuksel Gulmen to help support the Humanities 101 Fund.

For $50, guests will receive a four-course meal including appetizer, salad, entrée, and dessert along with the opportunity to support an exceptional local 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.

“Yuksel was one of the original board members who spearheaded the Humanities 101 program, and it meant a lot to her,” says Tony Gulmen, Yuksel’s husband. “Through this program, she aimed to give students back some self-esteem, by not only teaching them skills, but teaching them how to apply those skills. She wanted them to feel like they still had a chance to pursue their academic dreams.”

Without the generous support of community partners, Lakehead University would not be able to offer this extraordinary opportunity in Orillia.

Tickets for the event – with a choice of two seating times (5:30 and 7:30 pm) – are available at Brewery Bay Food Co. (117 Mississauga St. E. in downtown Orillia).

The fundraiser also features a silent auction that opens on Monday, November 17, at Brewery Bay Food Co. Bids may be submitted at Brewery Bay before the event and up to 9:00 pm on the night of the dinner, November 24.

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Members of the 2014 Humanities 101 graduating class with program organizer, Dr. Linda Rodenburg (far left).

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

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca

November 13, 2014

A young entrepreneur has joined the student body at Lakehead University in Orillia, and as the newly elected president of the Business Orillia Student Society (BOSS), has great plans for the student organization.

Andrew Ault, 19-years-old, is a student in Lakehead’s Honours Bachelor of Commerce program, and hopes to bring his background and interest in business and sustainable development to the student-run BOSS.

What kind of background does a 19-year-old have in business, you wonder? According to his LinkedIn profile, Ault has quite a bit! At the age of 16 he invented a new energy-saving product called “Energy Boss;” then started his own marketing company at the age of 17; and in 2012 won the “Innovation Youth of the Year” award from the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre.

After graduating from high school in his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Ault decided he wanted to get into politics, so he headed to Ottawa and landed a position as a parliamentary intern. While an intern, he studied Public Affairs and Policy Management at Carleton University.

“During my work in Ottawa, I quickly saw the value of understanding business to formulate practical public policy.” Ault began a search for university business programs and was attracted to Lakehead University in Orillia because of the “small college feel” and the program.

“Lakehead stood out among all of the business schools I looked at because of its interdisciplinary emphasis and cross-enterprise perspective,” said Ault. “Ideas from the liberal arts and sciences, along with a foundation of all functional areas of business is critical to solving complex problems in the 21st century,” he added.

Never expecting to run for president of BOSS in his first year at Lakehead, Ault says that he found it easy to get involved on campus. “There are so many opportunities here,” he said, “and if opportunity doesn’t knock, the school is very supportive of its students building new doors.”

Once he takes the BOSS helm in November, Ault will work with his executive and student members on a number of goals. These include building a partnership with Georgian College Orillia; developing services in business consulting and green product development; organizing career speed-dating nights; and hosting a business case competition at the University.

One of the first projects BOSS is working on is the partnership with Georgian. The group is planning a joint event where BOSS at Lakehead will be introduced to Georgian students and encouraged to form a business society at Georgian. “Together we’ll be better than the sum of our parts,” said Ault. “It will be a fusion of insights, including the practical emphasis at Georgian with the theory of our studies at Lakehead.”

With a good foundation built under the leadership of fellow Lakehead University business students, including past-president Mason Ainsworth, Ault looks forward to taking BOSS to new heights.  “By being exceptional and unconventional, I’m confident that BOSS will grow to become one of the University’s most valuable assets.”

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Andrew Ault, 19-years-old, is a student in Lakehead’s Honours Bachelor of Commerce program, and hopes to bring his background and interest in business and sustainable development to the student-run BOSS.

July 31, 2014 – Orillia, ON

Author and naturalist William Longgood once said that dreams and dedication are a powerful combination. No one knows this better than Orillia hometown girl Olivia Manovich.

As a first-year Lakehead University student, Manovich attended the school’s Education Job Fair armed with a handful of resumes, eager to make some meaningful job connections. One of the exhibitors, Elite Education, would take her resume and five years later offer her the opportunity of a lifetime: a teaching job in the United Arab Emirates.

“It wasn’t just something I wanted to do. It was something I needed to do,” Olivia says of her upcoming adventure.

During her last week of placement in her final year of the Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science/Bachelor of Education program, and only 12 hours after her job interview for a position overseas, Olivia got the call. She would be teaching kindergarten in the city of Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, beginning this August.

Manovich’s love of teaching began early, during her days as a student at Orillia District Collegiate (ODCVI). She became involved in many local charitable and volunteer organizations, as well as working as a Sunday school teacher and a camp counsellor. She also had the chance to travel to Haiti and Thailand as a volunteer, which allowed her to see a different side of education and spark her interest in travel.

Upon attending Lakehead, Olivia wasn’t satisfied with just earning her education; she wanted to make a lasting impression. During her five years at Lakehead, Olivia was constantly involved as a student leader and spokesperson. In this role, she participated in recruitment events, campus tours and public events, such as the President’s Breakfast, Open Doors Knowledge Event, and Community Research Days.

Manovich also brought her community interests and passion for helping children to students on campus. She organized a highly successful Operation Christmas Child program, which involved hundreds of students, who contributed to filling shoeboxes to send to underprivileged children. She also advocated for Compassion Canada, an organization focused on helping children in developing countries.

At her graduation in June, Manovich’s contribution to the University was recognized with two prestigious awards. She received both the President’s Award, recognizing student leadership; and the Lloyd Dennis Award for Outstanding Citizenship.

“I was so surprised to learn that I had won these awards,” said Manovich.  “It is such an honour and I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to meet Marilyn Dennis [widow of Lloyd Dennis] and learn more about Dr. Dennis’s life and his outstanding contribution to education.” [Lloyd Dennis, who died in March 2012, was honoured with an Honorary Doctor of Laws by Lakehead University at its 2012 Convocation.]

“Lloyd would have been so proud of Olivia’s accomplishments,” said Marilyn Dennis. “And he would be so enthusiastic about her new teaching adventure. He especially loved kindergarten teachers.”

When asked how she feels about her upcoming move, nervous and excited are the first two words to pop into her head. Scared would probably rank pretty high on her list too if it wasn’t for the overwhelming support from her family, which will make her transition easier. “My family has always been very supportive and always there for me. They never questioned my decision to work overseas and instead encouraged me. I feel very blessed – to have such support from my family, from my University community and from my hometown.”

Olivia will leave Orillia in late August to begin her overseas journey. As they say in Abu Dhabi, Hadha muwafqaa – good luck!

Written by Stephanie Edwards, a third year Lakehead University student who is working with Lakehead Orillia’s Communications office this summer.

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Lakehead University award-winner, Olivia Manovich, celebrates her accomplishments at the June 2014 convocation with her family – sister Simone, and parents Linda and Brian.

Marilyn Dennis and Lakehead graduate Olivia Manovich, winner of the 2014 Lloyd Dennis Award, are shown at the Orillia campus alongside a tree planted in memory of Lloyd Dennis.

Lakehead students Brooke Marion (left) and Kayla Snyder spent the summer working with Lakehead’s Dr. Chris Murray on a research project to develop a new environmentally friendly permeable pavement. The students’ work was recently accepted for publication in an international scientific journal.

August 14, 2014 – Orillia, ON

Typical undergraduate students can only dream about getting one-on-one experience with a research expert in their field. For two Lakehead University students, this dream became a reality – as they not only got to work with an expert – but became published experts themselves.

Through the Summer Research Program offered at Lakehead Orillia, current students Kayla Snyder (MSc) (HBASc/BEd ’13) of Everett, and Brooke Marion (HBASc/BEd) of North Bay, were given the chance to work with Dr. Chris Murray, assistant professor of Sustainability Sciences, on one of his ideas that was 15 years in the making. The recent collaboration with the two Lakehead students would end in the trio being chosen to have their research findings published in an upcoming issue of Construction and Building Materials.  The international journal is dedicated to the investigation and innovative use of materials in construction and repair.  

“Both Kayla and Brooke have worked with me as research assistants for several years. They’ve spent more time in the lab than even the average graduate student. This type of undergraduate experience is a pretty rare opportunity we are able to provide at Lakehead Orillia,” said Dr. Murray.

Their research project involves the use of crumb rubber and Chitosan, or in layman’s terms, crushed-up used tires and crab and shrimp shells. These two materials are combined to develop permeable pavement, which acts as a water filtration device, relieving strain on stormwater systems and preventing erosion and pollution. The project is about combating pollution in two ways: reusing old tires that cannot be recycled and filtering increasingly polluted runoff before it enters our water system.

It took over a year for Snyder and Marion to perform all the necessary experiments. Once the work was finished, the two students, alongside Dr. Murray, presented their findings to the Canadian Association of Physicists last year. At the same time they submitted their research to the journal and received a positive response very quickly.

Though the research is still only preliminary, it has the potential to benefit not only Simcoe County, but all of Canada and beyond. More importantly, it is capable of providing solutions to real problems, like the long-term sustainability of our clean water supply.

“Water may seem as though it is an infinite resource, but assuming this is one of the biggest mistakes people can make,” warned Marion.

Having the chance to participate in the Summer Research Program has benefited Snyder and Marion immensely.

“The Summer Research projects are great for allowing you to develop skills that you might not get in the classroom. It is a lot more challenging, but also more rewarding,” said Snyder of her opportunity.

An important part of doing summer research is having a great mentor and they found that in Dr. Murray. Both say that his passion and encouragement have been substantial in their development as researchers. Dr. Murray has even higher praise for his two research partners.

“I’ve been really lucky to find students like Kayla and Brooke. I like to think that I have helped them along the way, but the success of this project was more due to their enthusiasm, attention to detail, and work ethic, rather than the ideas I started with.”

So what’s next for these two young innovators? Snyder will continue a Master of Science in Chemistry degree at Lakehead in the fall as she works at completing her thesis. Marion will also be continuing at Lakehead in September, entering her professional year in the Bachelor of Education program. She hopes to teach elementary school students just how much fun science can be.

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Thousands of prospective students were introduced to Lakehead University – and its friendly atmosphere – at the annual Ontario Universities’ Fair, held last month in Toronto.

Every September, over 100,000 high school students head to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to discover which Ontario universities may be the right fit for them.

This year, I was asked to attend the Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF) as a student representative for Lakehead University to help share information and insight about how great student life is here at the Orillia campus. One of my main objectives was to try to get across my favourite thing about attending Lakehead, which is the small-town, community-focused feel of the University. When I arrived at the Convention Centre I realized that the community atmosphere I wanted to explain in words was already being demonstrated through actions and would be a focus of the student experience at our Lakehead booth.

“We aim to make the students’ journey more personalized. It isn’t about how they can fit into life at Lakehead, but more about how Lakehead can become part of their lives,” said Emily Shandruk, Manager of Undergraduate Recruitment.

The three-day Ontario Universities’ Fair was held last month in the heart of Downtown Toronto, and is one of the biggest recruitment events of the year. Each university sets up a booth with the aim of giving prospective students all the information they need to make an informed choice about where to attend university. The size of the Lakehead booth was on par with some of the bigger schools in our province, but what was inside the booth is what made us really stand out.

Along with multiple student representatives like myself, Lakehead was represented by the entire Lakehead Undergraduate Recruitment team, members of the Residence Council and a substantial number of faculty members. The booth was designed to welcome and encourage conversation, which made both students and parents feel extremely comfortable. Instead of just bombarding our visitors with information, we asked students about their interests so we could direct them to the best source of information. I couldn’t count the number of surprised faces I saw over the course of the weekend when I would tell a student that I could bring them over to the Dean of their faculty of choice in order to get some more in-depth information. You could tell that the professors genuinely wanted to be there and wanted to meet prospective students and their families.

Dr. Frances Helyar, Chair of Lakehead Orillia’s Education program, who spent the entire weekend at OUF, said:  “I find that attending the Fair is the best way to determine what questions potential students may have, what their concerns are, and what they’re most looking for in a university. It’s a great way to meet one-on-one with students and their parents, and to see if Lakehead might be a good fit for them.”

The highlight of my experience was watching students go from not even knowing Lakehead existed to deciding that it was the school for them. I even overheard one student gush, after a one-on-one with a professor, that she didn’t even need to see any other school’s booth; Lakehead was where she wanted to go. It made me proud to see the university community that I love so much being represented at such a large, important event.

I look forward to seeing some of the students I met at the Fair attending Lakehead and discovering that the genuine close-knit feeling Lakehead presented wasn’t just for show, and instead, is something that is practiced here all year long.

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Stephanie Edwards is a third year Lakehead University student (HBASc/Anthropology) who is working part-time with Lakehead Orillia’s Communications office.

September 23, 2014 – Orillia, ON

Researchers at Lakehead University’s Orillia campus are offering the public an opportunity to learn about the water quality of Lake Couchiching — including past, present, and future research studies. The presentation and discussion takes place on Friday, September 26 at 500 University Avenue from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.

“This is an opportunity for anyone who uses or appreciates Lake Couchiching to come and learn about research activities on the Lake,” said Research Assistant Debbie Balika, recent graduate of the Master of Biology program at Lakehead. “Those in attendance will not only learn about the various kinds of research being conducted in and around the Lake, but will have an opportunity to ask questions and join in a discussion about future research activities.”

Balika, along with Lakehead professors Dr. Nanda Kanavillil and Dr. Sree Kurissery of the Sustainability Sciences Department, will discuss their ongoing and future research projects. Special guest, Keith Sherman, Executive Director of the Severn Sound Environmental Association, will share past water quality research results.

The event is open to the public and free of charge. For further information and to confirm attendance, those interested in attending should contact Debbie Balika at dbalika@lakeheadu.ca.

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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.

 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. Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and Faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Science and Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education and Graduate Studies. 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). Visit http://www.lakeheadu.ca.