January 30, 2014 – Orillia, ON                             

The first recipients of Lakehead Orillia’s new Plastics Protect & HollisWealth Athletic Achievement Award were honoured today at a presentation on campus with representatives of the award donor and members of the Lakehead community.

The new award recognizes athletes for their exemplary leadership, sportsmanship and athletic performance. Each month, from November to April, one athlete is selected for the award, based on nominations from coaches.

Meagan Higgins, from Brussels, Ontario, a third year Education student and member of Lakehead Orillia’s women’s hockey team, received the award for November 2013, while Casey Blanca of the men’s basketball team was honoured for the month of December 2013. Blanca is a first-year Education student from Winnipeg.

The new award, valued at $500, recognizes the accomplishments of an athlete, supports the entire team to which the athlete is a member.

“We are extremely fortunate to have partners who recognize the unique opportunities for students at the Orillia campus and want to support and help shape our growing athletics program,” said Kim Fedderson, Orillia Campus Dean and Vice-Provost.

The award was initiated under the direction of former Olympic and Canadian championship athlete, Michelle Cowell, who represents the award donor, Plastics Protect & HollisWealth – Benson Kearley IFG.

“Athletics is such an important part of life at all ages, but never more so than when individuals are starting out on their life journey,” said Cowell.  “We hope this award encourages students to dream big and push beyond their limits!”

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Left to Right: Casey Blanca, Meagan Higgins, Michelle Cowell; Vice President, Wealth and Strategic Management & Senior Investment Advisor at Benson Kearley IFG,and Kim Fedderson; Orillia Campus Dean and Vice-Provost.

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 1^st in Ontario and 2^nd 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.

Benson Kearley IFG is an independent insurance agency.  Plastics Protect, a division of Benson Kearley, is Canada’s Largest Insurance Program for the Plastics Industry. HollisWealth is a member of the Scotia Group and prides itself on being an integral part of our community while striving to make a positive impact where they work and live. Michelle Cowell is the Vice President, Wealth and Strategic Management & Senior Investment Advisor at Benson Kearley IFG.

March 3, 2014 – Orillia, ON

Holly Wiggins’ great-grandfather, a butcher from a small town in England, joined the armed forces during the Second World War, leaving behind his young wife and two children under the age of five. His family would not hear from him again, until he was on a ship sailing back to Liverpool following his liberation from a Japanese prisoner of war camp.

Wiggins’ great-grandfather was held as a prisoner of war by the Japanese in the Pacific theatre from 1942 to 1945. He is now the focus of a research project Wiggins is completing as part of the requirements for her fourth-year “Inquiry” course at Lakehead.

Wiggins, of Orillia, who is enrolled in the Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science/Bachelor of Education program, said she was worried about going into the fourth-year course. “I would hear older students talking about their major projects for Inquiry and how much work it was. But what I was fearing at the beginning of the year has turned out to be an amazing experience.”

The Inquiry course is the cornerstone of the inquiry-based, multidisciplinary learning approach of the Arts & Science program at Lakehead’s Orillia campus. The fourth-year course requires the completion of a major research project on a topic chosen by the student.

“It’s really a bit overwhelming – to be told you can propose any topic you wish,” said Wiggins. “Once I realized that this could be an opportunity to combine my interest in history with my curiosity about my great grandfather’s experience in the war, I was encouraged and my research has turned out to be fascinating.”

After an introduction into ethics, research methods, and presentations, Wiggins’ first research task was to find out what her grandmother, who was just an infant when her father went off to war in 1941, knew about her great-grandfather’s experience. She discovered that her grandmother did not know of many details, herself, however both her grandparents shared her curiosity and helped her pull together what turned out to be crucial pieces to the puzzle.

Luckily, Wiggins’ grandmother had some important documents – such as her father’s attestation papers, official notification that he had gone missing, the one letter that he was eventually able to send home, along with a few photographs, including a picture of his two children that he kept with him for the duration of his imprisonment.

“The letter home was especially insightful because it touched on quite a few points that tied into the secondary scholarly research that I did,” said Wiggins. “In the letter, my great-grandfather talked about how ‘things haven’t been too good out here,’ that he ‘nearly gave up [when he] was very bad with malaria,’ and that he never wanted to do any cooking again – ‘I am fed up after three and a half years of playing with rice and trying to make pastry out of it…,’ as well as references to missing home.”

Wiggins discovered many references to documents and facts that are reflected in her great-grandfather’s experience during the extensive scholarly research she conducted for her project.

“When you read historical articles, you are somewhat detached, but when I realized that I actually had some of the documents being described right in front of me – that is exciting,” Wiggins said. “The connection between what I’ve been reading and a real life experience is fascinating! I’m also excited to be able to pass on a more detailed story about what happened to my great-grandfather, or what possibly happened.”

Wiggins will be sharing her research at Lakehead University’s upcoming Undergraduate Research Day on March 5, as part of the annual Research & Innovation Week activities.

“Our entire class will be presenting research posters and we will also be there to discuss our projects,” explained Wiggins.  The projects range from other history topics, such as Hitler propaganda and genocide through photographs, to social media and city planning, and even some with a local focus. One student will be presenting a project on the history of the Champlain monument.

Research & Innovation Week activities at the Orillia campus take place from March 3 to 7 and are all open to the public and free of charge. For a detailed list of events, visit lakeheadu.ca.

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Holly Wiggins, a fourth-year student at Lakehead Orillia will present her research project on her great-grandfather’s World War II experience during the University’s Research & Innovation Week, March 3 – 7.

December 22, 2014 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, ON

Lakehead University professors and students are receiving nearly $720,000 in funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to help answer some fascinating questions.

Some of these outstanding research programs will investigate lead exposure in members of the colonial-era British Navy, analyze the protest media landscape during recent anti-austerity protests, examine how people responded to climate change over a long period of time, and determine how European immigrants influenced the culture of death in Canada.

Dr. Tamara Varney, Associate Professor in Anthropology, and scientists from Memorial University, the University of Saskatchewan and the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron are receiving an Insight Grant worth $202,543 over four years to investigate lead exposure patterns in British Naval populations from colonial-era West Indies.

They are examining skeletal remains from three cemeteries in Newfoundland and Antigua, West Indies using a synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence laboratory. This equipment will help Dr. Varney determine the extent of lead levels while those individuals were alive.

Dr. Varney is leading this interdisciplinary team of researchers utilizing the expertise and technology of the CLS synchrotron facility in Saskatoon.

The team’s objective is to address the proposed idea that lead poisoning negatively impacted the quality of life for the British military serving in the colonial West Indies. One of the historical cemeteries involved will allow regular naval personnel to be examined and the remains of enslaved labourers who provided skilled labour support to the Naval Dockyard in Antigua.

“Working at the Canadian Light Source has been an amazing opportunity. Without its advanced analytical capabilities this project would not be possible, and I have SSHRC to thank for making it all come together,” Dr. Varney said.

“I am extremely happy with the initial success of this project and amazed at the volume of information that is being collected using the synchrotron,” said Dr. Ian Coulthard, staff scientist at the CLS.

“Dr. Varney’s research is a great example of the diversity of research topics that fall under the synchrotron umbrella, and this is the first SSHRC grant awarded specifically with direct ties to the CLS. I hope this is a sign of future growth in the social science research fields at the CLS.” 

Lead was pervasive in the colonial environment – contained in everyday items such as utensils for cooking and eating, alcohol distillation equipment and medicinal compounds. Lead is readily absorbed by biological organisms including humans, and exposure to the toxic metal remains a health issue in the modern world.

Dr. Sandra Jeppesen, a professor in Interdisciplinary Studies in Orillia, is receiving an Insight Development Grant of $69,995 over two years to analyze the protest media landscape in Spain, Italy and Greece during recent anti-austerity protests.

Dr. Jeppesen will use social movement documents, interviews with activists and more to examine various forms of media that support, emerge from or represent protest movements.

“This SSHRC Insight Development Grant will help us better understand how emerging groups of politically active citizens – what the Occupy movement has deemed the 99% – are using new digital media forms to organize protest movements against austerity, and how these media practices carry over into other social justice campaigns in between protest mobilizations,” Dr. Jeppesen said.

Dr. Pallavi Das, an Associate Professor in History, is receiving an Insight Development Grant of $58,530 over two years to examine the social-economic impacts of climate change and how people respond to it. The focus of the study is a horticultural community in the Himalayas.

“I am very happy to have this assistance from SSHRC. It would have been difficult to do this research without the Insight Development Grant,” Dr. Das said.

 This research will examine the impacts of climate change on people from 1940 until 2013 in the Himalayas. It will stress the experience and perception of ordinary people while also considering experts, government officers and business owners.

Mountain ecosystems and communities such as those in the Himalayas are more vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change.

At least four students will assist with the research programs described above.

Kimberly Shirley, a Master’s History student at Lakehead, is receiving a SSHRC scholarship for $17,500 to spend a year determining how immigrants influenced the culture of death in Canada.

Kimberly will examine symbolism on the grave markers of Europeans who immigrated and settled in and around Thunder Bay. This research will assist Kimberly in writing her thesis.

“Death is often treated more like an afterthought than a main subject in research. I like thinking out of the box when deciding on a topic,” Kimberly said, adding that it would have been difficult to do this research without the SSHRC scholarship.

The scholarship will allow her to purchase equipment to undertake her research and visit the national archive in Ottawa.

Dr. Andrew Dean, Vice-President, Research, Economic Development & Innovation, is proud of the research happening at Lakehead University.

“Due to the hard work of our researchers, we are gaining even more of a reputation for engaging research that is proving beneficial for people in Canada and around the world,” Dr. Dean said.

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

SSHRC Grants awarded in 2013-2014

Total value of awards:  $719,459

Faculty Member Grants

Insight Grant (four-year grant)

Dr. Tamara Varney, Department of Anthropology, Investigating lead exposure patterns in Royal Naval populations from the colonial era, $202,543.

Co-applicants

• Dr. David M.L. Copper, University of Saskatchewan
• Dr. Ian B. Courtland, University of Saskatchewan
• Dr. Treena M. Swanston, University of Saskatchewan
• Dr. Vaughan Grimes, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Collaborator

• Dr. Arthur R. Murphy, National Parks Antigua

Insight Development Grants (two-year grants)

• Dr. Pallavi Das, Department of History, A people’s history of climate change:  A study of the western Himalayan region in India, $58,530.
• Dr. Sandra Jeppesen, Interdisciplinary Studies, Protest media ecologies:  communicative affordances for social change in the digital era, $69,995. Collaborator: Dr. Alice Mattoni, European University Institute, Florence, Italy.

• Dr. Antony Puddephatt, Department of Sociology, Open access publishing: costs, benefits, and contentious academic politics, $73,396. Collaborator: Dr. Neil McLaughlin, McMaster University

Aid to Small Universities (three-year grant)

Dr. Pallavi Das, Department of History, Research network on social and economic development, $90,000. The funding related to this grant will establish the Resources, Economy, and Society Research Group (RESRG).

Co-applicants

• Dr. Ron Harpelle, Department of History
• Dr. Michel Beaulieu, Department of History
• Dr. Steve Jobbitt, Department of History
• Dr. Chander Shahi, Faculty of Natural Resources Management
• Dr. Chris Southcott, Department of Sociology
• Dr. Jennifer Jarman, Department of Sociology

Connections Grant (one-year grant)

Dr. Sandra Jeppesen, Interdisciplinary Studies, Media activism summer institute, $49,995.

Graduate Student Awards

Canada Graduate Scholarships - Master’s Program (one-year grants worth $17,500 each)

• Alexandra Bissell, Education, Arts-based expression of identity as a tool for resilient education: Building understanding between non-Indigenous teachers and Indigenous students.
  

• Meagann Blundon, English, The reclamation of First Nations women's voice in the Idle No More Movement.

• Samantha Chong, Psychology, Cortical response to a body image exposure.

• Maximillian Coghlan, English, Interpretative networks in Jeanette Winterson's 
  novels.

• Adam Davis, Psychology, Are systems thinkers motivated to seek congruent beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours? The proposed inverse relationship between systems thinking and cognitive consistency.

• Shy-Anne Hovorka, Education, Aboriginal music in education.

• Alicia Humphrey, Education, Inquiry­based learning for Aboriginal students.

• Chad Keefe, Psychology, Psychological contingencies in a chocolate dose-cardioresponse paradigm.

• Richard Mastrangelo, History, Life in Northwestern mining communities.

• Kimberly Shirley, History, How immigrants influenced the culture of death in 
  Canada.

Dr. Moira McPherson, Lakehead University’s newly-appointed Provost & Vice-President (Academic).

Thursday, December 18, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson is pleased to announce that the University’s Board of Governors has appointed Dr. Moira McPherson as the University’s Provost & Vice-President (Academic). As the chief academic officer at Lakehead University, she leads academic planning, development, and internal operations.

“Dr. McPherson has played integral roles in the development of our organization throughout her career at Lakehead,” states Dr. Brian Stevenson. “I am very pleased to be able to continue to work with someone who is so strongly committed to the learner-centred experience and exceptional education our students deserve.”

Dr. McPherson began her career at Lakehead University in 1987 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Athletics. She holds a PhD specializing in Applied Biomechanics and is regularly sought out for her scholarly and professional expertise in applied kinematic and biomechanical skill analyses by both national and international organizations.

Following seven successful years as the Director of the School of Kinesiology, Dr. McPherson became the University’s Associate Vice-President (Academic) and then took on the role of Deputy Provost in 2011. Dr. McPherson led the development and implementation of the Academic Plan, the University’s transition to the Institutional Quality Assurance process, efforts to increase student mobility and college transfer pathways, and most recently the development of the University’s Strategic Mandate Agreement proposal.

As Lakehead’s newest Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Dr. McPherson will broaden her contributions to the senior management team, building on her experience as the University’s Acting Provost & Vice-President (Academic), Acting Vice-President (Research, Economic Development & Innovation), and Interim Provost & Vice-President (Academic).

Dr. McPherson says she’s excited to continue to work with her colleagues across campus to expand initiatives that improve our students’ learning experiences and their access to the knowledge that a thriving research culture provides.

“I look forward to finding ways to enhance instructional effectiveness in small and large classes, and build engagement with our students within and beyond the traditional classroom.  We need to find the best ways to develop hybrid, online, and telepresence course pedagogies that will expand program delivery on both campuses and beyond.”

“This position provides me with a wonderful opportunity to continue to make a difference to the well-being of our students, but also to further develop an academic environment where our amazing and committed Lakehead faculty and staff can flourish.”

– 30 –

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

With help from some children, LUSU President Ian Kaufman; Tammy Squitti, Nanabijou Board Chair; Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson; Norine Carroll, executive assistant to MPP Bill Mauro; and Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the NOHFC cut a paper ribbon to celebrate the opening of the Nanabijou Childcare Centre.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON

The Nanabijou Childcare Centre officially opened its doors during the grand opening of its new building located along Oliver Road on the grounds of Lakehead University.  

Several dignitaries and government officials attended and spoke at the event that featured a tour of the 8,200-square foot facility, and an overview of the many services available to the University and local community.

Funding for the new childcare centre came from several sources, including $1 million from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) and the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU). Further in-kind support came from Lakehead University’s Financial Services Department and Physical Plant, which helped Nanabijou throughout the building process, and the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board.

“The NOHFC’s contribution of $1 million to the Nanabijou Childcare Centre is an investment in our future,” said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the NOHFC. “It offers childcare and a new infant care program, and prepares the workforce by providing training for students. We congratulate the supporters of the centre for making this project a reality.”

Bill Mauro, MPP, Thunder Bay-Atikokan, congratulated the Nanabijou Childcare Centre for its creation of a new infant care program.  “This facility enhances the social and cognitive development of children in a safe and healthy environment – and it has also generated new employment and training opportunities within this sector.  I’m pleased that our government was able to contribute funding through NOHFC. Best wishes for continued success,” said Mauro.

“Our dream became a plan. That plan became a drawing. And the drawing became our new Nanabijou Childcare Centre,” said Nanabijou Childcare Centre Director Sheila Wilhelm. “Our new building on Lakehead University’s campus is as beautiful as the smiles on the faces of parents and children when they come here.”

Lakehead University President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson said the new childcare centre represents the exceptional work of the Nanabijou Board of Directors, local government representatives, and the Lakehead University community. “This new facility was built by members of our community for our community to support more parents with their daily balancing of work, school, and childcare, as well as the advancement of early childcare education.”

“Thanks to the support of Ministers Gravelle and Mauro, and Lakehead University’s Student Union, more of our University and Thunder Bay community members have a state of the art childcare facility to call their own," added Dr. Stevenson.

Ian Kaufman, President of LUSU, stated that Lakehead students are proud to support the new on-campus childcare centre so that students and faculty, as well as other community members, can now access more spots in a beautiful, modern space.

“Students voted to support this new centre because we wanted to make sure everyone studying at Lakehead has the resources to succeed here,” Kaufman added. “Lakehead’s students are increasingly diverse and that brings with it diverse needs. On-campus childcare plays an important role in meeting those expanding needs.”

“This is what happens when a group of volunteers like our Board of Directors dedicate their minds, talents, time to a good idea,” said Tammy Squitti, Nanabijou Board Chair. “We are very proud to offer an affordable, accessible, licensed, quality choice for families seeking childcare in Thunder Bay.”

Completed in September 2014, the new Nanabijou Childcare Centre added 38 daycare spots, created eight new full-time jobs, established a new infant care program, and enhanced access to post-secondary training opportunities for early childhood educators.

Squitti added, “I would like to thank Bridgman Collaborative Architecture, which did a wonderful job of turning dreams into drawings, and DRD Construction Services, which was an exceptional contractor who did the job well, on time, and on budget.”

An Open House for the general public will happen later today (December 16) from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Free parking will be available at the adjacent Lakehead University Fieldhouse lot.

For information about Nanabijou Childcare Centre, please visit:

https://www.lakeheadu.ca/faculty-and-staff/departments/services/nanabijou

Click here to read the November 2013 NOHFC funding announcement: 

http://news.ontario.ca/mndmf/en/2013/11/strengthening-education-and-childcare-services-in-thunder-bay.html

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

December 11, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University is seeking exceptional and unconventional research story ideas in celebration of its 50th Anniversary.

These story ideas must describe significant research milestones, projects and innovations undertaken by faculty and/or students in the last 50 years.

“Lakehead’s 50th Anniversary provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the University’s past and present research contributions regionally, nationally and internationally,” said Dr. Andrew Dean, Vice-President of Research, Economic Development and Innovation.

These stories will celebrate the accomplishments of Lakehead researchers who will be recognized during the 10th Anniversary of Research and Innovation Week in 2015.  

Each nominee will also be featured on the University’s 50th Anniversary web page. 

The mission of the 50th Anniversary celebration is to recognize Lakehead alumni. Stories highlighting alumni involvement in research are especially encouraged.

Anyone with a connection to Lakehead University may submit a nomination. Self-nominations are welcomed.

Nomination forms must be received no later than Friday, Jan. 9, 2015.

The selection of 50 research stories will be decided by a committee managed by Lakehead’s 50th Anniversary Committee and the Office of the Vice-President, Research, Economic Development, and Innovation.  

For further information about the criteria, please visit www.lakeheadu.ca/50researchstories or contact Dr. Andrew Dean, Vice-President of Research, Economic Development and Innovation at vpresearch@lakeheadu.ca.

– 30 –

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

June 25, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON 

Lakehead’s Task Force on Sexual Assault Education, Prevention and Support has submitted its report to University President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson. 

The task force’s chair, Dr. Lori Chambers, said she is pleased with the results of the task force’s work and hopes its report helps Lakehead enhance and expand existing supports for victims of sexual assault. 

“Our mandate included developing a means to more effectively educate the University community about the pervasiveness of sexual assault, and to minimize stigma and sexual assault myths,” said Dr. Chambers, who is also Chair of Lakehead’s Department of Women’s Studies. “I am confident that this report and the adoption of its recommendations will fulfill this need.”

The report was submitted seven months after Dr. Stevenson created the President’s Task Force in response to a letter to the editor published in the Chronicle-Journal about a former student’s disclosure of an alleged sexual assault involving another student off campus.

“I would like to thank the individual who wrote the  letter to the Chronicle-Journal last October, both for her courage and the resulting encouragement to take a close look at our policies and practices and improve upon them,” said Dr. Stevenson.  “I am also very grateful for everything Dr. Chambers and her fellow task force members have worked so diligently to achieve for our University community. We have already taken steps to implement some of the report’s recommendations.”  

Recommendation #1     POLICY

- Approval of a new policy, entitled Sexual Misconduct Policy and Protocol: A Policy Dealing with Sexual Harassment, Sexual Stalking and Sexual Assault.

Action: Lakehead’s Board of Governors formally approved the task force’s groundbreaking policy at their June 6, 2014 meeting.

The policy is available at https://www.lakeheadu.ca/faculty-and-staff/policies/general/sexual-misconduct-policy-and-protocol. 

Recommendation #2     EDUCATION

- Including a campaign to enhance a culture of respect and inclusion, and to prevent sexual misconduct.

Action:  During the 2014-2015 academic year, Lakehead University will establish education initiatives for students, faculty, and staff.

Recommendation #3     STRUCTURAL SUPPORT FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS

- Including the establishment of a Human Rights, or Social Justice, office at Lakehead.

Action: During the 2014-2015 academic year, a new Human Rights Officer position will be created at Lakehead University with a mandate to pursue the feasibility and implementation of the report’s recommendations. 

President Stevenson announced he will reconvene the task force in approximately six months in order to summarize, discuss, and assess the University's progress in implementing the recommendations arising from the report.

Please see this PDF of the complete report from the Task Force on Sexual Assault Education, Prevention and Support.
 
Members of the Task Force on Sexual Assault Education, Prevention and Support included Lakehead students, faculty, and staff, as well as experts in sexual assault from the community:

•    Chair:  Dr. Lori Chambers – Chair, Department of Women's Studies
•    Bott, Alexander – Student Representative, Orillia
•    Boucher, Doreen – Executive Director, Thunder Bay Sexual Assault/Abuse Counselling and Crisis Centre
•    Cappadocia, Frank – Associate Vice-Provost, Orillia
•    Chan, Karen – Manager, Student Health and Counselling Services
•    Chung, Jayal –Gender Issues Centre Coordinator
•    Eccles, Barb – Senior Advisor to the President and Legal Counsel
•    Fogel, Curtis – Faculty Member, Orillia
•    Gerrard, Diedra – House President (Residence) and Student Representative, Thunder Bay
•    Hare, David – Director of Residence and Conference Services, Thunder Bay
•    Herchak, Sherry –Harassment and Discrimination Coordinator, Thunder Bay
•    Jeppesen, Sandra – Faculty Member, Orillia
•    Kaucharik, Susan – Detective Sergeant Criminal Investigations Branch, Thunder Bay
•    Kaufman, Ian – President, Lakehead University Student Union, Thunder Bay
•    Kearney, Jessica – Student Representative, Orillia
•    MacDonald, Dawn – Manager, Ambulatory Services, SADVTC, Pre-Admission Clinic and Rehabilitation Services, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
•    McRae, Ian – Lakehead University Student Union, Orillia
•    Moffatt, Linda – Acting Manager (Security Services) Thunder Bay
•    Prisciak, Theresa – Security Services Coordinator, Orillia
•    Quinlan, Andrea – Faculty Member, Orillia
•    Ryks-Szelekovszky, Marian, Vice-Provost (Student Affairs), Thunder Bay
•    Stuesser, Lee – Founding Dean, Faculty of Law
•    Warden, Tom – Director of Athletics, Thunder Bay
•    Wesley-Esquimaux, Cynthia –Vice-Provost (Aboriginal Initiatives), Thunder Bay

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177, or mediarelations@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 1^st in Ontario and 2^nd 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.

Friday, Nov. 28, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON 

Hundreds of prospective students and their families will visit Lakehead University’s Thunder Bay campus on Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 10 am to 2:30 pm for the annual Fall Preview Day.

Preview Day gives prospective students the opportunity to explore campus, meet future professors, and learn from current students what it’s like to attend Lakehead University.

Interactive information sessions will provide students with valuable information about Lakehead programs, courses, and student life. A draw will be held for a Freshman Prize Pack valued at $2,000 that contains everything you’ll need to make first-year epic.

“Our annual Preview Day is a way for prospective students, their friends and family to get a sneak peek at what life is like as a Lakehead University student,” said Emily Shandruk, Manager of Undergraduate Recruitment.

“Choosing a university is an important decision. Speaking with current students and faculty, attending classes and touring the University will give you a first-hand experience of the exceptional options and opportunities available at Lakehead.” 

For more information about Preview Day and to register, visit www.mylakehead.ca. 

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177, or mediarelations@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 19, 2014 – Orillia, ON

Students at Lakehead University’s Orillia campus have the opportunity to not only get to know their professors one-on-one, but, thanks to the development of a creative video series, are able to take a fun and entertaining look into the lives of their current and future professors.

The video series, “Getting to Know Our Profs,” was developed by the Orillia campus communications department and has proven to be extremely popular.

“I think the video series is a wonderful idea. It truly represents the open and honest relationship our faculty have with students and helps students feel more comfortable about approaching them for academic guidance,” said Dr. Kim Fedderson, Orillia Campus Dean & Vice-Provost, and subject of one of the videos.

Lakehead student Stephanie Edwards (r), and Lakehead communications staff member, Derek Desroches, prepare to interview Dr. Angela Hovey, School of Social Work, for their popular “Get to Know Our Profs” video series.

The interview-style videos aren’t formal or academic based, but instead, are designed to let the professors’ personalities shine. Questions range from the biggest risk they’ve ever taken to which member of the Lakehead faculty they would want to be stranded with on a desert island.

Students were involved in creating the series and also help run the interviews and are encouraged to submit their own questions to be answered. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I’ve watched every single video and look forward to the new ones each week,” said Dave Venneri, a third-year Education student. “I’ve even registered in certain classes because of things I’ve seen. If I watch one and think, ‘wow, I have something in common with this professor,’ I feel motivated and encouraged to take their class.”

As of today, the series playlist on YouTube – featuring over 20 faculty members – has garnered over 3,500 views. The communications team would like to see these numbers grow as they work on new video ideas to incorporate into the series.

To view the Getting to Know Our Profs video series, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeheadOrillia.

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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 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 18, 2014 – Thunder Bay, ON

The founder of Cinevate, Dennis Wood, will give a talk describing his company’s genesis and growth, at Lakehead on Thursday, Nov. 20.

In this free talk, Dennis, who is a Lakehead University alumnus, will share the story of the genesis and growth of Cinevate, a Thunder Bay business that is serving the film and photography industry worldwide.

With five patents pending, Cinevate is on the cutting edge when it comes to inventing new products for small and independent filmmakers.

“This talk will be of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about the process of becoming a successful entrepreneur and the key role that continuous innovation can play in growing a small business,” said Professor Ken Hartviksen of the Faculty of Business Administration. 

“It’s fantastic that Dennis is committed to seeing his products manufactured largely in Thunder Bay, rather than subcontracting that work to other places,” Hartviksen said.

Students of engineering design, business, film and photography, in particular will find meaning in the message and example that Dennis has to offer.

Students, faculty, staff and the general public are all welcome to attend.

ATAC Building – Room 2015
Thursday, Nov. 20
7 pm

This talk is sponsored by Enactus Lakehead and the Faculty of Business Administration. Enactus Lakehead stands for EN-trepreneurship, ACT-ion and Us.

Questions can be sent to Enactus President Amanda Poulter at ajpoulte@lakeheadu.ca or Professor Hartviksen at khart1@lakeheadu.ca.

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