Lakehead University hosts its annual March Break Open House next week. All prospective students and members of the public are welcome to attend – March 15 – 18. 

March 8, 2016 – Orillia, ON

Lakehead University Orillia will host its annual March Break Open House next week, opening up the campus to hundreds of prospective students and their families and friends.

The Open House takes place from Tuesday, March 15 to Friday, March 18 and gives prospective students a chance to be a Lakehead student for the day. They can sit in on classes, meet professors and students, and enjoy guided tours of the campus facilities.

“For those in the process of choosing a university, or thinking about applying within the next couple of years, this is an excellent opportunity to get a feel for the campus and the programs we offer,” said Lakehead Orillia Principal Kim Fedderson.

Prospective students will be able to learn more about Lakehead Orillia’s unique Interdisciplinary Studies program, with new majors in Sociology and Political Science, as well as the University’s new Honours Bachelor of Commerce/Entrepreneurship degree program.

New this year will be special “showcase sessions” where students can meet with faculty members of each program area to have their questions answered about the subject area and the kinds of careers that various programs can lead to.

In addition to campus and classroom activities, this year’s March Break event offers bus tours of the City of Orillia with stops downtown and at the YMCA, where students have memberships as part of their athletic fees.  

Detailed daily schedules of events, along with registration forms, are posted online at mylakehead.ca. Further information is also available by calling 705-330-4008 ext. 2160 or by emailing orillia.lakeheadu.ca.

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Download March Break Schedule of Events here.

MEDIA CONTACT
Kathy Hunt, Communications Officer
705-330-4008 ext. 2014

kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead University has about 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead 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 2016 University Rankings place Lakehead University second in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and first among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2015, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Florin Pendea, an associate professor with Lakehead University’s departments of Sustainability Sciences and Geography, will share his research in the Circumboreal North related to climate change at the next In Conversation event at the Orillia Public Library on April 19. 

April 13, 2016 – Orillia, ON

Please note this event has been postponed until Fall 2016.

Lakehead University’s Dr. Florin Pendea studies one of the most important research questions of today – climate change.  As a paleo-ecologist, Pendea’s research helps to solve questions about how environmental change has affected humans historically. By understanding the effects of carbon on climates of the past, Pendea believes his research will help other scientists make more accurate environmental predictions for the future.

Pendea will discuss climate change, carbon woes, and the unbalance between society's needs and the limited carrying capacity of the Circumboreal North at the upcoming In Conversation talk, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place – the Fate of the Arctic in the Third Millennium A.D.,” on Tuesday, April 19 at 6:15 pm at the Orillia Public Library.

An Associate Professor with the Departments of Sustainability Sciences and Geography, Pendea will share his interest and experience in the ecosystems of the North and the relationship to environmental change – in the past, and to the sustainability challenges of today. He will be joined by Bob Browne of Orillia, a Lakehead University alumnus and Arctic enthusiast.

This In Conversation event is free and open to the public, but registration is required, and is accepted by email at info@orilliapubliclibrary.ca; by phone at 705-325-2338; or in person at the Library (36 Mississaga St. West).

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Media Contact
Kathy Hunt, Communications Officer
705-330-4008 ext. 2014
kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University has about 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead 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 2016 University Rankings place Lakehead University second in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and first among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2015, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University’s annual Research & Innovation Week offers a chance for the community to learn more about the fascinating research taking place at the University. Events take place from March 7 to 9 at the University Avenue campus. All events are free and open to the public. 

March 2, 2016– Orillia, ON

Students at Lakehead Orillia are busy putting the finishing touches on their research projects in preparation for showcase events next week during the University’s annual Research & Innovation (R&I) Week.

The events at the Orillia campus kick off on Monday, March 7, from 1 – 2:30 pm with an Environmental Sustainability panel featuring student research projects and hosted by Dr. Sree Kurissery, Chair of the Sustainability Sciences Department and Associate Professor of Biology.

“The projects presented will represent a range of research being undertaken with the Department,” explains Dr. Kurissery. “In addition to a number of local water quality projects, student projects also focus on wolf populations, forestry practices and the use of medicinal plants.”

On March 8, from 10 – 11:30 am, graduate students who are studying water quality in our local lakes and waterways will have an opportunity to present details of their research projects.

The highlight of R&I Week is Undergraduate Research Day on Wednesday, March 9. Between 10 am and 1 pm, the Learning Commons will be filled with poster presentations depicting a wide variety of student research projects. From 10 to 11:30 am, students in Dr. Lesley Clement’s second-year Children’s Literature course will present their projects, followed by students in fourth-year Interdisciplinary Studies and Environmental Sustainability programs from 11:30 to 1 pm. 

A special awards presentation will take place on Wednesday, March 9, at 12:30 to honour the top posters of the Undergraduate Research Day. Dr. Andrew Dean, Vice-President, Research & Innovation, and Dr. Moira McPherson, Provost & Vice-President, Academic, will be on hand, along with Lakehead Orillia Principal Kim Fedderson, to present the awards.

Lakehead University’s annual Research & Innovation Week offers a chance for the community to learn more about the fascinating research taking place at Canada’s number one research university (primarily undergraduate category), as ranked by Re$earch Infosource in 2015. All events take place at 500 University Avenue in Simcoe Hall and are free and open to the public.

 For more information about Research & Innovation Week, please visit lakeheadu.ca/ri 

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MEDIA CONTACT
Kathy Hunt, Communications Officer
705-330-4008 ext. 2014

kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead University has about 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead 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 2016 University Rankings place Lakehead University second in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and first among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2015, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

February 16, 2016– Orillia, ON

Families at local elementary schools will soon have the opportunity to attend fun “Family Math Nights,” thanks to a new program developed by Lakehead University’s Faculty of Education in Orillia. 

Associate Professor Dr. Ruth Beatty and math instructor Sharon Malyczewsky, along with professional year Education students, developed the idea in cooperation with the Simcoe County District School Board resource teachers and principals at local schools.

The idea is for local schools to host the Family Math Nights to get students and their parents excited about math, while the Education students have a chance to work directly with children and learn more about math pedagogy. 

“This will help strengthen our relationship with local schools,” explains Dr. Beatty, “while helping parents learn how to support their children’s math lessons. Teaching mathematics is very different today than when most of these parents went to school, so this is a way to promote understanding of how math is taught today.”

Family Math Nights will begin taking place over the next few weeks at four schools: Couchiching Heights on February 22; Brechin Public School on February 29; Ardtrea–Cumberland Beach on March 1; and Harriett Todd on March 2.  The Math Nights take place from 5 – 7 pm and are open to all students and their families.

For further details, contact Dr. Beatty at rbeatty@lakeheadu.ca. 

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MEDIA CONTACT

Kathy Hunt, Communications Officer
705-330-4008 ext. 2014

kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead University has about 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead 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 2016 University Rankings place Lakehead University second in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and first among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2015, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Michael Stevenson, Associate Professor of History, will discuss the role of Orillia in the Second World War at Lakehead’s next In Conversation event at the Orillia Public Library on Tuesday, January 19.  Photo: Camp 26 military training camp, courtesy of OMAH.

January 12, 2016 – Orillia, ON

Do you know what prominent role Orillia played in Canada’s involvement during the Second World War? The city’s most important contribution involved the No. 26 Canadian Army Training Centre.

The military training centre, popularly know as the Champlain Barracks or Camp 26, will be the focus of the next In Conversation talk at the Orillia Public Library.

“The camp was erected on 20 acres of private property adjacent to the Orillia Armoury, where thousands of home defence and active service troops were trained,” explains Lakehead’s Dr. Michael Stevenson, Associate Professor with the Department of History, who will present the talk.

Dr. Stevenson’s presentation will document the 1942 construction, wartime operation, and postwar dismantling of the Camp 26 training facility, and will include a discussion about its major impact on Orillia.

“Camp 26 and Orillia’s Mobilization for the Second World War” will be presented at the Orillia Public Library on Tuesday, January 19 at 6:15 pm. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required, and is accepted by email at info@orilliapubliclibrary.ca; by phone at 705-325-2338; or in person at the Library (36 Mississaga St. West).

For a full schedule of In Conversation topics and dates, visit the Lakehead University website at lakeheadu.ca and check the calendar of events. 

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In Conversation series website link: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/about/orillia-campus/community-programs/public-lectures. 

Media Contact
Kathy Hunt, Communications Officer
705-330-4008 ext. 2014
kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University has about 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead 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 2016 University Rankings place Lakehead University second in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and first among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2015, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

December 5, 2016 – Thunder Bay, ON 

Staff, faculty and students at Lakehead University look forward to welcoming prospective students to campus for an exciting day of exploration and discovery at the annual Fall Preview Day on Tuesday, Dec. 6. 

Prospective students of all ages will tour the campus from 9:30 am to 4 pm, discovering the wide range of programs through specialized presentations, and exploring everything they can do at Lakehead at the Student Life Expo. The students also have a chance to win a Freshman Prize Pack valued at $2,500! 

“Last year we welcomed close to 500 visitors from across the city, region and province for Preview Day at Lakehead, including students from southern Ontario,” said Emily Shandruk, Manager, Undergraduate Recruitment. 

“Preview Day shows prospective students what we offer at Lakehead University and why Lakehead is a great way to realize your potential. Through specialized program sessions and tours, you can see all our facilities and explore the environment you will learn in,” Shandruk said. 

Fall Preview Day is not only for prospective students – families and friends can explore together to see their future university and participate in the program and information sessions. 

For more information, visit mylakehead.ca/events.  

December 8, 2016 – Thunder Bay, ON 

A Lakehead University professor is part of a research team receiving more than $2.7 million to explore when oxygen first entered Earth’s environment by examining rocks near Red Lake, Ont. 

The European Research Council has announced the major grant to study Earth’s early ocean and atmosphere.

Funding will be allocated over five years to Dr. Stefan Lalonde, European Institute for Marine Studies, Brest, France, and Dr. Philip Fralick, Department of Geology, Lakehead University, to perform the research. 

Primitive photosynthesizing organisms were responsible for adding oxygen to the planet’s ocean-atmosphere system, but it is unknown when this occurred. 

The study by Drs. Lalonde and Fralick will focus on rocks in the Red Lake area of Northwestern Ontario where 2.93 billion year old limestone, which formed in the ocean, is present. 

Fossil structures in these rocks hint at the presence of photosynthesizing organisms, which this study will more fully investigate. These structures are called stromatolites, and modern ones are built by bacteria that can photosynthesis, but it is unknown whether the very old fossils were also built by photosynthesizing bacterial. 

This study will use the chemistry of the limestone to ascertain if photosynthesis was adding oxygen to the marine environment almost three billion years ago. Knowing when oxygen was first added to the atmosphere on Earth is important as its presence created the largest change to surface conditions since this became a solid planet. 

The presence of oxygen allowed for more complex organisms than bacterial to develop, and thus was critical for the evolution of animals and plants, Dr. Fralick said, adding that he is very excited about the upcoming research project. 

“This funding will allow us to explore when photosynthesis started on our planet, paving the way for the development of multicellular life,” Dr. Fralick said. “It also validates the level of research that is being conducted by Dr. Lalonde’s group at Brest and here at Lakehead.”

Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation, said this is more great news for Lakehead. 

“Lakehead was recently named research university of the year for the second year in a row – and this is another example of the exciting research being conducted at the University,” Dr. Dean said. “Thank you to Drs. Fralick and Lalonde for all of their work, and thanks to the European Research Council for recognizing the importance of this research.”

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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.

Lakehead University has about 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead 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. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Dr. Charles Levkoe

December 2, 2016 – Thunder Bay, ON

An assistant professor in Lakehead University’s Department of Health Sciences, Dr. Charles Levkoe, has been named the Tier II Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Food Systems.

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, made the announcement today in Toronto.

Dr. Levkoe’s research project will investigate ways that academics and community-based practitioners, such as food producers, public health workers and Indigenous communities, can build more equitable and sustainable food systems to address social, economic and environmental challenges.

"As the Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Food Systems I am excited to engage with the research and lived experiences of scholars, practitioners and social movements to build more sustainable food systems for all,” Dr. Levkoe said.

“I look forward to working closely with faculty and students at Lakehead University and with people in Thunder Bay and the surrounding region to better understand solutions that are socially just, ecological regenerative and have a regional economic focus.”

With this announcement, Lakehead now has 11 Canada Research Chairs.

“This is great news for Lakehead University, for Northwestern Ontario, and for Dr. Levkoe,” said Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation.

“I want to congratulate Dr. Levkoe and thank the Federal Government for once again recognizing the important research happening at Lakehead,” he said.

Recently, and for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead University research first among Canada’s undergraduate universities.

“It is fantastic news that Lakehead University is among this year’s Research Chair recipients,” said the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women.

“Lakehead continues to be a leader in research and innovation. This announcement will allow the University to continue to attract the world’s most accomplished and promising minds and further their excellence in research.  Lakehead University truly is exceptional and a tremendous asset for Northwestern Ontario,” she 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.

Lakehead University has about 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead 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. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

November 25, 2016 – Orillia, ON

Lakehead University is participating in Giving Tuesday for the first time on Tuesday, November 29.

Giving Tuesday is a Canadian movement for giving.  Seen as the "opening day of the giving season," it is a day where charities, companies, and individuals join together to share their commitment, rally for their favourite causes, and think about others. 

On Lakehead’s first Giving Tuesday, the Lakehead University Alumni Association has agreed to match the first $20,000 in gifts. This is an exceptional opportunity to double the impact of everyone's gift. 

By donating to Lakehead on Giving Tuesday, contributors support the University's students, as donations will help fund scholarships and bursaries, enhance the student experience, and support student athletes.
Everyone is encouraged to:

• Make a gift early – the Giving Tuesday portal (donate.lakeheadu.ca) is open as of Friday, November 25.
• Take a selfie or pose for a photo and post it to your social media page using the hashtag #GivingTuesday and #lakeheadu.  The Alumni and Community Relations office will be sure to share your posts on their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages. 

The University looks forward to making its first ever participation in Giving Tuesday a success and thanks the Alumni Association for its continued generosity.

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