Lakehead’s division of Aramark continues to support students on campus through their leadership in food donation. Aramark provides a soup lunch weekly to students via the Food Resource Centre, sponsors 2 full meal plans for students in the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program, and is now expanding upon these efforts.

To mark the significance of the C2U Expo being held at Lakehead from June 5th to 8th, Aramark will begin coordinating regular food donations to the Food Resource Centre by way of Second Harvest’s Food Rescue App. These donations will continue to support emergency food access for Lakehead students and promote a more sustainable campus by reducing waste.

May 11, 2023 – Thunder Bay, Ont. 

Lakehead University’s annual Convocation returns to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium in 2023 to celebrate the milestone achievements of its graduates at three ceremonies on Thursday, May 25 and Friday, May 26. 

Up to 1,500 graduates are expected to attend Lakehead’s convocation ceremonies. In addition to celebrating its graduates, Lakehead will honour four exceptional people at convocation. 

Each ceremony will be followed by a reception for grads and their supporters next to Lake Tamblyn on the Thunder Bay campus. 

“Our 58^th Convocation is about celebrating and acknowledging the exceptional achievements and potential of our graduates,” said Dr. Moira McPherson, Lakehead University’s President and Vice-Chancellor. 

 “The most recent years are likely the most challenging any Lakehead graduate has had to face and overcome, and we could not be prouder of each of them. 

“Our Lakehead community is also looking forward to acknowledging the life’s work of this year’s honorary degree recipients and Fellow of the University — people who have each made vital contributions to our University, society, and communities,” she added. 

The Hon. Marion Buller, the CBC’s Bob McDonald, and filmmaker Stephen Low will each be conferred an honorary degree for their extraordinary achievements and remarkable service. 

Vonnie Cheng will be named a Fellow of the University for her unique contribution to the growth, development, welfare, and well-being of the University.

Honorary Degree Recipients  

Hon. Marion R. Buller, C.M. 

Marion Buller is a member of the Mistawasis Nehiyawak, a Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan.  Marion was the initial First Nations woman to be appointed as a judge in British Columbia.  While a Provincial Court Judge, Marion established the initial First Nations Court in BC and built the foundation for BC’s first Indigenous Family Court. 

After presiding in the BC Provincial Court for 22 years, Marion was appointed as the Chief Commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Since the completion of the National Inquiry, Marion has returned to the practice of law. She is currently the Chancellor of the University of Victoria.  

Marion will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws at 9 am on Thursday, May 25.

Bob McDonald 

Bob McDonald has been bringing science to the public for more than 40 years. In addition to hosting Quirks & Quarks, the award-winning science program heard by 800,000 people each week, Bob is also science correspondent for CBC TV’s The National and host of the children’s series Heads Up. 

He has written and hosted numerous television documentaries and more than 100 educational videos in Canada and the US. As a writer, he has authored six bestselling science books including the 2022 Canadian bestseller, The Future is Now: Solving the Climate Crisis with Current Technology. 

Bob is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. He will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science at 2 pm on Thursday, May 25.

Stephen Low 

Stephen Low is recognized by audiences and peers as one of the world’s foremost large format filmmakers. 

His creative vision, storytelling ability and commitment to cinematic innovation have yielded an extraordinary body of work enjoyed by audiences of all ages. He has written, directed and produced more than 20 IMAX films and TV projects over the past 40 years, relentlessly following his curiosity wherever it took him. 

His filmography encompasses a remarkable diversity of subjects and themes from science, surfing and shipwrecks to trains, planes and racing cars, from deep sea exploration to drama and history. 

He earned a BA in Political Science from Lakehead University. Stephen will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters at 9 am on Friday, May 26. 

Fellow 

Vonnie Cheng 

Committed, energetic, passionate, friendly, helpful … these are the qualities that drew people to Vonnie as a dedicated Lakehead University alumna and as a trusted advisor at Sun Life Financial.  

Before Sun Life, Vonnie worked at the University (1974-1997) and graduated with BSc Mathematics (1980), BA English (1982), HBA English (1992) and Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (1992).  

Vonnie was the inaugural recipient of the Alumni Legacy Award in 2011. Some examples of her long history of service to the community include serving as the President, Port Arthur Rotary (2016-17), on the Lakehead University Board of Governors (2008-2010), and as the President of the Lakehead University Alumni Association (2005-2006). 

Vonnie will be named Fellow at 2 pm on Thursday, May 25. 

Convocation Schedule 

Ceremony 1: Thursday, May 25 at 9 am

• Bora Laskin Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Natural Resources Management

 Ceremony 2: Thursday, May 25 at 2 pm 

• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
• Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies 

Ceremony 3: Friday, May 26 at 9 am 

• Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
• Faculty of Business Administration

For each ceremony, graduates will begin their procession onto the stage 10 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. Celebratory activities and photo opportunities await on campus after each ceremony – everyone is welcome.

For more information, visit lakeheadu.ca/convocation. 

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8110 ext. 8372 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2023 World Universities Rankings for the fourth consecutive year, and the number one university in the world with fewer than 10,000 students in THE’s 2022 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

May 11, 2023 – Orillia, Ont.

Lakehead will celebrate the exceptional achievements of over 500 graduates in Orillia this year at the 58^th Convocation ceremony, to be held on Saturday, June 3. The University will also bestow honours on three influential and highly-respected members of the Orillia community.

Juno-award winning music producer and performer Lance Anderson will receive an honorary doctorate in music; founding Orillia Campus Principal Dr. Kim Fedderson will be named a Fellow of the University; and community advocate and retired teacher Fred Larsen will receive the 2023 Civitas Award.

“Our 58^th Convocation is about celebrating and acknowledging the exceptional achievements and potential of our graduates,” said Dr. Moira McPherson, President and Vice-Chancellor.  "The most recent years are likely the most challenging any Lakehead graduate has had to face and overcome, and we could not be prouder of each of them.”

“Our Lakehead community is also looking forward to acknowledging the vital contributions to our society and communities of this year’s awards recipients,” she added.

Dr. Linda Rodenburg, Interim Principal of the Orillia Campus, explained, “This year’s recipients have all had a tremendous impact on the Orillia Campus community in various ways. I’m pleased that we’re celebrating their commitment and outstanding leadership in a way that is not only meaningful but establishes their lasting legacy with Lakehead University.”

The Orillia Campus convocation ceremony will occur on Saturday, June 3 at 10 am at Rotary Place in the West Orillia Sports Complex.

Lance Anderson
Honorary Degree – Doctor of Music

Lance Anderson is a Juno award-winning music producer, film composer and a multiple nominee and recipient of the national Maple Blues Award for Keyboard Player of the Year.

He holds an Honours Bachelor of Music (Composition) degree from Western University and has enjoyed a professional career as a sought-after performer and partner with some of Canada’s most respected artists.

Lance was music producer and performer on the 2015 recording, ‘Oscar With Love,’ a critically acclaimed 3-CD package commemorating Oscar Peterson’s 90th birthday. Lance also co-produced the ground-breaking ‘Multi-media Oscar Peterson CD-Rom,’ which is considered to be one of the best resources for jazz piano in the world. More recently, Lance has arranged the first-ever orchestral score for Peterson’s ‘Canadiana Suite,’ which premiered in 2017.

Through his work as a professional musician/composer/performer and producer, Lance has shared his passion and musical expertise with his local community. As an artistic director, Lance has brought world-renowned artists to Orillia. His musical leadership has enhanced the cultural fabric of the community and provided education, entertainment and inspiration to fellow musicians and artists, students and countless audience members.

Dr. Kim Fedderson
Fellow of the University

Kim, Annie and their children moved to Thunder Bay when he landed his dream job as an assistant professor in the Department of English at Lakehead University. He went on to become Chair of the Department and was later honoured to receive the University’s Distinguished Instructor Award in 1995. Throughout his career, he pursued his interests in rhetorical theory and practice and published extensively on Shakespeare with his colleague and friend, Dr. J.M. Richardson.

On two occasions the family lived in Asia during his visiting appointments at Yunnan University in China and Gifu University for Education and Languages in Japan.

As Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, he worked closely with colleagues on a variety of initiatives, including the development of interdisciplinary programming for the University’s proposed new campus in Orillia.

The family returned to southern Ontario when he was appointed Dean, and later Principal, of the Orillia Campus. Here, he worked with faculty, staff, students and the community as they successfully established the university in Simcoe County.

He served, and continues to serve, on a variety of boards—Campus Co-op Daycare, Magnus Theatre, the North of Superior Film Association, Mariposa Folk Festival, the Orillia Centre for Arts and Culture—and is happiest playing his guitar for his grandchildren.

Fred Larsen
2023 Civitas Award

Born and raised in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Fred and his late wife Patricia planted roots in Orillia back in 1971. It was here they raised their three children: Chris, James and Joe.

He spent 30 years as an English teacher and department head at Twin Lakes Secondary School before retiring in 2001.

In 2005, Fred was one of five community members asked to sit on the Orillia Mayor’s University Task Force, chaired by then Mayor Ron Stevens. As a result of the work of this group, Lakehead University’s Orillia campus opened in 2006.

Fred has a long history of engagement with the Orillia community. He is past president of the Orillia Kiwanis Club; president of the Orillia Vocal Ensemble Board of Directors; chairman of Arts Orillia; chair and founding member of the Orillia Centre for Arts and Culture – now Arts Orillia; treasurer and founding member of Sustainable Orillia; and active volunteer for the Simcoe North Provincial Liberal Association. He also spent many seasons as an actor with the Mariposa Arts Theatre company.

Fred currently lives with his wife Lois and their poodle, Jack, in Oro-Medonte.

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Media contact: Jaclyn Bucik, Media, Communications & Marketing Associate, 705-330-4010 ext. 2014, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2023 World Universities Rankings for the fourth consecutive year, and the number one university in the world with fewer than 10,000 students in THE’s 2022 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead's Jerri-Lynn Orr, Indigenous Curriculum Specialist with the Teaching Commons, is a founding member of the national Indigenous Curriculum Specialist Network.

By Rick Garrick

A group of Indigenous curriculum specialists from Lakehead University, the University of Ottawa, and Western University, have created the Indigenous Curriculum Specialist Network (ICSN) to share challenges, successes, strategies, techniques, tools and resources with others in their roles at post-secondary institutions across Canada.

Their roles involve supporting faculty and staff in engaging respectfully with Indigenous Peoples, Knowledges, Histories, and Ways of Knowing, Doing, and Being. This also includes working with all levels of the university towards decolonizing the academy and the road to truth and reconciliation. “The work that we do in universities is different from research and teaching,” says Jerri-Lynn Orr, Indigenous Curriculum Specialist at Lakehead and ICSN co-founder. “We just don’t close the door at the end of the day when we do these jobs, we carry this work into our everyday lives and sometimes that’s the challenging piece of it, because we’re consistently reading about the tragedies or what happened in residential schools.

I feel like we have to give the people we’re working with, the faculty and the staff, the foundation, which goes back to what happened pre-contact all the way up until residential schools and the policies and legislation that was put into place that led us to where we are. We’re consistently talking about that history so we can help people set their own foundation to be able to do this work in a good way.”

ICSN co-founder Mona Tolley, Indigenous Curriculum Specialist at the University of Ottawa, and ICSN member Sara Mai Chitty, Indigenous Curriculum and Pedagogy Advisor at Western University, add that the ICSN enables participants to share their perspectives with others.

“We’re all working towards this same vision of having Indigenous education be front and centre, but to come at it in a good way where we are building with it, not just having content or not just having a tokenistic approach,” Tolley says. “Being able to come together and having more people join … brings in all of these different perspectives. We’ve always been doing this, but now having more of a space to be able to do that and hear how other areas are working towards and trying new things, it’s really been a huge learning curve and I really appreciate hearing from everyone.”

“You get really good ideas and you want to share those with people that can kind of geek out about it, too,” Chitty says. “It helped me feel less alone when I was starting, because I’m like: ‘Oh, here are all these people across what is now known as Canada that have been in these roles or also were just starting.’ I’m not alone and they know some of the challenges and tribulations of the role.”

The ICSN, which has been meeting for about a year-and-a-half, includes a general meeting for all members to discuss their issues, obstacles and successes and to share their resources and materials and a Tea Time sharing circle for only Indigenous participants.

“This is a national network and we’re still trying to grow and get more people involved,” Orr says. “We’re listening to members trying to figure out what would work best, and how we can get more people involved in the planning side of it. We have a Facebook page where if we have questions or we need an extra resource for something we can post on there.”

Chitty says they have had about 20 to 25 participants in attendance at the ICSN meetings over the last year-and-a-half.

“It’s not always the same people and we know there are many more out there,” Chitty says. “A lot of the people that are attracted to it are people that are new in the role or new at the institution. We would love to have some seasoned vets in there because their expertise is invaluable.”

Chitty says her role at Western came out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action #62.

“That is a huge responsibility because those are the Calls to Action from survivors and families of people who didn’t survive,” Chitty says.

The Indigenous Curriculum Specialist Network is planning to hold a three-day gathering to meet in person now that COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have lifted.

“We are talking about meeting in person, because we never have for the past two years, having this gathering would be ideal,” Tolley says. “We wanted to have a day on the land where we are learning so we come together as learners. We haven’t fleshed out the details, but we talked about how we want to be learners. On the second day we want to maybe be together in terms of what can we produce that’s going to help us in our positions and then the third day would be sharing with everyone what we have to say about this kind of work, so taking a different approach to coming together.”

Orr says the ICSN plans to continue holding their regular meetings over the Zoom platform because they are able to reach more participants.

“I think we're going to keep doing Zoom,” Orr says. “That’s the only way that we can stay connected in this day and age to be able to gather everybody from across the nation.”

Ellen MacKay

May 5, 2023 – Thunder Bay, Ont.

Lakehead University is partnering with Laurentian, Nipissing and Trent universities to create a Northern and rural innovation cluster focused on critical minerals, cleantech, and electric vehicles. 

Laurentian is leading the initiative, which the Government of Ontario prompted in 2022 by releasing the Critical Minerals Strategy to identify essential components required to transform the province into a leading producer of critical minerals. 

One of the six pillars in the strategy focuses on the network necessary to foster collaboration between industry and academia, a network that would support innovation from early-stage discovery to validation and prototyping to scale up and commercialization. 

In late April, Intellectual Property Ontario announced that it would provide $2 million in funding for seven projects proposed by 10 postsecondary institutions across the province. 

“Lakehead University is excited to see increased intellectual property literacy within the institutions and ecosystems, improved connectivity between stakeholders, and enhanced economic development through collaboration,” said Ellen MacKay, Lakehead University’s Director of Innovation Development. 

“Lakehead is well positioned for this partnership as we have research and development strength in critical minerals through the hiring of two new research chairs in critical mineral processing and exploration, and the continued work from the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining and Exploration.”

– 30 –

Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8110 ext. 8372 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2023 World Universities Rankings for the fourth consecutive year, and the number one university in the world with fewer than 10,000 students in THE’s 2022 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

May 29, 2023 – Thunder Bay, Ont.

Lakehead University’s Holly Prince has been selected to receive the Inclusion Vanguard Award at the annual Canadian Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award Ceremony on June 1 in Toronto.

Prince is an Anishinaabekwe and a member of Opwaaganisiniing in Northwestern Ontario. She has a master’s degree in Social Work and is a PhD candidate in Educational Studies at Lakehead University.

She is the Lead for the Indigenous People's Health and Aging Division at the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health at Lakehead University, where she works as a Project Manager.

A part of her role involves planning, implementing, and evaluating palliative care education and research for Indigenous peoples across Canada.

“I am extremely excited to have been awarded this honour and to be part of a community of such impactful leaders whose contributions help make Canada more equitable, diverse, and inclusive,” Prince said.

Her research focuses on decolonial and Indigenist education, Indigenous health, and community-based research. She has devoted the last 20 years to advancing the right of Indigenous peoples' access to culturally appropriate and equitable palliative care and has mobilized her efforts as a national champion of human rights and dignity for people at the end of life.

“I feel humbled and extremely responsible as an Indigenous scholar, ensuring that my work responds to community needs and contributes to more equitable health care for Indigenous peoples,” she said.

“I want to say miigwetch to my colleagues and peers who nominated me. Knowing that I have their support and dedication makes me a better person and makes the journey such a positive and rewarding experience.”

Prince’s work is guided by Elders and Knowledge Carriers and responds to the identified needs of Indigenous communities. It acknowledges that Indigenous peoples must lead the way forward in developing approaches to caring for people at the end of life to achieve equitable and culturally safer care.

“It was an honour for me and the team at CERAH to be part of the national group who nominated Holly for the Canadian Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award in the category of Inclusion Vanguard 2023,” said Dr. Katherine Kortes-Miller, Director of the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health at Lakehead University.

“Holly is a courageous Indigenous woman and a powerful health equity activist, role model and changemaker focussing on accessing health services, especially palliative care, for Indigenous people across Canada.

“We are proud to work with her at CERAH and are grateful for the unique contributions she makes to the Lakehead community. It is fabulous to see her work and contributions recognized with this award,” Dr. Kortes-Miller said.

Prince also works closely with the Canadian Virtual Hospice, an organization that provides support and personalized information about advanced illness, palliative care, loss, and grief, to people living with illness, family members, healthcare workers, educators, and researchers through a web-based platform.

She is the Project Lead for the Indigenous Voices: Stories of Serious Illness and Grief project. With guidance from a national Elders and Knowledge Carriers Circle, resources on living with advanced illness, dying, grief and advanced care planning were developed to educate and empower patients, families, and communities.

A series of learning modules were also created to enhance healthcare providers’ capacity to deliver culturally safer care.

Prince will travel to Toronto for the ceremony with her husband and Dr. Mary Lou Kelley, a retired professor and researcher who Prince has worked closely with.

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 Media contact: Jaclyn Bucik, Media, Communications & Marketing Associate, 705-330-4010 ext. 2014, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2023 World Universities Rankings for the fourth consecutive year, and the number one university in the world with fewer than 10,000 students in THE’s 2022 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

The R&I Bulletin is distributed weekly every Tuesday by the Office of Research Services and includes information on research funding opportunities, events, workshops and news/updates from our funding partners.

The latest version of the R&I Bulletin (as well as past issues) can be accessed by clicking here.

May 18, 2023 – Thunder Bay, Ont. 

Professors and students from Lakehead University’s Anthropology department are working with First Nations and Métis community members to excavate archaeological sites located beside the McIntyre River on the University’s Thunder Bay campus. 

This is the traditional territory of Fort William First Nation, who have approved the project taking place on their ancestral lands. These sites recorded the daily lives of people from nearly 4,000 years ago, when the shoreline of Lake Superior was much higher than today. 

“We are finding evidence of people quarrying and using local stone (taconite) to make tools,” said Dr. Matthew Boyd, Chair of Lakehead University’s Department of Anthropology. 

“We believe that this occurred about 4,000 years ago when the shore of Lake Superior was higher than today and covered much of the city. Stone tools were important for survival because they provided people with equipment to hunt, prepare hide clothing and shelter, and other necessities,” Dr. Boyd said. 

This unique training opportunity is a partnership between the Department of Anthropology, the Niijii Indigenous Mentorship Program, Woodland Heritage Northwest, the Ontario Archaeological Society, and Parks Canada. 

It will provide training in basic archaeological field methods such as mapping, site surveying and excavation, and material culture identification. 

Additionally, a new Indigenous Archaeological Technician training program developed by Woodland Heritage Northwest and the Ontario Archaeological Society for the Waasigan Transmission Line project will be running from May 15-19. 

Members of the Lakehead community and the general public are invited to see the archaeological work in progress until Friday, May 19.   

– 30 – 

Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8110 ext. 8372 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2023 World Universities Rankings for the fourth consecutive year, and the number one university in the world with fewer than 10,000 students in THE’s 2022 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Marcela Garcia Bueno received the Robert Poulin Award trophy from Maria Vasanelli, Chair of Lakehead's Board of Governors.

By Brandon Walker

Marcela Garcia Bueno is the recipient of this year’s Robert Poulin Award, presented to a full-time Lakehead University student for their outstanding citizenship.

She is an international student at Lakehead Thunder Bay who is from Guadalajara, Mexico.

Marcela was admitted into Lakehead’s Honours Bachelor of Commerce program in February 2020.

She was awarded one of Lakehead’s highest entrance scholarships, which she has kept by maintaining an average greater than 90 per cent during her first three years at Lakehead.

“In spite of COVID-19 and having completed my entire first year remotely from Mexico, I have been actively involved at Lakehead by becoming a Global Ambassador, being a part of the Senate Academic Appeals Committee (SAAC), being a project manager at Enactus, and hosting Lakehead International’s ‘Destination Unboxed’ podcast,” she said.

When she started her business degree, Marcela became interested in banking and investments. She currently holds a part-time job as a Banking Advisor at RBC and has decided to major in finance. She hopes to build her career on banking and investments.

Marcela has advice for anyone who is hoping to hold on to their scholarship while attending university.

“First, focus on your academic experience. When talking to many students – especially during my first year – I was told I was not going to be able to keep it. 

“Choose the parts of the advice you’re given that encourage you to move forward,” she said. 

“Second, trust your knowledge and skills. As people say, you are your worst critic. Take control of what you can control and let go of what you can’t. 

“Third, make sure you’re surrounded by the right people. I can’t stress this last one enough. I am confident I am where I am today because of the strong network I’ve been able to build around me, both personally and professionally,” she said. 

“Surround yourself with friends and people who want to see you succeed and encourage/challenge you to be the best. Be open to new conversations and valuable connections.” 

For prospective students who are considering attending Lakehead University, Marcela said be sure to enjoy your journey.

“Make sure you are doing what you like. If you aren’t, motivation can be a struggle. Make the most out of your university experience. In the end, it is truly up to you to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented – you just need to be ready to take them once they come to you,” she said.

Since 1952, Lakehead University has presented the Robert Poulin Award annually to a full-time student selected by their fellows, the faculty and administration, for contributing most to the welfare of the University through student activities.

Lakehead named the Robert Poulin Award after an outstanding Forestry graduate from the Lakehead Technical Institute who died at the age of 20 due to a workplace accident.

This past week, the team from Lakehead University took part in the Enactus Canada National Exposition to compete with their project GetFinLit, their Financial Literacy workshop that teaches high school and university students the essentials of Financial Literacy, along with, top job skills.

Each year, students from Enactus teams from all over Canada take part in a series of Regional and National challenges. This year marks the first year since the COVID-19 pandemic that teams have had the opportunity to compete in person.

This year’s National exposition was held in Montreal, Quebec at the Palais de Congrés de Montréal. Teams competed in one of 10 leagues, with the top two teams from each league moving on to the Semi-Finals.

Alongside the competition, Enactus Canada and Partners presented several different workshops that team members took part in, including a Working the Room workshop presented by Enterprise Holdings, #EnactusCareers Workplace Readiness Forum presented by RBC Foundation, HSBC Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Forum & Luncheon, as well as the Canadian Tire Leadership Luncheon and Forum.

Each year, Enactus Canada also recognizes the commitment and actions of members within the Enactus network. Team President Brandon Rehfuhs was recognized with the Founder’s Bursary presented by the John Dobson Foundation recognizing his superior leadership and how he has gone above and beyond to help develop the team this past academic year.

Brandon also was recognized with the Enactus Canada Gold Community Service Leadership Award.

In addition, Morgan Gordon, the team's Vice-President of Marketing, was recognized with the HSBC Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Award presented by HSBC Bank Canada. Morgan was one of the top 9 award recipients who were selected and recognized at the National Exposition.

Throughout the whole event, participants were able to talk and network with industry professionals and leaders.

To help finish off the week, Brandon participated in the Enactus Canada Leadership Summit located at Camp Otterdale, south of Ottawa. Student leaders from all over Canada were able to share best practices as well as goal planning for the upcoming academic year while getting some time to relax and network following the hectic competition.

Enactus Lakehead would like to thank all of the students, faculty, and staff who have volunteered numerous hours to advise and assist the team throughout all of its activities, including from the Faculty of Business Administration and from Ingenuity. Without the support of these individuals as well as the team's sponsors, inspirational trips like these would not be possible.