Lakehead University is ideally suited to host the C2UExpo, which stands for Community-College-University-Exposition, as evidenced by numerous examples of rich and authentic community-campus research initiatives that participants will learn about while in Thunder Bay.  

May 17, 2023 – Thunder Bay, Ont.

Organizers at Lakehead University are getting ready to welcome approximately 350 conference delegates to Thunder Bay for C2UExpo 2023, being held from June 5 to 8. 

The detailed conference program is now available here: https://ec.lakeheadu.ca/c2uexpo/welcome. 

The theme for C2UExpo 2023 is Connected Communities. Collective Change. 

The conference is expected to generate approximately $800,000 in total increased spending in the City of Thunder Bay through accommodations, meals, shopping opportunities, conference planning, logistical support, etc.  

Lakehead University estimates that nine direct and indirect jobs will be created in local businesses supporting visitors attending the conference. Seventy-five percent of delegates are joining the conference from outside Northwestern Ontario – with many coming from as far away as New Zealand, Brazil, Italy, the United States, and South Africa. 

“In addition to the economic benefits this conference will bring to the City of Thunder Bay, C2UExpo 2023 is a great opportunity to showcase the impactful research collaborations Lakehead University is undertaking with our community partners,” said Anne Klymenko, Director, Research Services, and Co-Chair of the C2UExpo 2023 Steering Committee. 

“The conference is being organized by a Steering Committee comprised of leading researchers and community changemakers who have worked hard to develop an innovative program that will promise an immersive dialogue exploring challenging questions about the future direction of community-campus partnerships,” Klymenko said. 

Lakehead University is ideally suited to host the C2UExpo, which stands for Community-College-University-Exposition, as evidenced by numerous examples of rich and authentic community-campus research initiatives that participants will learn about while in Thunder Bay.  

Conference delegates will have the opportunity through the Community Showcase to visit the Thunder Bay Shelter House, Salvation Army, Roots Community Food Centre, and Algonquin Avenue Public School to see social innovation in action. A sustainability walk at Lakehead University’s campus is also planned. 

The exposition brings together community-based organizations, Indigenous groups, researchers, and students from academic institutions, grass-root organizations, policy-makers, and knowledge mobilization experts from the region and beyond. 

They will engage in meaningful interactions while developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of community-engaged research approaches and models.  

Participants can attend many different discussions, where they will learn how to build sustainable, resilient, and impactful collaborations, learn about the fundamentals of community-based research, how to engage in meaningful research relationships with Indigenous communities, among many other interesting discussions. 

“This exposition will be of interest to anyone who is passionate about the power of collaboration to co-create positive societal changes in our communities, who wants to learn how to engage in research collaborations, or who is interested in community-service learning opportunities with post-secondary institutions,” said Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee. 

The C2UExpo will provide opportunities to strengthen community-campus research and learning partnerships that will address critical and topical issues facing Northwestern Ontario and Simcoe County.  

To learn more about the C2UExpo, visit ec.lakeheadu.ca/c2uexpo/welcome or contact Sheena Allard, Lakehead’s C2UExpo Coordinator at c2uexpo@lakeheadu.ca.  Registration will be open until Friday, May 26.

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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.

Faculty and staff are welcome to reserve rooms in residence during the summer months at a reduced rate. Each reservation includes 2 bedrooms, each with 1 double bed and a connecting washroom. Parking is included. Lakehead identification will be required upon arrival.

To reserve, visit the Food & Conference Services webpage and click "Reserve Overnight Accommodation in Orillia" and use promotion code "LAKE". Alternatively, feel free to call the front desk at 705-330-4012.

The 18’ tipi at the Agora Circle was purchased from Assiniboine Tipis in Lundar, Manitoba.  

Tipis originated on the plains but today they have become a universal symbol for Indigenous peoples across Canada.  

They were once covered with bark or animal skins but now, many are made of canvas. The painting depicted on the tipi, called People of the Forest, acknowledges the Ojibwe peoples of this area. 

The door of the tipi faces east; away from the prevailing winds.  The tipi’s conical shape is held up by 12 spruce poles measuring 23’.  The smoke flaps at the top of the tipi are used to control smoke and air quality when a fire is made inside.  They can also be closed when it’s raining.  

The Indigenous Student Services Centre (ISSC) has erected the tipi at the Agora Circle for everyone’s enjoyment but remember to use it respectfully.  

As a safety precaution, individuals are not permitted to untie the ropes, remove pegs, or climb the tipi poles or ropes.  Please be extremely cautious in crossing the Agora Circle drive, as it often has significant traffic and due to the Circle’s curves and trees, moving vehicles may not be easily visible.  

Anyone wishing to use the tipi can contact the ISSC at adm.issc@lakeheadu.ca , call 807-343-8010 Ext. 8085, or stop by UC 1007 to make a booking.  If you have questions about the tipi, we’re happy to answer them!

The Research and Innovation Bulletin is distributed weekly every Tuesday by the Office of Research Services and includes information on research funding opportunities, events, workshops, news and updates from our funding partners. The latest version of the R&I Bulletin (as well as past issues) can be accessed by clicking here.

EPID @ Work is excited to announce that registration for our upcoming EPID Talks on June 29 from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. is now open! The session will include a presentation by Dr. Jeavana Sritharan & Dr. Nancy Carnide entitled "Opioids-related harms among Ontario workers in the Occupational Disease Surveillance System."

Please find registration info on the attached poster or by clicking here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBVY9mLCUlJfi6eiNhH-I_oXZGw6C5...

Please join us in-person at Lakehead University (CASES Building room FB 2023) or online via Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting virtually and in-person.

Please share with your network and with anyone who may be interested in attending; we look forward to seeing you there!

The LUSU Food Resource Centre (FRC) is a Lakehead University Student Union student centre that provides Lakehead University students with emergency food support, food-related education, and events.

Students who are experiencing food insecurity can access our emergency grocery pick-up program once every two weeks. The LUSU FRC also runs programming including the ‘People’s Potato’ which offers free hot lunches to students; ‘Chopped U’ cooking classes; and the ‘Good Food Box’ which is a community program that provides individuals with fresh fruits and vegetables at a subsidized rate.

Student food insecurity is a growing problem at Lakehead University. Over the 2022-2023 school year, almost 1 in 5 Lakehead University students in Thunder Bay accessed the LUSU FRC’s emergency food support at least once throughout the year*.

To help support students and keep the shelves stocked, the LUSU FRC organized the Annual Departmental and Food Drive Challenge. University departments were asked to donate food items.

The food drive challenge was very successful, with over 2,700 food items donated!

We are very happy to announce that the School of Nursing has come first place in the competition with over 544 food items donated! This was followed by Institutional Planning and Analysis and Indigenous Initiatives.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Faculty and Departmental Food Drive Challenge. Thank you all for your generous support and passion in supporting students experiencing food insecurity!

Want to donate but aren’t sure which food items are needed?

Non-perishables (e.g., canned beans, canned tuna, dried lentils , rice, canned vegetables, etc.)

Fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, eggs, and other produce

Frozen vegetables, fruits, and meats

Please note: We cannot accept items past expiration or best before dates.

Thanks again to the School of Nursing and the Lakehead community for assisting our students!

*Based on the average student enrolment in Thunder Bay from 2011-2021.

June is Seniors' Month! The June edition features Palliative Care for Front-Line Workers in Indigenous Communities Workshop June 26-27th and early bird registration is now open for the Northwestern Ontario Palliative Care Conference October 3-5, 2023.

read more

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.