The 2025 issue of our annual Shared Voices magazine is now available online and in print. The theme of this year's magazine is capacity building through education and knowledge-sharing. Shared Voices consists of articles from our member institutions, Thematic Networks, partners, friends, and the broader UArctic community. Inside, you'll find stories about revitalizing Indigenous languages, broadening participation in polar sciences through informal STEM education, developing engineering education in Greenland, building an internship program with focus on permafrost, and many others.

Read it online as individual articles, or download a PDF at: https://www.uarctic.org/about-us/shared-voices-magazine/shared-voices-2025/.

Orillia, ON (May 23, 2025) – In a historic announcement with the potential to profoundly advance access to quality healthcare and education in the community, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) and Lakehead University are excited to announce that an agreement has been formed to explore the construction of a new hospital on the university’s campus located on University Avenue in Orillia.

A parcel of land on the south side of Lakehead’s Orillia campus has been identified as the preferred site to build the new hospital, pending provincial government approvals and the exploration and negotiation process between the organizations.

“We are thrilled that Lakehead University could be the future home to Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital,” said Carmine Stumpo, President and CEO of OSMH.

“There’s a dynamic and powerful synergy between hospitals and universities that we’ve fully embraced in Orillia since the University first opened in 2006.  Becoming next door neighbours would create infinite possibilities to advance those partnerships and progress for decades to come.”

“This is a major milestone on our journey in planning for a new hospital and we couldn’t have a better partner than Lakehead University.  Not only does the location make great sense in terms of patient accessibility, it also allows our organizations to deepen our relationship even further for the benefit of the communities we serve,” said Lawre Pietras, Chair of the OSMH Board of Directors.

The Hospital is now working with the University to determine how the land could be developed to house the new hospital.

“Lakehead University is committed to working with the communities we serve to help shape a brighter future through strengthened services and opportunities that open doors for students and future generations to thrive,” said Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University.

“The City of Orillia is growing and critical services like healthcare and education need to expand to meet people’s needs. Through Lakehead and OSMH coming together in partnership, we can achieve more together as we work with our provincial and municipal partners to build this great community. Lakehead is excited to imagine the possibilities ahead,” added Dr. Siddall.

Lakehead University already maintains a very strong relationship with OSMH and this new development will only strengthen these partnerships and collaborations in ways that benefit communities beyond our campus borders, explained Dr. Linda Rodenburg, Principal of Lakehead’s Orillia Campus.

In 2023, OSMH and Lakehead signed an MOU formalizing their longstanding partnership and creating space to engage in discussions around academic and non-academic program development, scholarly and health-related projects and research, and collaborative long-term planning, such as opportunities for sharing of human and capital resources.

“Our partnership with the hospital has the potential to transform healthcare delivery and create new opportunities for research, co-op, and work-integrated learning, and healthcare-related program development,” said Dr. Rodenburg. “Together, we have the opportunity to change the way we deliver healthcare and education in Orillia and across the region.”

“Identifying Lakehead University as the preferred site for the new Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is an exciting and significant step forward,” said Hon. Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response of Ontario; MPP, Simcoe North.

“As the community continues to experience unprecedented growth, moving this project and partnership forward will continue to be a top priority to support the future healthcare needs of Orillia and surrounding communities.”

Selection Process

The process to identify and select a preferred site was thorough and comprehensive, starting in 2019 with the completion of a community-wide Criteria Survey to determine the most important factors to consider when assessing potential locations. Emergency Services Access, Vehicular Access and Parking were the top 3 criteria identified by the more than 1,100 respondents.

In 2023, OSMH initiated an Expression of Interest (EOI), an open invitation to any Orillia landowner with available property that met the basic size and servicing requirements to submit their property for consideration.

An independent Site Selection Task Force with broad community representation was then formed that reviewed technical site evaluations of each viable property conducted by Stantec Architecture Inc.  Upon satisfaction of the Task Force and OSMH Future Hospital Committee, the Hospital’s Board of Directors and University’s Board of Governors subsequently endorsed the proposal which led to the ratification of a Letter of Intent between the Hospital and University to explore the possibility of building a new hospital at the site.

For more information and to stay up to date on the Hospitals’ redevelopment projects, visit the Future Hospital page on our website, www.osmh.on.ca

Thunder Bay, Ont. - Lakehead University will celebrate the achievements of 1,999 graduates at its Thunder Bay campus convocation ceremonies on May 29 and 30, 2025.

“Crossing the convocation stage signifies not just the conclusion of a chapter—it represents a transformation,” stated President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall. “During their time at Lakehead, our graduates have developed their knowledge, confidence, and resilience. The entire university community is honoured to celebrate their achievements and to be a part of their journey. Congratulations to the class of 2025!”

In addition to celebrating the graduating class of 2025, Lakehead will recognize three outstanding individuals with honorary degrees and a retired long-serving faculty member with the title of Fellow of the University, honouring their leadership, creativity, and contributions to their fields and communities.

Jean-Paul Gladu, Margaret Kenequanash, and Jennifer Podemski will each be conferred an honorary degree, and Dr. Nancy Luckai and Kevin G. Cleghorn will be named Fellows of the University.

“The Lakehead community is excited to celebrate the incredible work and insights of this year’s honorary degree recipients,” said Dr. Siddall. “Each of them has made meaningful contributions to Indigenous empowerment, economic development, and the arts. Their inspiring voices will surely motivate our graduates as they embark on their journeys into the future.”

2025 Thunder Bay Honorary Degree and Fellow Recipients:

Jean Paul Gladu
Doctor of Commerce

Jean Paul (JP) Gladu is the Principal of Mokwateh and a leader in Indigenous business and sustainable development. With nearly 35 years of experience in the natural resource sector, JP has worked across Canada and internationally with Indigenous communities, industry, and governments to advance economic reconciliation.

He served as President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business for eight years and has held leadership roles with organizations including Suncor, the Institute of Corporate Directors, and BHP’s Forum for Corporate Responsibility. JP holds a forestry diploma from Sault College, a degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University, and an Executive MBA from Queen’s University. He is a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and a 2024 Public Policy Forum Honouree.

The degree of Doctor of Commerce will be conferred on Thursday, May 29 at the 9 a.m. ceremony at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. 

Margaret Kenequanash
Doctor of Humane Letters

Margaret Kenequanash is CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power and a visionary leader in First Nations infrastructure and governance. A member of North Caribou Lake First Nation, she was elected her community’s first female Chief in 1996 and has spent more than 25 years in senior leadership roles, including as Executive Director of the Shibogama First Nations Council.

At Wataynikaneyap Power, Margaret led the Indigenous-owned project that connected 17 remote First Nations to Ontario’s power grid, ending their dependence on diesel and improving quality of life through clean, reliable energy. She is widely respected across First Nations and governmental sectors for her tireless advocacy and commitment to Indigenous-led development.

The degree of Doctor of Humane Letters will be conferred on Thursday, May 29 at the 2 p.m. ceremony at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. 

Jennifer Podemski
Doctor of Fine Arts

Jennifer Podemski is an award-winning actor, writer, director, and producer whose work has reshaped Indigenous representation in Canadian film and television. Of Anishinaabe and Ashkenazi heritage, Jennifer co-founded Big Soul Productions and later launched Redcloud Studios Inc., producing groundbreaking content that centers Indigenous voices.

Her creative work includes the acclaimed series Little Bird and The Other Side and performances in Degrassi, Blackstone, Empire of Dirt, and Cardinal. In 2020, she founded The Shine Network Institute, a nonprofit that supports Indigenous women in the screen and media industries. Jennifer continues to be a force for storytelling, representation, and mentorship in Canadian arts and culture.

The degree of Doctor of Fine Arts will be conferred on Friday, May 30 at the 9 a.m. ceremony at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. 

Dr. Nancy Luckai
Fellow of the University

Dr. Nancy Luckai is Professor Emerita in the Faculty of Natural Resources Management and a proud Lakehead alumna, having earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in forestry before completing a PhD from the University of Guelph. Her expertise in forest ecology and soils led to the creation of the FoReST Lab, a nationally accredited facility that supported research, industry, and community partners for over 20 years. Her work has earned her several honours, including Lakehead’s Innovation Award and the Woman of Influence (Public Sector) Award from the Northwestern Ontario Businesswomen’s Association.

A dedicated volunteer, Dr. Luckai has served on the boards of the Nanabijou Childcare Centre, the National Training and Development Centre, and Lakehead’s Alumni Association, where she was named Director Emerita. She also served as Deputy Provost and continues contributing to forestry education as a Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board reviewer.

The title of Fellow of the University will be bestowed on Friday, May 30 at the 9 a.m. ceremony at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.

Kevin G. Cleghorn
Fellow of the University

Kevin Cleghorn is a Thunder Bay-based lawyer with a distinguished career in family law, legal education, and public service. A graduate of the University of Manitoba (LLB, BA) and Osgoode Hall (LLM), he is a certified specialist in family law, a family mediator accredited by the Ontario Association for Family Mediation, and a member of the Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. He has served as a deputy judge in the Northwest Region Small Claims Court since 1999.

Kevin is a past president of the Thunder Bay Law Association and the United Way of Thunder Bay, and a former Chair of Lakehead University’s Board of Governors. He has taught at Lakehead since 1994, was named an external adjunct professor in 2008, and received the Contribution to Teaching Award in 2007. In 2025, he was awarded the James L. Murray Memorial Award for professionalism and civility.

Although elected by the Board as a 2025 Fellow, Kevin will be formally recognized on stage at Lakehead’s 2026 Convocation.

For more information, visit lakeheadu.ca/convocation.

A catastrophic ice storm descended upon central Ontario during the final week of classes at Lakehead—forcing the City of Orillia, the County of Simcoe, and surrounding municipalities to declare a state of emergency. What happened next was a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of Lakehead students, faculty, and staff.

"One morning, I drove past closed roads covered with trees and power lines looking for gas for my home generator," Dr. Chris Glover says. "The devastation was shocking, and so was the eerie quietness. It was like a scene from an apocalyptic show like The Walking Dead." Video Courtesy of Shinomedia

"Everything was fine on March 28 and then things started to fall apart," says Lakehead Orillia Principal Dr. Linda Rodenburg. "I activated our emergency response group as soon as I realized that it would present a serious academic challenge as well as a major weather event. Our approach was to communicate as much as possible and recognize that people were experiencing diverse situations."

Freezing rain rapidly encrusted trees with ice, causing them to crack and fall on power lines. Electricity was cut to the Orillia campus, homes, schools, and businesses across the region—leaving people without heat, power, and water.

"Our priority was keeping students safe, secure, and fed," Dr. Chris Glover says. Orillia Security Services manager T-Bird Prisciak was one of many who stepped up, even finding time to bring a laptop and Tim Horton's coffee and doughnuts to a faculty member trapped in their home by a downed power line in their yard. Photo Credit: Shinomedia

"There were a lot of hardships at once," Dr. Rodenburg says, whose own home lost power. "Damage to property and cars, and food going bad at a time of high grocery costs. The sewage plant also caught fire."

Despite the unfolding crisis, Dr. Rodenburg says that "people immediately came together to help each other. I knew that our community would be amazing, and they were."

"There was a chat group where people offered assistance and things like hot showers," adds Orillia Associate Vice-President Dr. Chris Glover. "Faculty and staff were doing wellness checks to see if people were okay, and LUSU students kept the campus food bank open."

Dr. Glover's greatest concern was for students in residence, even though he was contending with his house being flooded.

"How do we feed students when we can't use the kitchen to cook hot meals?" he says. "The campus had generators that kept refrigerators and freezers running, but not generators to operate the hood fans necessary for cooking on our gas stoves."

His worry was soon eased by Lakehead's food-services provider, who quickly began serving cold breakfasts and lunches. "Dana Hospitality and our cafeteria staff went above and beyond," Dr. Rodenburg says.

And without Lakehead's stellar security and residence life teams, the situation would have been much worse.

"Security immediately rushed to Home Depot and bought charging cords and devices for their office in Simcoe Hall, which has a back-up power system. The staff on campus worked together to ensure that students could power their electronic and medical devices and stay in touch with loved ones," Dr. Glover says.

"I want to thank our Thunder Bay team members who checked in with the Orillia team, offered support, and helped with their workloads," Dr. Rodenburg says. Photo Credit: Shinomedia

Fortunately, power was restored to campus after 32 hours, turning it into a haven where faculty, staff, and their families could have a meal and warm up. "The morning the power came back on at my house, I baked 50 cookies and handed them out to people on campus, and I got 50 different stories about the storm," Dr. Rodenburg says.

The campus was a stark contrast to the city and region itself, much of which remained without power for 13 days. "As Simcoe County continues to clean up after the storm," Dr. Rodenburg says, "I want to thank everyone for responding with grace, patience, and gratitude." Dr. Glover is in total agreement. "I'm incredibly thankful to be part of the Lakehead Orillia community."

The video and photos in this story were taken by Shinowa Okumura, a fourth-year Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science in Media Studies student who is graduating this June.

Meet the Latest King Charles III Coronation Medal Recipients

Two more Lakehead researchers, and one of their partners, have been honoured for their outstanding community service with a prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Dr. Angela Hovey

Dr. Hovey—an associate professor and graduate coordinator of Lakehead's School of Social Work in Orillia—was awarded and presented the medal by Ontario Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont during a ceremony at Queen's Park in Toronto on May 6. She was chosen for her important work chairing the Hilary M. Weston Scholarship Selection Committee for six years.

Dr. Hovey (left) accepts her King Charles III Coronation Medal and certificate from Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont (right). Dr. Hovey and her research team also won Lakehead's 2019 Community-Engaged Research Award for their work reducing women's barriers to accessing shelter services. In 2021, she received the student-nominated Contributions to Teaching Award.

The Hilary M. Weston Scholarship commemorates Ontario's 26th lieutenant governor and is awarded annually to two Ontario graduate social work students by an appointed committee of social work scholars.

"The scholarship program represents Hilary Weston's legacy as lieutenant governor who, during her term, became passionate about helping address homelessness and mental health issues," Dr. Hovey says.

As committee chair, Dr. Hovey brought leadership and a strong focus on community-based research, drawing upon her many years of clinical practice experience in the areas of violence, trauma, and substance abuse in federal and provincial prisons, community agencies, and private-practice settings.

"To award this scholarship to students whose research was advancing social work practice with vulnerable populations was inspiring and exciting," Dr. Hovey says, "especially since it's the only dedicated graduate social work scholarship for students conducting mental health research. As a professor, I want to nurture highly skilled social workers who can contribute to this work in a positive way."

For Dr. Hovey, the medal symbolizes her commitment to the social work profession and her efforts to promote student-led scholarship.

Dr. Elaine Wiersma and Bill Heibein

Dr. Wiersma and her collaborator Bill Heibein were jointly presented with their medals by Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland (who also nominated them) in an April 22 ceremony at Thunder Bay's Whitewater Golf Club for their extraordinary work supporting people with dementia.

“Supporting people with dementia and their care partners and fighting the stigma I see them experiencing drives my work,” says Dr. Elaine Wiersma (right). “I’ve known people who’ve declined rapidly after a diagnosis because they buy into dementia stigma,” adds her community partner Bill Heibein (left).

Dr. Wiersma is an associate health sciences professor, a researcher with Lakehead's Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health (CERAH), and the director of the Dementia Café, which gives people with dementia and their care partners the opportunity to socialize and build connections. In addition, she helped establish the North West Dementia Working Group, a grassroots advocacy organization run by people with dementia and their care partners.

"Our work at Lakehead University is done together with the community of those impacted by dementia," Dr. Wiersma says. "It's a collective endeavour."

One of her favourite community partners is 84-year-old Bill Heibein, who was a chartered accountant and the owner of a horse farm when he was diagnosed with dementia. "My doctors gave me three to five years before I would be unable to function properly and would have to go into a home," Bill says. "That was 26 years ago and I'm still living on my farm."

"Bill is inspirational," Dr. Wiersma says. "He's a founding member of the North West Dementia Working Group and the Dementia Café. He also serves coffee and tea and plays in his Bottom of the Barrel band at the Café. Sharing this award with him is a real honour."

"Receiving the medal with Elaine made it very special to me," Bill agrees. "This award affirms that people with dementia can be vital community members. So many people believe the stigma about dementia and give up when they're diagnosed, but our initiatives give people hope by showing them what they're capable of. I tell everyone that being with others and being outdoors are the most important things you can do when you have dementia."

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

Check out the latest version of our Bulletin, by clicking here.

The School of Nursing is pleased to celebrate National Nursing Week from May 12-18. This special week honours and celebrates the hard work and dedication of all nurses across Canada. This year’s theme is “The Power of Nurses to Transform Health.” This is a fitting theme as our healthcare services and systems are led by nurses and other valued members of multi-disciplinary team into transformational, post-COVID changes.

This acknowledgement of Canadian nurses is actually launched on May 8th with the celebration of National Indigenous Nurses' day. May 8th specifically honours the important contributions and achievements of all Indigenous nurses, including First Nations, Inuit, and Metis nurses in Canada.

Nurses work across many sectors and in many diverse and challenging roles, including roles in acute care, chronic care, long-term care, public health, community care, education, research, policy, administration, and more! The School of Nursing is proud to have many amazing alumni across the world. Together, with our colleagues, workplaces, and communities we celebrate this week to honour all nurses. The School is so proud of all that Lakehead’s nursing graduates accomplish as leaders and as valued care providers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to truly make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

The School of Nursing is very proud to acknowledge one of our Master of Nursing- Advanced Nursing students, Andrea Oltsher. Andrea was nominated for and won the prestigious SE H.O.P.E. Award by the Registered Nurses’ Foundation of Ontario (RNFOO). With a value of $2,500, this scholarship is one of highest valued awards offered by RNFOO's academic awards program. The judging for the awards was rigorously conducted by 43 judges on the RNFOO Awards & Scholarship Review Panel. Andrea (see photo attached) attended the Hybrid Gala to receive her award on May 7th, along with current and future leaders of the nursing profession. Recipients of this award must show that their career path is dedicated to the principles of the H.O.P.E. Model® (Home, Opportunity, People, Empowerment) in Community Nursing. Congratulations Andrea!

"Lakehead has not only pushed me to be the best I can be academically, but also the best person I can be," says Holly Gray, who received an Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science in Anthropology in 2024. Above, Holly and her daughter Alexandria celebrate Holly's graduation.

"In the fall of 2016, I was bemoaning to my husband and my daughter that although I'd been exercising my body, my mind was in the parking lot," says recent Lakehead grad Holly Gray.

"My daughter said, 'Oh, mom! Just take a course.' I said, 'Great idea, but what course?' and she replied, 'Anthropology.'"

That was the start of a new chapter for Holly, whose curious mind and independent streak was apparent even as a child.

She grew up in the small village of Victoria Harbour on Georgian Bay where she spent her time swimming, skiing, and tobogganing. Holly also earned pocket money by babysitting for 25 cents an hour. Her favourite early jobs, though, were more unconventional. "I worked on horse farms and in a mechanics shop repairing bicycles, lawnmowers, and chainsaws," Holly says. "I just loved it, my poor mother, however, was mortified because I was the only girl at my high school graduation with grease under her fingernails."

Holly then earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Guelph. She'd hoped to pursue her postsecondary education further, but life and its challenges got in the way—that is until several decades later when she drove to Lakehead Orillia to sign up for an anthropology course.

As fate would have it, Professor Tim Kaiser was running a mock archaeological dig on campus that day. Holly went over to talk to him and "Dr. Kaiser, who's a wonderful gentleman, said, 'Why don't you join my class?'

The course was called Ancient People and Places," Holly continues, "so I thought that's good, since I'm ancient—but I was scared because it was a second-year course."

“Lakehead’s instructors have been outstanding—Dr. Frederico Oliveira is a gem of a man—and it’s a gift to be able to meet the kids and be accepted by them,” Holly says. “Everyone from the cafeteria and library staff to security, students, and professors have treated me with kindness and respect. It’s been an incredible joy.” Left, Holly and her friend Ginny Majury on their graduation day.

Her fears were eased after she spotted two other seniors in the class. One of them, Ginny Majury, became her study buddy. Soon, Holly was taking more courses, with the goal of earning a degree, and she and Ginny were forming study groups and providing tea and cookies for the students who came. Off-campus experiences were equally important to Holly. "I went on a life-altering dig led by Dr. Scott Hamilton and Dr. Frederico Oliveira at the Indigenous community of Slate Falls north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. We were looking at the site of the original community of Slate Falls before they were forced to move from their island to the mainland."

As graduation day drew nearer, Holly applied to be the Voice of the Class speaker at Lakehead's June 2024 convocation ceremonies, not expecting to be selected.

"I felt that being a senior and a part-time student disqualified me from speaking, then I found out I'd been chosen. I was absolutely honoured and thrilled—I was also absolutely terrified."

Holly has now embarked on a Master of Environmental Studies degree specializing in anthropology, and she's even considering doing a PhD. "I'd like to investigate the social, political, and legal ramifications of so many things."

As Holly said in her Voice of the Class speech, "None of us are too young, nor too old to be agents of change in the world around us. Just try to do things, live through the fear of it, and you'll be amazed at what a different person you'll be."

"I love to bake—it's my escape and one of the ways that I express caring," says Brandon Rhéal Amyot, a soon-to-be graduate of Lakehead Orillia's Bachelor of Arts and Science in Interdisciplinary Studies program. "When I was a kid, my mom and I would bring trays of baked goods to our neighbours during the holidays."

In elementary school, Brandon's baking abilities helped take them in a new direction after a teacher recommended they attend an Ontario Educational Leadership Centre (OELC) summer camp. "I'm from a working-class family," Brandon explains, "so I spent months baking cookies and selling them at recess to raise money to attend OELC—my mum would find me baking at midnight."

Brandon (second from left) attended Georgian College and Carleton University before coming to Lakehead. They will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in June 2025. This unique degree gave them the opportunity to study political science, media, film, and communications.

Brandon's sense of civic engagement is a thread that runs throughout their life. Today, they are an inspiring intersectional activist focused on youth, postsecondary education, media, and the 2SLGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities. They spent 10 years volunteering with Fierté Simcoe Pride—a grassroots organization that advocates for the 2SLGBTQ+ community—before becoming the VP Orillia of the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU).

"I always ask myself, 'How can I fight for students, for Lakehead, and for equity?' I had to fight to open the door to postsecondary education for myself, and I want to leave it open for others. Although I'm the first person in my family to go to college or university, I hope I won't be the last."

Brandon enrolled at Lakehead Orillia because "it's an interdisciplinary campus by design. I didn't want to go to school simply to get a job. I wanted to become a lifelong learner and build skills to uplift communities, and interdisciplinary studies lend themselves to that." Brandon believes there's real power in students working together. "It's what enabled us to open LUSU Orillia's Food Pantry—an emergency food resource for students in need that's served over 2,200 students since opening in October 2022. The Food Pantry is one of my proudest achievements because I've struggled with food security at certain points.

"After Lakehead, I feel much more prepared to be part of the world and to take on the world," Brandon says. "I owe that to my family, friends, and instructors who've encouraged me to stay the path." Photo credit: Jessica Owen

With the increasing wealth inequality and the social and political challenges gripping us, we need to step up in any way we can," adds Brandon, who recently joined the City of Orillia's Poverty Reduction Working Group. They have also officially launched their career, even though they are still a month away from graduation.

"I've been hired as LUSU's first governance and advocacy officer, supporting student leaders, the union, and our university community. I'm also working part-time with the Paapiiwaaniimaan Grassy Narrows Mercury Care Home as an executive assistant with their Operational Planning Committee. These roles are both close to my heart and offer me a way to give back.

We have to take bold risks as students, faculty, staff, and community members, and do it with grit and with love. That's the whole purpose of higher education—Lakehead instilled in me that a rising tide lifts all boats."