A City of Orillia Partnership Could Provide Insights into Reducing Pollution

Dr. Thamara Laredo has developed practical solutions to deal with microplastics at a City of Orillia beach.

In partnership with the City of Orillia and the City's director of environmental services, Greg Preston, Dr. Laredo's research team conducted a survey of litter found at Couchiching Beach Park during the summer of 2026. This 14.5-acre park is next to downtown Orillia and hosts popular summer events, in addition to attracting swimmers, kayakers, paddleboarders, and picnickers.

Dr. Laredo (left), a Lakehead University chemistry professor, thought that findings of the litter survey had the potential to become the first step in reducing pollution. This prompted her to expand the project to include analyzing litter distribution and creating a geo-map of discarded waste for the city.

"Plastics break down into small fragments through environmental weathering," she explains. "Smaller fragments eventually become microplastics that enter the lake. That's why we were interested in studying the fragmentation patterns of plastics that break down into microplastics, particularly at the beach."

The Microplastics Challenge

Any piece of plastic smaller than 5 mm in any single dimension is classified as a microplastic. Dr. Laredo focused on microplastics that were six-tenths of a millimetre, which is about the size of a dust mite or a grain of sand.

Microplastics are pollutants that harm humans, animals, and ecosystems. Their small size makes them difficult to remove, making it easy for humans and animals to ingest them. Microplastics in water can turn into even smaller nanoplastics that cross the blood-brain barrier in animals and humans. "This is why we wanted to find mitigation strategies to deal with this challenge," she says.

Microplastics in lakes and rivers lead to a process called biomagnification. "Small fish confuse microplastics with food or eggs and eat them," Dr. Laredo says. "These small fish are eaten by larger fish, resulting in highly polluted animals with endocrine disruptions that are then eaten by humans. It's the same problem when birds and people eat fish. Biomagnification can cause the collapse of species and lower sperm counts." Right, student researchers at Couchiching Beach Park.

To carry out this research project, Dr. Laredo applied to Mitacs, a Canadian not-for-profit organization that connects academia, industry, government, and global partners to solve real-world problems. It does this by offering paid work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities to domestic and international students and postdoctoral fellows.

Dr. Laredo was matched with two undergraduate students who had just completed the third year of their environmental degrees—Diana Figueroa who is studying Natural Sciences and Environmental Education at Universidad del Valle, in Cali, Colombia, and Salma Bouchnak who is studying environmental sciences in Tunisia.

The researchers assisted Dr. Laredo over the 12-week period of the research project beginning in May until the end of July 2026. They investigated plastic distribution across the beach and helped design the litter geo-map.

Above (left to right), Diana Figueroa, Juan Esteban Florez (a Mitacs student who worked on a different research project), Dr. Laredo, and Salma Bouchnak. 

"I enjoyed seeing how what we observed in the field could gradually become something we could understand through the data," Diana Figueroa says.

"Diana and Salma were both amazing and very hard workers," Dr. Laredo says. "They were also excited to learn about Canadian culture and to network."

Time to Hit the Beach

Salma, Diana, and Dr. Laredo worked together surveying, sampling, and analyzing the microplastics they collected. Samples were collected at the same locations throughout the study. The team measured along the beach's wrack line (the place where the high tide deposits organic debris like seaweed) and collected samples every 10 feet.

The researchers found litter hotspots under shrubs and at the edge of the beach along the wrack line.

The researchers looked at sand samples to see if they contained microplastic and the extent of weathering. "We did infrared spectroscopy to determine if what we were looking at was plastic and not another material," Dr. Laredo says. Left, Diana Figueroa studies samples in Lakehead University's chemistry lab on the Orillia campus. Microplastics don't dissolve in water. Once they are in the water, they attract other pollutants to them, which increases their toxicity. After completing her research, Dr. Laredo proposed that the City of Orillia run an awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of cigarette butts, including putting up signs at Couchiching Beach Park.

Plastics constituted about 90% of all litter in the park. Cigarette butts, which have filters made of cellulose acetate, were the number-one source of plastic pollution. "Not many people realize that cigarette butts contribute to microplastic formation. People think they are made of cotton or paper and that they degrade easily," Dr. Laredo says. "Food packaging was the second highest source—including granola bar wrappers, chip bags, and juice boxes with little plastic straws. "The straw packaging often flies out of garbage cans."

Once plastic waste settled in hotspots, it began breaking down into smaller pieces of plastic. "The city grooms the beach regularly during the summer months," Dr. Laredo says. "The hotspots we found were in places where the city tractor couldn't reach. Although beach grooming does not remove any litter, it became an additional variable in calibrating the geo-map because it shifted the distribution of the plastics by burying them."

Right, Diana Figueroa takes measurements at Couchiching Beach Park. "Before coming to Lakehead, I had been involved in a community project with black families in my neighborhood in my hometown of Cali, Colombia, focused on transforming waste together," she says. "So, when I saw the opportunity to explore plastic pollution from a research perspective at Lakehead University, it immediately caught my attention. I found it particularly interesting to study plastic pollution in an urban freshwater environment. I had mostly encountered discussions about plastic pollution in marine environments, so this project gave me a different perspective on the problem and on the role that freshwater ecosystems can play."

The researchers also found that the amount of discarded plastics was much higher in the month of May compared to June, when park staff are hired to clean the park. "We recommended that park staff start cleaning up these hotspots earlier in the year to prevent the migration of the microplastics into the water," Dr. Laredo says.

"I've been collaborating with the City of Orillia for many years, and we have a great working relationship," she adds. "We are united in our efforts to keep our community healthy and our environment flourishing."

Hope Has Been Caring for Animals Since Childhood

Hope Grootenboer is one of the students who'll be helping address northern Ontario's long-term veterinarian shortage.

"I grew up in Murillo, outside of Thunder Bay, on a second-generation dairy farm started by my grandparents," Hope says.

Hope's career ambitions were shaped by her mother as well as her father. "My mom was an emergency room nurse at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and I loved hearing about her job," Hope says. "I think that being a veterinarian is the perfect marriage of nursing and farming."

She's just begun her second year in the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP)—an innovative partnership between Lakehead University and the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).

Every year, the CDVMP accepts up to 20 students from northern Ontario to train to become licensed veterinarians. The goal is to help alleviate the veterinary shortage in northern Ontario and ensure that more animals in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities receive proper care.

Beginning in September 2027, CDVMP students will complete the first year of their degree on Lakehead's Thunder Bay campus and their final three years at the OVC in Guelph.

A Born Veterinarian

It's not surprising that when the CDVMP was launched last year, Hope was among those chosen to be a member of its inaugural class.

She'd already accumulated an impressive amount of hands-on experience.

"As a kid, I was always in the barn with the cows or out in the fields with my dad," she recalls. "My Oma would tell people that I would know when a cow was sick before anyone else did."

Hope earned an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2023 at Lakehead. “My professors were very supportive of everything I did—they remembered my name and I wasn’t just a number,” she says.

It helped that Hope has such a strong bond with these massive animals.

"I love cows! They have unique personalities, just like humans," she says. "I used to lay down in the barn by the calves whenever I was feeling overwhelmed. They helped me de-stress because they're just so happy."

By the time Hope was in grade five, she was already skilled at feeding calves, milking cows, and providing basic care. "That's when I started thinking about becoming a veterinarian," she says.

Then in 2020—while pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology degree at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay—Hope was hired as a veterinary assistant at the Northwestern Veterinarian Hospital.

"I still work full time during the summers, and I also picked up hours during the school year when I was doing my Lakehead University degree," says Hope, who graduated in 2023.

"It's great to be able to watch surgeries and shadow both large and small-animal veterinarians. They're very excited when anyone wants to learn and they're happy to teach you."

Hope won a Beef Farmers of Ontario Veterinary Scholarship in 2025. "I was elated to be honoured and very surprised to win," she says. Above, Hope on her family farm with her brother's dog Elly.

Her time at Northwestern Veterinarian Hospital has opened Hope's eyes to the struggles veterinarians face due to the shortage of professionals in the north.

"They have to turn away clients because they want to provide the best care possible and there's only so many animals they can see in the day," she says.

"The situation is even worse for farmers whose horses and cattle need medical assistance. There are just two large animal veterinarians in the region—and both of them are on-call 24/7, 365 days a year."

The Busy and Rewarding Life of a CDVMP Student

As Hope embarks on her second year at the OVC campus at the University of Guelph, she's ready to tackle whatever is on the curriculum.

Above, Hope, in the OVC barn, takes part in a lab teaching students how to conduct physical exams of sheep. "We practice tipping the sheep to put them in the position that is most comfortable for them," she says. Hope discovered that she'd been accepted to the CDVMP while preparing to run a half marathon in Banff. "I woke up at 5 in the morning and looked at the Ontario Veterinary College student portal and it said I was accepted, a few hours later I got an official notification by email. I popped a bottle of champagne and celebrated with my mom, two of my sisters-in-law, and my sister, who were with me in Banff. It was a great day!"

"We're learning spaying, surgical techniques like suturing, and rectal palpation exams. These exams help you understand the anatomical structure of cows and horses and determine if an animal is pregnant or sick—it's the most effective way to check the health of herds."

Hope believes that enrolling in the CDVMP is one of the smartest educational decisions she's ever made.

"I've had an amazing experience at Guelph. We're like one big happy family and the students in my lab practice group have become my closest friends."

When Hope graduates in 2029, her plan is to establish a mixed practice in Thunder Bay that treats both large and small animals.

"Cows are great mothers and great protectors, and calves are super sweet," Hope says. She is also fond of goats. "When I was in grade three we got two goats, Autumn and Nutmeg (above). I was there when their mother gave birth and I helped feed them after they were born."

"I'd recommend that anyone from northern Ontario interested in a veterinary career look at the CDVMP option, talk to their local veterinarians, get some work experience, and then apply to the program," she says.

"My wish is that every student in my CDVMP cohort will see how fulfilling it is to work in the north," she adds.

Dr. Jessica Metcalfe Studies Megafauna to Understand Our Past

"North America was a dangerous place during the last ice age," says Lakehead University Associate Professor of Anthropology Dr. Jessica Metcalfe.

Until around 10,000 years ago, sabre-toothed cats, lions, and short-faced bears prowled across the continent. They hunted giant herbivores—including giant beavers, giant sloths, giant bison, mastodons, and woolly mammoths, which are the focus of Dr. Metcalfe's research.

Dr. Metcalfe (left) with research partner Victoria Wanihadie (right) near Green Island along the Peace River in Alberta (Tsattine territory) in 2022 as part of her community-based research with Tsattine people. Dr. Metcalfe is one of the authors of the article Paleogenomic insight into the collapse, recovery, and management of American bison published in the August 2026 issue of the prestigious journal Science. "My bison research provides a more recent window into the human past around 10,000 years ago," she says.

Indigenous people, who have been in North America for tens of thousands of years, had to learn how to share their environment with these ancient giant mammals, which researchers call megafauna.

"I study the remains of ancient megafauna to learn more about their diets and past climate and ecological changes," Dr. Metcalfe says.

"Megafauna are fascinating and they help us understand human history. There was a great diversity of them on every continent until just after the ice age ended, when many of the largest ones went extinct. Some megafauna like bison have persisted, but they became smaller in size."

According to Dr. Metcalfe, megafauna were important to human survival. They were hunted for food, their bones were used to make houses and tools, and their fur and skin were made into clothing. They also had—and still have—spiritual importance to Indigenous Peoples.

Dr. Metcalfe has found that Clovis-era woolly mammoths in Arizona that lived circa 13,050 to 12,750 years ago became extinct when monsoon rains stopped and the region became drier. Left, a reconstruction of a woolly mammoth, Mammuthus primigenius, at the Bell Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The fossils of these animals are located across the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples, and Dr. Metcalfe's research has found that anthropologists, archaeologists, and palaeontologists can learn a lot from Indigenous oral histories.

"Indigenous Peoples who co-existed with megafauna have rich stories about creatures like woolly mammoths and giant beavers the size of bears. They also talk about how perilous it was to live alongside megafauna."

Engaging in community-based anthropological research with Indigenous partners—such as the Tsattine (Beaver Dene) in Alberta—is integral to her work. "I'm trying to work toward braiding Indigenous knowledge and western knowledge through an approach known as 'two-eyed seeing.'"

This approach is becoming more common among settler scholars who are seeking to conduct ethical and responsible research and counteract harms caused by old approaches.

"There is a long history of western scientists ignoring Indigenous knowledge and removing ancient remains from their territories without permission," Dr. Metcalfe says. "The situation was worsened by anthropologists who treated Indigenous peoples as subjects to be studied, rather than as collaborators in learning."

Unlocking the Secrets of Megafauna

Dr. Metcalfe doesn't usually make her discoveries on far-flung archaeological digs. Instead, she concentrates on studying the biogeochemical compositions of previously collected materials housed in museum and university collections.

In her Metcalfe Archaeological Studies (MASS) research lab on Lakehead University's Thunder Bay campus, she reconstructs the diets and migrations of megafauna and their interactions with humans and the environment.

She uses sophisticated instruments to study the hair, bones, and teeth of megafauna fossils.

Dr. Jessica Metcalfe sampled woolly mammoth bones in Yukon as part of her PhD research. Above, Dr. Jessica Metcalfe holds a woolly mammoth bone in 2008 when she was a PhD student.

Mass spectrometers, for instance, enable her to examine tiny mass variations in carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and other non-radioactive chemical elements in fossils. These stable isotopes do not break down over time, so they provide a record of the environmental conditions when the animal was alive.

"Fossil bones and teeth can indicate the type of climate megafauna lived in. You can tell whether it was warm, cold, wet, or dry, and how animals responded to these climatic conditions in terms of which types of plants they ate and their mobility patterns."

A Land of Mammoths and Mastodons

Dr. Metcalfe's methods, in combination with Indigenous knowledge, have helped her uncover crucial insights into megafauna. This includes her bison research and the mammoth and mastodon research that she has recently returned to.

Elephants, woolly mammoths, and mastodons are all members of the proboscidean family. Woolly mammoths and mastodons weighed up to eight tons, while elephants can weigh up to seven tons. When it comes to megafauna, Dr. Metcalfe says she's partial to herbivores, but she has a hard time picking her favourite one. "If push came to shove, I would say mastodons are my favourite. I also love giant beavers and giant sloths, which lumbered around using their massive claws to eat trees and maybe even dig up roots." Above, an American mastodon, Mammut americanum, skeleton at the La Brea Tar Pits Museum, California.

Her study of the tooth enamel of mastodons in southern Ontario suggests mastodons were able to adapt to a warmer climate after deglaciation before going extinct. This finding was strengthened by her analysis of mastodon bone collagen that suggested that the disappearance of mastodons' wetland habitat was a greater factor in their extinction than warmer weather.

Some of Dr. Metcalfe's current research into woolly mammoths is being done in collaboration with Yukon government palaeontologist Dr. Grant Zazula, who was also part of a 2026 Canadian Quaternary Association session on megafauna that Dr. Metcalfe organized.

"We reconnected because of a well-preserved baby mammoth, named Nun cho ga, that emerged from the Yukon permafrost on National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2022. It was the first time that a woolly mammoth with soft tissues was found in North America," she says.

In June 2026, Dr. Metcalfe organized a Canadian Quaternary Association session called "Powerful megafauna: Palaeontological and Indigenous perspectives on giant animals in western Canada." Session organizers and presenters Jessica Metcalfe (far left) and Victoria Wanihadie (far right) presented on what they have learned from their collaborative research in western Canada. Presenters Edward Jolie (middle left) and Sharon Gloshay (middle right) discussed the footprints at White Sands National Park as evidence of Native American relationships with megafauna. Dr. Metcalfe is currently co-editing a special issue in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology about proboscideans.

Instead of taking this ancient baby animal as government property, Dr. Zazula immediately partnered with the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation, on whose land the animal was found, and who named the woolly mammoth Nun cho ga.

"One of the differences between mammoths and mastodons is that their teeth were extremely different," Dr. Metcalfe says. "Mammoth teeth were like washboards for grinding toughgrasses while mastodons had big pointy peaked teeth for eating woody plants and shrubs." Left, a cast of a juvenile mammoth jaw on display at the Grande Prairie Museum, Alberta.

"They speak of Nun cho ga as an ancestor and a relative, which is very different from seeing it as a scientific specimen," Dr. Metcalfe says. "Nun cho ga has brought their community together and become a focus for asserting their rights as Indigenous people."

Dr. Metcalfe's previous research has provided a window into how Yukon woolly mammoths reared their young. Her analysis of the bones and teeth of woolly mammoth calves indicates that they nursed for a long time, similar to modern elephants in stressful environments.

"This was likely related to the long nights of darkness in the Arctic region, which meant that baby mammoths had to stay very close to their mothers to avoid predators such as Beringian lions," she says.

"Megafaunal fossil remains are the literal and metaphorical bones that archaeology and palaeontology are built upon," she adds.

Lakehead University gratefully acknowledges the following grants Dr. Metcalfe has received for her research:

2025 NSERC Discovery Horizons Grant (five-year grant) for the research project, Follow the Bison: Insights into Environmental and Cultural Change

2019 SSHRC Insight Development Grant (two-year grant) for the research project, Dene Bison Hunting and Migration: Western Science and Indigenous Perspectives

His Grassroots Charity Provides Drinking Water to Vulnerable People

"No one wakes up one morning and says, 'I want to live in a tent in an abandoned parking lot,'" says Lakehead University alum and university Security Services Director Lorne Clifford (BA'15).

As head of security, Lorne's weekdays are focused on keeping Lakehead University safe, and much of his free time is devoted to running I WAS THIRSTY—the humanitarian organization he founded in 2025.

It's a volunteer-driven outreach mission that provides drinking water directly to unhoused people in Thunder Bay.

"We bring bottled water to folks living in tents, makeshift shelters, and along city sidewalks," he explains.

Lorne completed a certificate in business administration at Lakehead in the 1990s followed by a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2015. "Lakehead provided a strong foundation in understanding community, governance, and the importance of service," he says. In 2019, he completed a Master of Laws, specializing in criminal law, at York University's Osgoode Hall.

In 2025, Lorne and 14 volunteers travelled more than 2,469 kilometres in their personal vehicles to deliver more than 14,784 bottles of water over a 62-day pilot period.

The mission grew considerably during the 2026 outreach season—the number of volunteers increased to 27 and 26,448 bottles of water were delivered to 12 encampment locations. Being able to shift from a small pilot project into a much broader community effort was possible because of the support of volunteers, donors, and community partners, including St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

I WAS THIRSTY has also created a replication toolkit, including a step-by-step guide and mentor support, so that their model can be adopted by communities across Canada.

A Life of Service

Lorne's strong sense of civic responsibility was ingrained in him as a youngster.

"My dad would tell me, 'Just see what needs to be done and do it,'" he recalls.

He took this advice to heart—before joining Lakehead University he was a distinguished police officer with the Thunder Bay Police Service who held many leadership roles, a volunteer with diverse community organizations, and a Canadian peacekeeper in South Sudan and Palestine.

In 2019, Lorne received a Ministry of Veterans Affairs Commendation from MP Patti Hajdu (above). He also received a King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 to recognize his outstanding service to his community. "I always believed that policing is about prevention and creating environments where trust and being present in the community allow relationships to flourish," he says.

Lorne felt like he was suddenly transported overseas again on an afternoon in 2025 as he drove past a homeless encampment near Simpson Street in Thunder Bay.

"I saw people in a state of desolation. I was shocked to realize that water insecurity is a fact of life in South Sudan and Palestine and that it's a fact of life here, too."

At that moment, a line of Scripture from the Bible flashed into Lorne's mind: "For I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink (Matthew 25:35)."

That passage ultimately gave the mission its name because it was so directly connected to what I was seeing: there were people who were thirsty, and we had the ability to give them water," he says.

"While I WAS THIRSTY has roots in my Christian faith, and has received tremendous support from St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and other faith communities, it's not an evangelical outreach," he adds. "Our supporters and volunteers come from many different backgrounds and there are no conditions whatsoever attached to receiving water."

This experience prompted Lorne to begin researching Thunder Bay's water distribution situation. He discovered that there weren't any agencies bringing water directly to people living in encampments.

Since then the City of Thunder Bay has created an Encampment Coordinator position and has begun providing four litres of water per tent through the Compass program. Elevate Northwest also provides water jugs and other supplies.

Despite these vital improvements, and the important services being provided by the city and other organizations, gaps in water access remain.

"Some encampments are not being regularly reached by existing services, Compass does not operate during evenings, weekends, or statutory holidays, and many of our clients report that water they receive through Compass has been stolen," Lorne says.

This problem is further compounded by limited water filling stations open to the public.

We Shouldn't Turn Our Backs on Our Fellow Citizens

"The idea for I WAS THIRSTY was simple," Lorne says. "If someone is vulnerable, you don't debate policy. You provide the essentials for human existence.

The folks I meet often tell me, 'You're keeping us alive, God bless you.' It's become clear this mission is really about dignity and survival."

Their stories stay with him—like the young woman drinking untreated river water and the Afghanistan war vet who returned to Thunder Bay, but whose trauma caused him to lose his house and his family.

"What began as a small, informal response to visible need in Thunder Bay has grown into a coordinated and data-driven volunteer outreach effort focused on delivering bottled water and essential support to vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness and encampment living," Lorne says.

Thunder Bay's 2025 point-in-time count estimated that there are more than 600 unhoused people in the city and that over 78% were Indigenous.

"This isn't accidental," Lorne says.

"It reflects generations of systemic inequality and water insecurity in Canada. Our work is as much a matter of justice as it is charity. We see it as Reconciliation in action."

That's why I WAS THIRSTY also directs people to existing social service agencies when their volunteers are asked for information about housing, health, and other assistance.

"We don't try to duplicate the work of established social-service agencies," Lorne says. "Instead, our water outreach can sometimes provide a small bridge between a person who needs help and the organizations equipped to provide it."

Lorne is proud that I WAS THIRSTY coordinates with partners like EcoSuperior to improve recycling and reduce waste associated with bottled water distribution.

His organization now delivers water to 250 people every day and makes special deliveries during extremely hot weather.

"These are not abstract challenges," Lorne says. "It's about doing what you can and never forgetting that small acts of care add up to something bigger.

Our mantra is every person matters, every encounter matters, and every bottle matters."

Click here to watch I WAS THIRSTY—a powerful 14-minute documentary about Thunder Bay's water crisis.

Lakehead University is Ontario’s top university under 10,000 students, according to Maclean’s 2027 University Rankings.

Lakehead University’s top marks reflects the quality of the university’s faculty combined with the university’s distinctive approach to learning and support that fosters an inclusive and accessible learning environment designed to meet students’ complex and evolving needs, interests, and career goals.

“These rankings recognize the quality of a Lakehead University education and the commitment of our faculty and staff to student success,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall. “We offer students the opportunity to learn from outstanding scholars, contribute to meaningful research, and receive the personal support that helps them succeed. That combination is central to who we are and what students can expect when they choose Lakehead University."

Among Ontario universities under 10,000 students, Lakehead University scored first in student awards and faculty-to-student class ratios, emphasizing the university’s reputation for supporting students and nurturing their success, and second for scholarship and bursaries and student retention and graduation rates.

When it comes to research income and impact, Lakehead University also ranked first among universities in the category, reflecting the quality and impact of leading-edge research occurring at the university.

“This achievement underscores Lakehead University’s leadership in advancing discovery that addresses real-world challenges, strengthens communities, and creates opportunities for students to contribute to social, economic, and cultural progress across our regions and beyond,” explained Dr. Gillian Balfour, Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

The university also ranked eighth overall in Canada out of 22 Canadian universities included in the under 10,000 students category.

“I’m pleased that we continue to be recognized as a leading university in Canada, and we remain committed to opening doors and creating opportunities that change lives,” Dr. Balfour added.

Earlier this year, Lakehead ranked in the top 10 per cent globally for universities making an impact through a commitment to sustainability and positive societal change, and the top-ranked university with under 10,000 students in Canada and North America in the 2026 Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings.

The annual Maclean’s rankings separate Canada’s universities into three groups — large (more than 30,000 students), medium (between 10,000 and 30,000 students) and small (under 10,000 students) — recognizing the differences in types of institutions, levels of research funding, diversity of offerings, and breadth and depth of graduate and professional programs.

Learn more about Lakehead University at one of our upcoming events, such as the Fall Open House on Saturday, Nov. 7 in Orillia and Barrie, or the Explore the North VIP Experience in Thunder Bay on Friday, Nov. 20. More details are available at https://www.lakeheadu.ca/admissions/events. 

We are looking for volunteers to help with site clean-up, tent and activity station setup, welcoming and supporting Elders, serving our community and assisting with activities throughout the day.

Join us in making this a warm and memorable Fall Harvest celebration. We'd love to have you be a part of our day!

Click the link below to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSek7q5XsIynsbTu54HKQZxZSs1YEeHn3sBt57trb-puDZ2gxg/viewform

Lakehead University has appointed Mark Tilbury as its new University Secretary.

A respected leader and valued member of the University community since 2013, Mark will bring his extensive experience and expertise honed with the Office of University Advancement to this new chapter in his career. As University Secretary, he will advise and provide governance support to the Board of Governors, Senate, Ogimaawin Indigenous Education Council (OIEC), and senior administration.

“Mark brings a strong combination of relationship-building and a deep understanding of the University and its governance environment,” says President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall. “He has the ability to navigate complex issues and work collaboratively with people across the University. I look forward to the leadership he will bring to our governance work.”

Mark currently serves as Director of Alumni and Community Engagement. In this role, he’s a trusted advisor to the Alumni Association of Lakehead University and supports the Board and subcommittees in governance renewal, strategic planning, policy development, succession planning, and board effectiveness. 

Mark has also contributed to university-wide initiatives, including the development of the University’s first comprehensive alumni engagement strategy and alumni engagement metrics framework.

His community leadership has included service on the Lakehead University Board of Governors, the Thunder Bay Public Library Board, the Alumni Association Board, and several community and not-for-profit organizations.

“I’m thrilled to be starting this next chapter in my Lakehead for Life journey,” Mark says. “Since the moment I stepped on campus as a first-year student in 1990, our Lakehead community has been like my second family.  I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work with the many volunteers, staff, students and faculty members who serve on our governing bodies.”

Mark holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Lakehead University and a Master of Arts in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Mark will begin his role as University Secretary on October 20.

Third Age Learning Program Enables Lifelong Learning for Seniors

Lakehead University's Office of Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (CELL) has received a 2026 County of Simcoe Age‑Friendly Business Recognition Award.

These awards celebrate local businesses, organizations, and community members who help create welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environments for older adults across the region.

Above, CELL Director Nicky Locker (third from left) and TALL Coordinator Anne Hilliard (third from right) accept CELL's 2026 County of Simcoe Age‑Friendly Business Recognition Award from Township of Oro-Medonte Mayor Randy Greenlaw, Commissioner of Health & Emergency Services Jane Sinclair, Township of Essa Mayor Sandie Macdonald, and Warden Basil Clarke.

"Third Age Learning Lakehead (TALL) is one of our flagship age-friendly programs, and we are humbled to be recognized in this way," says CELL Director Nicky Locker. "Seniors are central members of Lakehead University's academic community here in Simcoe County, and their passion for lifelong learning is inspiring for all of us."

TALL includes a five-part lecture series that delivers thought-provoking educational opportunities for adult learners over 50, alongside additional learning opportunities. A volunteer committee of seniors chaired by Anne Hilliard—a retired Simcoe County elementary school principal—advises on focus areas and ensures the program meets the needs of its participants.

A meeting of TALL Committee members.

"TALL enables engagement, connection, and lifelong learning." Locker says. "We want to foster social networks and a sense of community."

CELL does this by making TALL, and other programming that seniors can participate in, easy to access. Events are held on Lakehead University's Orillia campus, locations throughout Simcoe County, and via livestream so that people from across the country—including alumni and people in Lakehead University's Thunder Bay and Barrie communities—can attend.

There are also plans to begin hosting in-person events on the Thunder Bay campus soon.

TALL lectures include a 20-minute coffee break to give attendees time to discuss what they've heard and to think of questions to ask during the Q & A session that follows every lecture. Above, a TALL wine-and-cheese event held at Orillia's St. Paul's Church in March 2025. Lakehead professor Dr. Sandra Jeppesen gave a lecture entitled, "Disinformation, deepfakes, memes, and riots in the context of US elections: Is public debate bad for democracy?"

"When I coordinate CELL activities like TALL, the Ontario Master Naturalist Program (OMNP), Professional Development Training courses, and other CELL workshops, seniors and retirees are often among the first ones to sign up," Locker says.

In fact, a local senior leads the OMNP. Bob Bowles, 81, established this program at Lakehead University 14 years ago, which was the first of its kind in the country. OMNP participants can choose the nine-week online certificate program or individual workshops that take place locally to learn about nature and environmental stewardship.

"The presence of CELL in our community allows seniors to network across all generations, learn, and mentor others," CELL Director Nicky Locker says. "They frequently bring their children and grandchildren to our programming." Above, 81-year-old master naturalist Bob Bowles leads participants interested in learning about mushrooms on a three-hour trek through Simcoe Country's Copeland Forest in his "Magical, Mystical Mushrooms" workshop held on September 13, 2026.

Locker notes that seniors who participate in TALL and OMNP are keen to "show up and be part of the solution when it comes to making the world a better place. They don't shy away from complex issues, such as environmental and social justice, and they often express a desire to get their children and grandchildren involved."

The next TALL series faces these issues head-on. October 7 marks the start of the 2026-27 TALL lecture series "A Time for Change: Evolving Our Civilization" with a talk from climate-technology expert Akhil Puri discussing how we can build lives and institutions capable of meeting the challenges of both today and tomorrow—including AI risk, inequality, climate change, and political polarization.

One lecture that will be sure to get people talking takes place on October 21. "Watching Trump from Afar - Elbows Up World," will be presented by Larry Black, an 89-year-old former NATO research fellow and Canadian Security and Intelligence Service instructor.

CELL partners with diverse community organizations like the Orillia Museum of Art and History, the Couchiching Conservancy, and the Muskoka Discovery Centre to host unique events, workshops, and programming. "We're working together to make our region a place where everyone can participate, share their stories, and continue to learn together," CELL Director Nicky Locker says. Above, participants at a September 16, 2026, TALL session held at the Muskoka Discovery Centre. It was led by Lakehead education professor Dr. Gary Pluim and was called "Reading the World: The Case for Geographic Literacy in Education."

Locker is committed to continuing to do the work that led to Lakehead University's nomination for the County of Simcoe award. "Seniors ask us to tell it to them straight, to give them hope, and to show them how they can take action. They want to leave a legacy of care and activism."

"At its core, CELL promotes an age-friendly philosophy by ensuring older adults have opportunities to learn, contribute, participate, and connect," says Lakehead University Orillia Principal Dr. Linda Rodenburg.

The first talk in the TALL lecture series, "How to Build a Self-Correcting Life—and Civilization," is taking place this morning. TALL talks cost $20 per lecture or $80 for the entire series.

The 2026 Alumni Awards will be presented during Homecoming Weekend in Orillia at Lakehead Celebrates – Thursday, Oct. 15.

Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. Maureen Adamson, BBA ‘86

• Maureen Adamson is a distinguished post-secondary leader and proud Lakehead University alumna who has held senior leadership roles across education, health care, government, and the not-for-profit sector, including serving as President and CEO of Fleming College and Colleges Ontario. With more than 25 years of leadership and governance experience, Maureen has made significant contributions to higher education and public service while continuing to advance her own academic journey, recently completing a PhD in Higher Education.
• Currently President and CEO of Colleges Ontario

Rob Jamieson, BA/HBOR (Geography) '94

• Rob began his career with the Ontario Provincial Police in 1995 and went on to serve in a variety of leadership roles before becoming President and CEO of the Ontario Provincial Police Association in 2015. During his tenure, he championed the mental health and well-being of police officers and their families, leading the creation of Encompas, a groundbreaking program that has provided critical support to thousands of members and their families.
• Rob is a Past President of the Alumni Association of Lakehead University, Alumni Legacy Award recipient, and Lakehead University Civitas Award recipient.

Exceptional Alumni Award

Dr. Bryanna Scott-Kay, BA (Sociology) ‘98; HBSW '03; MPH '07; PhD (Education) '21

• Dr. Bryanna Scott-Kay is a proud Lakehead University alumna and accomplished Indigenous educator, leader, and advocate who has dedicated her career to advancing education, public health, and Indigenous programming across Northern Ontario. Through her leadership with the Métis Nation of Ontario, post-secondary institutions, school boards, and community organizations, Bryanna continues to make a meaningful contribution to Indigenous education and the communities she serves.

Dara McLeod, BEd '94

• Dara McLeod is a distinguished humanitarian leader and former journalist whose career has taken her from international conflict zones to senior roles in government and global advocacy. As Executive Director of War Child Canada, she draws on decades of experience in journalism, refugee advocacy, education, and public service to advance support for children and communities affected by conflict.

Trailblazer Award

Claudette McGowan, BA '17

• Claudette McGowan is a globally recognized technology leader and entrepreneur who has led digital transformation and cybersecurity initiatives for major organizations including BMO, TD Bank, Deloitte, and the Toronto Police Service. As CEO of Protexxa and founder of several initiatives supporting diversity and innovation, Claudette is also a passionate community leader dedicated to advancing opportunities for women and underrepresented communities in Canada’s technology sector.

Dr. Temitope Ojo, PhD (Forest Sciences) ‘24

• Dr. Temitope Moses Ojo is a forestry and natural resources leader whose work in strategic planning, GIS innovation, and ecological sustainability supports responsible resource management in Ontario. A proud Lakehead University alumnus, Temitope is also an active community and professional leader, having served with the Canadian Institute of Forestry, Lakehead’s CUPE Local 3905, and the Thunder Bay Anti-Racism & Equity Advisory Committee.

Alumni Legacy Award

Linda Henderson, HBPHE ’82, MSc ’85, BEd ‘85

• Linda Henderson is an accomplished coach and post-secondary athletics leader who is still contributing to the wellbeing of students in the sector.  Linda is a long-term Board member of the Alumni Association of Lakehead University and a tireless advocate for alumni engagement.

Ambassador Award

Rebecca Akrasi-Sarpong, BA (English) ‘14

• Rebecca Akrasi-Sarpong is a talented Canadian writer, poet, and portrait photographer whose creative work celebrates culture, community, and personal expression. A proud Lakehead University alumna, Rebecca has used her writing and photography to amplify community voices and document meaningful stories, including advocacy and science outreach initiatives during her time at Lakehead.

Erin Michele Knight, HBEM '19

• Erin Knight is a dedicated Lakehead University alumna and passionate community leader who has continued to champion the University through her volunteer leadership with the Canadian Institute of Forestry and Lakehead Conservation Foundation. Through mentoring students, supporting professional development, and building strong connections between Lakehead and the broader community, Erin exemplifies the spirit of a true Lakehead Ambassador. 

Honorary Membership

Dr. Frances Heylar

• Dr. Frances Helyar is a Professor Emerita of Education at Lakehead University’s Orillia campus who dedicated 15 years to teaching, academic leadership, and advancing innovative approaches to teacher education. Her research and teaching have explored the history of education, teacher identity, and alternative learning environments, including opportunities for student teachers to develop curriculum in museums, parks, and art galleries.

Award Descriptions

Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually in recognition of a seasoned Lakehead University alumnus/a well-established in their chosen career or field. The award recognizes significant lifetime contributions by an individual, whether through professional accomplishment, community involvement, or philanthropic dedication. 

Exceptional Alumni Award
The Exceptional Alumni Award is presented by the Alumni Association to an alumnus/a who has demonstrated distinction or outstanding achievement in a particular field, community service work, personal accomplishment, or significant local, national, or international recognition for a personal endeavor. 

Trailblazer Award
The Trailblazer Award is presented annually in recognition of a Lakehead University graduate, of the last ten years, who has flourished since graduation. The recipient will have shown exceptional and unconventional accomplishment in their professional career, community involvement, and/or philanthropic work in Canada or around the world. 

Alumni Legacy Award
The recipient of the Alumni Legacy Award has demonstrated exceptional commitment and contribution to the Alumni Association and the University, exemplifying the highest standards of personal and professional integrity, civic responsibility, vision and leadership.  This award identifies the recipient as a valued member of the alumni community.

Ambassador Award
The Ambassador Award is presented annually in recognition of a champion of Lakehead University. This award is presented to an individual whose dedication and continuing support of Lakehead University has made a significant impact on students, alumni, faculty and staff. Presented to an internal or external champion, the award recognizes the exceptional and unconventional community of Lakehead University. 

Honorary Membership
This award, given at the discretion of the Board of Directors, is the highest honour that the Association can bestow upon a non-graduate of Lakehead University.  It is in recognition of your significant efforts on behalf of, and contribution to the success and advancement of Lakehead University.

Sophie Regalado will join Lakehead University’s academic community as the new University Librarian beginning November 17, 2026.

With over two decades of leadership spanning academic and hospital libraries, Sophie currently serves as Director of the Health Sciences Library and Data Stewardship Office at NOSM University.

“I’m delighted to join Lakehead’s academic community and to lead its exceptional library team as University Librarian,” she says. “Libraries are at the heart of learning and discovery, and I look forward to working with colleagues, students, and the broader Lakehead community in shaping the next chapter together.”

Prior to her time at NOSM U, Sophie held progressive leadership roles within the Health Sciences Library for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine on Lakehead’s Thunder Bay campus. She’s been an active member of Lakehead’s Centre for Research on Safe Driving since 2016 and taught as a sessional lecturer in Lakehead University’s departments of History and Gender and Women’s Studies. In addition, she also served as the Manager of Library Services at St. Joseph’s Care Group in Thunder Bay.

Sophie holds a Master of Information Studies from the University of Toronto and a Master of Arts in History from McMaster University. A distinguished member of the Academy of Health Information Professionals since 2015—the highest professional credential for health sciences librarianship—Sophie has deeply contributed to her field. Her leadership contributions include serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association and President of the Ontario Health Libraries Association. Beyond her university roles, Sophie has also held key roles with the Medical Library Association, the Canadian Health Libraries Association’s Board of Directors, and currently chairs the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Information Literacy Frameworks and Standards Committee. Her dedication to the field has been celebrated nationwide, receiving both the Ontario Health Libraries Association’s Outstanding Achievement Award and the Canadian Health Libraries Association’s Canadian Hospital Librarian of the Year Award.

“We are thrilled to have Sophie joining us and look forward to welcoming her to Lakehead University and this new role,” says Dr. Gillian Balfour, Provost and Vice-President (Academic).