News & Stories

Mar 6	First Nation and Métis Nation Leaders Support Faculty of Law's Proposed Course Enhancement (Thunder Bay) Lakehead's Dean of the Faculty of Law, Lee Stuesser, has proposed a new course that will be an enhancement to the new law program's first year curriculum. It is Dean Stuesser's hope that this proposal will address the fundamental demand of the students staging a sit-in outside the University President's Office. A proposed new law course, Law 1535: Aboriginal Perspectives, would be positioned as a mandatory, half-credit component of the curriculum to complement Law 1530: Native Canadian World Views & Law, which has already been approved by Lakehead University Senate. The course will assume an experiential format, and introduce students to Aboriginal culture, traditions and perspectives through speakers, dialogue and experience-based learning.
Mar 5	Lakehead University Celebrates International Women's Day on Thursday, March 7 (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University's Department of Women's Studies is celebrating International Women's Day on Thursday, March 7 with Western University's Dr. Treena Orchard. "Dr. Orchard's presentation will be of interest to students, faculty and members of the broader community with an interest in social justice, human rights and gender issues," said Lakehead University Women's Studies professor Dr. Pam Wakewich, who hopes for a large turnout at Thursday's event. "It will also give us an opportunity, on the eve of International Women's Day, to talk about the ways in which participatory action research can be an effective tool for personal reflection and social change."
Mar 4	Lakehead University's Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining & Exploration Launched Today (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University's Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining and Exploration (CESME), launched today, will play a lead role in economic development by bringing together Northern communities and the mining industry to build better relationships. The Centre will encourage and support research, education and outreach activities regarding the nature and impacts of mineral resource exploration and extraction particularly in Northern Ontario. "Building better relationships between mining companies and the communities where they work will be critical to the development of Northern Ontario," said Dr. Peter Hollings, CESME Director and Chair of Lakehead University's Geology Department.
Mar 1	Innovation at Lakehead University recognized with Business Achievement Awards (Orillia) Innovative programs and research activity at Lakehead University's Orillia campus were recognized last night during the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards reception, held at Hawk Ridge Golf & Country Club in Orillia. Lakehead Orillia was the recipient of the Technological Advancement Award for an innovative research project with Polymer Specialties International Ltd. (PSI) to develop improved degradable plastic film products. Lakehead professor, Dr. Chris Murray, who leads the research team, along with Derek Rynard of PSI, accepted the award.
Feb 28	Lakehead Opens 8th Annual Research and Innovation Week (Thunder Bay) Lakehead's Research and Innovation Week opening ceremonies in the Agora celebrate the amazing projects conducted by faculty and students. "Research and Innovation at Lakehead nurtures scholarship, contributes to the prosperity of our community, and makes a difference in people's lives," said Dr. Rui Wang, Vice President of Research, Economic Development and Innovation. "This week is an invitation to the residents of Thunder Bay and Simcoe County to see the high calibre research conducted at Lakehead, meet the researchers who make it happen and discover the benefits this research has for everyone," Dr. Wang said. Lakehead President Dr. Brian Stevenson said Research and Innovation Week is an opportunity to thank and honour the important work of the researchers who contribute to the overall knowledge of various topics.
Feb 28	Lakehead University's Research and Innovation Week Showcases Exciting Projects (Orillia) Lakehead University celebrates its eighth annual Research & Innovation Week by introducing its brilliant researchers and students to the community from February 8 to 14 at its Orillia and Thunder Bay campuses.
Feb 27	Lakehead University to Host Pair of Math Competitions (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University's Department of Mathematical Sciences is preparing to host two mathematics contests for students of various ages. "Both contests provide students with challenging questions beyond the regular curriculum that will spark their interest in mathematics," said Dr. Adam Van Tuyl, Mathematical Sciences Professor and Chair.
Feb 26	Lakehead Appoints New Vice-Provost, Aboriginal Initiatives (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University has named Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux as its Vice-Provost (Aboriginal Initiatives). She will assume her new responsibilities, which will be based at the University's Thunder Bay campus, effective July 1, 2013. "Dr. Wesley-Esquimaux is an excellent choice for Vice-Provost," said Dr. Rodney Hanley, Lakehead's Provost and Vice-President (Academic). "Her experience in Aboriginal leadership, community development, and her strategic vision will be invaluable and I am thrilled she will be joining us at Lakehead." Dr. Wesley-Esquimaux has held the Nexen Chair in Aboriginal Leadership at Alberta's Banff Centre for the past four years. She is a Status Only Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto and an Adjunct Professor at Carleton University.
Feb 22	Lakehead hosts Community Builder and Author Paul Born (Thunder Bay) Internationally recognized author and community builder, Paul Born, is hosting a free public presentation that will create new dialogue, foster a sense of hope and build true connections between people whose energies might otherwise go unharnessed. Paul is a social entrepreneur, director of Tamarack - An Institute for Community Engagement, and co-founder of Vibrant Communities. The public presentation discusses building vibrant communities.
Feb 14	Lakehead University Names its 2012 Distinguished Researchers of the Year (Thunder Bay) Dr. Sonja Grover, Professor in the Faculty of Education, and Dr. Aicheng Chen, Chemistry Professor and Canada Research Chair in Material and Environmental Chemistry, are Lakehead's 2012 Distinguished Researchers of the Year. "Dr. Grover and Dr. Chen are excellent researchers - it's no surprise that they were selected," said Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research, Economic Development & Innovation). "Our researchers help put Lakehead University and Thunder Bay on the map," said Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson. "More importantly, Dr. Grover's and Dr. Chen's respective research also brings economic and scientific benefits to our city and Northwestern Ontario in new and innovative ways."
Feb 14	Lakehead Celebrates 2012's Top 10 Research and Innovation Achievements (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University's inaugural Top 10 Research and Innovation Achievements recognized the best of 2012 and highlighted the important work being done by the University's researchers. "These achievements were selected by the University community," said Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research, Economic Development & Innovation). "Lakehead is a research-intensive university and we're proud to celebrate the top 10 achievements from 2012." Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson said the University has the best and brightest researchers working to improve the world through research and innovation. "It's important that we recognize the contributions Lakehead's researchers make to our community. These individuals often avoid the spotlight, however this event offered our community the chance to congratulate their dedication and hard work," Dr. Stevenson said.
Feb 13	Lakehead Professors talk about Research Matters and the Future (Thunder Bay) Lakehead University Chemical Engineering Professor Dr. Lionel Catalan and Chemistry Professor Dr. Stephen Kinrade are the perfect pair to help cement Lakehead's reputation as a research-intensive university through the Council of Universities' Research Matters Campaign. Research Matters educates the general public about the important projects happening every day at Lakehead and other Ontario universities. Dr. Catalan and Dr. Kinrade are excellent choices due to their roles as lead researchers in the creation of an additive that makes stronger and more environmentally friendly cement, the glue that holds concrete together.
Feb 12	Lakehead Orillia's Research & Innovation Week Opens with Celebration of Top Five Achievements (Orillia) Lakehead University launched its eighth annual Research & Innovation Week today at the Orillia campus with a keynote presentation by Interdisciplinary Studies professor, Dr. Tim Kaiser, and the announcement of Lakehead Orillia's Top Five Research & Innovation achievements
Feb 9	Lakehead Donation Creates Northern Lake Superior Research Award (Thunder Bay) A generous donation to Lakehead University's Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies has allowed the creation of the Northern Lake Superior Research Awards. With various University departments matching the contribution, the Faculty has received almost $400,000 to provide research stipends and awards to undergraduate and graduate students' research projects pertaining to Northern Lake Superior. "The largest freshwater lake in the world is on our doorstep and provides a unique and special research opportunity for our students," said Dr. Andrew Dean, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies.
Feb 8	Lakehead University Researchers Awarded Large NSERC Grant (Thunder Bay) Dr. Han Chen, Lakehead Professor in Natural Resources Management, and his co-applicants have received a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada strategic project grant worth $620,761 over three years. Working with Lakehead researchers, Dr. Jian Wang and Dr. Chander Shahi, Dr. Chen will examine ways to minimize the environmental impact of biomass harvesting and maximize economic opportunities. "Without funding it's nearly impossible to do research such as this," Dr. Chen said. For the next three years, Dr. Chen will work with his research partners and at least a dozen students in the boreal forest north of Thunder Bay.
Feb 7	Lakehead University's Research and Innovation Week Hosts IBM's Smarter Cities (Thunder Bay) IBM Canada's Smarter Cities Executive, John Longbottom, will talk about Smarter Cities as part of Lakehead University's Research and Innovation Week. The breakfast event will take place in the University's faculty lounge, Monday, Feb. 11. "Smarter Cities take advantage of a growing amount of data that provides insight which allows planners to make better decisions about traffic, roads, water, health care, social services, buildings and more," Longbottom said.
Feb 6	Lakehead Researcher's Film about Innocent Man sent to Prison (Thunder Bay) Hard Time is a film about the 31 years Robert King spent in prison for crimes he did not commit, including 29 years in solitary confinement. "It takes every scrap of humanity to stay focused and sane in that environment," King said in Hard Time, a film by Lakehead University researcher and History Professor Ron Harpelle. "I should be anything but what I am today, but sometimes the spirit is stronger than the circumstances," King said.
Feb 6	Jay Ingram discusses animal consciousness during Lakehead's Research and Innovation Week (Thunder Bay) Science broadcaster and writer Jay Ingram will discuss animal consciousness during his Tuesday, Feb. 12 presentation, part of Lakehead University's Research and Innovation Week. "People aren't completely sure if other people are conscious; the standard joke is 'I can't really tell if you're conscious,'" Ingram said. "Scientists have examined areas of the human brain that seem to be necessary and looked to see if animals have similar structures."
Feb 5	Lakehead University's New Faculty of Law Hires First Faculty Members (Thunder Bay) The founding dean of Lakehead University's Faculty of Law, Lee Stuesser, proudly introduced his first three hires. The law school, Ontario's first in 44 years, has appointed two assistant professors -- a Lakehead University alumna who specializes in Aboriginal legal issues, and an experienced Canadian Constitutional Law teacher -- and a head librarian who is also a lawyer. "One thing is clear: Lakehead University's ability to attract such quality people bodes well for the future of this law school," said Stuesser. "I'm very excited how our Law School's inaugural year is taking shape."
Jan 21	Lakehead Seeks Nominations for Prestigious Fellow of the University (Thunder Bay) The Board of Directors of Lakehead University is seeking nominations for "Fellow of the University," which recognizes people who have contributed to the growth, development and well being of Lakehead University. Candidates should have substantially contributed to education at Lakehead University, as well as to the University's growth and development. They should be active participants in charities, service clubs, community organizations, and business and professional groups. The selected Fellow(s) is given the right to attend and speak at meetings of the Board of Governors as a non-voting member, the right to participate in Convocation ceremonies, the right to wear designated academic dress, as well as other special privileges.

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