For three decades, David H. Gordon was committed to helping others.  Born in Sudbury, Ontario, David dedicated his life to the legal profession, practicing as a senior partner at McCarthy Tétrault for over 35 years where he was also a tireless mentor to young attorneys.

Today, David’s legacy continues to impact future law leaders through the D.H. Gordon Foundation Law Award.  Established in 2013 by the D.H. Gordon Foundation in his memory, the prestigious $10,000 award is awarded annually to one student from the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law on the basis of academic excellence and financial need, with the hope of making law school more accessible and affordable.

Through the generosity of donors like the D.H. Gordon Foundation, the Faculty of Law has been able to recruit and retain highly qualified and diverse students.  These gifts are a special investment in our law school, and instil in our students a sense of confidence, pride, and encouragement.

“Having been selected to receive the D.H. Gordon Foundation Award, the financial costs of pursuing my studies has been significantly reduced, which has enabled me to devote more of my time to focus on my studies and academic activities.  This award has inspired me to believe that I can move forward with my dreams and make them a reality.”

Amanda Somek,
JD Graduate 2017
Bora Laskin Faculty of Law                                                                                                

A photo of David is proudly displayed in the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law to help inspire and call to attention the value of listening, learning, and working hard: driving forces that David exemplified in his life and practice.

For more information on how you can support students at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, please contact Lee-Anne Camlin at (807) 346-7792 or rlcamlin@lakeheadu.ca 

Pictured above from l. to r.: Mark Tilbury, Director of Annual Fund and Alumni Engagement, Leah Ching, LUSU President, Robert Strachan, LUSU Food Bank Coordinator, Lindsey Kelly, VP Advocacy, LUSU and Michel Beaulieu, President of the Alumni Assocation of Lakehead University.

The Alumni Association of Lakehead University recently provided a donation of $2,500 to support the LUSU Food Bank and Food Security programs at the Thunder Bay and Orillia Campuses.  “There is, unfortunately, an ever present need for these services on our campuses,” says Alumni Association President, Dr. Michel Beaulieu.  By making this contribution the Alumni Association hopes to encourage others to support this vital student support.   

When Lakehead University’s Crowd Funding pages launch in the near future, the Food Security for students will be one of the projects that individuals will have an opportunity to support.

I first met Ray Stewart (HBComm '72) in the summer of 2015 in the halls of PACI. Born in Thunder Bay, Ray had travelled from his home in British Columbia to visit his mother and father’s grave and refresh the floral arrangement; an annual event, he acknowledged. Charming, intelligent and incredibly humble, Ray and I spoke for more than two hours of growing up in Thunder Bay, his time at PACI and at Lakehead University.

"Any success an individual achieves is a result of the people in their lives," says Ray.

From parental support, to meeting the Chief of Police as a teenager, having a group of strong academic advisors in university and marrying his high school sweetheart, Ray appreciates the meaning of imperfect decisions and good judgement. People are the difference.

In life, Ray has always worked hard and played hard based on a simple principle. Honour the 7-7-7 rule (work 7am-7pm 7 days a week until the job is done) and surround yourself with people that are smarter than you and who love you.

Encouraged by his first wife, Rita, now deceased, and their two young sons, Ray enrolled at Lakehead university as a mature student and graduated in 1972 with an Honours Degree of Bachelor of Commerce and went on to pursue a Masters degree of Business Admin at Simon Fraser.

A successful businessman and consultant of 3 decades, Ray is now retired and living on a ranch in the South Okanagan with his new wife Jennifer and their eclectic animal kingdom. With a shared love of art, fast cars, travel, animals of all shapes and sizes (yes, even a pet rattle snake named Fred), Ray is proud of his accomplishments. The couple have five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Pictured right:  Ray Stewart with wife, Jennifer in front of the donor wall in the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law building (the former PACI.)

Ray's memories of growing up in Thunder Bay are still vivid and treasured. His boyish grin, ever present as we walked through PACI on that hot summer day, clearly brought him back to a time that was simple and heart-warming.

Philanthropic by nature and inspired by the transformation of a heritage building into a modern Faculty of Law in 2013, Ray and Jennifer have purchased 5 named plaques on the main floor "2013" donor wall in PACI to recognize those people that have made a difference in their lives, including a retired Lakehead University professor. People are the difference.

My time with Ray Stewart two years ago was one of the nicest experiences I have had with a donor. A genuine and hard-working man, he has learned to appreciate the important messages in life. Life is not easy, but it is purposeful.

By:   Lee-Anne Camlin

Many thanks to North American Palladium for their donation of $20,000 in support of Superior Science at Lakehead University.  Their gift plays a significant role in expanding their outreach efforts throughout Northwestern Ontario and the enhancement of their summer science camps, girls club programming, community events and Indigenous outreach. Thank you for sparking our future leaders' interests in science, engineering and technology!

The Institute of Italian Studies has graciously donated $15,000 to Lakehead University to establish the Institute of Italian Studies Graduate Award.

This award will support a Masters or PhD student who is conducting research aligned with the mandate of the Institute in the “promotion, appreciation, research and study of the Italian language, Italian-Canadian culture and history with a special but not exclusive reference to Northwestern Ontario”.

Lakehead University has had a longstanding partnership and interconnected relationship with the Institute of Italian Studies. Since 2013, a gift of $36,000 from the Institute has supported the Cortona Project, a life-changing cultural experience that has brought international exchange students to beautiful Tuscany, enriching the educational experience for participating students to study abroad.

"I thank the Institute of Italian Studies for their exceptional support of our students through its Graduate Award and exchange program," said Lakehead’s President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson.

“Through this award and the Institute’s ongoing support of Lakehead University, our students and the people of Thunder Bay gain a further appreciation of the rich cultural heritage and positive impact of our Italian community,” he added.

In addition to supporting student scholarships, the Institute has assumed fundraising activities for the University, most notably with the 2005 challenge issued by Dr. Arthur Mauro. The Institute of Italian Studies promoted the challenge to the Thunder Bay Italian community, raising over $150,000 which was matched by Dr. Mauro with an additional $150,000 towards the Advanced Technology and Academic Centre (ATAC) capital campaign and a Chair in Italian Studies.

The generosity and enthusiasm of the Institute of Italian Studies and its members in supporting Italian culture has provided Lakehead University students with an exceptional and unconventional learning environment and experience that will last a lifetime. 

Grazie mille to the Institute of Italian Studies Board of Directors.

Pictured:  Julia Ieropoli (centre) was named Lakehead University's inaugural Naysmith Scholar. The Naysmith Scholar announcement was made with Dr. John Naysmith (third from left), founding Dean of the Forestry Faculty; Bob Rooney (Dr. Naysmith's son-in-law, far left); Jean-Ann Naysmith Rooney (Dr. Naysmith's daughter, second from left); Dr. Brian Stevenson; Dr. Ulf Runesson; and Sasha Naysmith McMonagle (Dr. Naysmith's granddaughter, far right).

A student who has completed their third year of an Honours Bachelor of Science in Forestry or Honours Bachelor of Environmental Management will be named annually as the Naysmith Scholar. This student must demonstrate the values and principles that Dr. Naysmith embodies including: leadership, a willingness to listen, the ability to motivate and inspire others, and more.

“John, Toie, and the Naysmith family have given years of service and dedication to Lakehead,” Dr. Stevenson said. “John is in a class of people singled out for their unwavering support of the exceptional and unconventional that is our University – which is why we created this annual award.”

Dr. Naysmith's commitment to Lakehead University, included serving as the Director of the School of Forestry and founding Dean of the Faculty of Forestry from 1988 to 1995. He taught for another 10 years after retiring and made many other contributions to the forestry industry. In 2011, Dr. Naysmith was named a Fellow of the University.

The inaugural Naysmith Scholar is Julia Ieropoli, a fourth-year student working toward an Honours Bachelor of Science in Forestry. Her Lakehead studies have included gaining experience in both the private and government sector, as well as exposure to international situations.

“Julia was selected based on her demonstrated dedication to a level of stewardship that means doing the right thing and using best practices to reach a balance of social and cultural values with ecological sustainability and economic viability,” explained Dr. Ulf Runesson, Dean of Lakehead’s Faculty of Natural Resources Management.

“She also provides leadership and a willingness to volunteer, while personifying the exceptional standard of students our programs are designed for — dedicated and assertive, while at the same time capable of showing humility and a capacity to motivate and listen to others.”

Lakehead University’s Music Department is pleased to announce a new scholarship. The “Roy Coran Memorial Scholarship” was established through funds accrued from three Roy Coran Big Band Concert events held at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium from 2013 to 2015.

A local musical legend, Roy Coran entertained audiences for nearly 70 years.  A master of the saxophone and music arrangement, Roy’s work ethic and sheer talent inspired other musicians to join his jazz band and hone their craft.  Coran’s Music Centre was established in 1957 by Roy and his family and served the local musical community for over 40 years. 

The Roy Coran Memorial Scholarship will be awarded on the recommendation of the Department of Music to a student entering the first year of the Honours Bachelor of Music, Honours Bachelor of Arts (Music), or Honours Bachelor of Arts (Music)/Bachelor of Education (Concurrent) degree programs on the basis of strong academic standing and music performance. 

The Department of Music at Lakehead University was established in 1988 and has grown dramatically in size and reputation over the past two decades.  The music programs offered have been carefully designed to offer students a fine balance between academic and performance courses.  Graduates of Lakehead's music program have launched successful careers as music teachers, professional musicians, musicologists, composers, music librarians, arts administrators, music critics, music professors, and many other exciting career paths. 

It has been said that music was Roy’s life.  Through the newly established Roy Coran Memorial Scholarship, his musical legacy will live on and inspire future musicians to dream more, practice more and be more. A gift to Lakehead’s Department of Music will directly benefit a student’s educational experience and professional career. Your support is a “key” to their success.

For more information on how to support the Department of Music at Lakehead University or to contribute to the Roy Coran Memorial Scholarship, please contact Kathryn Davidson, Philanthropy Director at (807) 343-8899 or by email at philanthropy.dir@lakeheadu.ca

The country’s third largest legal practice – Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP – has donated $125,000 to the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University to establish a new award.

The Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP Law Award has a dual purpose. Every year, the award will be given to a second-year student on the basis of academic achievement and financial need. In addition, a portion of the gift will allow Lakehead students to participate in the Wilson Moot. The Wilson Moot is a competitive national event held annually to explore legal issues concerning women and minorities in order to promote the education of students and the legal profession in these areas.

“The Bora Laskin Faculty of Law was established to focus on access to justice,” said Norm Steinberg, global vice chair of the firm and chairman of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada. “It prepares graduates to practice in smaller centres, serving clients who are currently under-serviced by the legal profession. The school has a mandate to focus its admission criteria on students, including those from First Nations, who have not traditionally formed part of law schools’ student demographic. We are pleased to support this, and to expand our diversity efforts in the Canadian legal education community.”

Norton Rose Fulbright Canada is a leader in diversity and inclusion. They aspire to create an environment where everyone can realize their full potential and career ambitions on the basis of merit and skill. Their generous gift to Lakehead University will do just that by helping Bora Laskin Faculty of Law students for decades to come.

To learn more about the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University, visit: www.lakeheadu.ca/academics/departments/law

With the same spirit and drive that has made TBT Engineering a leading force in the business sector, Rob and Liana Frenette continue to demonstrate a commitment to Lakehead University through the establishment of a graduate level scholarship in civil engineering.  “Having 50 years of Lakehead University in Northwestern Ontario has allowed numerous students to attend university.  Without an engineering program in the region, TBT Engineering would not have been able to achieve all that we have as a Northwestern Ontario business.”   

Liana Frenette, is a past member of the Alumni Association of Lakehead University’s board of directors and a Lakehead Alumna.  In the spring of 2015, Liana, along with her husband Rob, also a Lakehead graduate, graciously made a gift of $20,000 to establish a graduate scholarship in civil engineering. “We rely on the students and graduates every year. A master's in engineering program at Lakehead will allow many to fulfill their dreams of furthering their engineering education,” they explain.    

Recently ranked as one of Canada’s top female entrepreneurs, Liana Frenette appreciates the value of a good work ethic and a dedicated team.  Having just celebrated their 20th anniversary under Liana’s leadership as CEO, TBT Engineering credits their success to fostering relationships with local and Aboriginal communities.   

TBT Engineering is Northern Ontario’s largest independently owned civil engineering consulting firm and is proud to be an active community partner, making a positive difference in the lives of people and families in our city.  It is through this corporate philosophy that the students of Lakehead University will benefit for years to come.