A Lakehead grad played a role in the success of the James Webb telescope

Wednesday, July 13, 2022 /

Colette Lepage headshot

Twenty-three years ago, Colette Lepage (BEng.'99) graduated from Lakehead University with a degree in chemical engineering.

This week she was reflecting on how what she learned at Lakehead helped her work on the James Webb Space Telescope project.

Soon after graduating, the Sudbury-area native got a job as a contamination control engineer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

For years, Lepage managed the large "cleanroom" where much of the James Webb flight hardware was integrated.

It's where airborne and molecular contaminants are kept away from aerospace components during assembly and testing.

Late last year, Lepage participated in preparations for the launch of the JWST from the spaceport in French Guiana.

That three-month project utilized meticulous contamination controls.

She was present for the historic Christmas Day launch of the largest space observatory ever built.

Now, after seeing the astonishing images it has sent back to Earth, it's almost overwhelming for her to realize what the international team that worked on the project has accomplished.

"Pride, a sense of relief of course because it works, really excited about what the future holds, what discoveries will be unfolded. I mean, this can change the way humanity sees the universe," Lepage told TBnewswatch in an interview from her office in Maryland.

"How exhilarating!" she added.

Like most other people, she's impressed by the crispness of the images, describing them as beautiful and awe-inspiring.

Lepage looks forward to what the telescope teaches humankind about the universe in the months and years to come.

"For me, learning more about the exoplanets is one of the things that's most exciting. What can we learn about planets that are rotating around other stars in our galaxy? I can't wait to see what they come up with."

JWST is a collaboration of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.

Lepage feels people everywhere should be inspired by the success of this partnership.

That teamwork, she said is one of the lessons she learned while going to school in Thunder Bay.

"As an engineer you're taught a lot of technical stuff, but there's a human element as well. You have to work well together," Lepage said. "Working hard, long hours, well into the night kind of carried forward into my career."

Although she's based in the U.S., she gets back home to Northern Ontario every so often to visit family.

During a recent shopping trip in Sudbury, a chance encounter with a stranger demonstrated to Lepage how people everywhere are intrigued by JWST.

After the man noticed the James Webb launch team T-shirt she was wearing, he initiated a conversation and was impressed on learning she actually worked on the project.

It turned out the man had a backyard telescope and knew quite a bit about JWST.

"I found it interesting that somebody was able to approach me and talk to me about it. It kind of inspires me to know the rest of the world was watching while all of this was happening, and that I was part of it," Lepage said.

"Sudbury is a small city in Northern Ontario but it reached everybody, which is so cool."

Source:  Tbnewswatch.com

Nighthawk Gold Appoints New Vice President of Exploration

Thursday, May 5, 2022 / Campus

John McBride headshot

Nighthawk Gold Corp. is pleased to announce the appointment of John McBride (HBSc.'08/MSc.'10) as the Vice President, Exploration. The Company has outlined its fully funded 2-Year Exploration Program at its district-scale property in Northwest Territories, Canada.

Keyvan Salehi, President & CEO commented, “We are excited to have John join the Company as our Vice President of Exploration, at a critical phase of advancement of our exploration assets in our district-scale land package in the Northwest Territories. Our Company will benefit from his extensive experience with two robust Canadian mining projects, namely the Valentine Lake Gold Project and the Marathon Palladium-Copper Project.”

“With the successful update to our Mineral Resource Estimate1 along with the additional cash on our balance sheet, we believe Nighthawk is strongly positioned to continue advancing our assets towards a large-scale, open-pit gold project. Our fully funded 2-Year Exploration Program will focus on continuing to expand and increase confidence in the higher-grade, open-pit mineralization of our deposits. Phase 1 drilling will commence on May 9th, and we look forward to updating the markets on results on a timely basis.”

Vice President of Exploration Appointment

Mr. McBride has approximately 15 years of experience in advancing exploration projects, particularly in field-based geology across Canada in the exploration for precious metals, base metals and diamonds. Most recently, John was the Exploration Manager at Generation Mining Ltd., where he led the exploration programs that were essential in advancing the Marathon Palladium-Copper Project, located in Northern Ontario, Canada, towards a definitive feasibility study. Previously, Mr. McBride was a Senior Exploration Geologist at Marathon Gold Corp., where he managed the exploration programs for the Valentine Lake Gold Project, located in Newfoundland, Canada, resulting in the expansion of the known open-pit mineralization of the project’s deposits. John graduated from Lakehead University with a HBSc. in Geology (2007) and a MSc. in Geology (2010) and is a member in good standing with the association of Professional Geoscientists in Ontario, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Taekwondo Canada Names Allan Wrigley New High Performance Director

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 / Campus

Dr. Allan Wrigley headshot

Taekwondo Canada, the governing body for the sport of taekwondo in Canada, is pleased to announce that Dr. Allan Wrigley (HBK'00/MSc.'02) has been named as the organization’s new High Performance Director.

Wrigley, a resident of Sooke, British Columbia, brings an extensive background in amateur sport to the position, with experience as a sport science and medicine leader in Canadian Olympic and Paralympic programming. Wrigley’s experience as the Integrated Support Team Director for Swimming Canada, as well as his work as the Senior Sport Biomechanist at the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, saw him hold the responsibility for the oversight of applied strategy for sport science, sport medicine and innovation programs in collaboration with Canadian high performance sport partners.

Wrigley’s experience has also allowed him to participate in the development of high performance plans, team selection, carding criteria, Gold Medal Profiles, and athlete and program gap analyses to support an evidence-based approach to athlete development. Wrigley has worked closely with clubs, provincial sport organizations, and national performance partners to both define and reinforce the critical nature of performance pathways. A proponent of athlete and staff mental wellness, Wrigley was also the primary author and developer of Swimming Canada’s Mental Health Strategy that has seen the direct contracting of clinical support for the organization’s high performance programs.

Wrigley said of the announcement today:

“I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to lead Taekwondo Canada’s high performance programs. My overall vision is to support both current and future high performance athletes and coaches in a systematic and sustainable way that values the technical expertise that already exists within the Canadian taekwondo community. We will focus on continuous improvement across the athlete development pathway and provide the necessary support to help our top performers convert to Olympic medalists. On a personal level, over the past 10 years I have experienced the value of taekwondo in helping to shape both the physical and social development of my children, and I want to ensure that Canada’s high performance taekwondo athletes are well positioned to continue to inspire the next generation.”

Taekwondo Canada Executive Director Dave Harris said of the appointment:

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Allan as the new High Performance Director for Taekwondo Canada. His experience in amateur sport as well as his skill set in high performance will allow him to work well with our athletes and coaches, ensuring that they are being developed to reach the next level.”

 

New General Manager for McBride Community Forest Corporation

Friday, January 21, 2022 /

Patrick Penner headshot

The beginning of 2022 brought a new face to the McBride Community Forest Corporation. Patrick Penner (HBScF'15) stepped into his role on January 3, 2022 as the General Manager. Penner has begun a six month transition and training period where he will be working closely with outgoing Manager Ray Theissen.

Penner arrived in McBride in 2017 for a job doing forestry layout for Randy McFarland.

“I was working as a cruiser in Ontario on contract jobs, and the contracts dried up,” he said. “I started looking elsewhere and thought McBride was a good fit.”

Penner’s passion for trees and forestry began when he worked as a Forest Ranger in Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park when he was 16 years old.

He attended Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, the only school in Ontario that offered a Forestry program, where he specialized in Wood Products and Forest Marketing.

Since graduating from Lakehead, he has held jobs with several companies across the country, and has seen different management styles. Through these experiences, he has learned what methods work well, and which do not.

When the position with MCFC opened up he thought it was a great opportunity to take on a new role within the forestry industry.

“My hope is to not manage blind,” said Penner. “I want to learn at least a little about all the aspects of the organization so I can understand the big picture.”

“I am looking forward to working with MCFC to manage the forest by utilizing all aspects of it, not just parts.”

In the time since his move to the valley, Penner’s appreciation for the area has grown. He loves being outdoors and through both work and personal exploring has gained an appreciation for what McBride has to offer.

Having grown up in the small town of Kingsville Ontario, he is no stranger to a tight-knit community.

“McBride is smaller than Kingsville,” he said. “It is a good little community. It is easy to get to know people, and people are friendly.”

 

Source: www.therockymountaingoat.com

RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador welcomes new Commanding Officer

Wednesday, April 27, 2022 / Campus

Jennifer Ebert headshot

The new Commanding Officer for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Newfoundland and Labrador, Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Ebert (HBA'95), assumed her duties on April 25, 2022. She has served in various locations and capacities in her 25-year policing career, most recently as the Commanding Officer for the RCMP in Prince Edward Island.

"I am so pleased to have this opportunity that brings me to beautiful Newfoundland and Labrador and appreciate the warm welcome I've received," said Assistant Commissioner Ebert. "I look forward to visiting the RCMP locations throughout the province and connecting with our employees and partners."

Ebert was born and raised in London, Ontario and joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1997. Her career has included postings in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island, working in the areas of general duty policing, major crime, intimate partner violence and professional standards, among other areas. See her full biography in the Backgrounder below.

Assistant Commissioner Ebert holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in political science from Lakehead University, a Police Leadership Certificate from Dalhousie University, a Professional Leadership Certificate from the University of Regina and a certificate in NeuroLeadership from the NeuroLeadership Institute NY, as well as other professional police leadership certificates from the Australian Institute of Police Management and Charles Stuart University.

She lives with her husband and youngest child in the community of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's and looks forward to enjoying the coastlines, trails and culture of Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

Source: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Scott Paddington named Chief Agent and Chief Underwriting Officer of Everest Reinsurance Canada

Tuesday, April 26, 2022 / Campus

Scott Paddington headshot

Everest Reinsurance announced the promotion of Scott Paddington (HBComm'99) to Chief Agent and Chief Underwriting Officer of Everest Reinsurance Canada.

Paddington will oversee the operations of Everest's reinsurance business in Canada. The appointment is part of the company's continued investments in its deep bench of reinsurance talent and strategic goals and will continue to strengthen Everest's leading market position.

"Everest's leadership in the global reinsurance market can be credited to its exceptional team of talent. Scott's diverse banking, broker and financial advising background, coupled with his tenure at Everest uniquely positions him to drive the Everest reinsurance business forward," said Jill Beggs, Head of North America Reinsurance. 

Since Paddington joined Everest in 2010, he has successfully led the growth and profitability of the Everest portfolio. Prior to joining Everest, Paddington worked as a financial advisor at Nesbitt Burns, in insurance at Empyrean and in reinsurance at Guy Carpenter Canada, as well as at various Canadian banks where he developed expertise in both capital markets and global risk management. He holds an MBA from Schulich School of Business and an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Lakehead University.

Source: www.everestre.com

Long-time volunteer with Scouts Canada awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers

Friday, March 4, 2022 / Online

Colin Ballantyne headshot in Scouts uniform

Burlington, ON, March 4th, 2022:

Colin Ballantyne (BAdmin'92) a long-time volunteer with Scouts Canada and 1st Port Nelson Scouts, has been awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers. This medal, administered by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, is part of the Canadian Honours System and celebrates exceptional volunteer achievements in a wide range of fields. 

For more than two decades, Colin has been involved with the Scout movement, through which he has organized training courses for thousands of youth in the community, co-founded the Burlington Area Canoe Camp, coordinated the Burlington Area Competition Camp, and worked as camp chief of the Burlington Scout/Guide Co-op Camp. He currently serves as group commissioner and troop scouter for 1st Port Nelson Scouts.

 
“Volunteers like Colin are the heart and soul of Scouting,” said Mark Wyatt, Central Escarpment Scouts Council Commissioner. “Colin goes out of his way to ensure that we deliver an exceptional program for local youth, encouraging them to try new things, make new friends, give back to the community and build skills that last a lifetime. Beyond working with the youth, he gives back to the broader Scouting organization by mentoring other volunteers and providing input into programming at the National level.” 


Colin was originally scheduled to receive the Sovereign’s Medal at a group ceremony at Queen’s Park in 2020; however, the event was cancelled at the onset of the pandemic. Colin received his medal from the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in a private outdoor ceremony, in the presence of his family and a few of his fellow Scouting volunteers. 

Media contact:

Mark Wyatt

Council Commissioner, 

Central Escarpment Council

905-379-0888

mark.wyatt@scouts.ca

Frederic Diebel named Mayor of Nairn & Hyman Township

Monday, January 10, 2022 / Campus

Frederic Diebel headshot

At the Monday, Jan. 10 council meeting, Deputy Mayor Frederic Diebel was appointed the new mayor of Nairn & Hyman Township following a notice of motion for his nomination.

At 22-years-old, Mayor Frederic Diebel is one of the country's youngest mayors. The Township of Nairn and Hyman appointed him to the vacant slot after the previous mayor resigned.

Diebel already made headlines three years ago as one of the province's youngest councillors in his hometown, located west of Greater Sudbury.

The mayor's dance card is full and he's already developing quite an impressive resume. Not only has he held the position of councillor, deputy mayor and now mayor, he's also completed an undergraduate degree at Carleton University and is currently enrolled in year one at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University.

Read more here.

Elliot Lake announces a new Director of Recreation and Culture

Saturday, January 15, 2022 / Campus

Karilynn (Kari) Kluke headshot

Karilynn (Kari) Kluke is returning to her home town as the new Director of Recreation and Culture in Elliot Lake, ON.

"I was born and raised in Elliot Lake and my first job with the city was as a lifeguard at the pool and beach," she explained.  

"I was also part of the recreation summer students when I was in post secondary. I went Thunder Bay (Lakehead University) for four years and to St. Catharines (Brock University) for two years after that."

"I'm excited to be bringing my skills and past experience that I've been accumulating in recreation, whether that's on the management side," she said. "I'm hoping to just work with the team here to continue to expand and grow the recreation and culture assets and programs."

The largely seniors demographic in Elliot Lake is gradually changing with efforts at city hall to attract and support the recreational needs of people of all ages.

"I think it's important to be well-rounded and offer all programs for everyone in the community," continued Kluke.

"The world is changing every day with the pandemic and we have to see what we can offer for recreation and just being able to adjust and adapt so we can still offer services for all people.

"I've been living in northern Ontario for two years but a little different than Elliot Lake and I'm excited to get back," Kluke continued.

Credit:  ElliotLakeToday.com

Run Riot: Ninety Poems in Ninety Days

Monday, July 5, 2021 /

Written each day in rehab, Ash Winters’ debut collection is a vulnerable and powerful portrait of the struggle against addiction.

Run Riot cover

 

“This is a weird place to wake up / For someone who has woken up in some pretty strange places before.” With one poem written each day during Ash Winters’ ninety-day stay at a Vancouver rehab centre, Run Riot is a fiercely personal account of what it feels like to stop drinking after a decade of excess. Run Riot takes the reader through moments of determination, anger, hilarity, and heartbreak. Winters’ frank portrayal of early sobriety offers companionship to those who know it well and insight for those that want to know it better. Weaving the past and the present together with ruthless vulnerability, Run Riot is a powerful portrait of one person’s struggle against addiction, laying bare an honest search to heal and better understand one’s self.

Source: https://caitlin-press.com/our-books/run-riot/

 

 

Ash Winters is an emerging Toronto-based poet. Queer and sober, their work navigates the intersections of addiction, identity, and trauma. Growing up queer in small town Ontario gave Ash a chance to develop a lavish sense of humour and a deep respect for empathy both of which come through in their work. They graduated with their BA in English from Lakehead University in 2010. Their poetry has recently appeared in; Existere, Open Minds Quarterly, and The White Wall Review. Run Riot is Winter’s first book of poetry it comes out with Caitlin Press in winter 2021.

Source: http://ashwinters.com/about/#about

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