Thunder Bay area singer-songwriter Shy-Anne Hovorka (BEd.'03) is bringing home a lot of hardware after winning four awards at the Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards (APCMAs) held in Winnipeg in September 2014.  Hovorka picked up Best Country CD, Best Entertainer, Best Single and Best Album Cover awards in addition to six APCMA awards she won in 2012.  

Hovorka announced her retirement from performing in early 2014, saying she wants to devote herself more fully to teaching young people in Northwestern Ontario. She works as a teacher in Nipigon, Ont.

Dave Mossman (BEd. '09) has been involved in event planning and management for almost a decade. He has worked with individuals, not-for-profits, and corporations to execute hundreds of events, including the 2011 Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games.

He’s now taking his expertise to the national level through his company MossmanEvents. Dave has also written a book called The Exchange that delves into the traumatic experiences he suffered on a high school exchange trip to Belgium. Beginning in October, readers can purchase The Exchange at: www.davemossman.com

Mark Tilbury, Lakehead University’s director of Alumni and Community Relations, earned his Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation in December 2014.

The CFRE is a globally recognized credential for philanthropic fundraising professionals. In the spring of 2014, Mark was honoured for his volunteer work with the Alumni Association of Lakehead University (AALU) when he received an Alumni Legacy Award. “Mark is a passionate Lakehead supporter,” declares Rob Jamieson, the past president of the AALU.

Rob Zuback (HBComm’88) started off 2015 with a new job as director of development and alumni relations at St. Lawrence College, which offers online and continuing education at three campuses in eastern Ontario.

Prior to joining St. Lawrence, Rob worked at the Canadian Red Cross Society. Earlier in his career, Rob played an integral role at his alma mater – he was Lakehead University’s manager, alumni relations for 14 years.

Gregory Lowan-Trudeau (BEd’06, MEd’08) was honoured by the Canadian Education Association with a 2014 Pat Clifford Award for Early Career Research in Education for his work developing a critical understanding among current and future teachers of the link between Aboriginal ways of knowing, the historical basis for land claims and rights, and how this relates to contemporary resource development issues and associated activism.

Gregory is an assistant professor with the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education. In addition to his Lakehead degrees, Gregory has a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a PhD from the University of Calgary.

Local businessman and municipal politician Frank Pullia (BAdmin'84, MBA'10) received a Cultural Ambassador of Universum Canada award in Pescara, Italy during the International Congress of the Universum Academy of Switzerland in February 2015.  Received in recognition of his contributions in the cultural, social and humanitarian fields, the Universum Academy is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to promote culture, history and traditions of nations, affirmation and sharing of common values, including the respect of life and of the family, peace among the nations, the promotion of human rights, of justice and solidarity.  

Spencer Orr (HBOR’02) is making waves as the vice president of design and merchandising for Canada Goose Clothing – the company that makes the iconic parkas that can withstand frigid temperatures and harsh environments. Spencer began his career as a design and product manager with Sierra Designs before signing on as a product manager with Canada Goose in 2010.

Dolores Wawia (BEd.'85) is a leader, pioneer in native education and storyteller who has expanded educational opportunities for Aboriginal people. In February 2015, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, appointed Dolores to the Order of Ontario.

She spent 15 years at Lakehead developing the Native Teacher Education Program (NTEP), followed by three years helping set up McMaster University's Indigenous Studies program. Also known as "The Frog Lady," she has championed Aboriginal teacher education and served as an inspiration and role model for thousands of Aboriginal students.

Dr. David Magee (BA '68) was awarded the Order of Canada for his work in physical therapy.

David, a professor with the University of Alberta's Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, has a BA in History and Political Science from Lakehead. He is a world-renowned physical therapist who has helped professional athletes succeed at the highest level. He received three Stanley Cup rings and a Grey Cup ring for his work.

David has been a faculty member in the University of Alberta's Physical Therapy department since 1972. He was also chair of the Physical Therapy department from 1980-1993 and the associate dean in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine from 2003 to 2011.

In 1994, Liana Frenette (BEd.'88) and her husband were approached about purchasing a small materials testing lab with a three-person staff. Fast-forward to 2015, and Frenette’s company (TBT Engineering & Ozaanaman Engineering) now employs over 100 people full time and boasts an expanded roster of services catering to northwestern Ontario’s mining industry. In that same year, Frenette was voted one of PROFIT/Chatelaine's Top Female Entrepreneurs.  

The PROFIT/Chatelaine W100 ranks female business leaders according to a proprietary formula that combines the sales, three- year revenue growth rate and profitability of their businesses. All data is verified through financial statements supplied by candidates. To qualify, candidates must be owners or significant stakeholders who at least share chief decision-making capabilities.

"Building positive relationships with indigenous communities has been key to their success," Frenette says, adding that her greatest achievement to date was helping found Ozaanaman Engineering, a First Nations–owned firm. “Developing relationships is important to any business doing work in and on traditional First Nations lands.”