Congratulations to former Lakehead University basketball star, Jim Zoet, who was inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame on July 21, 2015.

Known as the “Big Man,” he played for the then Lakehead Norwesters for two seasons (1976-77 and 1977-78) where he averaged 19 points per game and led the team to its only CIAU national championship. He was a CIAU All-Canadian in his two seasons at Lakehead. Zoet went on to become a member of the 1980 Canadian Olympic men’s team, saw short service in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons and then went on to play professionally in the Netherlands, England, Argentina, Mexico and the Philippines. Jim was inducted into the Lakehead University Wall of Fame in 2009.

Eilea Given and Kaitlyn Simpson are the best in the world. They're grand champions in competitive jump rope. In July 2015 the duo placed first in the World Jump Rope grand championship in Paris, France, for their freestyle doubles routine — a choreographed routine full of gymnastic tricks set to music.  

Simpson trains 15 hours a week, preparing for competitions held around the world. She started Lakehead University's two skipping teams in 2013, and still coaches both of them.  Earlier this year, she won coach of the year at Ontario's provincial competition.  Given won seven consecutive national titles, prior to leaving the sport for nearly ten years.  

The two met when they tied first in a competition.  They decided to work together shortly afterwards. 

Joseph N. Agostino (MA'80) is currently retired from his position as Psychometrist / Behaviour Consultant with the Cochrane Temiskaming Resource Centre in Timmins, ON.  He maintains an active lifestyle and enjoys walking excursions with his wife Donna, attending live theatre productions, taking courses to upgrade his computer skills, researching his genealogy, and writing articles on a variety of issues.  His article "Family Relationships and the Elderly" has been accepted for publication in the Active Senior's Digest magazine, and his MA thesis research, "Closure in a Visual Motor Task" has been accepted for publication in the journal ETC: A Review of General Semantics.  Both articles are scheduled for publication later this year.  

Joseph and Donna moved to Bracebridge, Ontario in September 2015 to be closer to family.

In separate ceremonies held during the last week of March, four Lakehead alumni received a Governor General's "Caring Canadian" award, in recognition of their significant, sustained, unpaid contributions to their community, in Canada or abroad.  The recipients were: 

Glen Sharpe (B.Ed. 1991)  
Glen Sharpe, an avid supporter of the Aboriginal community with roots among the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, has devoted his life to teaching others, mentoring Aboriginal youth and passing on his wisdom to the next generation in his community.

Peter Cloidt (HBComm '10)
For several years, Peter Cloidt has been providing free income tax services to developmentally challenged people in the Thunder Bay region. He also volunteers with the Canadian Cancer Society by assisting chemotherapy and radiation patients with their transportation needs.

Valerie Dennison (BA '70) 
Valerie Dennison has been dedicated to the well-being of the people of the Thunder Bay area for over 50 years as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, the Alzheimer's Society and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Roger "Cliff" Huber (B.Ed '76) 
Cliff Huber has been a volunteer in the Thunder Bay area for over 50 years, coaching sports teams, teaching basic computer skills, and working in the collective interests of seniors and the community through Retired Teachers of Ontario.

Lakehead's wrestling program welcomes back one of their own, and one of their best ever, as an assistant coach this season. Head coach Francis Clayton announced today that Justin BeauParlant will serve as an assistant with the program this season.

"I am fired up to have Justin BeauParlant as a part of the coaching staff to start the 2015 season," says Clayton. "Justin brings a winning, upbeat attitude that will enhance our competition and training environments."

BeauParlant made a name for himself as an elite wrestler with Lakehead and Canada during his career in the late 90's on the national and international stage. He has three CIS gold, and 1 silver medal to his credit, and the heavyweight placed 2nd at the World University Wrestling Championships in 2000, and placed 12th at the World Junior Championships in 1998.

"I'm so glad to be back in my hometown of Thunder Bay after 14 years," says Justin. "Being a part of the wrestling program again, assisting Franny feels like home too. I have always loved Thunder Bay and LU and to be part of it all over again is a little surreal. I can't express how excited I am to begin the season, to help where I can, and take an already great program to the next level."

Richard W. Harper (HBEM '00) of Amherst, Massachusetts, is the 2015 recipient of the International Society of Arboriculture’s (ISA) Award of Achievement. This Award of Distinction recognizes ISA members for outstanding work in advancing the cause of arboriculture.

Harper works in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst as an Extension Assistant Professor in the Arboriculture/Urban Forestry Program. An ISA Board Certified Master Arborist®, he was integral in coordinating the launch of an annual Arborist Certification Training. Harper continues to provide critical accredited continuing educational opportunities for Certified Arborists through the monthly webcast series, Urban Forestry Today. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the ISA New England Chapter.

“The Arborist Certification Training class Rick developed has contributed vastly to the growth of the ISA Certified Arborist program in the New England area,” says Mark Roberts, ISA board president. “Providing opportunities for more arborists to become certified improves industry professionalism overall.”

A former practicing arborist, Harper says his involvement in various industry organizations has helped him to better understand the importance of professional credentialing.

Bachelor of Education grad, Allison McDonald (BEd. '03) recently had her book published by Scholastic Books Inc., entitled "Raising A Rock-Star Reader : 75 Quick Tips For Helping Your Child Develop A Lifelong Love of Reading."  The book is written for parents, that includes tips for creating a literate environment along with quick activities for building children’s oral language and early reading and writing skills.

The book will be available for purchase beginning November 2015. 

Joan Crowe (HBSc.'70) has been awarded the 2015 John Goldie Award by the Field Botanists of Ontario to recognize her significant contribution to field botany in Ontario.

Joan volunteered in the Claude Garton Herbarium. The Herbarium was built on the collections made by Claude Garton starting with collections that began as early as 1933. In time, Joan assumed the role of Acting Curator in 1990 and held that position until 1993. During that period, she began the process of digitizing the collection and maintained high standards for the collection. She also taught some courses on "Bryophytes and Lichens", "Pteridophytes" and “Vascular Plant Identification” at the University where her students held her in high regard.

In 1993, Walter and Joan moved to Owen Sound and Joan soon became active with the Owen Sound Field Naturalists. Joan has always been a strong advocate for the environment. As an example, Joan and Walter with OSFN donated their property at Long Swamp located west of Owen Sound to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This donation helps to preserve a large portion of this important wetland to ensure that it would remain natural and undeveloped. Joan was presented with a Lifetime Membership Award from the Owen Sound Field Naturalists in December 2006.

Rob Jamieson, (HBOR '94, BA '94) was elected as the new president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) in December 2015.  

Rob joined the OPP in 1995, after graduation and soon became a detective sergeant based in Barrie, Ontario. Jamieson chose to do policing in a rural location because it combined his love of the outdoors with his desire to help people.  A proud alum of Lakehead University, Rob served as President of the Lakehead University Alumni Association from 2012-2015.

He has been involved in the union since early in his career.

Norm Gale, (HBA '08, MA '11) former chief of Superior North EMS took over the city's top administrative spot in an acting role in October following the retirement of Tim Commisso. On January 12, city council voted unanimously to make that decision permanent.

"I'm extraordinarily pleased and grateful for the opportunity that council has presented here," Gale said following the meeting.

Gale was a paramedic for more than a decade before taking over as chief in 2007. He also spent 23 years in the Armed Forces Reserve.  He has served as chair of the Thunder Bay District Board of Health, vice-president of United Way of Thunder Bay, and president of the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs.