Achievement Program to help Thunder Bay Catholic District students attend Lakehead University

Photo of signing.

Pino Tassone, left, Director of Education for the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, and Dr. Brian Stevenson, President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University, signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday for the Achievement Program.

November 8, 2017 – Thunder Bay, ON

Eligible students in the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board can now begin earning financial support in grade 4 as part of Lakehead University’s Achievement Program after officials signed a memorandum of understanding on November 8.

Qualified participants are enrolled in grade 4, and continue with the Program until grade 12, with annual opportunities to earn financial assistance by completing specific requirements at their school, at Lakehead University, and in the community.

At the end of those nine years, the accrued value of their individual financial support will help fund each participant’s first year at Lakehead University.

Dr. Brian Stevenson, Lakehead’s President & Vice-Chancellor, established the Achievement Program in 2011 in an effort to remove financial barriers and help students obtain a post-secondary education at the University.

“Financial need should not be a barrier for young people to pursue their dreams,” Dr. Stevenson said. “The Achievement Program has helped many young people earn credit towards university fees, and this agreement will enable even more students to attend Lakehead University,” Dr. Stevenson said.

Pino Tassone, Director of Education for the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, said he was very excited that students from his School Board are participating in the Achievement Program.

"This initiative opens doors for students who face economic limitations and barriers, making post-secondary education a reality rather than a dream,” Tassone explained. “Our students are our future, and we are proud to partner with Lakehead University to further their academic success.”

According to Achievement Program Coordinator Amanda Stefanile, approximately 19 Grade 4 students from Thunder Bay’s St. Ann School will have the opportunity to participate in the Achievement Program.

“I am very honoured to connect with the many wonderful students and families in the Achievement Program,” said Stefanile. “This program allows students to become familiar with our campus and helps them build self-confidence so they can dream big.”

 

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

 

Lakehead University has approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies. Maclean’s 2018 University Rankings place Lakehead University among Canada's Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities, as well as first in Total Research Dollars, second for Citations, and third for Scholarships and Bursaries. In 2017, Research Infosource named Lakehead Research University of the Year in its category for the third consecutive year. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.