Lakehead University and Orillia Public Library Partner to Offer New Speaker Series

January 28, 2014 – Orillia, ON

A new speaker series featuring Lakehead University professors will be launched at the Orillia Public Library on Tuesday, February 4, with a talk by Lakehead University Orillia faculty member Dr. Kevin Willison.

The new series, “In Conversation,” is based on the successful series of the same name offered by Lakehead University Thunder Bay in cooperation with local libraries. 

“In Conversation” brings the expertise and research from the University to the community,” says Dr. Doug West, Associate Professor with the Departments of Interdisciplinary Studies and Political Science, who has taken the lead on getting the Orillia series underway. “With the cooperation of the Orillia Public Library, we are able to bring University learning opportunities into the community.”

The first talk, hosted by Lakehead University Sociology professor, Dr. Willison, will focus on how and why a community’s members should be involved in their community’s development. Born and raised in Orillia, Dr. Willison has been a member of the Lakehead University Orillia faculty since 2007. The talk takes place from 2:30 to 4 pm.

The second talk will be held on Tuesday, March 4 from 6:30 to 8 pm and features Dr. Sandra Jeppesen, Assistant Professor with the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies/Media Studies. Dr. Jeppesen will lead a discussion about “Profound new media opportunities for social change – beyond selfies, sexting and cyberbullying.”

The “In Conversation” talks are free, but require registration. Registration is accepted in person at the Orillia Public Library, 36 Mississaga St. W.; by email info@orilliapubliclibrary.ca; or by phone 705-325-2338.

For further information, contact dwest@lakeheadu.ca, or visit orilliapubliclibrary.ca.

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Dr. Kevin Willison, a Lakehead University faculty member, will present the first “In Conversation” series talk at the Orillia Public Library on February 4. 

Dr. Kevin Willison, a Lakehead University faculty member, will present the first “In Conversation” series talk at the Orillia Public Library on February 4.

MEDIA:  For more information, please contact Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Over 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. For more information about Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.