ATAC Commemorative Stamp Shows Pride in Lakehead U

(Thunder Bay - Thursday, May 20, 2004) Imagination, innovation, and pride -- this is what the community showed Lakehead University during the ATAC commemorative stamp design com

Winning Stamp Design

Winning Stamp Design by Mabel Crooks

petition held from March to April, 2004.

In the month of May, Lakehead U has been celebrating the grand opening of the Advanced Technology & Academic Centre (ATAC). A special donor and volunteer reception was held, the unique donor wall was unveiled, and an open house is planned for next week -- Saturday, May 29. In order to honour this special occasion, the organizers of the Grand Opening Celebration of ATAC decided to hold a competition to design a commemorative postage stamp for ATAC.

"We received many entries, and they all showed imagination and innovation," says Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications at Lakehead U. "This commemorative stamp not only celebrates the growth of the University, it also illustrates community involvement and pride in Lakehead University."

The first place winner is Mabel Crooks, a Lakehead U graduate. Second place winner is Jenna Mayor, a Grade 9 student at St. Patrick's High School. Third place winner is Peter Johnston, a graduating Civil Engineering student at Lakehead. And honourable mention goes to Carly Marson, also a Grade 9 student at St. Patrick's High School.

"This competition was a way to engage our community - to encourage them to take part in what ATAC is all about," says Bonnie Moore, Director of Development at Lakehead U. "ATAC was built in large part by the people and businesses of this community, and it's fitting that we asked them to help us design this commemorative stamp."

The theme of the Grand Celebration is "Opening Doors to the World" and the stamp design needed to reflect this. "ATAC really does open doors to the world," Abaya says. "The Centre's technology is the most advanced technology in use in universities today. Its ability to link learners and teachers alike across distances connects Lakehead to the world. From here, you can go anywhere."

For more information, to set up interviews with any of the winners or competition organizers, and for a jpeg of the stamp, contact Marla Tomlinson at (807) 343-8177.

Join us for the ATAC Open House, which will be held on Saturday, May 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This Educational Fair will give the community a hands-on show of what ATAC is all about. Adults and children will be able to:
?see what a smart classroom is and how it works,
?learn from virtual reality,
?understand how classes around the world connect to share knowledge,
?tour a robotics laboratory,
?and so much more!
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Contact: Marla Tomlinson, Office of Communications, 807-343-8177
Communications@lakeheadu.cawww.lakeheadu.ca