Welcome to the 50th Anniversary Year for Lakehead University!
Lakehead’s 50th Anniversary year is now in full swing! Our winter carnival launches in Thunder Bay and Orillia were great successes – check out our photo gallery of students and alumni enjoying skating, tobogganing, and treats.
We like to stay in touch with our Lakehead family but we understand that when the chicks leave the nest, they tend to scatter. Please take some time and let us know where you are and what you're up to.
Debbie Okun Hill had an upbringing that would be unfathomable to youngsters who spend their time glued to smartphones and tablets.
“For the first five years of my life, I lived on the prairies in a three-room house with no running water or working toilet,” says Debbie. “That serene life – books, words, open rural spaces, and unscheduled play – is something I still treasure.”
Later, her family moved to Selkirk, Manitoba, where Debbie discovered her love for writing and volunteering. In high school, she was the newspaper and yearbook editor, the grad chairman, and a student council member.Read More
Alumni Presidents Honoured
The hard work and dedication of Alumni Association of Lakehead University (AALU) presidents was recognized on January 13th at the AALU annual general meeting.
The three immediate past presidents – Rob Jamieson, Bill Keeler, and David Heroux –were given special varsity jackets on behalf of the University by Murray Walberg, Chair of Lakehead University’s Board of Governors.
Mark Tilbury, another past president and the current director of alumni and community relations, was presented with a jacket later in the week. The gift of the jackets was especially appropriate since it coincided with the launch of Lakehead’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.Read More
L-R: Board of Governors Chair Murray Walberg poses with AALU Past Presidents David Heroux (2008-2010), Rob Jamieson (2012-2014), and Bill Keeler (2010-2012) as they try out their new jackets
Philanthropy Profile
Hatch Inspires Aboriginal Students
Lakehead’s Aboriginal Mentorship Program (AMP) received a giant boost from our friends at Hatch – a leading engineering and consulting firm. Hatch has operations around the world and is recognized for giving back to the communities where it works.
On December 12, 2014, representatives from the Hatch head office in Mississauga, Ontario, and the Thunder Bay Hatch Mott MacDonald (HMM) office visited Lakehead University to present AMP Coordinator Lisa Harris with a cheque for $20,000.
This generous gift will further AMP’s mission of inspiring Aboriginal high school students throughout Northwestern Ontario by enhancing learning opportunities in science, engineering, and business as well as bolstering their academic success. AMP does this by partnering high school students with Lakehead science, engineering, and business students who act as volunteer mentors. AMP incorporates interactive learning opportunities into both high school and university environments. Read More
Coach's Corner
Williams' 50 Points Breaks OUA Record
Jylisa Williams raised the bar once more, this time in the OUA record books, snapping the OUA's single game scoring record with a 50-point effort that pushed Lakehead past the Toronto Varsity Blues, 86-69.
The remarkable effort by Williams eclipses the nearly 35-year old record of 49 points set by Candi Lohr in the '82-'83 season.
Williams was on a torrid pace from the opening jump ball, scoring 26 points in the first half. Her incredible scoring feats continued for the duration of the game, as she was essentially unstoppable, going 18-for-28 from the field, and hitting 14 of 17 free throws. Williams would also grab 8 rebounds with 5 assists and 5 steals in 34 minutes of play. Read More
Lakehead Wins at Laurier to Secure Playoff Spot
The Lakehead Thunderwolves edged the Laurier Golden Hawks 3-2 in the regular-season finale at the Sun Life Arena in Waterloo, Ontario Saturday night to secure the Wolves a place in the OUA playoffs.
Lakehead opened the scoring 11:43 into the game on an unassisted goal by Mike Quesnele, who beat Laurier netminder Vinny Merante while the Wolves were short-handed.
Laurier’s Tyler Stothers dented the twine behind Lakehead goalie Justin McDonald at 14:12 to even the game at 1-1 after the first period.
Lakehead University Orillia Campus Dean & Vice-Provost Dr. Kim Fedderson and Ontario Nature Executive Director Caroline Schultz sign a Memorandum of Understanding, launching Canada’s first Master Naturalist Program.
New Lakehead - Ontario Nature program to recognize Master Naturalists
Some of Ontario’s leading naturalists met today at Lakehead University’s Orillia campus to celebrate the launch of a new Ontario Master Naturalist Program (OMNP).
The first of its kind in Canada, the program is the result of a memorandum of understanding signed by Lakehead University and Ontario Nature. The new partnership will provide the unique opportunity for naturalists and those dedicated to environmental stewardship to become certified as Master Naturalists.
Award-winning naturalist Bob Bowles – an avid supporter of Lakehead University’s education and research activities – conceived the program. Bowles chairs a steering committee of experts from the region, including representatives from Ontario Nature and Lakehead faculty members that designed the program. Read More
Research at Lakehead
Helping Stroke Survivors
by Brandon Bretschneider
After a stroke, damage to the brain can cause a loss of hand function – tasks that were taken for granted such as dressing, eating, grooming, and personal hygiene can become extremely difficult or impossible.
Many stroke survivors experience frustration at being unable to perform these daily activities and have difficulty coping with their loss of independence. That’s why a group of researchers has decided to investigate a community-based rehabilitation program to help improve the quality of life of Thunder Bay stoke survivors. Read More
