(March 25, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) This past weekend, a contingent of 27 Lakehead University Civil Engineering students, and the five-member Steel Bridge Team, traveled to the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to participate in the Annual ASCE Midwest Regional Student Conference and the AISC/ASCE Regional Qualifier Student Steel Bridge Competition. The Lakehead contingent left a mark on the conference by taking first place, once again, in the steel bridge-building competition, second place in the technical paper competition, and winning the Person-Mileage Participation trophy, awarded to the university with the greatest total of participating students multiplied by their distance traveled to the competition.

Lakehead Steel Bridge Team Takes First Place

The Lakehead University Steel Bridge Team placed first overall in the annual Midwest regional competition at the AISC/ASCE Student Steel Bridge Competition. Lakehead's team, the only Canadian team in the regional competition, was composed of: Damien Ch'ng, Dave Enns, Cory Goulet, Chris Kukkee, and Kristin Myles, with faculty advisors Dr. Tony Gillies and Dr. Timo Tikka. Lakehead's bridge building team placed first last year as well.

"Our team faced strong competition from eight other teams from universities in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin," says Dr. Tikka. "This is an excellent standing, and a hard-earned reward for the many hours that the students have devoted to their project. We are very proud of our students' efforts."

The competition challenges students to design and fabricate a steel bridge with a 21 foot long scale model that meets the 40 page specification manual provided to all teams. The bridge specifications change every year, constantly challenging the civil engineering skills of students from universities all over the United States and Canada. This year, the bridge was to be constructed over a scenic river, and had to carry utilities to a new state park welcome centre and campground.

The bridge models are erected under simulated field conditions and load-tested by the host-university students. Student planning must take into account what would be required to build a full-sized bridge, including material costs (weight), labour costs (construction time), traffic load (simulated test load), and performance (measured deflection under load).

Before the competition, the team designs and fabricates the bridge at Lakehead University.At the competition, spectators watch as teams race to assemble their bridges across a simulated river and wetlands.After construction, each bridge is weighed to determine the lightest bridge in the competition. Strength and stiffness are tested with 25lb lengths of steel angle that simulate a truck loaded with 2500 lbs. Because the placement of the loading is determined by the roll of a dice, the bridge design team had to anticipate six possible load scenarios.

The Lakehead bridge placed first in construction speed, first in construction economy, second in lightness, first for stiffness, first for structural efficiency and fifth for aesthetics, for an overall first place finish.

The Midwest first place ranking qualifies Lakehead for the U.S. National Steel Bridge Competition for the twelfth year.Approximately 45 teams will compete at the 2011 National Competition at Texas A&M University on May 21 - 22.Lakehead teams have an excellent record at the national level, placing second in 2002, fifth in 2003 and 2006, fourth in 2007, and third in both 2009 and 2010.

2011 Overall Midwest Region Competition Rankings

1. Lakehead University
2. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
3. Iowa State University
4. University of Wisconsin, Platteville
5. Minnesota State University, Mankato
6. University of North Dakota
7. North Dakota State University
8. (tied) South Dakota State University
9. (tied) University of Iowa

Lakehead Student Takes Second Place in Paper Competition

Raquel Almeida, a second-year civil engineering student, took second place in the Student Paper Competition for her paper, Risk and Uncertainty. Raquel used the historically significant Ironbridge as an example for her presentation. The bridge, constructed in 1779, spans England's River Severn, and is the first bridge built using iron.

Support Needed

The Lakehead bridge team is grateful for generous support from local companies, unions, and associations that helped them to participate in the regional competition. The team welcomes additional sponsors for the upcoming national competition in Texas Interested sponsors are encouraged to contact faculty advisors Tony Gillies or Timo Tikka at 343-8684.

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Media: Drs. Gillies and Tikka are available for interview by calling 343-8684. Student interviews can be arranged through the Department of Civil Engineering at 343-8684.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 8,280 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

(March 24, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) Tales and legends told in French by Northwestern Ontario storytellers are showcased in a recent book, Contes et légendes de la baie du Tonnerre (�ditions du Nord-Ouest, 2010). The book, written by Alain Nabarra and Marie-Noëlle Rinne, current and former professors of languages at Lakehead University, and illustrated by Lakehead graduate Dany Michaud, has won the Billochet du Jongleur award.

The award is named after a book written by the Centre's founder, Father Germain Lemieux, The Jugglers on the Log (Les Jongleurs du Billochet). The winning book was inspired by a fourth-year seminar on folktales and short stories conducted by Professor Alain Nabarra in combination with research initiated by Marie-Noëlle Rinne in Francophones in Northwestern Ontario, Past and Present.

The Billochet prize is awarded annually by the Franco-Ontarian Folklore Centre at Laurentian University for work that recognizes and celebrates a person, a group, or an organization for their exceptional contribution to the recognition, safekeeping, and valuing of Franco-Ontarian Heritage. The award was announced late in February at the 18th annual Souper du patrimoine in Sudbury.

Contes et légendes de la baie du Tonnerre, featuring stories from children, teens, and adults of all ages, is an important contribution to the preservation and diffusion of the Franco-Ontarian oral tradition in Northwestern Ontario.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

About Franco-Ontario Folklore Centre (Centre Franco-Ontarien de Folklore)
Located at Laurentian University in Sudbury, the Centre has been designated as a provincial heritage organization since 1991 and is recognized by UNESCO as a leader in the field of conservation and of the development of the patrimony in the province of Ontario. Its mission is to collect, preserve and promote Franco-Ontario heritage, particularly its oral history.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 8,280 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

Earlier this week the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) received notice that all undergraduate medical students in this year's graduating class (2011) successfully matched to Canadian residency programs on their first attempt. This is the second time that NOSM is the only Canadian medical school to have all students matched in the first round of matches of the Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS).

Congratulations to these exceptional and hardworking students on their achievement.

To learn more, read NOSM's Class of 2011 One Step Closer to Becoming Physicians.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 8,280 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

Managing Stress on the Go

(March 14, 2011 - Orillia, ON)

Health professionals from Lakehead's Wellness Centre will present a free presentation and discussion on Thursday, March 17, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the University Avenue Campus. This event kicks off the Wellness Centre's new series that promotes healthy lifestyles.

The presentation offers a unique opportunity for participants to understand and learn how to manage stress from spiritual, physiological and psychological perspectives. Wellness Centre professionals taking part in the event include two personal counsellors, two chaplains, a doctor of naturopathic medicine, and Lakehead - Orillia's Aboriginal elder-in-residence.

"The holistic nature of the event will make this a special opportunity for members of the Lakehead and broader communities," explains Frank Cappadocia, Assistant Dean, Student Affairs at Lakehead - Orillia. "Those in attendance will benefit from the integrated approach we have taken with our Wellness Centre," says Cappadocia.

"In today's society, no one is immune from stress," says Deb Stephens, one of the Wellness Centre's personal counsellors. "At this first Mind, Body, Spirit event, students and others will gain insight into how stress affects all aspects of their lives and learn practical tips for managing stress."

Members of the audience are encouraged to bring questions and suggestions for future presentation topics. Mind, Body, Spirit events are free and all members of the community are encouraged to attend.

For more information, contact the Wellness Centre at orluwell@lakeheadu.ca or 705-330-4008.

Members of the Lakehead University - Orillia Wellness Centre (l to r): Chaplain Dan Tatarnic; Naturopathic Doctor Andrea Rudy; Counsellor Deb Stephens; Assistant Dean, Student Affairs Frank Cappadocia; Health Education and Promotions Assistant Katie Fraser; and Counsellor Jim Wylie. (Missing from photo: Chaplain Jan Sirek and Elder-in-Residence Ernie Sandy)

It was a busy weekend for dozens of Lakehead University athletes as they fanned out across the country to show their stuff at three national championships: basketball, track and field, and x-country skiing. Congratulations to these superlative performers who work so hard to achieve these outstanding results.

Basketball

Lakehead's battle with Dalhousie in the Metro Centre in Halifax was a true test of stamina, will and character. In classic Lakehead style, these determined basketball warriors battled back from a late 4th quarter deficit to upset the Dalhousie Tigers in front of their hometown fans with a 84-80 win.

To learn more, read Lakehead Wins Gritty 5th Place Game, 84-80 Over Dal.

Track and Field

Lakehead Track stand-out Alastair Brown finished in second place in the men's 1000m to earn the CIS silver medal, and second team all-Canadian honours.

To learn more, read Brown Captures Silver at CIS Track & Field Finals.

Nordic Skiing

It was a great day under sunny blue skies in Canmore, Alberta as Andrea Lee and Daphne Haggarty led the Lady Wolves to a 3rd place finish in the relay event at the Canadian College and University Nordic Ski Championships.

To learn more, read Lee and Haggarty Ski to Third Place at Nationals.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 8,280 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

(March 9, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) The Thunderwolves are leading the pack! After besting the #1 nationally ranked Carleton Ravens last Saturday night to win the first Wilson Cup in team history, the Lakehead men's basketball team will now hit the court at the CIS Final 8 tournament in Halifax. Insiders refer to the event as The Big Dance and the Thunderwolves are ready for some fancy footwork against the Trinity Western Spartans, from Langley, B.C., who finished 3rd in the Canada West division to snag the Wild Card selection.

This is Lakehead's second consecutive trip to the CIS Final 8, with last year's losses to UBC and Cape Breton not forgotten. Lakehead head coach Scott Morrison, who last stepped onto the floor at the Halifax Metro Center as a player for UPEI during the Atlantic University Sports basketball playoffs in the late 90s, feels his team is ready to go: "We have a tough match-up in Trinity Western that seems to outsize us by 3-4 inches and 25 pounds. We will have to play the ultimate team to advance Friday afternoon and we are confident we have the right mix of talent needed to accomplish this next goal."

Lakehead's first Final 8 game, Friday, March 11, 2011, will be webcast on SSN Canada beginning at 2:15 p.m. EST in Thunder Bay.

To learn more, read Lakehead Men's B'Ball Final 8 " First Round Preview. Find full details on the Thunderwolves website or the Lakehead Basketball Blog.

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Media: For more information contact Hugh Mullally, Sports Information Director, Lakehead University Athletics at 807-766-7157 or spinfo@lakeheadu.ca

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 8,280 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

(March 3, 2010 " Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University students Bradley Doff and Peter Stevens have entered an innovative, informative, colourful, stop-motion video in the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Go Green Challenge.

Bradley Doff, enrolled in the Master of Environmental Studies in Northern Environments and Cultures, has been tracking the TD's Go Green Challenge for a few years. This November, when Brad received TD's email calling for video submissions, he knew the time was right with friend and film savvy Peter Stevens, currently at Lakehead for his Bachelor of Education, ready to jump in as collaborator.

Choosing the subject was a straightforward decision. Bradley, after graduating from Lakehead's Forestry program, worked in urban forestry and sustainability and knew he wanted to base the video submission on the value of trees. Together Bradley and Peter wrote a script, edited it down to a workable length, and then mixed humour with a quirky animation approach that, in 600 or so photos, created a very effective video that educates people about how GIS can be a very important tool when planning where to plant trees.

The video uses Lakehead University's campus to model their Smart Greening approach that uses technology to "plant trees in the perfect places." The campus, notes Bradley, "is really a neighbourhood, even a small city, with the same struggles that a small city experiences." Bradley argues that one thing that has been undervalued, overlooked, and under-researched, in most urban landscapes is the placement of trees.

"Most other variables like buildings, parking lots, and soil conditions are given, but placement is not. Yet tree placement has a very strong influence on the value that we receive from trees. Now we can use GIS to help target the benefits we want on a spatial scale," explains Doff.

With limited resources, the pair decided that with a simple digital camera, a tripod, a pack of construction paper, and some scissors, they could harness the power of stop-motion. As Peter quips, "Once we spent the money at the dollar store for construction paper it was too late. We had to do it. We were in too deep." The beauty of stop-motion, besides the cost-effectiveness, is, as Bradley points out, "that you can come at your picture from any angle. You can zoom out, peek into, and go under in ways that video recording can't do " or at least not without expensive techniques. You can easily make pretend worlds."

The two students were supported in their submission by Dr. Todd Randall, Associate Professor of Geography at Lakehead, and Bradley Doff's thesis supervisor. Doff and Stevens have also developed a website - www.smartgreening.ca - that explains their project and thinking in greater detail.

Viewers can watch and vote on the video submission online as part of the TD Go Green $2,500 People's Choice Award until Friday, March 11, 2011. Anyone can vote to help bring recognition to the value of urban green infrastructure, where we work, eat, and play.

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Media: Filmmakers Bradley Doff and Peter Stevens are available for interview. To arrange interview times, please contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 8,280 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

(March 4, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) Over 160 grades 6 - 8 students competed in challenging and fun competitions as part of National Engineering Week, February 26 " March 6, 2011, hosted by the Lakehead Chapter of Professional Engineers Ontario, the Faculty of Engineering at Lakehead University, and Union Gas Ltd.

Teams of students came to Lakehead University campus to build bridges, make catapults, and have a junk drawer war. Following the creative competitions, the students toured the University's engineering laboratories with members of the Engineering Student Society (ESS).

Bill Gross, science teacher for grade 7 and 8 students at Ecole Gron Morgan, was thrilled by his students' learning experience. "It's wonderful for students to have authentic learning opportunities outside the classroom. The students just love to come and the competitive aspect really fires them up and adds a real sense of excitement."

Prior to competition, students use online sources, texts, and help from teachers to learn and review basic principles of structure and design to help them on competition day. The bridge building competition is judged on how much weight a popsicle stick bridge can support over a span of sixteen inches. Bishop E.Q. Jennings took first prize in the bridge building competition, with second place going to Ecole Gron Morgan whose bridge supported 12.91 kilograms. The bridges this year were impressive, organizers had to fetch more weight as the judging was taking place!

The activities were held to celebrate National Engineering Month, sponsored by the National Engineering Week Ontario Steering Committee (NEWOSC). The competitions are run by the student chapters of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE), the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE), and the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME).

Grades 6 " 8 students from all elementary schools in the Thunder Bay area were invited to participate. Prizes were awarded for the first, second, and third place teams in each competition.

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Media: For more information please contact the event organizer, Dr. Meilan Liu, at 807-343-8952 or mliu@lakeheadu.ca. Or contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

About National Engineering Week
National Engineering Month (NEM) is a Canada-wide, month long celebration designed to raise the awareness of engineering and engineering technology and the contributions they make to our daily lives. It also encourages young people to consider careers in the engineering field. Each province and territory selects a suitable week, and this year Ontario will be celebrating engineering from February 26 through March 6, 2011.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 8,280 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

March 3, 2011

You and five others have just survived an apocalyptic event and your nearest fellow survivors are 30 kilometres away. All electronic and electrical equipment no longer works. Some animals and plants have survived. What will you do? What are your top priorities and how will you organize a new society?

This was the task given to sixteen Twin Lakes Secondary School (Orillia) students who visited Lakehead University this week as part of the Twin Lakes program for gifted students. The classroom exercise was part of an introduction to the University's Inquiry course, a cornerstone of the school's unique Honours/Bachelor of Arts and Science program.

"Our inquiry-based learning encourages curiosity among students and teaches the skills needed for critical thinking," explained Alice den Otter, chair of Interdisciplinary Studies at Lakehead - Orillia. "The inquiry process emphasizes active learning, not simply memorizing and throwing back information," she pointed out to the Twin Lakes students taking part in the Inquiry class.

The high school students had the opportunity, in small discussion groups, to practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They were encouraged to question their assumptions, support their arguments, and look at their particular (imagined) situation from different angles and disciplines. To demonstrate the importance of interdisciplinary research and problem solving, den Otter was joined by Lakehead professor of history Dr. Jonathan Anuik, along with physics professor Dr. Chris Murray, who provided insight and guidance to the student groups.

Judging from the lively discussion that took place between the students and Lakehead professors, the students certainly seemed to enjoy the opportunity.

"This class really helped us to look at things in a different way," said Twin Lakes student, Zach Todoroff. "It made us think differently," added fellow student Peter Corbasson. Both students noted how the class differed from their typical high school classes. "At school, the teacher gives you information and you have to respond within certain boundaries. Here, we were the ones working together to come up with decisions," said Corbasson. "This really gave me a better understanding about Lakehead," added Todoroff. "After that class, I think it's great!"

Dr. Chris Murray (left), physics professor at Lakehead University - Orillia, discusses a group project with Twin Lakes Secondary School students (l to r): Zach Todoroff, Peter Corbasson, Jake Thompson, and Logan Fiander, along with Twin Lakes Special Education Resource Teacher, Alex Macdonald. The students were part of a special "outside the classroom" enrichment program that introduced Lakehead - Orillia's inquiry-based learning model.

The Lakehead visit was part of the "outside the classroom" enrichment opportunities provided through the Twin Lakes Gifted Program. "Our goal is to introduce university-style teaching to these students," said Kerrie Pellarin, guidance department chair at Twin Lakes. "We've had a wonderful long-standing partnership with Lakehead University," she added.

In previous years, her students have sat in on classes, based on their areas of interest. This year is the first time that Lakehead designed a class specifically for the group. "The inquiry class is ideal - it shows our students how important critical and independent thinking is for their success at university," said Pellarin.

Neil Quinn, one of Lakehead - Orillia's recruitment officers, says that Lakehead hopes to extend the introductory Inquiry class as a program for Grade 11 high school students throughout Simcoe County. "This was a pilot project," he explained. "It looks like the students today really benefitted from the class and we look forward to opening up this opportunity to more high school students."

The University hopes to offer the program to all students in Grade 11 and would not restrict participation those designated as gifted.The new program would support the existing Lakehead outreach program, which includes visits to Grade 10 Career classes throughout the region.

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To read about two recent graduates of the Lakhead - Orillia Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science program, click here.