Dianne Miller, front row centre, former general manager of the Forest Ecosystem Science Co-operative Inc., celebrates the Dean's Forestry Award with Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson, Dr. Ulf Runesson, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources Management, and faculty and students from Natural Resources Management on the President's balcony overlooking Lake Tamblyn.

May 3, 2017 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University has received a gift that will last forever.

The Forest Ecosystem Science Co-operative Inc. recently dissolved, and it has given a $100,000 gift from surplus funds to create the Dean’s Forestry Award at Lakehead.

The Forest Ecosystem Science Co-operative Inc. Dean’s Forestry Award will be given to a student with a keen interest in forest sustainability in their first semester in Lakehead’s Honours Bachelor of Science in Forestry program.

As long as the student maintains an 80 per cent average or higher, he or she will continue to receive the Forest Ecosystem Science Co-operative Inc. Dean’s Forestry Award for each of the four years they are an undergraduate student at Lakehead University until graduation.

A new student will receive this award every four years. The award amount is generated from the interest derived from the gift, meaning values will vary, but it will be approximately $3,500 in 2017/18.

Because this gift is an endowment, it will last in perpetuity and benefit future generations of students.

“By establishing this award as an endowment, Forest Ecosystem Co-operative Inc. has created an exceptional legacy that will last forever,” said Dr. Brian Stevenson, Lakehead’s President and Vice-Chancellor.

Dr. Ulf Runesson, Dean of Lakehead’s Faculty of Natural Resources Management, said this will be a great benefit to students.

“When industry invests in our students – especially early on in their academic journey – it enhances the level of professionalism and confidence in our graduates,” Dr. Runesson said.

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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 about 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. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

March 27, 2017 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University is one of 23 Canadian universities to be included in the new Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Advanced Scholars Program.

An award of $660,000 has been granted to Drs. Brian McLaren and Chander Shahi of Lakehead’s Faculty of Natural Resources Management in collaboration with Drs. Charles Levkoe and Mirella Stroink in the University’s Faculty of Health and Behavioral Sciences.

Their project is entitled “Agrobiodiversity, Nutrition and Sustainable Marketing of Heritage Crops in Ecuador and Canada,” and is part of an extended collaboration with Dr. Liette Vasseur of Brock University, and ESPOCH, a partnered Ecuadorian university with Lakehead since 2015.

 "Our goal in supporting eight or more Queen Elizabeth II Advanced Scholars with this grant is to increase the international and cultural exchange opportunities in research at Lakehead University,” said Dr. McLaren.

“Researchers will learn how small-scale farming can be supported via market innovations to provide social, economic, ecological, and health benefits. More diverse farms and agroforestry make better use of marginal soils, irrigation, fertilizers, and pest control, and can produce a wider range of products, including organic and traditional food sources,” Dr. McLaren said.

Nationally, more than 450 researchers at the doctoral, postdoctoral and early-career levels will undertake global research, contributing to improved global talent exchange between Canada and other nations.

This expanded second round of the Queen Elizabeth Scholars is the result of a $10 million contribution by Canada’s International Development Research Centre and a $2.5 million contribution from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. This additional funding has allowed the Queen Elizabeth Scholars program to expand its reach to more low- and middle-income countries, and fund researchers at multiple stages of their careers to become the next generation of innovative leaders and community builders.

The Lakehead University project is built on the mandate of the community-based, ESPOCH partner EkoRural, which is to strengthen biodiversity in rural communities, while promoting market innovations. The resulting Alternative Food Networks have a context in Northwestern Ontario, as they seek to bridge rural and urban concerns on food production and consumption in a way that increases resilience and adaptability to expected climate change. Local partners include the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station, KBM Resources Group, and the Local Organic Food Co-ops Network.

Dr. Andrew Dean, Lakehead's Vice-President, Research and Innovation, said the researchers are doing excellent work and he is glad the University is receiving this recognition.

“Congratulations to Drs. McLaren, Shahi, Levkoe and Stroink for being named participants in the Queen Elizabeth II Scholars program. Opportunities such as the QES will continue to enhance our international research reputation.”

For a complete list of the winning proposals, please visit www.queenelizabethscholars.ca/news. Details of the Queen Elizabeth Scholars’ travel and research are also shared on the #QEScholars tagboard.

The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Advanced Scholars Program is managed through a unique partnership between Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada and Canadian universities. It is made possible with financial support from the International Development Research Centre and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

The Queen Elizabeth Scholars program aims to activate a dynamic community of young global leaders across Canada and the Commonwealth to create lasting impacts both at home and abroad through cross-cultural exchanges encompassing international education, discovery and inquiry, and professional experiences. To learn more visit www.queenelizabethscholars.ca.

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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 about 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. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

July 5, 2017 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, ON

Lakehead University has appointed Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Birmingham as the new Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Dr. Birmingham is currently a full professor and Chair of English at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, North Dakota with allied faculty status in the Department of Women and Gender Studies. Dr. Birmingham has held several administrative positions at NDSU, from Director of Upper Division Writing to Associate Dean.

“I look forward to meeting members of the Faculty and getting to know departments, their students, their needs, and their dreams. Lakehead has an exciting vision for the future, a future I’m thrilled to be a part of. I still wake up each morning amazed and grateful that I will have the opportunity to serve as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Lakehead University,” Dr. Birmingham said.

As part of her work at NDSU, Dr. Birmingham has been deeply involved in the work of institutional transformation around issues of gender equity on her campus. She was a member of the FORWARD team, a grassroots group of women faculty members who collaborated to receive a grant of $3.75 million to recruit, retain, and promote women. Dr. Birmingham has published and presented on programs to support women’s academic careers.

Dr. Moira McPherson, Lakehead’s Provost and Vice-President (Academic), said Dr. Birmingham has spent much of her career developing curriculum that marries more traditional disciplinary content with an entrepreneurial twist, preparing students for engaged citizenship and social action. “Her experience and dedication in supporting students and faculty will be a valuable asset to the Faculty.”

Dr. Birmingham will be moving to Lakehead with her husband, Kevin Brooks.  They have collaborated to raise five children: Caity, Griffin, Makeer, Deng, and Agot.

She will begin serving as Lakehead’s Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities on July 1, 2018.

Over the course of the upcoming academic year, Dr. Birmingham will participate in a transition that includes several visits to Lakehead and leading Faculty planning sessions starting January 2018.

In the interim, Dr. McPherson is pleased to announce that Dr. Rhonda Koster has been appointed Acting Dean effective July 1, 2017. Dr. Koster will work closely with Dr. Birmingham throughout the year to ensure a smooth transition.

“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Dr. Dean Jobin-Bevans for his commitment to the Faculty as Interim Dean,” Dr. McPherson said. 

“Dr. Jobin-Bevans has provided excellent leadership, furthering the University’s academic and strategic priorities. He has worked tirelessly to extend community engagement, outreach, and to grow philanthropic activities. I would like to personally thank Dr. Jobin-Bevans and wish him much success in his new role as Principal, Orillia campus.”

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Jaclyn Bucik, Marketing and Communications Associate, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University has about 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. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

October 16, 2017 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, ON

Maclean’s 2018 University Rankings have once again included Lakehead University among the country’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities.

Lakehead University has placed ninth in Canada and third in Ontario in its category.

Lakehead University’s President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, attributes his University’s top 10 placement to Lakehead’s student-centred approach to life and learning on Lakehead’s campuses.

“We are committed to supporting our students as they each realize their own unique potential,” said Dr. Stevenson. “Our Canadian top 10 ranking is a fitting acknowledgement of how numerous initiatives, including our new Student Central, continue to enhance our students’ post-secondary experience, in and out of the classroom.”

Among Canada’s primarily undergraduate universities, the 2018 Maclean’s University Rankings place Lakehead first in total Research Dollars, second in Citations (scholarly output), third in Scholarships & Bursaries, and third in Library Acquisitions.

Compared to Ontario’s primarily undergraduate universities, the Rankings put Lakehead second in Student-to-Faculty Ratio, second in Student Awards, second in Operating Expenditures per Student, third in Social Sciences & Humanities grants, and third in faculty awards.

Lakehead’s Provost & Vice-President (Academic), Dr. Moira McPherson, highlighted that the unique educational experience offered at Lakehead positions the University’s graduates to transition well into the workforce with 94.5% of Lakehead grads employed within two years of graduating using the skills they have developed through their undergraduate education. 

“Rankings such as these are read around the world by prospective students and their families, as well as potential faculty and staff who are looking to work here,” explained Dr. McPherson.

“The Maclean’s University Rankings are just one of many ways in which a university can get a sense of how it’s performing,” she added.

“Our small class sizes, beautiful campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia, and the opportunity for undergraduate students to participate in ground-breaking research are some of the reasons why people are choosing Lakehead University,” explained Dr. McPherson. 

In addition to being ranked among Maclean’s top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in the country, again, last year Lakehead was also named Canada’s top research university in its category by Re$earch Infosource for the second consecutive year.

Start your Lakehead journey by experiencing our campuses from the comfort of your own home. Visit lakeheadu.ca/virtualtour to get started!

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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. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

September 14, 2017 - Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University Board of Governors Chair, David Tamblyn, has announced that current Provost & Vice-President (Academic), Dr. Moira McPherson, will become the University’s Interim President & Vice-Chancellor on January 1, 2018, and serve in that role until a new President is named. 

Current President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson announced, in April 2017, that he would be stepping down at the end of 2017 after seven and a half years as the administrative head of Lakehead University. 

Mr. Tamblyn explained that the Board of Governors considered various options for Lakehead's Interim President. 

"After discussions with Dr. McPherson,” he said, “the Board unanimously decided that she would be the ideal candidate to lead Lakehead as our Interim President until the work of the Presidential Search Committee is complete and Lakehead's next President & Vice-Chancellor is appointed.” 

“On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am very pleased that Dr. McPherson accepted our invitation to fill this key role," added Mr. Tamblyn. "During her ongoing and distinguished career at Lakehead, her passion for our University has been constant, particularly in her current role as Provost & Vice-President (Academic)." 

Dr. McPherson said she looks forward to the challenges that await her as Interim President, adding that, "I have a deep respect for our senior executive team, faculty and staff, and I am confident that we will accomplish a lot, together, during this time of change at Lakehead."

As Interim President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. McPherson will work with the University’s Board of Governors to oversee Lakehead’s various initiatives and operations through the presidential transition period. 

The role of Acting Provost & Vice-President (Academic) will be aptly filled by Lakehead University's current Dean of Engineering, Dr. David Barnett, effective January 1, 2018. 

Dr. Moira McPherson 

Dr. McPherson began her career at Lakehead University in 1987 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Athletics. She holds a PhD specializing in Applied Biomechanics and is regularly sought out for her scholarly and professional expertise in applied kinematic and biomechanical skill analyses by both national and international organizations. 

Following seven successful years as the Director of the School of Kinesiology, Dr. McPherson became the University’s Associate Vice-President (Academic), prior to being appointed as Deputy Provost in 2011. She has served as the Provost & Vice-President (Academic) since 2014. 

Dr. McPherson led the development and implementation of the 2012-2017 Academic Plan, the University’s transition to the Institutional Quality Assurance process, and to a Strategic Enrolment Management Framework. She has led the development of the University’s Strategic Mandate Agreements, and established and continues to guide the implementation of the Integrated Planning and Budgeting Process. 

Dr. McPherson served two terms on the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance, is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and is a member of the Executive Committee for the Ontario Council of Academic Vice-Presidents.

From left to right, Dr. Bahram Dadgostar, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; Dr. Alla Reznik, Radialis' Chief Scientific Officer; Michael Waterston, Director of Business Development with CIMTEC; Dr. Andrew Dean, Lakehead's Vice-President, Research and Innovation; Dr. Brian Stevenson, Lakehead's President and Vice-Chancellor; The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour; Elder Isabelle Mercier; Don Rusnak, MPP for Thunder Bay - Rainy River; Dr. Batia Stolar, Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation; Acting Mayor Larry Hebert; and Jeff Howie, Executive Assistant to the Honourable Bill Mauro, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Acting Minister of Northern Development and Mines.  

March 3, 2017 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University launched more than Research and Innovation Week at the opening ceremony held on Friday, March 3.

A joint venture between Lakehead University and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, called Radialis, was also launched, and so was the new Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research.

Radialis is partnering with the Centre for Imaging Technology Commercialization (CIMTEC), to design, manufacture, and sell advanced imaging systems from Thunder Bay.

A high-resolution Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) system for low-dose imaging of breast cancer will be the first product from Radialis.

“We launched Radialis Medical to commercialize our PEM technology and to bring it to clinical trials at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, which will help save lives and put Thunder Bay on the cutting edge of healthcare,” said Dr. Alla Reznik, Radialis’ Chief Scientific Officer. 

Dr. Ian C.P. Smith, CEO of CIMTEC, said the company is proud to collaborate in this wonderful project, which will greatly improve diagnosis of breast abnormalities and lead to well-paying jobs in Thunder Bay.

Dr. Reznik is also the Canada Research Chair in Physics of Molecular Imaging, a Physics Professor at Lakehead University and a Senior Scientist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.

“The development of PEM has relied on interdisciplinary collaboration and I am very thankful to my colleagues from Lakehead and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute for their help,” Dr. Reznik said.

The launch of Radialis Medical as a company is largely due to the technical, commercial, and financial contributions from CIMTEC, support from MaRS Innovation and from the NOHFC, FedNor, CEDC and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, she added.

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research (CIER) will share space in the CASES building when construction is complete.  CIER will promote and support research on innovation and entrepreneurship at Lakehead.

“We are excited to launch Research and Innovation Week while also launching Radialis and CIER,” said Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation. 

“There is a lot for us to be proud of at Lakehead University. We are exceptionally proud of this new start-up venture and we’re excited about the potential of CIER,” he said.

The 12^th annual Research and Innovation Week runs fromMarch 3 to 9. It’s a chance to showcase the important work being conducted at Lakehead University by faculty members and students.

During the opening ceremony, Acting Mayor Larry Hebert proclaimed March 3 to 9 Research and Innovation Week.

Dr. Dean invited everyone to attend events during this year’s R and I Week.

“This is our chance to showcase the important research and innovation happening at Lakehead University. We hope you join us at the Intercity Shopping Centre tomorrow and for some of the exciting talks,” he said.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, March 4: 10 am to 6 pm – Lakehead University brings Research and Innovation Week to the Intercity Shopping Centre.

Sunday, March 5: 2 to 4 pm – Censorship: A Roundtable Discussion in the Brodie Street Library’s Fireside Reading Room

Monday, March 6: 7 to 9 pm – What Can We Do About Mercury in our Water? Sustainability Roundtable Discussion at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Wednesday, March 8

• 9 to 10:30 am – International Women’s Day Research Panel in the Faculty Lounge
• 2 to 4 pm – Should Lakehead University establish an Indigenous Research Centre? discussion in the Faculty Lounge
• 7:30 to 8:30 pm – The Search for Life Beyond Earth in Space and Time – with NASA’s Dr. James Green

For more information, please visit lakeheadu.ca/ri.

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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 about 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. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

June 1, 2017 – Thunder Bay, ON

The founder of Toronto’s PEACH (Palliative Education And Care for the Homeless) is coming to Thunder Bay to deliver education on palliative care for the homeless and the vulnerably housed. 

Dr. Naheed Dosani is a passionate and respected advocate for marginalized and vulnerable populations with palliative needs. 

He will be in Thunder Bay on Thursday, June 8 and Friday, June 9, organized by Lakehead University’s Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health (CERAH) with Hospice Northwest, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, the North West LHIN Regional Palliative Care Program of St. Joseph’s Care Group, and a group of local palliative care physicians.

“How do we value dignity at the end of life?" Dr. Dosani said. “Is it the same for everyone? My experience has shown it's not. It troubles me that we live in a society where we live differently. But should we really die differently?”

Dr. Dosani will participate in three education events:

• Thursday, June 8 Die-alogues session: 7 – 9 pm in the Embassy Ballroom at the Victoria Inn: Open to the public – by donation. To register call 626-5570 ext. 5573 or visit hospicenorthwest.ca/die-alogues.
• Friday, June 9 Symposium: 8 – 9:30 am in the Embassy Ballroom at the Victoria Inn: Dr. Dosani will lead the discussion at a breakfast Symposium where interested members of the public, front-line staff and health care providers will learn specifically how PEACH was established to provide palliative care services and education, and discuss how a similar model can be implemented locally.  $10 registration fee.  To register visit: cerah.lakeheadu.ca/events/
• Friday, June 9 Workshop: 10 am – 12 pm in the Embassy Ballroom at the Victoria Inn:  Dr. Dosani will facilitate a Workshop following the Symposium for front-line staff and health care providers who are interested in learning more about the work that he has been involved in, and how this work can be accomplished in Thunder Bay.  No charge but registration is required: cerah.lakeheadu.ca/events/

More information about the Die-alogues is available by clicking here. More information about the Symposium and Workshop is available by clicking here.

Dr. Dosani serves as a Palliative Care Physician at the Inner City Health Associates (ICHA) and William Osler Health System (WOHS). He recently completed the Conjoint Palliative Medicine Residency Program at the University of Toronto. 

After completing his training, Dr. Dosani founded PEACH, a mobile, street and shelter-based outreach service aimed at meeting the Palliative Care needs of the homeless and vulnerably housed. Through PEACH, he provides Toronto’s most marginalized populations with compassionate care and a dignified approach to their end-of-life journeys.  Click here to watch Dr. Dosani’s Ted Talk.

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Media: Media are invited to promote these educational events in advance by interviewing Dr. Dosani by phone.

Interviews may be conducted in person with Dr. Dosani at 6:40 pm on Thursday, June 8 at the Embassy Ballroom or at 9:30 am on Friday, June 9 at the Embassy Ballroom.

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 about 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. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

November 23, 2017 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, ON

Lakehead University will be participating in Giving Tuesday on Tuesday, Nov. 28 – and it could be even bigger than last year.

Giving Tuesday is a relatively new Canadian movement for giving.  Seen as the “opening day of the giving season,” it is when charities, companies, and individuals join together to share their commitment, rally for their favourite causes, and think about others.

Lakehead University’s Alumni Association has agreed to match the first $21,000 in new gifts towards student financial aid. This is an exceptional opportunity to double the impact of everyone's gift. Last year, $41,879 was raised during Giving Tuesday. 
 
By donating to Lakehead on Giving Tuesday, you support the University's hard-working students. Your donation will help fund scholarships and bursaries, enhance the student experience and support student athletes. 
Everyone is encouraged to:

• Make a gift – the Giving Tuesday portal (found at donate.lakeheadu.ca) will open on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 12:01 am and close on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at midnight.
• Take a selfie or pose for a photo and post it to your social media page using the hashtag #GivingTuesday and #lakeheadu.  The Annual Fund and Alumni Engagement office will be sure to share your posts on their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages. 
• On Tuesday, Nov. 28, visit staff at the Giving Tuesday booths in the Agora in Thunder Bay or in the Learning Commons in Orillia. Come show your support! 

Thank you in advance for helping to make Giving Tuesday at Lakehead a success and thanks to the Alumni Association for its continued generosity.

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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.

Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, made the announcement on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017

December 8, 2017

Ontario is transferring the operating and research programming of the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station to Lakehead University to help foster innovation and strengthen Ontario's competitive edge by expanding agri-food research in Northwestern Ontario.

Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, made the announcement on behalf of Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in Thunder Bay today.

The partnership with Lakehead University will support the long-term sustainability of the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station and will increase the university's capacity to build new programming and research that will benefit Northwestern Ontario.

The investment builds on the province's efforts to develop a sustainable, coordinated plan to expand agriculture in Northern Ontario, such as the Northern Livestock Pilot and field crop and beef research in New Liskeard.

Supporting agriculture in the North is part of Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. This plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

Quick Facts

• The agricultural research station will now be known as the Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station (LUARS).
• Through a new partnership with Lakehead University, Ontario is providing up to $1.65 million over five years to support Northwestern agriculture research at the provincially owned facility.
• The Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station, founded in 1991, uses small-plot research to introduce and assess crop varieties and agricultural management practices.
• The province supports several agriculture research operations in Northern Ontario, including facilities in Thunder Bay, New Liskeard and Emo.
• Northern Ontario is home to more than 920,000 acres of farmed land and over 2,200 farms.

Quotes

“I am pleased with today’s funding announcement of $1.65 million, from the Province, to Lakehead University as it brings the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station under its administration through the creation of the Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station. I am confident that today’s announcement will ensure the future sustainability of the Station and allow it to benefit from Lakehead’s tremendous research expertise and capacity. This will also provide Lakehead with the opportunity to expand its research capacity and add to its already impressive achievements and reputation in the areas of research and innovation. I want to congratulate and thank both the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Association and Lakehead University for their dedication and perseverance as we’ve worked together on bringing this partnership to fruition.”
Bill Mauro
MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan

“For well over a decade, our government has been supporting the important research that is taking place at the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station. I would like to thank Minister Leal and Minister Matthews for investing in this important partnership, which will support the sustainability of the station and contribute to the economic development of our agri-food sector here in Northwestern Ontario.”
Michael Gravelle
MPP for Thunder Bay – Superior North

“This investment reaffirms our government’s commitment to expanding agriculture in Northern Ontario. By investing in research and innovation, we are boosting the competitiveness of Ontario’s agri-food sector and ensuring that our farmers in Northwestern Ontario have the tools and resources they need to succeed.”
Jeff Leal
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

“The Agricultural Research Station’s partnership with Lakehead University will create so many new opportunities for students to learn about and innovate in Northwestern Ontario’s growing agri-food sector. Thunder Bay offers a unique learning experience for students and researchers interested in diverse soil and climate conditions. I’m excited to see the positive effects of this collaboration on the region’s economy and reputation in agri-food excellence.”
Deb Matthews
Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development

“We thank OMAFRA for this contribution and look forward to growing our partnership through the Agricultural Research Station. The expertise from Lakehead University's faculty and researchers will further enable and expand the important work being conducted at this station for the agri-food sector in our region.”
Dr. Andrew P. Dean
Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Lakehead University

“Northwestern Ontario's agri-food business continues to be an important economic driver for the region. This facility will help push innovation and train future scientists in the field. We thank the Ministry for providing this opportunity for Lakehead University researchers, faculty, and staff to contribute to the work being conducted at this station and its field of research.”
Dr. Brian Stevenson
President & Vice-Chancellor, Lakehead University

“This investment will help build Northwestern Ontario’s agri-food capacity, sustainability and competitiveness by supporting an important partnership between local farmers and a world class research institution such as Lakehead University. It also recognizes the importance of northern agri-food research and the region’s ability to contribute data and knowledge which benefits the entire province.”
Kevin Belluz
President, Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Association

Dr. Matt Tocheri, second from right, is pictured at the Liang Bua site with Dr. Thomas Sutikna, third from right.

December 12, 2017 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University’s Dr. Matt Tocheri is being recognized by the Shanghai Archaeology Forum for his research on Homo floresiensis at Liang Bua in Indonesia.

“It is a great honour to receive a 2017 Field Discovery Award with my collaborator and friend Dr. Thomas Sutikna,” said Dr. Tocheri, Canada Research Chair in Human Origins at Lakehead University and Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution’s Human Origins Program.

Eight years of further excavations and study at the Indonesian cave site of Liang Bua pushed back the time of disappearance of the ‘hobbits’ of Flores (Homo floresiensis) from as recently as 12,000 years ago to about 60-50,000 years ago – around the same time that modern humans (Homo sapiens) first dispersed through the wider region and reached Australia.

The new findings were published in Nature in 2016 in an article entitled Revised stratigraphy and chronology for Homo floresiensis at Liang Bua in Indonesia. Dr. Sutikna from the University of Wollongong recently travelled to Shanghai to give a presentation about the research and to participate in the award ceremony.

“Archaeological fieldwork is extremely challenging at the best of times and especially in remote areas like Flores,” Dr. Tocheri said. “To receive such recognition from our peers for our research is really special and I am very grateful to the Shanghai Archaeology Forum Selection Committee for their effort in reviewing all of this year’s nominations.”

Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead University’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation, congratulated Dr. Tocheri and Dr. Sutikna.

“This award recognizes the many years that Dr. Tocheri and Dr. Sutikna have spent excavating the physical and cultural remains of Homo floresiensis, which roamed the earth at the same time as our species,” Dr. Dean said.

“Thank you to the Shanghai Archaeology Forum Selection Committee for this recognition and thank you to Dr. Tocheri and Dr. Sutikna for your expertise and dedication,” he added.

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