Lakehead University launched its online 2020 Report to the Community “Hope and Resilience” website today, featuring stories and videos celebrating inspirational achievements by students, alumni, and researchers.

Lakehead’s President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Moira McPherson, said, “Our 2020 Report to the Community is about hope and resilience, and about celebrating our students, faculty, staff, researchers, and alumni who contribute so much to our communities.

“We invite our students, alumni, and friends around the world to experience our online annual report and to join us in celebrating what we have all achieved together,” she added.

The website hopeandresilience.ca shares annual updates on information about the University, presents the University’s impacts on the regions around its Orillia and Thunder Bay campuses, and highlights the achievements by students, faculty and alumni from around the world.

Canada’s Minister of Health, the Honourable Patty Hajdu (BA’96/HBA’97 Anthropology), is among the inspiring alumni featured in this year’s Report to the Community.

On the website, the Federal Member of Parliament at the forefront of Canada’s response to the coronavirus describes how she had to abruptly shift gears as the virus spread throughout Europe and then reached Canada’s shores, adding that, “It’s always been a point of pride for me that I’m a Lakehead grad.”

The website also celebrates Fatima Ahmed, who earned her Bachelor of Education in the spring of 2020 and is now a Master of Education student.

Ahmed is currently teaching elementary students at a school in Nunavik in the far north of Quebec. Before she started teaching, she assisted in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Botswana, worked with the women’s development officer in Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean, and served as the executive director helping at-risk youth in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

“Having gone to a large university and a large campus for my first undergraduate degree, I think there is something special about attending smaller universities or campuses,” Ahmed said. “At smaller universities, one is less likely to get lost as a number, which was unfortunately my experience with a larger university.”

Being a physician in the middle of a pandemic is not an easy situation, however Lakehead alumna Dr. Crystal Luchkiw (HBASc’09) is staying focused on what’s best for her patients.

“As a practitioner, I’m very much about human connection,” she said. “I spend a lot of time making sure that people understand their diagnosis and providing emotional and psychological support.”

Since March, Dr. Luchkiw has been trying to counteract the fear and uncertainty that has followed in the wake of COVID-19. “I encourage my elderly patients to safely see their families and to go outdoors,” she said. “Many of them didn’t leave their homes for months and that’s devastating to their health.”

Dr. Charles Levkoe, Lakehead’s Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Food Systems, is working with the Indigenous Food Circle, which is stepping up during the pandemic to secure money to provide nutritious food for Indigenous people in the region.

In times of crisis, vulnerable people often suffer the greatest hardships. This is proving true for Indigenous communities as the coronavirus continues to cause loss of life and economic upheaval.

“Indigenous people in Northwestern Ontario have almost double the rate of food insecurity as the white settler population,” Dr. Levkoe said.

Finding ways to create a more equitable food system drives Dr. Levkoe’s research, however he recognizes that real change comes from working together with communities and grassroots organizations who take the lead in creating solutions.

Lakehead celebrates several milestones on the website, including being on Maclean’s 2021 list of Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities, and in the top half of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. 

One of the world’s most respected ranking systems, THE included Lakehead among the top 100 universities from around the world in its 2020 Impact Rankings, which assess institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals and more than 220 measurements.

Lakehead University also celebrated the incredible financial impact it has on the province. Lakehead adds approximately $1.545 billion per year to Ontario’s gross domestic product. The annual economic impact of Lakehead Thunder Bay on the province was approximately $1.4 billion, while Lakehead Orillia contributed $165 million. Lakehead University is responsible for 6,277 full-time equivalent jobs.

Visit hopeandresilience.ca to view Lakehead University’s 2019-2020 Report to the Community.

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked, once again, among Canada’s top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s University Rankings 2021; as well as included in the top half of the Times Higher Education 2020 World University Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 98th among 766 universities from around the world in THE's 2020 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Research Infosource has named Lakehead the number two university in Canada in the undergraduate category of its annual Research University of the Year assessment.

Lakehead was ranked in the top spot for the previous five years — the first time an institution in Research Infosource’s undergraduate category was ever ranked Research University of the Year five years in a row.

Lakehead University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Moira McPherson said she is proud of this placement following a historic previous five years.

“I congratulate our researchers and their partners for another exceptional year and for the work they are doing all over the world,” Dr. McPherson said.

“It is their dedication to excellence, as well as the hard work of our offices of Research Services and Economic Development and Innovation, that keeps Lakehead University among the highest-ranked universities in our country and around the world.”

Lakehead’s placement among the top of the country’s undergraduate universities category is based on the university standing out on a balanced scorecard of research inputs and outputs, according to the annual ranking of Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities by Research Infosource, Canada’s source of research and development intelligence.

“The Research University of the Year award is, in essence, the winner of the playoffs among the universities that qualify by having very high rankings in a number of research outputs,” said Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead University’s Vice-President, Research & Innovation. One of the research outputs being measured is publication impact. Within this category, Lakehead University is number one.

Lakehead University has also been ranked first in not-for-profit research income among all universities in Canada in its category.

“We are very proud to be ranked among the top in Canada for the Research University of the Year award, and we are certainly proud of our top ranking for not-for-profit research income,” Dr. Dean added.

“Many of our research projects at Lakehead University are built around community. Relationships with foundations, Indigenous communities, and agencies with a social accountability mandate are extremely important to Lakehead University. These relationships are reflected in our continued strength in the not-for-profit research income category,” Dr. Dean added.

Research Infosource’s calculation of its Research Universities of the Year involves examining several factors, including the total amount of sponsored research funding received by each university, research intensity per faculty (total research income per faculty member), research intensity per graduate student (total research income per graduate student), total number of publications, publication intensity, and publication impact.

“Lakehead is consistently in the top rank of undergraduate research universities,” said Ron Freedman, CEO of Research Infosource Inc.

“This is the result not only of talented researchers and excellent research, but a strong research culture at the university,” he added.

Click here to visit the Research Infosource website for more information. 

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked, once again, among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s 2021 University Rankings; as well as included in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2020 World Universities Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 98th among 766 universities from around the world in THE's 2020 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

December 7, 2020 – Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ont.

Lakehead University is launching four of eight modules on Truth and Reconciliation to encourage open discussion among its staff, faculty, and administration, which will be available for public viewing until Friday, Dec. 18.

With the fifth anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada approaching in December, the Lakehead University President’s Council for Truth and Reconciliation is posting the modules online to encourage discussions on social inclusion, Indigenous culture, and holistic approaches to dialogue in Thunder Bay and Simcoe County.

“The Covid 19 pandemic has prompted many changes in how we interact and how we will continue to do so in the future,” said Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair on Truth and Reconciliation. “A response to either crisis or opportunity has gifted us with a flexible approach to beginning and sustaining a different kind of dialogue.”

The modules include discussions in the following areas:

1. Worldviews and Creation Stories
2. What’s History got to do with it?
3. Intercultural and World Literatures
4. Addressing Systemic Racism, Stereotypes, Biases and Beliefs
5. Beyond Indian Residential Schools
6. The History and Impacts of Child Welfare
7. Ethics, Protocols and Research
8. International Protocols, National Studies and the Truth

“This module series reflects the work of faculty and staff at both campuses over several years to develop relevant content geared to promote learning, relationships and reconciliation at Lakehead,” said Dr. Gary Pluim, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education and member of the President’s Council for Truth and Reconciliation.

“The modules comprise a comprehensive set of themes relating to truth and reconciliation in Canada, presented in a conversational format for us as staff and faculty to engage in a deep dialogue,” Dr. Pluim said.

“The series begins with a focus on worldviews, and continues with themes such as history, literature and international protocols, each building upon the previous to encourage strong understanding. An important aspect of these modules is their relevance to Lakehead's geographies, situating the topics in the places of Thunder Bay and Orillia and upon the Indigenous territories on which the campuses are located,” he added.

Lakehead has long been a leader in Indigenous programming and support for Indigenous learning and employment, beginning with the Native Access Program in the early 1980s, which ensured Indigenous students of all ages had a clear path to higher learning, to hiring the first Indigenous Vice-Provost in Canada in 2003, creating the first Indigenous Chair on Truth and Reconciliation in Canada in 2016, and launching the first Indigenous Content Requirement in 2016.

More recently, Lakehead has signed a new Indigenous Principles Agreement with Northwestern Chiefs and Councils to strengthen its relationships across the North and Simcoe County.

“Ultimately, our goal is to create a Lakehead specific ‘reconciliation through education’ model,” Dr. Wesley-Esquimaux said.

“We hope eventually to be in dialogue with everyone in the Lakehead University community, from the Board of Governors, through Senate, the student body, staff, faculty, and guests through our work on reconciliation,” she added.

Through its many initiatives, Lakehead strives to have the varied and rich nuances of cultures, languages, knowledge bases, and art all carefully woven into the fabric of the university.

“We recognize there can be no room for separation when it comes to reconciliation, and each of us can be involved as Canadians, whether we are Indigenous or non-Indigenous,” Dr. Wesley-Esquimaux said.

Click here to view the modules. 

For more info, contact Dr. Wesley-Esquimaux at cynthia.wesley@lakeheadu.ca.

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being named Research Infosource's Research University of the Year in our category for the fifth consecutive year (2020); ranked, once again, among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s 2021 University Rankings; as well as included in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2020 World Universities Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 98th among 766 universities from around the world in THE's 2020 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca. 

At its November 26, 2020 meeting, Lakehead University’s Board of Governors approved a motion that will see the institution divest from its fossil fuel holdings by the end of the University’s current Strategic Plan in 2023.

“Our decision to divest from fossil fuel companies reflects Lakehead’s goal of becoming a leader in sustainability as reflected throughout our current Strategic Plan and Sustainability Action Plan,” said Board of Governors Chair Angela Maltese. “This move is consistent with our commitment to addressing environmental sustainability and climate change.”

Lakehead University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Moira McPherson applauded the Board’s decision, which follows extensive consultation with outside experts and with input from the University community.

“Lakehead University has a responsibility to be pro-active in facing the challenges associated with climate change through education, research, and its investments,” Dr. McPherson said. “I am especially proud of our students, who continue to show their commitment and leadership to addressing this global issue.”

Responsible investing nurtures the world’s transition away from the reliance on carbon-based economies by moving funds and investments to sectors and technologies that offer more sustainable options.

Maltese explained that while the divestment process is complex, the Board and the University will fulfill its commitment while adhering to their legal and fiduciary responsibilities to mitigate the potential costs for exiting funds that contain fossil fuel holdings.

Maltese added that, “While our investment portfolio’s current fossil fuel exposure is a little over 2%, it will still take time to divest properly so that our investment earnings are not impacted.”

Lakehead’s divestment strategy will be guided by its Responsible Investment Policy, a document that affirms the University’s commitment to responsible investing through consideration of Environmental, Social, and Governance factors as set out in the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing.

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being named Research Infosource's Research University of the Year in our category for the fifth consecutive year (2019); ranked, once again, among Canada’s top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s University Rankings 2021; as well as included in the top half of the Times Higher Education 2020 World University Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 98th among 766 universities from around the world in THE's 2020 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

After a rigorous process led by the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) Executive Director Hiring Committee and Board of Directors, LUSU is proud to announce that Farhan Yousaf has accepted the position of Executive Director (ED) effective December 14, 2020.

Yousaf brings extensive experience and achievements within the Lakehead community and student movement. He holds a degree from Lakehead University in Mechanical Engineering. His experience includes serving as the Northern Caucus Chair of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario and membership on various committees within the Lakehead community. Yousaf is also an experienced public speaker and is the recipient of several awards including a 2017 City of Thunder Bay Respect Award, 2017 Lakehead Luminary Award and 2018 Northwestern Ontario Visionary (NOVA) Award for Community Champion.

The ED is responsible for advising and supporting the executive, board of directors, and staff of the student union. The ED receives direction from, and works closely with, the elected board and executive to achieve the strategic goals of the union. Yousaf's experience in governance and finances will lend itself well to these responsibilities, particularly as LUSU embarks on renewing governing documents, communications, and structures to better serve and advocate for students.

The Executive Director Hiring Committee was composed of the executive and two board members responsible for candidate search, interviews, and providing a final recommendation to the board of directors for consideration.

For questions or comments, please contact:

Sukhraj Grewal, President
president@lusu.ca
807-343-8550

December 4, 2020 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ont.

Take the first step to achieving your career goals by registering now for Lakehead University’s virtual open house, happening on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Explore Lakehead’s programs, chat virtually with faculty and staff about the admissions process, and have a chance to win free tuition for your first year.

There has never been an easier way for you and your family to learn more about Lakehead University – from the comfort of your home.

Through videos, downloadable program info packages, and one-on-one chats, you can learn about the University’s vibrant student life, its degree programs, scholarships and bursaries, and important admissions information. 

New for the December event, attendees will have access to a virtual presentation hall, where they can hear first-hand experiences about student life and the Lakehead advantage from current Lakehead students.

“Our December virtual open house offers the opportunity to further explore our programs, chat with Faculty to better connect your personal career goals to our programs and discover our student supports,” said Lynn Hurrell, Director of Undergraduate Recruitment (Domestic). 

“However, our December event explores a little deeper into the student experience awaiting at Lakehead.  Through a series of 30-minute talks and Q&A sessions, attendees will hear firsthand about what it’s really like to be part of the Lakehead community, how small class sizes matter and why over 8,500 students per year continue to choose Lakehead to prepare them for their future,” Hurrell said.

By attending the open house, all participants will automatically be entered into a draw to win free first-year tuition. But don’t delay registering:  pre-registration is required by 3 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

The open house will feature a virtual exhibit hall where attendees will pick up a virtual backpack and visit with 21 different booths to collect brochures and faculty and program videos and most importantly, chat one-on-one with current faculty, researchers and student services teams. 

Lakehead University has world-renowned faculty and researchers, which is why Maclean’s Magazine includes Lakehead in its annual top 10 list of undergraduate universities in Canada and Research Infosource named Lakehead the Research University of the Year for five consecutive years (2015 to 2019).

The Lakehead Experience: A Virtual Open House will run from 4 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Pre-registration is required – please visit lakeheadu.ca/openhouse.

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being named Research Infosource's Research University of the Year in our category for the fifth consecutive year (2019); ranked, once again, among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s 2021 University Rankings; as well as included in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2020 World Universities Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 98th among 766 universities from around the world in THE's 2020 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca. 

The Department of Indigenous Learning congratulates Hannah Caruana on her appointment to the Youth Advisory Council.

The Youth Advisory Council provides a venue for youth in the Thunder Bay-Superior North riding to discuss topics including Covid-19, social issues and environmental issues.

Hannah was motivated to seek out a seat on the Council to "assist in the actions needed to combat crises within our communities that rely on a dire need of youth voices and participation for sustainable implementation."

Over the course of the year, Hannah will be meeting bi-weekly with Minister Hajdu and other government representatives and support the creation of a youth driven community action plan to address safety and social well-being in the riding.

All Lakehead Library locations will be closed from December 19, 2020 to January 3, 2021. The Harvie Legacy Library at the Orillia campus will continue to offer book pickup services until the end of the day on December 18. Please submit your requests for book pickup prior to these dates so staff can ensure the materials will be ready for you before the closure.

Remote library services, such as research help over email, will remain available from December 21 to 23.

Questions? Email us at orlib@lakeheadu.ca.

December 2, 2020 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ont.

Lakehead University has named Dr. Janusz Koziński as the next Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.

Koziński is a globally-trained higher education leader, multidisciplinary researcher, creative thinker, arts enthusiast and entrepreneur, who brings international experience from pioneering academic institutions in Canada, the United States and Europe.

Prior to joining Lakehead, Koziński was the Founding President of the New Model Institute for Technology & Engineering in the United Kingdom and served as Founding Dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering in Toronto, a brand-new professional school with a mission to confront the complex challenges with creativity, compassion and a collaborative spirit. He was also formerly the Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. 

“Dr. Kozinski’s impressive combination of academic and industry experience, research accomplishments and leadership skills will be invaluable to our faculty of engineering,” said Dr. David Barnett, Provost and Vice-President (Academic). “He understands the importance of adapting to the changing and complex demands of the engineering profession and will help to enhance Lakehead’s reputation for unique, innovative programming.”

Educated in Kraków, Poland at the AGH University of Science and Technology, Koziński received his post-doctoral training at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and spent much of his academic career at McGill University, where he was a Sir William Dawson Scholar and Associate Vice-Principal of Research and International Relations.

Koziński’s research includes projects related to the environmental impact of energy technology, greenhouse gas mitigation, fabrication of nanomaterials, public safety in buildings vulnerable to bio-agents, and Mars exploration.

In 2006, Koziński was named International Chair in Bioenergy at the Institute for Advanced Studies and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in France. He was the only invited scientist from Canada at the time to participate in zero-gravity flights organized by the European Space Agency.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Lakehead University at such an important time for the University and our country,” said Koziński. “2020 has shown us all how interconnected and interdependent we are as people and as communities. We’ve learned that to solve the challenges we face now, and in the future, we need to work together more than ever.”

“Engineers must be bold, rigorous and unconventional if we are to make life better for humanity, address the climate crisis and build more sustainable communities. We must approach the future with a spirit of collaboration, humility and courage, and that means an engineering education that’s truly open to new ideas and to different perspectives. Together, we can build a faculty of engineering that’s original, open-minded and with youthful mindset.”

“I look forward to working with students and colleagues across every faculty, to make a positive impact on our community and on the wider world beyond our borders,” he added.

Koziński succeeds David Barnett, who became Provost and Vice-President (Academic), and Hassan Naser, Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Software Engineering, who is currently serving as interim Dean of the Faculty. Dr. Barnett expressed his appreciation for Dr. Naser’s leadership in guiding the Faculty through a successful review of all undergraduate programs by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board as well as his work with faculty, staff and students as we continue to respond to the challenges of the pandemic.

Koziński begins his five-year appointment on January 1, 2021.

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Media: For further information or to arrange an interview, contact Jaclyn Bucik, Media, Communications & Marketing Associate, at 705-330-4010 ext. 2014 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being named Research Infosource's Research University of the Year in our category for the fifth consecutive year (2019); ranked, once again, among Canada’s top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s University Rankings 2021; as well as included in the top half of the Times Higher Education 2020 World University Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 98th among 766 universities from around the world in THE's 2020 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.