Your Alumni Association ramped up activities this past fall and winter as we returned to pre-pandemic levels of engagement. I hope we saw you at one of the many events highlighted below, but if not, I encourage you to join us this coming year.
Blue Jays University and College Night
A wonderful collaboration between the GTA Chapter and the Simcoe County Chapter brought together Lakehead alumni from across Southern Ontario to cheer on the Jays at the annual University and College night on September 14. Over 200 enthusiastic alumni and friends took part in the event, and our section was by far the most engaged.
Homecoming Orillia
This year's Homecoming Orillia was the first year to feature our Lakehead Celebrates— Alumni Honours evening, and the event and weekend were raging successes. Approximately 90 alumni and friends attended Lakehead Celebrates to honour our award recipients and to induct two new honorary members. A Pub Games evening and an Escape Room Challenge on campus rounded out the weekend's activities.
A Day with the Rt Hon. David Johnston
October 2 was a whirlwind day with Canada's 28th Governor General, the Rt Hon. David Johnston (or just David, as he prefers). We started with a special lunch in Lakehead President Gillian Siddall's office that was hosted by Alumni Association President Yolanda Wanakamik. Attending the lunch were Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff, Fort William First Nation Chief Michele Solomon, Board of Governors Chair Maria Vasanelli, Dean of Education Dr. Wayne Melville, Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School Principal (and alumna) Sharon Angeconeb, Rideau Hall Foundation Indigenous Teacher Education Initiative Director (and alumnus) Rachel Mishenene, Lakehead Indigenous Initiatives Vice-Provost (and alumna) Denise Baxter, Fellow of Lakehead University Vince Mirabelli (Honorary Alumnus), and, of course, the Rt Hon. David Johnston. In the afternoon, David and his group met with our Indigenous Initiatives staff, facilitators, educators, and students. And, finally, at 6:00 pm President Yolanda Wanakamik hosted David at an informal Fireside Chat in the Agora with over 150 alumni and friends in attendance.
Alumni Varsity Engagement Kick-Off
Our first alumni varsity engagement event of the year saw around 100 alumni and friends take in the basketball game against Toronto Metropolitan University at the Mattamy Centre in Toronto. We hosted 10 additional events throughout the term and closed out the regular varsity season with several engagement events throughout Southern and Eastern Ontario—alumni cheered on Lakehead athletes at hockey and basketball games in Guelph, Waterloo, Hamilton, Toronto, Windsor, and Ottawa. Attendance has been phenomenal this year, especially in Ottawa. At one game against the Carleton Ravens, we purchased 150 of the 250 available seats at their arena. The Thunderwolves prevailed 3-0 against the Ravens, in large part because of the fan participation.
WUSC Student Bursary
The Alumni Association contributed an initial gift of $5,000 to establish a WUSC (World University Service Canada) Student Bursary, which will benefit refugee students who come to Lakehead through this program. This bursary is posted on our crowdfunding site at donate.lakeheadu.ca if you are interested in more information or would like to make a gift.
Thank you for engaging, celebrating, and sharing as a Lakehead Alum! You are Lakehead for Life, and we look forward to seeing you in the months and years to come.
Mark Tilbury, Executive Director
Yolanda Wanakamik, President