Graduate Spotlight: 15 Years in the Making, Mechanical Engineering Grad Chris Clouthier Proves Perseverance Has No Time Limit

(June 4, 2026) — For Chris Clouthier, a graduating Mechanical Engineering student at the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Laurentian University, the path to convocation took fifteen years, weaving through devastating family loss, a life-altering accident, full-time employment, and the joy of raising a young family.

Now 34 years old, the full-status band member of Mississauga Number 8 First Nation crossed the stage on June 2 at 10 a.m.

Clouthier’s engineering path began in 2010 at the University of Ottawa. A year and a half into his studies, his mother became severely ill, requiring a double lung transplant. Clouthier paused his education to act as her caregiver in Toronto until she tragically passed away in March 2014.

Left with no savings, he returned to his hometown of Elliot Lake to work, eventually enrolling in the Mining Engineering Technology advanced diploma program at Cambrian College. Just months before graduation in January 2019, he was in a severe car accident, breaking his pelvis, spine, and right forearm. Undeterred, he completed his final semester from a bed at Health Sciences North, graduating on time.

"I was happy to have completed post-secondary education, but I wasn't fully satisfied," Clouthier shares. "I still felt like I wanted a university degree in Mechanical Engineering." In 2021, he enrolled part-time at Laurentian to finish what he started.

For the next four years, Clouthier managed a grueling schedule. He worked full-time as a Mechanical Designer for Komatsu in Elliot Lake while driving to Laurentian twice a week for classes and labs—totaling eight hours of weekly travel. He made up his work hours on evenings and weekends.

"Between my first day of Mechanical Engineering and my last day was fifteen years," says Clouthier. "In that time, I bought a house, made a family, worked in multiple positions in the mining and metals industry, and survived some pretty traumatic events. I'm most proud of the fact that I never gave up."

Clouthier found community outside the classroom, competing for two years on the Canadian Mining Games team (serving as co-captain his second year) and playing for the Engineering hockey team.

Academically, one professor stood out. "Dr. Marc Arsenault was pivotal in my success," Clouthier notes. "He was a mentor and helped teach me inside and outside of the classroom. He always made time for me."

As an Indigenous student, Clouthier felt deeply supported by the university's cultural resources and tight-knit environment. "I would highly recommend Laurentian for any Indigenous students because it's a smaller school and community, and they make you feel like home. They always have events and make you truly feel like you are a part of the community."

Life is not slowing down for the Clouthier family. In February 2026, Chris started a new role as a Sales Engineer for Northern Ontario with GPA Incorporated. 

Looking ahead, Clouthier plans to return to Laurentian to pursue his Master of Business Administration, all while planning his upcoming wedding.

Ultimately, his hard-won degree is about setting an example. "Hopefully, I can be a role model to my kids, Indigenous youth, and anyone else who can find their own strength through my story."