Chancellor of Laurentian University
The chancellor of the university is a volunteer appointed by the board of governors. The chancellor is the titular and ceremonial head of the university and assists the university in its advocacy, advancement activities, and national recognition efforts. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the chancellor of Laurentian University will:
- Act as an ambassador for the university;
- Preside over convocation and confer degrees;
- Serve as a member of the board of governors;
- Participate in, or preside over, ceremonial or other important events on campus;
- Represent the university in an official capacity at external functions from time to time;
- Perform a strong leadership role on behalf of the university;
- Engage in profile-raising activities;
- Assist in advancement activities (friend-raising and fund-raising);
- Advocate directly, or through a network of connections, for the post-secondary system, and for Laurentian University in particular;
- Provide advice to the president and vice-chancellor.
Aline Chrétien (2010 - 2013)
Steve Paikin (2013 - 2021)
Academic Hoods
Convocation is an impressive ceremony, steeped in dignity and decorum, which is conducted according to long-standing traditions. The colourful academic regalia – caps, gowns, and hoods – worn by teaching and administrative staff are a legacy from medieval universities such as Paris, Bologna, Oxford, and Cambridge. They indicate the university from which its bearer graduated and the highest degree awarded to that person. Most of the distinctive characteristics appear in the hood. Originally a practical element of dress, the hood has evolved into a separate and purely ornamental article, draped over the shoulder and down the back. The hoods worn by graduands are either bordered or lined with colours that indicate the degree to be conferred.
The Mace
The mace is a symbol of authority and guidance. It is shouldered by the macebearer/beadle/bedel who, clothed in a specially designed gown, leads the procession of graduands, faculty, members of the board of governors, special guests, the chancellor, and the president and vice-chancellor, into the auditorium to participate in the convocation ceremony. When the entire procession has entered, the mace is placed on a designated pedestal before the chancellor, at the front of the stage. It remains there until the closure of the convocation ceremony, at which time it is borne again by the cacebearer who leads the convocation procession out of the auditorium.
Laurentian’s mace was designed by Dora de Pedery-Hunt. It was crafted from Sudbury metals – copper and nickel – and adorned with golden studs, representing strength and power. The university’s crest is engraved at the tip of the shaft. This gift from The Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE), Elizabeth Fry Chapter, was presented to the university at their annual dinner on May 17, 1966.
Akihewin / Eagle Staff
Laurentian University included an Eagle Staff in the Fall 2024 Convocation, marking an historic moment in honouring Indigenous culture and traditions at Laurentian. The Eagle Staff, a living item of Indigenous sovereignty, is now an integral ceremonial custom at Laurentian’s formal events and ceremonies, representing strength, unity, and respect for the land on which the university resides.
“‘Akihewin’, sometimes ‘kihewin’, is what we call the Eagle Staff. In modern context it means ‘flag’ but in the old days, leaders would put eagle staffs as territorial demarcations and bring them to ceremonies, celebrations, and when visiting other territories,” explained Dominic Beaudry, Associate Vice-President, Academic and Indigenous Programs. It tells a story of relationships–connection to the land and each other. “The Eagle Staff authenticates ceremony in the Anishinaabe way. It is meaningful for those graduates, their parents and their families.”
The journey to bring the Eagle Staff to Laurentian began when the Laurentian University Native Education Council (LUNEC) recognized the importance of enhancing ceremonial protocols with Indigenous traditions. This vision was carried forward in collaboration with Atikameksheng Anishnawbek’s Chief and Council, who affirmed the creation of the Eagle Staff.
“The Eagle Staff embodies respect for the traditional land of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and is a representation of the mutual respect between their community and the Laurentian community,” said Beaudry.