August 6, 2013 – The Laurentian University School of Architecture is pleased to be welcoming the charter class of students for the Fall 2013 launch of Canada’s newest architecture school.
Of the applications received from across the country, Laurentian Architecture has confirmed 70 students to begin studies at the downtown Sudbury site of the new school. Classes will start on September 4.
“We have been tremendously impressed by the vitality and the diversity of the applications we’ve received,” said Laurentian Architecture’s Founding Director, Dr. Terrance Galvin. “There is an exciting creative spark in these young people, and we know that our school is off to a very promising start.”
Students were selected based on their creative portfolios, personal letters of application, OSSD grades, and letters of reference. Dr. Galvin says the portfolios displayed a “high calibre of visually talented people, with diverse skills in fine arts. The portfolios were very strong, among the best that I’ve seen in my career.”
The first class at Laurentian Architecture includes 40 female and 30 male students, most of whom are from northern Ontario and other regions of the province. More than 17 per cent are francophone or fluent in French, and 7 per cent are indigenous students. Laurentian Architecture will specialize in northern and sustainable design, with a particular focus on incorporating francophone and aboriginal culture, history and design in the curriculum. Each year, Francophone and Indigenous students will be eligible for renewable Departmental scholarships, in addition to the financial support offered to all Laurentian University students. A donation of $100,000 from the University’s Alumni Association helps to finance these Architecture scholarships.
The Laurentian Architecture program includes two co-op work placements in the undergraduate program. Members of the Fall 2013 cohort will have terms of co-operative study beginning in the summer of 2014. Students will also take part in international co-op placements by their 3rd year of study.
About Laurentian University
Laurentian University is one of the fastest growing universities in Canada in the past decade, now serving close to 10,000 students. With its main campus in Sudbury, it now offers a growing number of programs in Barrie to the 1,200 students located on that campus. Laurentian has the highest post-graduation employment rates in Ontario after 6 months at 92% and 95% after two years. The University receives high recognition for its enviable class sizes, having one of the lowest average class sizes in Canada.