You are now in the main content area

United Steelworkers commits $225,000 to occupational health and safety research at Laurentian University

United Steelworkers commits $225,000 to occupational health and safety research at Laurentian University

Funds to support research relevant to Northern Ontario

JUNE 28, 2019 – Laurentian University interim President and Vice Chancellor, Dr. Pierre Zundel and United Steelworkers President (USW), Leo Gerard announced that the United Steelworkers are committing a total of $225,000 in research funding over the next three years to Laurentian University’s Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH).

“It is important that USW support research that solves workplace problems and improves the safety of all workers, including those in Northern Ontario; we are proud of our continued support of CROSH’s efforts,” said Leo Gerard.

Over the last 8 years, the United Steelworkers have been key supporters in the development of CROSH; including previous commitments of $50,000 to obtain a Research Chair in Occupational Health and Safety, $50,000 in endowed scholarships for students, and $60,000 towards the operation of CROSH’s Mobile Laboratory, for a total investment of $385,000.  The funds committed for the next three years will continue to support CROSH’s efforts to engage with northern workplaces, prioritizing their research needs as well as provide support to train students in-the-field.

Dr. Zundel stated that “CROSH’s efforts in the occupational health and safety field in the North have been ground breaking and would not be possible without the continued support of partners like the USW.”

As the only occupational health and safety research centre located in northern Ontario, CROSH envisions a team-approach to solving critical and relevant workplace challenges, by including workers, workplaces, communities, government and safe work associations in a field approach to research. Specifically CROSH emphasizes a field-to-lab-to-field approach where researchers engage face-to-face with communities and industries to understand critical workplace problems they are dealing with.  CROSH researchers conduct field measures to understand the problem, develop evidenced-based solutions in the lab and then go back to the workplace to test the solutions in the field.  CROSH has launched a Mobile research lab (M-CROSH) that allows students and researchers to travel to remote communities and provide on-site facilities while in the field. CROSH has also built a Workplace Simulator Lab that allows researchers to replicate workplace conditions in a controlled environment to test solutions. 

“The funds announced today will strengthen CROSH’s ability to carry out research and reach evidenced based solutions that are relevant to communities and industries in the north; communities who have traditionally been unable to participate in research, due to their geographic isolation. USW’s past and continued support of CROSH has a significant impact on CROSH’s success, in particular, it has helped students develop the skills they need to be the future occupational safety and health leaders,” says CROSH Director, Sandra Dorman.
 

Board of Governors of Laurentian University appoint Claude F. Lacroix as incoming Chair for a two-year term

Board of Governors of Laurentian University appoint Claude F. Lacroix as incoming Chair for a two-year term

June 27, 2019 – The Board of Governors of Laurentian University voted on April 26, 2019 to appoint Claude F. Lacroix as incoming Chair for a two-year term, effective at the close of the annual general meeting of the Board on June 21, 2019, when the term of current Chair Jennifer Witty ends. Mr. Lacroix has been a Board member since 2006 and currently serves as Vice-Chair.

“We are fortunate to have a Board member with the experience and the vision that Claude brings to the role,” said Interim Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Pierre Zundel. “Jennifer has been a superb Chair, guiding the Board through a remarkable period of growth and change, and we continue to benefit from her contributions as Past-Chair for the next year.”

Mr. Lacroix is an Alumnus, having earned his B.A. from Laurentian University in 1991.  He graduated from the faculty of Law at L’Université de Moncton in 1996. Mr. Lacroix is partner at Lacroix Lawyers. He is fluently bilingual and practices in the areas of Civil Litigation, Corporate/Commercial, Construction Law, Wills, Estates and Trusts, and Real Estate. 

Mr. Lacroix becomes the third member of his family to serve as Chair of the Board of Governors of Laurentian University, following his mother Maureen Lacroix (2001-04) and his Father André Lacroix (1978-81).

“It is an honour and a privilege to continue to serve the Board and Laurentian University. Laurentian is an incredible community asset and is critical to the growth and development of the North,” said Mr. Lacroix.  “The University faces both challenges and opportunities in the years ahead, and in great part because of the work of our outgoing Chair, I know we are well positioned to keep driving success.”

Mr. Lacroix is an active member of several community boards, not-for-profit agencies and professional organizations.  He is currently vice-chair of the Science North Board of Trustees. He is past president of both the Laurentian University Alumni Association and the Sudbury District Law Association; past executive member and director of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation; past president of the Ontario French Speaking Trial Lawyers Association; and a past chair of the Sudbury Airport Community Development Corporation.

Jennifer Witty will serve as Past Chair of the Board for a term of one year.
 

Laurentian University opens new Research, Innovation and Engineering Centre

Laurentian University opens new Research, Innovation and Engineering Centre

Laurentian celebrates the grand opening of its $30M Cliff Fielding Research, Innovation and Engineering Building

It is a historic day today at Laurentian University as Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre joined community members and local partners as well as Laurentian University staff, faculty and students for the opening of the new Cliff Fielding Research, Innovation and Engineering Building.

The new 60,000-square-foot facility located in Founders’ Square (between the Parker and Fraser buildings) on the Sudbury campus, houses all engineering labs, including mining, chemical and mechanical, with space to eventually add a full civil engineering program. “There was a critical need for the new building,” said Dr. Rizwan Haq, Interim Vice-President, Research. “Our engineering program has grown to 700 students in 10 years with no new space.” 

The building is also home to a collaborative research hub for Laurentian research centres, an innovation and commercialization space, a state of the art analytical facility for industry and scholars alike. Each of these spaces have been identified in consultation with local industry in order to maximize interdisciplinary opportunities.

“This is a remarkable building and it’s a testament to our commitment to student success and the needs of our community,” said Laurentian Board of Governors Chair Jennifer Witty.  “It’s more than a building.  It represents Laurentian University’s commitment to leadership in research and innovation.”

The $30M project announced almost exactly two years ago on September 23, 2016, was designed by Sudbury-based Yallowega Bélanger Salach Architecture and built by M. Sullivan and Sons. The federal and provincial governments invested $27.4M into the project while private donors provided additional funding. A $3 million investment by Mrs. Lily Fielding and her family was recognized by the naming of the building. A $1 million investment by the Perdue family was recognized by the naming of the University’s new research and development centre housed within the facility.

“A number of individuals and key partners have been integral in realizing this critical expansion of research and innovation space,” said Dr. Pierre Zundel, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, Laurentian University. “The Cliff Fielding Research, Innovation, and Engineering Building will not only benefit Laurentian students; it will have an immense impact on further driving economic activity and innovation in the City of Greater Sudbury, Northeastern Ontario and beyond.”

Dr. Dan Andreae renews his commitment to lecture series

Dr. Dan Andreae renews his commitment to lecture series

Presidential lecture series receives funding boost of $125,000

January 30, 2017 - Dr. Dan Andreae, Honorary Patron of Brain Injury Canada, former chair of the Patron’s Council of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto and recipient of Laurentian University’s inaugural Impact Award, announced that he will donate an additional $125,000 to support the presidential lecture series at Laurentian. In addition to funding the lecture series, Dr. Andreae’s donation also supports student scholarships.

“I am inspired when I come to Laurentian and take part in this knowledge sharing opportunity, knowing that these presenters are being heard by future leaders of our society,” Dr. Andreae said.  “I am pleased that this is a free Lecture Series reaching out to the entire community”.

The Lecture series aptly named as the Dr. Dan Andreae Distinguished Presidential Lecture Series on Living in Healthy Communities brings speakers from a variety of disciplines to promote knowledge and awareness of the elements that comprise healthy communities. Previous speakers have included physician and author Dr. Gabor Maté, Dr. James Orbinski, the former international president of Doctors Without Borders and co-founder of Dignitas International, two Olympic athletes, Joannie Rochette and Alexandre Bilodeau, a witty, articulate and mesmerizing speaker, singer/songwriter Steven Page and last but not least, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, essayist and poet, Dr. Norman Doidge.

“Laurentian University has benefited greatly from the astounding friendship and support Dr. Andreae has displayed over the years. This lecture series fosters better understanding and knowledge of healthy communities from a variety of viewpoints and our students and community directly benefit.  Laurentian is proud of this relationship and grateful to Dr. Andreae for his contributions,” said Dr. Pierre Zundel, Laurentian’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor.