March 4, 2025 - Laurentian University is celebrating an achievement of one McEwen School of Architecture professor. Master Lecturer, Ted Wilson has been elected as the President of the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), marking a significant milestone in his career.
With over 30 years of experience in architecture, and 11 years as a Laurentian faculty member, Ted has spent his career bridging the gap between academia and professional practice. He played a major role in the design of the McEwen School of Architecture in downtown Sudbury and has long been an active member of the Northern Ontario Society of Architects.
Motivated by his passion for networking and progressing architecture practices, Ted steadily rose through the ranks to now lead the province-wide organization.
“This has been a goal of mine for years,” said Ted. “The OAA plays a vital role in guiding architects through their professional journey, from education to licensure, while also shaping the future of architecture in Ontario. I look forward to continuing to strengthen the profession and championing the incredible work happening in our communities.”
As an active educator teaching several courses, Ted’s influence extends beyond the practice, impacting student success at McEwen. Fourth-year architecture student Elishba Manzoor, who plans to pursue her master’s degree next year, credits Ted’s mentorship as an inspiration and defining factor in her academic path.
“He adapts his teaching to students’ interests and ensures we have opportunities to explore them,” she said. “Ted has encouraged me to pursue my master’s degree and helped me navigate the process of deciding on a thesis that interests me and meets my personal goals. His guidance has been invaluable.”
In his new role as OAA President, Ted is committed to addressing sustainability, equity, and the evolving role of architecture in shaping communities. He also sees his presidency as an opportunity to showcase the talent emerging from Northern Ontario who have a focus on climate change adaptation, sustainability, and culturally sensitive practices and collaboration.
“What’s happening at McEwen is exactly what we want happening at the OAA—training future architects to be deeply engaged with communities and the environment,” he said.
As he takes on this provincial leadership role, Ted’s influence as an educator is more impactful than ever. “Part of what drew me to Laurentian in the first place was that the professors here weren’t just teaching from theory, but actually practicing in the field,” Elishba said. “Seeing our professors succeed not only in the classroom but also achieving this level of accomplishment, like Ted becoming OAA President, is incredibly inspiring.”
As OAA President, Ted’s dual commitment to education and professional leadership demonstrates the important connection between academic theory and real-world practices. While championing sustainability, societal-impact, and Northern Ontario values at the provincial-level, Ted continues to inspire the next generation of architects right here at the McEwen School of Architecture—proving that meaningful leadership begins in the classroom but extends far beyond it.