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Fall Orientation Sets Students Up for Success

Fall Orientation Sets Students Up for Success

New and returning students welcomed with a dynamic and engaging Fall Orientation schedule designed to kickstart their year.

August 28, 2024 - Laurentian University is welcoming students with a packed schedule for Fall Orientation, from August 28th to September 13th. With a goal to help new and returning students settle in and start the academic year feeling fully prepared, Orientation is a collaborative effort between Laurentian’s Office of Student Success and student associations.

“Whether a first-year or returning student, on campus, online, or international, this is an opportunity to dive into student life, meet new people, and get to know Laurentian,” says Sarah Humphries, Manager, Office of Student Success. “With a focus on building connections and community, students are encouraged to make connections, and bring forward any questions before classes start.”

Move-in for students living in residence starts on Thursday, August 29th and continues throughout the weekend with a Welcome BBQ on Saturday, August 31st at 1:00 pm.

Engaging activities like the annual Beach Day, Colour Run, and Karaoke Night are set to get students networking and having fun. While campus tours, the clubs and services fair, and information sessions are designed to inform students and build familiarity with what Laurentian has to offer.

Katie Taylor graduated from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School this past spring and is starting her first year in the Concurrent Education program. She says the excitement to get started is building. “I’m looking forward to being a part of the LU community! I’m very interested in attending the clubs and services fair because I want to see what’s available for non-competitive volleyball. I’m also planning to attend the beach day and hoping to play some beach volleyball with friends.”

All Laurentian community members are welcome to attend the lighting of the Sacred Fire with Indigenous Student Affairs (ISA) outside the Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre at 9:00 am on Friday, August 30th. Students are invited to a Meet and Greet: Wiiyaas and S’mores with the ISA Team on September 3rd and can participate in ISA activities like Anishinaabemowin Bingo, a Fish and Chips lunch, Indigenous Student Affairs Craft, throughout Orientation.

Sports Administration (SPAD) student, Emma Godin, shares her enthusiasm for returning to campus for her third year. "I am a huge advocate for these kinds of events. I want all students to feel welcome and have the most fun.” Emma is most looking forward to the Blue Jays game, “I went last year and had an absolute blast! It’s a great place to get to know new people in a different setting than you’d usually meet them."

With everything from a pep rally to a faculty meet and greet and so much more, this Orientation is set to be a memorable start to the fall academic season. A welcome booth will be set up in the Parker Building’s Atrium every day during Orientation from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. The complete Orientation schedule is available here.

Professor William Newbigging awarded Teaching Award of Excellence

Professor William Newbigging awarded Teaching Award of Excellence

Laurentian students moved by professor’s passion for education.

April 3, 2024 - Laurentian University has numerous staff and faculty members that go above and beyond for students. William (Bill) Newbigging, this year’s winner of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance’s (OUSA) Teaching Award of Excellence, is no exception.

Dr. Newbigging has been a member of the Laurentian faculty since 1993. For the majority of his time at Laurentian he has been a distance education professor, teaching courses online. The virtual nature of his teaching doesn’t stop Dr. Newbigging from forming meaningful connections with each of his students. 

This year, 26 Laurentian students nominated Dr. Newbigging for the Teaching Award of Excellence. OUSA is a provincial advocacy group that represents over 150,000 post-secondary students throughout the province. Their Teaching Award of Excellence provides students with the opportunity to recognize educators within their post-secondary institutions who excel at unleashing the potential of Ontario's youth and spark the desire to learn in students. 

Students shared kind words about Dr. Newbigging, highlighting his teaching style as engaging, motivating, and exceptional. 

The Student’s General Association (SGA) has partnered with the OUSA to award Dr. Newbigging the Teaching Award of Excellence. “Dr. Newbigging’s students came out in droves to speak highly of their professor. They collectively agree that he is a “one-of-a-kind” educator. Students spoke of his caring, kind, patient, and thoughtful nature and highlighted his efforts to always be responsive, supportive, and understanding.” 

Dr. Newbigging humbly credits Laurentian students, faculty, and staff for his ability to make an impact. “Good teaching is only possible when you have highly motivated students. It’s hard to get students motivated in one term so they must already be motivated. That says something about Laurentian. It says something about the students. It says something about hard-working faculty and staff. It’s not something one person does, it is a collective effort,” said Dr. Newbigging.

The professor’s teaching philosophy puts an emphasis on hard work, saying, “Students always say they appreciate the work I put in while teaching and I always say to them that this course deserves hard work. The subject matter deserves hard work. So I do work hard and I expect that the students work hard as well. It is a responsibility I take very seriously.” 

The SGA collects the nominations from students and forwards them to OUSA annually. “Educators like Dr. Newbigging help our students not only to succeed but also to enjoy their academic journey,” said the SGA. “We wish to thank Dr. Newbigging for his continued efforts to make the learning experience positive for our students and congratulate him on his very well-deserved win.”

Other Laurentian faculty members have received the OUSA Teaching Award of Excellence in previous years:

  • Dr. Blake Dotta, Laurentian University (2022)
  • Dr. Pamela Toulouse, Laurentian University (2021/2020)
  • Dr. Sara Burke | Laurentian University (2019)
  • Dr. William Crumplin | Laurentian University (2018)
  • Kathleen Zinn | Laurentian University (2017)

Previous winner, Dr. William Crumplin was a notable mentor and inspiration for Dr. Newbigging when he started out as a professor. “Dr. William Crumplin led by example and showed me that it was very important to engage students all the time,” said Dr. Newbigging, reflecting on the mentorship he received from Dr. Crumplin in his early days of teaching. “He demonstrated the positive impact of direct and ongoing communication with students. He paid attention to his students' needs and praised them when appropriate. All those things I thought made the experience and connection better for the students in the program.”

Dr. Newbigging will be presented his award at the OUSA Partners in Higher Education Dinner on April 10th, 2024.

Student General Association elects 2023-2024 leadership

Student General Association elects 2023-2024 leadership

Avery Morin voted President of student association second year in a row

The SGA-AGÉ 2023-2024 executive team from left to right: Timi Aliu, Avery Morin, Zareen Brown and Isaac Vestby.

 

(May 3, 2023) - Laurentian University’s Students’ General Association (SGA-AGÉ) recently held its annual elections for incoming 2023-2024 leadership. Avery Morin, who begins her 4th year in Behavioural Neuroscience and Concurrent Education this fall is eager to lead the SGA-AGÉ in her role as President for the second year in a row. She and other elected student leaders will begin their roles in June:

Speaking about her position and goals for the upcoming year, Morin said: "I’m thrilled to be able to advocate for the students of Laurentian as SGA-AGÉ President and continue to make a difference in my school community. My goal as a student leader is to create a positive environment for current and future students to thrive at Laurentian and with the help of my new team members, I’m confident that we’ll be able to pull it off.”

Since the SGA-AGÉ’s inception in 1960, they have advocated for their members at various administrative and government levels. In addition to their political work by and for students, they organize activities and events that help foster a sense of community amongst students.

“Moving forward, my team plans on increasing engagement throughout the association to ensure that students are informed and connected to the SGA-AGÉ. We’re excited to plan amazing events and work collaboratively with our students to make their time at university the best it can be," said Morin.

For students interested in getting involved with the SGA-AGÉ, by-elections will be held early in the Fall semester of 2023. The Association des étudiantes et étudiants (AEF) and the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) will also be holding by-election in the fall semester.

Laurentian salutes SGA for successful grand opening of Student Centre

Laurentian salutes SGA for successful grand opening of Student Centre

Student-led multimillion-dollar project in the works for five years

Oct. 28, 2019 -- Laurentian University would like to congratulate the Students’ General Association (SGA) on the successful grand opening of its new Student Centre. This new multi-million dollar project has been a student-led undertaking for over 5 years, following a successful student referendum. SGA students have been paying a fee and investing in this capital project since 2014.

Built with an eye towards sustainability, the Centre is divided into two main areas: the lobby and the lower level. The lobby is open to the public and houses a coffee shop, club rooms and even a dental hygienist. All students who contribute to the centre through a student centre fee will have access to the lower level which features a spacious atrium, games rooms, and several private study areas.

The Centre is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week (except for special events). With their new space, the SGA is committed to enhancing the student experience and looks forward to serving its members. Student members of the Association des étudiantes et étudiants francophones (AEF) and the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) benefit from gathering space in the Parker Building, which was enhanced through the University’s campus modernization initiative.

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‘The SGA is excited to have a non-academic space on campus, and to see how much this space will contribute to the students' experience at Laurentian. I would also like to thank the university, past SGA executives, and all community members for contributing to the success of this project.’
Eric Chappell, President of the Students' General Association