Laurentian University celebrated the conclusion of its $63M campus modernization project with the official opening of a new Welcome Centre. Located at the centre of campus, the new point of welcome and orientation gives students and visitors a clear point of arrival, and an opportunity to access campus information and services.
Transformations to the Sudbury campus include; a new Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre, a new Executive Learning Centre, a University Club, renovations to 60 classrooms and laboratories, a massive revamp to its Alphonse Raymond building and the addition of a spectacular welcome centre and atrium that rises up through three floors. The new atrium provides informal study and social spaces at each floor level, and the stepped seating area rising from the main floor will also support special campus events.
“Since the project began in October 2014, we have seen 250,000 square feet of construction to classroom, research, study, and public space,” said Pierre Zundel, Laurentian University’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “This was Laurentian’s biggest renovation and expansion program since its establishment in the 1960’s and it is inspiring to see our students now experiencing the benefits from this massive undertaking.”
The new Welcome Centre also features a large display to recognize the more than 200 donors who contributed over $10,000 to the University’s Next 50 Campaign. This fundraising initiative, which was launched to mark Laurentian’s 50th anniversary in 2010, had over 10,000 donors and raised more than $65-million that contributed to several important projects including; a state-of-the-art water ecology research centre, the creation of more than 200 new scholarships and bursaries, establishment of the Goodman School of Mines and created Canada’s first research Chair in open-pit mining.
“The story of The Next 50 Campaign is one that is filled with inspiring examples of donor generosity, student success and remarkable community support,” said Tracy MacLeod, Chief Advancement Officer at Laurentian University and Director of The Next 50 Campaign. “Seeing the names of the individuals who invested in our students is a daily reminder of the transformative effect The Next 50 Campaign had on philanthropy in Northern Ontario.”
“This new Welcome Centre has quickly become the heart of our beautiful campus, making it the perfect location to celebrate the conclusion of our University’s ambitious modernization project, said Jennifer Witty, Chair of the Laurentian Board of Governors. “So many of the outcomes in our 2012-2018 Strategic Plan were tied to this project and I am incredibly proud of the entire Laurentian community for their flexibility, patience and guidance during this process. Working together, we have set the foundation to building an institution that will serve our region for generations to come.”
About Laurentian University
Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates. With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics, rural and northern children’s health, and occupational health and safety.