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Laurentian University Recognizes Two Prominent Sudburians

Laurentian University Recognizes Two Prominent Sudburians

Rick Bartolucci, Antoni Cimolino to receive honorary doctorates at fall convocation ceremonies

Long-standing educator and politician Rick Bartolucci and Stratford Festival artistic director Antoni Cimolino will receive an honorary doctorate at Laurentian University’s fall convocation ceremonies on October 29, 2016.

“Whether on the political stage or the theatre stage this fall’s honorary doctorates have demonstrated that Arts graduates can go far,” said Chancellor Steve Paikin. “Arts education provides foundational knowledge and transferrable skills that can open a wide array of career paths if you are willing to think outside the box and be open to new unexpected opportunities.”
 

Antoni Cimolino 
Stratford Festival artistic director Antoni Cimolino.

Antoni Cimolino will have a doctorate of letters conferred upon him at the 10:00 a.m. ceremony. 

Mr. Cimolino is the artistic director for the Stratford Festival and director of the 2016 critically-acclaimed productions of Macbeth and The Hypochondriac.

Born and raised in Sudbury, Mr. Cimolino credits his first love for the theatre to his teachers at St. Charles College and Marymount College.

A respected artist and an influential leader in the global theatrical community, Mr. Cimolino began his Stratford career in 1988 as an actor, and began to direct for the Stratford Festival in the mid-1990s, winning acclaim for numerous productions.

Mr. Cimolino is passionate about enriching the lives of others through the education and practice of the arts. His dedication to this cause led him to spearhead the Festival’s involvement in a joint project with CUSO, Canada’s international volunteer co-operation agency, to establish a performing arts and educational centre in the City of Suchitoto, El Savador.
 

Long-standing educator and politician Rick Bartolucci.Rick Bartolucci

Rick Bartolucci will have a doctorate of laws conferred upon him at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony.

Mr. Bartolucci was born in Sudbury and earned a Laurentian University Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. He worked as a teacher and school principal for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board for 30 years before entering public office as a Sudbury city councillor from 1979 to 1982 and again from 1985 to 1991.

Mr. Bartolucci proceeded to win five provincial elections and served as member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1995 to 2014, representing Sudbury for 19 years.

During those 19 years he held three Ministerial portfolios and served as Chair of Cabinet. Mr. Bartolucci’s tireless advocacy for funding was instrumental in the launch of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, the McEwen School of Architecture, the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation and the Vale Living with Lakes Centre. 
 

“We are proud to recognize two outstanding Sudburians who have the vision, ambition, and grit to take on leadership roles that improve our lives and enrich our communities,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux. “We are proud to honour them as distinguished members of our university community.” 

Both ceremonies will take place in the Auditorium of the H. J. Fraser Building.  Media interviews can be arranged in advance of the ceremonies. 

Convocation ceremonies will be live streamed and available for media who have COMREX and Dejero capacity.

Laurentian Names New Research, Innovation and Engineering Building in Honour of Clifford A. Fielding

Laurentian Names New Research, Innovation and Engineering Building in Honour of Clifford A. Fielding

$3 million dollar investment from the Fielding Family enables state-of-the-art facility

In honour of a $3 million investment from Mrs. Lily Fielding and her family, Laurentian University will name its new state-of-the-art facility the Clifford A. Fielding Research, Innovation, and Engineering Building.

As a result of this gift, the University will also honour Jim Fielding, late son of Clifford and Lily Fielding.  Jim Fielding was a passionate believer in education and greatly valued the role that Laurentian University plays in facilitating access to education while driving economic activity and innovation in the City of Greater Sudbury, Northern Ontario and beyond. 

“The Fielding family supported this project from the beginning and have been integral in realizing this much needed expansion of research and innovation space in our region,” said Dominic Giroux, President and Vice-Chancellor, Laurentian University. “Cliff was a great ambassador to our city, and advocated for driving innovative growth in the north. His family continues this legacy and we are proud to name this building in his honour.”

Lily Fielding and her family’s investment was an important part of the University’s proposal for strategic investment funding which was announced by the Canadian and Ontario governments on September 23, 2016. The project totals $60.7 million and will be completed in 2018.

“We are happy to lend support to Laurentian University for the role they play in driving growth and innovation in our community,” said Jamie Wallace, first Laurentian University alumnus to Chair the Board of Governors. “The Clifford A. Fielding Research, Innovation, and Engineering Building will have an immense impact on further driving economic activity and innovation in the City of Greater Sudbury, Northeastern Ontario and beyond.” 

The Fielding family has a long history of investing in both Laurentian and the Sudbury community.  Most recently, the city’s largest outdoor park, Kivi Park, was made possible thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Lily Fielding.  The Fielding family has established significant student awards at both Laurentian University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, including the Clifford Fielding Graduate Bursary, Brenda Wallace Management Scholarship and the Jim Fielding Memorial Bursary.  In 1968, a generous benefaction from the Fielding family resulted in the construction of the Fielding Memorial Chapel of St. Mark at Thorneloe University. 

The Clifford A. Fielding Research, Innovation and Engineering Building will include collaborative research and development space, innovation and commercialization space, as well as much needed space for the award-winning Bharti School of Engineering including four capstone innovation labs, a material analysis lab, environmental and soil mechanics lab, prototype development and machine shop, integrated software lab and lecture theatre, and a hydraulics and fluid mechanics lab. Each of these spaces have been identified in consultation with local industry in order to maximize inter-disciplinary opportunities.

About Clifford A. Fielding:

Cliff Fielding was born on the Fielding family farm, now Fielding Park, in Waters Township in 1915 and raised in Copper Cliff. An entrepreneur at the age of 20, he started a transportation company to haul ore and gravel for the mining companies and to provide construction services. He started his company using the family’s team of horses and shortly after a single truck.

By 1950 Cliff Fielding Limited had a staff of 50 and a fleet of 40 trucks. By then he had established Wavy Industries, which manufactured concrete ready mix and bulk cement mixing. At the time of his death, Fielding was Chair and CEO of Waters Holding Corporation. His interests included Alexander Centre Industries Limited (ACIL), Fisher Wavy Inc., Wavy Industries, Fisher Construction of Sudbury, and Fisher Harbour on La Cloche Island. Fielding also owned the Northern Ski Company, which made both alpine and cross-country skis from 1943 to 1950.

Known for having grown his thriving businesses in the Sudbury area, Fielding is also remembered for his work with the Canadian Pacific Railway, and his service to the Board at Memorial Hospital and at Laurentian University (1964-1979).  He received an honorary doctorate of science from Laurentian University and an honorary doctorate of canon law from Thorneloe University.

About Malcolm James (Jim) Fielding:

Born, raised and always proud to be a Sudburian. Jim held the position of Chairman of the Board of Alexander Centre Industries Ltd. (ACIL), Waters Holding Corporation and associate companies, which were established by his father in 1935.

Jim was elected as a Director of Canadian Pacific on May 7, 1986 and continued serving in that capacity through to his successful re-election in April 2000.

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates.  With nine Canada Research Chairs and eighteen 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 and rural and northern children’s health. Laurentian University has secured over $100 million in research income in the past five years.  

Canadian and Ontario governments invest $27.4 million in infrastructure at Laurentian

Canadian and Ontario governments invest $27.4 million in infrastructure at Laurentian

Part of $60.7 million project to include a new Research, Innovation and Engineering Building

SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 – The federal government will invest $21.1 million and the Ontario government will invest $6.3 million towards research and innovation infrastructure at Laurentian University. As part of a broad capital program totalling $60.7 million to be completed by March 2018, this $27.4 million investment is earmarked for the immediate construction of a new 47,000 sq ft Research, Innovation and Engineering Building. The announcement was made today by Members of Parliament Marc Serré and Paul Lefebvre, Deputy Premier Deb Matthews and Energy Minister and Sudbury Member of Provincial Parliament Glenn Thibeault. 

“The significant support of $27.4 million received today from this joint federal-provincial announcement, the largest infrastructure announcement in Laurentian’s 56-year history, allows for the expansion of much needed research and innovation space in our region,” said Jennifer Witty, Chair of the Board of Governors at Laurentian University.  “With this investment, we will build the infrastructure required to support education and research, foster innovation, and create opportunity for students while strengthening the economy.”

 

The federal investment is made through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund announced in the 2016 Federal Budget.  This $2-billion fund is intended to spur job creation, expand research and grow innovation by enhancing and modernizing research facilities on Canadian campuses while improving the environmental sustainability of these facilities. 

 

"Canada's post-secondary institutions are front-line agents in fostering science and research excellence. They help to train the workforce of tomorrow and create knowledge and insights necessary for the private sector and policy makers to build a thriving, clean economy," said the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. “Laurentian University has ambitious plans that will create well-paying jobs in its community while also delivering economic growth for years to come,” added Bains.

 

The provincial investment includes $5 million from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. “The Ontario government is proud to support this important project that will deliver new and improved facilities needed to prepare students for successful careers in engineering and research. As a result of these investments, students, faculty and staff will work in state-of-the-art facilities that advance the country's best research and support lifelong learning and skills training,” said the Honourable Deb Matthews, Ontario Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development.

 

The new Research, Innovation and Engineering Building, located between the Fraser and Parker buildings on the Sudbury campus, will include:

  • Collaborative Research and Development space, enabling researchers across the University to share equipment and expertise to operate highly-specialized equipment;
  • A dedicated Innovation and Commercialization space leveraging its partnership with the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT) to help emerging start-ups by bridging the gap between laboratory and market;
  • Four capstone innovation labs allowing students in civil, chemical, mechanical and mining engineering to put their knowledge and skills to work to address creative design problems for actual clients;
  • A Materials Analysis Lab to support researchers, students and industry partners in chemical analysis as well as mechanical, metallurgical, corrosion, heat treatment and capability testing;
  • An Environmental and Soil Mechanics Lab will contain instrumentation, environmental chambers and other specialized equipment to support research, innovation and industry partners in the design of foundation and earth structures, and address issues in water chemistry, environmental microbiology, physical and chemical processes, and microbiological processes in addition to analytical equipment and bench-scale treatment systems;
  • A Prototype Development and Machine Shop enabling innovation requiring a physical system;
  • An Integrated Software Lab and Lecture Theatre will be equipped for computer- based activities using engineering software. This additional capacity will allow students to complete years 3 and 4 in civil engineering at Laurentian, and will accommodate bilingual engineering students who currently travel 400-600 km to complete their degrees;
  • A Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics Lab enabling engineering students to learn and research about open channel and closed channel fluid flows.

“Over the last 10 years, Laurentian University has secured more than $200 million in research income while enrolment at the award-winning Bharti School of Engineering has increased from 100 to 700 students during that period,” said Laurentian President Dominic Giroux. “We have a major role to play in supporting research and innovation opportunities both for students and for industry partners. The support received by the federal and provincial governments will certainly help us meet these demands,” added Giroux.

In addition to the new Research, Innovation and Engineering Building, Laurentian’s $60.7 million capital program includes investments by the university towards a new Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Lab, new one-stop student services, a new Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre, renovations to five labs in the Faculty of Health and a new roof for the J.N. Desmarais Library. It also features a $11.2 million partnership with Greater Sudbury Utilities for a cogeneration initiative to update the University’s heating systems campus-wide to an energy efficient combined heat and power (CHP) and aggregated district energy system. This will allow the University to reduce its electricity consumption by 79%.

A KPMG study estimates the direct economic activity generated by this project at over $102 million in gross economic output with $54 million contributed to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product.  The project is estimated to support 625 person-years of employment.

Laurentian’s Research, Engineering and Innovation proposal was developed in consultation and in response to community needs identified by the City of Greater Sudbury, the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA), Greater Sudbury Utilities, Health Sciences North, Science North, NORCAT – Sudbury’s Innovation Centre, the Global Advisory Council of the Bharti School of Engineering and the Laurentian University Native Education Council (LUNEC) among others. Laurentian University received over 50 letters of support from community and industry partners.  For more information about the project click here.

Laurentian celebrates major successes in NSERC and SSHRC funding

Laurentian celebrates major successes in NSERC and SSHRC funding

$3.5M investment from Federal Government will support wide range of research and training

SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 – Laurentian has been awarded $3.5 M from the Federal Government in Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) funding. 

 

NSERC will deliver nearly $3.15M to Laurentian University through the CREATE, Discovery Grant and Research Tools and Instruments Grant programs.  “A greater number of researchers applied for funding through these programs this year and the University saw a record amount of successful proposals,” said Dr. Thomas Merritt, Laurentian’s NSERC Leader.

 

To increase success in the NSERC competition, Laurentian has offered workshops, mentoring and peer-to-peer support to researchers which strengthened the applications.

 

Laurentian was successful in increasing SSHRC funding this year.  “We saw an 11% increase in SSHRC funding over last year,” said Dr. Gillian Crozier, Laurentian’s SSHRC Leader. “This increase is due in large part to new awards in the Insight and Insight Development Grant programs.”

Laurentian researchers were also awarded new funding through SSHRC’s Connection Grant program which supports large-scale knowledge mobilization initiatives. 

Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President Research, wishes to congratulate all Laurentian researchers and thanks NSERC and SSHRC for their support, “I am proud of Laurentian’s researchers across all seven faculties who excelled in this year’s NSERC and SSHRC competitions. Our achievements in these peer-reviewed national funding competitions is evidence of Laurentian’s national recognition and excellence in these areas.”

 

Key facts include:

  • SSHRC funding amount increased by 11% in 2015-2016 over 2014-15;
  • NSERC funding amount increased by 45% in 2015-16 over 2014-15;
  • Areas of research that will benefit from NSERC funding include: Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Human Kinetics, Math and Computer Science, and Physics;
  • The success rate of Laurentian’s NSERC Discovery grant applications is 55% in 2016 compared to 29% in 2015;
  • The NSERC CREATE Grant Program supports the training of teams of highly qualified students and postdoctoral fellows from Canada and abroad through the development of innovative training programs;
  • The NSERC Discovery Grants Program supports ongoing research with long-term goals; 
  • The NSERC Research Tools and Instruments Grants Program provides the primary avenue for university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering to obtain up to $150,000 in support for research tools and instruments;
  • The primary objective of the SSHRC Insight Program is to build knowledge and understanding from disciplinary, interdisciplinary and/or cross-sector perspectives through support for the best researchers;
  • SSHRC Insight Development Grants support research in its initial stages. The grants enable the development of new research questions, as well as experimentation with new methods, theoretical approaches and/or ideas. Funding is provided for short-term research development projects, of up to two years, proposed by individuals or teams;

SSHRC Connection Grants support events and outreach activities geared toward short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives.

Federal Government Invests $49M in $104M Mineral Exploration Research Program

Federal Government Invests $49M in $104M Mineral Exploration Research Program

Funding is the largest single investment in University’s history.

Laurentian University is launching an unprecedented research effort to help the mineral industry make lower risk exploration investments in Canada and abroad and reverse the current lower discovery rates of new mineral deposits.

 

This seven-year initiative named Metal Earth received a boost of $49,269,000 over seven years from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF).  The announcement was made today by Sudbury Member of Parliament, Paul Lefebvre and Nickel Belt Member of Parliament, Marc Serré on behalf of the Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan. Twenty-two partners from academia, industry and government are providing $55 million in cash and in-kind contributions to this $104 million effort.

 

“Laurentian University is already #1 in Canada in economic geology research funding and among the best in the world,” said Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre. “We are proud to support Laurentian and its Mineral Exploration Research Centre at the Harquail School of Earth Sciences in becoming the undisputed global leader in mineral exploration research,” added Lefebvre.

 

“This investment will result in increased exploration expenditures and investments in Canada, higher discovery rates, and the development of new mines,” explained Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré. “Findings from Metal Earth will be transferable around the world and position Canada as an authoritative leader in the global quest for metals. It will attract even more talent and partnership opportunities to Sudbury,” said Serré.

 

CFREF helps Canadian postsecondary institutions excel globally in research areas that create long-term economic advantages for Canada. The inaugural competition led to five awards totaling $350 million in 2015. The federal government announced today $900 million to 13 universities out of 51 applicants. Each institution could only submit one application. A third competition is expected to be launched in 2021-22. Funding decisions were made by a high profile selection board following peer review based on scientific merit and demonstrated capacity to lead on an international scale, strategic relevance to Canada, and the quality of the implementation plan.

 

“This is the largest funding announcement in Laurentian’s 56-year history and the largest exploration research program ever undertaken in Canada We thank the federal government for its growing commitment to science and innovation,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux who pointed out that Laurentian is the only primarily undergraduate university among the 16 competitively-selected universities since the inception of CFREF.

 

Earlier today, Laurentian University also announced a $10 million gift from the Harquail family towards its Department of Earth Sciences which is being renamed as the Harquail School of Earth Sciences. David Harquail is the President and CEO of Franco-Nevada Corporation, a gold-focused royalty company listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.

 

“This CFREF result is a testament to the excellence of faculty, staff and students at the Harquail School of Earth Sciences and its Mineral Exploration Research Centre,” added Giroux.

 

“Global metal reserves are being depleted due to increased demand and decreased global discovery rates over the past 10 years,” explained Dr. Harold Gibson, Director of the Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC) at the Harquail School of Earth Sciences and lead of Metal Earth. “Spending on exploration has increased while discovery rates have decreased. Without a means to discover and extract metals, modern societies will be faced with a crisis that will detrimentally impact social, technological, and industrial development. Canada has untapped mineral deposits,” added Gibson.

 

Metals are a key driver of Canada’s economy: 19.6% of Canada’s exports and 4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Metal Earth will provide industry and government with the new knowledge, highly qualified personnel, protocols, and tools to focus exploration and infrastructure dollars in areas with the highest metal endowment. “Metal Earth is a new approach, it goes beyond traditional research at deposit or district’s scale. It will transform how we explore for metals and our understanding of Earth’s early evolution”, concluded Gibson.

 

Metal Earth will involve researchers from Laurentian and its partner institutions and the recruitment of over 35 post-doctoral fellows, research assistants, technicians and support staff, over 80 graduate and 100 undergraduate students and numerous subcontracts. It will lead to the hiring at Laurentian of a Research Chair in Exploration Targeting and three additional faculty members in Precambrian Geology, Earth Systems Modelling and Exploration Geophysics.

 

Laurentian University’s partners in Metal Earth include the geological surveys of Canada, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, TMAC Resources, the Carnegie Institute, Noront Resources Ltd, the University of Western Australia, Université Laval, the University of Tasmania, the University of Toronto, the Harquail family, the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, the University of Ottawa, Vale, MIRA Geoscience Ltd, the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation and MIRARCO.

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 eighteen 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 and rural and northern children’s health. Laurentian University has secured over $100 million in research income in the past five years. 

Harquail Family Invests $10 Million to Advance Mineral Exploration Research

Harquail Family Invests $10 Million to Advance Mineral Exploration Research

Department of Earth Sciences will now be known as the Harquail School of Earth Sciences

*Photo left to right: James Harquail, Sofia Harquail, David Harquail, Birgitta Sigfridsson, Peter Harquail

David Harquail announced today that his family foundation is making a $10 million investment to support Laurentian University’s Department of Earth Sciences and its Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC). The University’s Board of Governors has unanimously decided to honour the Harquail family by renaming the Department of Earth Sciences as the Harquail School of Earth Sciences and associate ongoing MERC efforts with the Harquail name. A celebration of the Harquail family’s generosity will be held in the coming weeks.  

“Laurentian University is already a global leader in mineral exploration research,” explained David Harquail. “This is a step towards making Laurentian the leading centre for mineral exploration research in the world. Laurentian has mining in its DNA with its location next to mines and a cluster of mining related government departments and research agencies on campus. Success will come from the development of new concepts and tools to find the next generation of ore deposits.”

An $8.4 million endowment will be created to support new research chairs, lab equipment and supplies, technical support and scholarships for international PhD students. The balance of $1.6 million will allow for the immediate recruitment of a Research Chair in Exploration Targeting and other support.

“We are immensely grateful to the Harquail family for this transformative gift,” said Dr. Douglas Tinkham, Director of the Harquail School of Earth Sciences. “The mining industry’s exploration efforts are at a low ebb and are focused on the near term.  The university is committed to the longer term science that could lead to new discoveries. This investment helps us to build the capacity to do that science.”

“This research is fundamental because the discovery of ore bodies creates value for all of society,” said Harquail. “Mining companies deliver that value by building and operating the mines.  And that value is shared with all levels of government, the First Nations and the overall economy through the multiplier effect.  None of this can happen without that initial discovery.”

“Canada disproportionately benefits from its entrepreneurial strength in global mineral exploration. Even discoveries outside of Canada contribute to the well-being of Canadians.  Canada’s resource entrepreneurs have been among the most generous philanthropists in this country benefiting many universities, hospitals and other institutions,” added Harquail. 

The Harquail School of Earth Sciences is the fourth school in less than five years renamed in recognition of eight-figure private gifts at Laurentian University from Canadian resource entrepreneurs, following the Bharti School of Engineering, the Goodman School of Mines and the McEwen School of Architecture.

“This investment from the Harquail family is an exceptional gesture of support for our faculty, staff and students in Earth Sciences, and we believe it is also a testament to the momentum and growing national recognition of our university,” said Laurentian President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux.

 

About the Harquail Family

The Harquail family through its Midas Touch Foundation supports charities, hospitals, education and the arts. It is managed by David Harquail and Birgitta Sigfridsson along with their children, Sofia, James and Peter. Today’s announcement is the largest commitment by the foundation to date. 

David Harquail is President and CEO of Franco-Nevada Corporation, a gold-focused royalty company listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.  Franco-Nevada has royalty interests on over 260 mineral properties around the world including many in the Sudbury basin and Northern Ontario. The company is a sponsor of the Goodman School of Mines at Laurentian University and Mr. Harquail serves on its global advisory board.

 

About the Harquail School of Earth Sciences

The Harquail School of Earth Sciences and its Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC) comprise 14 award-winning faculty including three Geological Association of Canada-Mineral Deposits Division winners, seven staff, six post-doctoral fellows, 78 graduate and 94 undergraduate award-winning students. It has by far the highest level of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Targeted Geoscience Initiative (TGI) funding in economic geology of any department in Canada. It is housed in the ultra-modern Willet Green Miller Centre, together with the Ontario Geological Survey, the Ontario Geoscience Laboratories (Geo Labs) and the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

Located on the southern rim of one of the world's largest, oldest, and best-exposed meteorite impact sites, Sudbury’s massive deposits of nickel, copper and platinum group elements provide unique opportunities for mining-related field instruction, co-op education, pure and applied research. The region’s geological environments include Archean volcanic/sedimentary belts, a Proterozoic sedimentary/volcanic belt, Grenville metamorphic terrains, and lower to middle Paleozoic sequences. The School constitutes an unparalleled learning environment in ore deposits, structural geology, geophysics, mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, sedimentation and stratigraphy, and paleoecology.

 

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 eighteen 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 and rural and northern children’s health. Laurentian University has secured over $100 million in research income in the past five years. 

Federal Cabinet Retreat at Laurentian University a "Tremendous Success"

Federal Cabinet Retreat at Laurentian University a "Tremendous Success"

The first ever federal cabinet retreat held at a postsecondary institution has been an unqualified success, and a unique opportunity to showcase university-based research and innovation

The first ever federal cabinet retreat held at a postsecondary institution has been an unqualified success, and a unique opportunity to showcase university-based research and innovation, said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux.

 

“We were thrilled to be hosting the Prime Minister, his staff, the federal cabinet, their Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Ministers, staff from the Privy Council Office and Canada’s Ambassador to the United States at our campus, and in every respect, we feel that the event has been a tremendous success,” said Mr. Giroux. 

 

Laurentian was invited to host the retreat because of its proven track record of hosting high level events such as the Ontario Summer Games, the Jeux de la francophonie canadienne and numerous national and international conferences, as well as its leadership role in research and innovation, its profile as a bilingual institution and comprehensive approach to indigenous education.

 

The Prime Minister, members of cabinet, and their staff all stayed in one of the two new student residences opened at Laurentian since 2008.

 

“It has been a unique privilege to work with the Privy Council Office to host this retreat, and we were delighted by the opportunity to hold discussions with ministers, deputy ministers and their staff over the course of the visit,” said Mr. Giroux.  “Of course, it was also a pleasure to show them our beautiful 765-acre campus surrounded by five lakes, a golf course, a beach, and an extensive network of nature trails.”

Prime Minister arriving

 

Laurentian’s President, along with faculty and staff, met with several cabinet ministers during the retreat, and had informal talks about university-based research and innovation and its impact on the Canadian economy. 

 

 

Laurentian is the top-rated university in Canada for funded research in Economic Geology, Applied Geophysics, Rock Mechanics, Sports Psychology, and Social Policy, Planning and Social Prevention. Laurentian currently has nine Canada Research Chairs and eighteen specialized research centres.

Rob and Cheryl McEwen invest $10 Million in Laurentian University’s School of Architecture

Rob and Cheryl McEwen invest $10 Million in Laurentian University’s School of Architecture

The Laurentian University School of Architecture will now be known as the McEwen School of Architecture

The Laurentian University School of Architecture will now be known as the McEwen School of Architecture, in recognition of a significant investment by Rob and Cheryl McEwen. A blue and gold banner bearing the McEwen name was unfurled outside the School in downtown Sudbury today, as the McEwens announced a $10 million gift. Four million dollars will be used to complete the School’s $45 million state-of-the-art facility. The remaining $6 million will enhance the student experience and maximize their capacity to become agents of change for architecture globally.   

“Investing in Laurentian’s School of Architecture is a thrilling and proud moment for us.  This School’s focus on green and sustainable design, rooted in northern landscapes and community, is creating unique opportunities for the next generation of architects,” said Rob McEwen.  “We are already seeing the impact the School has had on northern communities in its first three years, and we look forward to the innovation and excellence in design these young leaders will achieve in years to come.”

 

“We are immensely grateful to the McEwen family for this transformative gift,” said Dr. Terrance Galvin, Founding Director of the School of Architecture. “This investment will help us fulfill our mission to establish a unique and cutting-edge architecture program whose graduates will contribute to socio-economic and cultural development in the Northern latitudes across Canada and around the world.  With his vision and enthusiasm, Rob will be a superb mentor to our students.”

 

Mr. McEwen is renowned as a visionary in the mining industry and in philanthropy. After a successful career in financial services and investment management, Mr. McEwen became one of Canada’s leading executives in the mining industry.  He is the founder of Goldcorp Inc., which he grew from a small company with a market capitalization of $50 million to a global player worth more than $10 billion. He is currently the Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX on NYSE & TSX) and of Lexam VG Gold Inc. (LEX on TSX), which explore for and mine gold, silver, and copper, in Canada, USA, Mexico and Argentina. Some of Rob McEwen’s awards include the 2003 Northern Miners “Mining Man of the Year”, and the 2006 Canadian Business magazine’s “Most Innovative CEO.” He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2007.   Rob and his wife Cheryl are passionate about encouraging and promoting excellence and innovation in education and health care. Their donations to furthering these objectives are in excess of $50 million.

Cheryl McEwen is Vice-Chair of UHN Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation, which raises funds for research, education and the enhancement of patient care at Canada’s largest medical research hospital complex. She is the founder and President of “Make my Day Foods” the creator and manufacturer of the Veggie Puck, an organic, raw, frozen and nutrient-dense mixed vegetable serving ready to be blended into a daily smoothie. Cheryl is the Co-Chair of the Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival, which is recognized as one of Canada's top fundraising events. This event annually assembles the finest wine and gourmet cuisine and the brightest minds in medical research. Grand Cru has raised net proceeds of more than $21.2 million for medical research since its inception in 2005. Cheryl is also very active in the strategic growth of the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine.

“We are honoured to accept this generous investment by the McEwens in our School of Architecture, and proud that the School will be associated with Rob and his family,” said Steve Paikin, Chancellor of Laurentian University.  “It is a great gesture of support for our School and our students, and we believe it is also a testament to the momentum and growing national recognition of our university,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux.  

The McEwen School of Architecture welcomed its charter class in September 2013.  It will launch its Master of Architecture graduate program in 2017.

 

About the McEwen School of Architecture

Laurentian’s School of Architecture is the first new school of architecture to open in Canada in 45 years. It is also the first school of its kind in Northern Ontario and the first in Canada outside Québec to offer courses in French. The McEwen School provides an immersive educational experience that conveys the inherent necessity of pairing technical expertise with a full understanding of the spirit of landscapes, and the people who inhabit them, in order to design smart, sustainable and functional buildings. In only three years, students have already won numerous national and international awards, including a first place win at the Bergen International Wood Festival in Norway in May 2016.

As the 12th School of Architecture in Canada, the School was conceived as a venue for students from the North to be able to study architecture in their region; it will also encourage recent graduates to stay and become a part of the growing design community in the North. The McEwen School will be recognized for its research and design with wood, its research into indigenous architecture, as well as its expertise in studying the Sudbury Basin as a source for design.

The McEwen School is housed in a magnificent new $45 million complex in downtown Sudbury designed by LGA Architectural Partners totalling 77,000 sq ft including two century-old repurposed buildings formerly owned by CP Rail and CP Telegraph, and a final phase of 52,000 sq ft which will officially open this Fall serving more than 260 students. A highly competitive program, enrolment will rise to 400 students by 2018, when it will have 25 faculty and staff.

Ontario Supporting Geoscience Research

Ontario Supporting Geoscience Research

Initiative to Help Stimulate Mineral Development in Northern Ontario

Ontario is supporting a groundbreaking research proposal that will help lead to future mining innovations and create jobs in the North.

The province's Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) is investing $5 million over seven years to support Laurentian University in its proposal to form a research consortium to better understand how and where base and precious metal deposits formed. This research could lead to improved success in finding ore bodies for future mining development.

Since 2003, Ontario has invested more than $1 billion through the NOHFC to more than 7,463 projects, leveraging more than $3.97 billion in direct economic activity and creating or sustaining over 28,100 jobs in Northern Ontario.

Investing in research and innovation is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario's history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

Quotes

“The ground-breaking innovation at Laurentian University and in Sudbury's renowned mineral sector ‎are key to maintaining Ontario's reputation as a leading mining jurisdiction. Continuing to invest in research and innovation initiatives like this one in Sudbury will help to grow the economy and create jobs across all of Ontario’s Northern communities.”

-Glenn Thibeault MPP for Sudbury

 

“Ontario’s capacity to compete globally in the mining sector depends on how well we can harness our research and innovation strengths. Laurentian University’s research consortium supports Ontario’s renewed Mineral Development Strategy, which is providing a blueprint to ensure Ontario remains a global leader in mineral development for years to come.”

-Michael Gravelle Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the NOHFC

 

“Laurentian University is proposing to lead a consortium of Canadian researchers from academia and Canadian and international research centres, government and industry to make Canada a world leader in metal endowment research to enable new mining opportunities.”

-Dr. Rui Wang Vice President, Research, Laurentian University

 

Quick Facts

  • Since 2003, the NOHFC has invested $211 million in 1,210 projects that have helped create or retain more than 3,800 jobs in the Sudbury area.

  • Investments in strategic, applied research projects are an important part of the Ontario government’s Growth Plan for Northern Ontario [pdf].

  • Ontario is on track to balance the budget next year, in 2017-18, which will also continue to lower the province’s debt-to-GDP ratio.

  • Laurentian University ranks #1 in Canada in National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) funding in Economic Geology and in Applied Geophysics, and #1 in Ontario in Mining and Mineral Processing.

Laurentian celebrates opening of new Executive Learning Centre

Laurentian celebrates opening of new Executive Learning Centre

State-of-the-art facility supported by significant gifts from donors

JUNE 27, 2016 –  A ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration today marked the official opening of the $3.1M Executive Learning Centre at Laurentian University. 

 

The state-of-the-art facility, recently constructed on the third floor of the University’s Fraser Building, is a mutli-media connected lecture theatre with a dedicated lounge and five seminar rooms, all equipped with the latest presentation and communication technology. 

 

The Executive Learning Centre (ELC) will house programs and workshops offered through Laurentian’s Faculty of Management and the Goodman School of Mines. The tiered lecture theatre provides seating for 68 people and is also equipped to connect distance learners to classroom technology. The ELC is the new location of all regular meetings of the University’s Board of Governors and Senate.

 

Significant gifts from key donors have helped fund the creation of the Executive Learning Centre.  These include $250,000 from BMO, $100,000 from Paul Parisotto and $100,000 from, and Don and Jackie Rastall.

 

“As a proud alumnus of Laurentian University, I am delighted to support this exceptional facility,” said Paul Parisotto (BA Economics, ’83), Chairman of Noront Resources Ltd, president and CEO of Coniston Investment Corp, and a member of the Goodman School of Mines International Advisory Board.  “It will be a focal point for executive education and life-long learning at Laurentian.”

 

“This remarkable facility is one of the crowning features of our campus transformation, and will be a point of pride for the University and the broader community,” said Dominic Giroux, Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor.  “It would not have been possible without the support of the generous donors who have shared our vision, and we thank them sincerely for their investment.”

 

The Executive Learning Centre is part of Laurentian’s $63M campus modernization program, an historic investment in student-focussed spaces and facilities. 

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