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Laurentian honours former Governor-General Michaëlle Jean

Laurentian honours former Governor-General Michaëlle Jean

Jean receives Honourary Doctorate at Convocation ceremony in Barrie


May 28, 2014 – Canada’s 27th Governor-General, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean was today awarded an Honourary Doctorate (Laws) at Laurentian University’s Spring Convocation for graduates of programs in Barrie, Ontario. The Honourary Doctorate was presented by Laurentian University Chancellor Steve Paikin.

“The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean has been an extraordinary role model for many people throughout her career,” said Paikin. “She has shown exceptional courage and dedication and, always, a tremendous amount of heart. We look up to her, as do so many other Canadians.” 
Michaelle Jean

Born in Port-au-Prince, Mme Jean fled Haiti with her family in 1968 and came to Canada, settling in the community of Thetford Mines, Québec. She earned degrees in modern languages and literature at the University of Montréal, and pursued language studies at universities in Italy. She worked with organizations involved with immigration and wrote about the experiences of immigrant women in Canada. Later, she began a successful career at Radio-Canada and became one of the country’s most recognized and respected journalists. She anchored news and current affairs programs on both French- and English-language television networks, and also produced documentary films.

In 2005, Michaëlle Jean became the first Canadian of Caribbean origin to serve as Governor- General. During her term, she led 40 missions and state visits to countries around the world, and also navigated the potential constitutional crisis that ended with the prorogation of Parliament in 2008. She served in the vice-regal position until 2010, and soon after her term she was named Special Envoy to Haiti by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Mme Jean is also Founder and Co-Director of the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, a charitable organization that promotes and supports youth arts initiatives that “tranform young lives and revitalize underserved communities”  

Mme Jean is a Companion of the Order of Canada (CC) and has won numerous awards, including the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Canada Award; Prix Anik for best information reporting in Canada; and the inaugural Amnesty International Canada Journalism Award. The Assemblée internationale des parlementaires de langue française bestowed upon her the Ordre des Chevaliers de La Pléiade. She was recently conferred the Grand Cross, the highest dignity from the order of the Legion of Honour of the French Republic. In addition, the Universities Fighting World Hunger international network oversees the new Michaëlle Jean Award.

“Both in her professional life and through her commitment to public service, Mme Jean has been a truly inspirational figure to Canadians,” said Dominic Giroux, President and Vice-Chancellor Laurentian University. “We are honoured to call her a member of the Laurentian University community.”

Jonathan Goodman named Executive in Residence at Laurentian University’s School of Commerce

Jonathan Goodman named Executive in Residence at Laurentian University’s School of Commerce

Laurentian prepares students to be successful by fostering dialogue with today’s leaders in business


May 12, 2014 – Laurentian University’s School of Commerce has appointed Jonathan Goodman as its new Executive in Residence. As Executive in Residence, Mr. Goodman will participate in faculty meetings, in particular those related to curriculum development and planning. He will also create opportunities to interact and be available to students at Laurentian’s Sudbury, Barrie and Global (on-line) campuses. Mr. Goodman will be providing career advice and resources to students and presenting guest lectures in a variety of courses. He will also give special lectures to community audiences and to students outside the Commerce program.

 

“I am very pleased that Jonathan has accepted the role of Executive in Residence at the School of Commerce. He brings a wealth of experience not only in mining finance and investment but also in mineral exploration and mine development,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dominic Giroux. “By connecting our students to a business leader of Jonathan Goodman’s experience, the School of Commerce is creating a valuable bridge between classroom and boardroom.”

 

Mr. Goodman is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines and has more than 25 years of experience in the resource and investment industry. He is President and CEO of Dundee Capital Markets Inc., and Deputy Chair and Chief Operating Officer of Dundee Corporation. Mr. Goodman is the son of Ned Goodman and, along with his brothers, is a director of The Goodman Family Foundation, which has made an historic gift towards Laurentian’s new Goodman School of Mines. Jonathan has worked as a geologist, senior analyst, senior executive and portfolio manager. He is also a professional engineer, a Chartered Financial Analyst, and the director of several publicly-traded resource companies.

 

During his inaugural visit to the School of Commerce, in his new volunteer role, Mr. Goodman spoke to students from various programs, including Engineering and Commerce. He offered his perspectives on mining and investment in Canada, and spoke about some of today’s international challenges.

 

“Jonathan’s willingness to be accessible to both students and faculty in Commerce was evident in his easy and frank speaking style,” said Dr. Bruce C. Jago, Franco-Nevada Executive Director of the Goodman School of Mines at Laurentian University. “We are looking forward to working with Jonathan as we continue to develop our new undergraduate, graduate and modular courses in the Goodman School of Mines,” he added.

 

“I'm thrilled to be serving in this important role and to be making a positive contribution to an institution my family and I believe in so strongly. As an Executive in Residence, I hope to draw upon my professional experience to engage students in meaningful ways and to provide them with guidance as they prepare to achieve success in their chosen careers,” said Goodman.

 

Mr. Goodman believes that “Laurentian University's School of Commerce, working in collaboration with the Goodman School of Mines, can be a world leader, particularly in providing education in mining finance, management and resource development. The launch of a Mining MBA, as well as the creation of a mining business competition that will attract participants from around the globe, are projects I'm especially excited to help realize”.

Historian Gaétan Gervais donates more than 50 years of Franco-Ontarian archives to Laurentian University

Historian Gaétan Gervais donates more than 50 years of Franco-Ontarian archives to Laurentian University

During the 6th Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury (Sudbury’s French Book Fair), historian Gaétan Gervais announced the donation.

May 8, 2014 – Today, during the 6th Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury (Sudbury’s French Book Fair), historian Gaétan Gervais announced the donation of his personal collection chronicling more than 50 years of Franco-Ontarian history to the Archives at Laurentian University. Encompassing 1950-2000, this important component of Franco-Ontarian heritage will add to the archival holdings of organizations and individuals in Northern Ontario as well as the seven searchable special collections held on the first floor of the J.N.-Desmarais Library at Laurentian University.

 

“By donating my archives to Laurentian University, I hope to convey to future generations some sense of the setbacks and successes that marked an important period for Ontario’s Francophones in modern times,” said Gaétan Gervais who holds an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Laurentian (2011). “Our culture was built on the collective efforts of a community that is very proud of its roots. Today, I give to this community a portion of the invaluable treasure that is our Franco-Ontarian heritage.”

 

“We are especially honoured that Gaétan Gervais, emeritus professor in our Department of History at Laurentian University, has entrusted his alma mater with the task of maintaining the archives he has accumulated over his life, which he has devoted to education and enhancing the Francophone presence in Ontario,” added Dominic Giroux, Laurentian University president and vice-chancellor. “To archive more than 400 boxes of this valuable collection donated by Gaétan Gervais adds tremendous wealth that is unique to French Ontario to our holdings.”

Books Based on the International Conference on Language and Territory Launched in the Presence of Conference Honourary President Graham Fraser

Books Based on the International Conference on Language and Territory Launched in the Presence of Conference Honourary President Graham Fraser

“In these publications, the International Conference on Language and Territory finds a brilliant outcome...“

May 1st, 2014 – The Human Sciences Monographic Series, the Ontario French Language Observatory and the Office of the Vice-President of Francophone Affairs at Laurentian University launched three books based on the International Conference on Language and Territory organized in 2010 by Laurentian University. Commissioner of Official Languages and conference honourary president Graham Fraser was on hand today for the launch.

 

Under the title Langue et territoire (Language and Territory), the books are subtitled Espaces littéraires, Études en aménagement linguistique and Études en sociolinguistique urbaine, respectively, and compile three years of work directed by Julie Boissonneault and Ali Reguigui, professors in the Department of French Studies at Laurentian University. Many academic researchers, doctoral students, legal scholars and other language specialists from around the world also collaborated.

 

“In these publications, the International Conference on Language and Territory finds a brilliant outcome and makes significant contributions to the understanding and advancement of linguistic rights,” said Graham Fraser. “The quality of research by Laurentian University professors and their collaborators is a testament to the importance of – and respect shown for – linguistic duality in Canada and cultural diversity within this institution.”

 

“The reference material unveiled today lives up to the historic event that brought together for the first time in 2010 Canada’s five language commissioners for the International Conference on Language and Territory,” added Dominic Giroux, president and vice-chancellor of Laurentian University. “Our institution is proud to participate once again in official language development and is poised to continue its efforts in language planning.”

New University Librarian named at Laurentian

New University Librarian named at Laurentian

Executive Director of Canadian Association of Research Libraries to fill post

April 28, 2014 – Laurentian University’s Board of Governors approved the appointment of Brent Roe to the position of University Librarian, effective July 1, 2014.  The appointment is for a five-year term. 

 

Mr. Roe has previously worked as Associate University Librarian, Information Services at York University in Toronto and, since 2008, has served as Executive Director for the Canadian Association of Research Libraries in Ottawa, whose board of directors includes the directors of 31 research libraries across Canada.  In addition, Mr. Roe has served on the Ontario College and University Library Association Council, including one year as President and two years on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Library Association.  Mr. Roe is fully bilingual.

Brent Roe

 

 

 

 





In the position of University Librarian at Laurentian, Mr. Roe will be responsible for overseeing all library and archives services, including a team of over 28 librarians, archivists and staff, more than 1-million items in collections within the J.N. Desmarais Library and online catalogues.

 

“The library is really the heart and soul of a university, and we are happy to have a University Librarian with Brent’s experience and passion in this crucial position,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux. “Our hiring committee was also impressed by his understanding of the challenging context within which libraries in a university setting will be operating in the future, as well as of the opportunities which will present themselves.”

 

“I am excited to be taking on this new responsibility and to be working with the Laurentian community to provide excellent library and archival services. The J.N. Desmarais Library has both impressive collections and a talented staff, and I am looking forward to my new role there,” said Brent Roe.  

Dr. Osman Abou-Rabia appointed as Dean

Dr. Osman Abou-Rabia appointed as Dean

Abou-Rabia to lead Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture

April 25, 2014 - Laurentian University’s Board of Governors today approved the appointment of Dr. Osman Abou-Rabia to the position of Dean, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture, for a term of five years, beginning July 1, 2014. 
 

Dr. Abou-Rabia has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (University of Ottawa) and completed his MSc and BSc at Cairo University. He joined Laurentian in 1985 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. He has since served the Department as Chair and his Faculty as Vice-Dean, and is currently Acting Dean of the Faculty. Following a national search, the selection committee unanimously recommended his appointment to the position. 
 

“Dr. Abou-Rabia has a unique appreciation of this Faculty and its needs, and he is absolutely the right choice for this critically-important role at the University,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dominic Giroux. “He has a management style that is consultative, his leadership qualities are well-regarded, and the recommendations we received from his colleagues and from others across the university community were highly positive and supportive of his candidacy.” 
 

Dr. Abou-Rabia is bilingual and has served on several Laurentian University Senate committees, including the Committee of English Language Programs and the Comité des programmes en français. He has also served as Chair of the Science and Engineering Faculty Council. He has been active in student recruitment both in Canada and abroad. He has played an integral role in the development of new agreements with universities in Chile, Egypt and South Korea. He has also been a key player in the creation of a new academic plan for Laurentian in Barrie, and a strong advocate for the developing relationship between Laurentian’s Forensic Science program and the OPP and RCMP. In the recently re-organized Faculty structure, the Dean will now assume responsibility for the School of Architecture, which began operations in 2013 and is led by founding director Terrance Galvin, the award-winning Bharti School of Engineering, a new School of Environment, along with all other Science departments and programs at Laurentian. 
 

"I am honoured to be leading the re-organized Faculty at such an exciting juncture in the evolution of this University. Our Faculty is equipped to make its mark in Canada and abroad, and I am very optimistic about our prospects for greater successes," said Dr. Abou-Rabia. 
 

The Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Grants its Accreditation to Laurentian University and Collège Boréal

The Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Grants its Accreditation to Laurentian University and Collège Boréal

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.I.) degree Program, jointly offered by Laurentian University and Collège Boréal, was recently accredited until 2021 by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN).

April 22, 2014 – The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.I.) degree Program, jointly offered by Laurentian University and Collège Boréal, was recently accredited until 2021 by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN). After evaluating the relevance, quality of education and learning experience offered to B.S.I. students, this accreditation from CASN attests to the high training standards Laurentian University and Collège Boréal meet in a vital domain of this health sector.

 

Supported by the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS), the B.S.I. takes into account the realities of the nursing profession through the development of a full scope of practice in order to meet the needs of a multidisciplinary work environment. Hence, future nurses enrolled in this program will work in hospitals, deliver services in homes, conduct research, pursue higher education or teach.

 

Quotes

“The CASN accreditation recognizes excellence within our institutions as it pertains to educating students in the field of Nursing. Thanks to this quality program offered in French, Laurentian University and Collège Boréal efficiently collaborate by training more healthcare professionals who will have the ability to offer services in both official languages to members of our community.”

-Roger Couture, Dean, Faculty of Professional Schools, Laurentian University

 

“This collaboration allows Collège Boréal to showcase once again the quality of its healthcare programs and the recognition they have received nationally. Our joint bachelor degree in Nursing attests to the recognized competence of our respective teams and their ability to integrate an innovative applied degree model to their teaching.”

-Kim Morris, Dean, School of Health Sciences, Collège Boréal
 

Canada Foundation for Innovation funds research at Laurentian

Canada Foundation for Innovation funds research at Laurentian

Award for Canada Research Chair in Polymer Nanomaterials, Dr. Zhibin Ye

April 14, 2014 – Laurentian University proudly congratulates Canada Research Chair in Polymer Nanomaterials, Dr. Zhibin Ye, on his research award from the John R. Evans Leaders Fund. 

 

The award, announced today in Ottawa by the Canada Foundation for Innovation/Fondation canadienne pour l'innovation, will provide Dr. Ye with $83,112 in further support for the development of various polymer nanomaterials for advanced applications. 

 

A Professor with Laurentian University’s Bharti School of Engineering and the Department of Chemistry and Bio-chemistry, Dr. Ye and his team have been working to develop new applications for these materials , including nanostructured electrode materials for energy storage in super-capacitors, functionalized gold nanorods for cancer therapeutics, and nano-compartmented metal catalysts for chemical reactions.

 

“The potential applications for Dr. Ye’s research are impressive, with game-changing possibilities in so many diverse fields.  We congratulate Zhibin and his team on this latest acknowledgement of their important work,” said Acting Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Dr. Osman Abou-Rabia.

 

Through the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (previously named Leaders Opportunity Fund) helps Canadian institutions to attract and retain the very best of today’s and tomorrow’s researchers by offering institutions the opportunity to
 

  • Acquire infrastructure for their leading research faculty to undertake cutting-edge research; and
     
  • Create competitive research support packages in the form of infrastructure and a portion of the operating and maintenance costs from the CFI, coupled with direct research costs from partner organizations.
     

Dr. Pamela Rose Toulouse honoured for excellence in teaching

Dr. Pamela Rose Toulouse honoured for excellence in teaching

Laurentian Professor Successfully Integrates Indigenous Teaching Philosophy to Build Rich Relationships among Students


April 2, 2014 - Dr. Pamela Rose Toulouse has been named the recipient of Laurentian University’s Teaching Excellence Award for Full-Time Faculty for 2013-2014. 

An Associate Professor in the School of Education at Laurentian University, Dr. Toulouse is entering her 21st year of teaching in the formal education setting. At the forefront of Dr. Toulouse’s approach as an educator is her passion for teaching and nurturing community within the classroom. 

“Kinoomaage is the Ojibwe word that is closest to the English term for teaching. My students, past, present and future, continue to be my greatest educators. They are an essential part of Kinoomaage that inspires me to organize, research and prepare a classroom environment that honours them all,” said Dr. Toulouse. 

Originally from the Sagamok First Nation, Pamela Rose Toulouse is a proud Ojibwe/Odawa woman and is well-known for her work in First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) Education. “Through her teaching, Pamela Toulouse contributes to the culturally responsive learning environment that we strive to foster at Laurentian University. She is regarded by her students and fellow faculty members with respect and admiration for her passion and commitment to her work,” said Robert Kerr, Vice-President and Provost at Laurentian. 

Dr. Toulouse’s approach is based in building rich relationships between classmates. She also provides a safe space for students to discuss issues in education and encourages them to investigate these further. “When we think of memorable teachers, the ones who were confident in our abilities, pushed us to always be better, encouraged us to pursue further education, and helped us learn from our mistakes so we could succeed, one person always comes to mind,” said her Junior/Intermediate Methods Students in their nomination letter. “Dr. Pamela Toulouse encompasses all of these qualities and she is an outstanding educator. She encourages her students to simply try their best in all endeavors.” 

The official award will be presented at the 2014 Spring Convocation. 

LU Students Win 3 Awards at Ontario Biology Day (OBD)

LU Students Win 3 Awards at Ontario Biology Day (OBD)

Congratulations to our dedicated LU crew!

March 23, 2014 - Laurentian’s crew of fourth-year thesis students are back from Ontario Biology Day (OBD), which took place on March 22nd and 23rd at the University of Toronto-Mississauga.  There were approximately 240 attendees at the conference: 31 of which were LU students, staff and faculty. Our students gave 24 presentations and came home with three awards!

  • William Mekers (supervised by M. Persinger) won best talk in the Neuro-anatomy category. 
  • Andrea Mendler (supervised by D. Lesbarrères and J. Litzgus) won best talk in the Conservation category. 
  • Sarah Tessier (supervised by L. Sutherland) won an award in the Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology category.

Congratulations to our dedicated LU crew!

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