You are now in the main content area

LU grad finding success in the Kontinental Hockey League

LU grad finding success in the Kontinental Hockey League

Sport and Physical Education alumni, Andrew Kacsor, now plying his trade as Head Strength & Conditioning coach for KHL team

(November 25, 2021) - Since his graduation from the Sport and Physical Education (SPED) program at Laurentian in 2013, Andrew Kacsor has become the Head Strength & Conditioning coach for the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). This career finds Kacsor working and living in Russia since 2020. 

“After graduating from Laurentian, I completed a post graduate program in Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management at the University of Guelph-Humber. Approachable Laurentian faculty members such as Dr. Patricia Pickard and Dr. Amanda Schweinbenz were instrumental in preparing me for this post graduate experience. They consistently took the time during my studies at Laurentian to support and guide me,” explained Kacsor.

Armed with his degrees, Kacsor was hired to work in his field at Paragenix Systems by Matt Nichol. He provided strength and conditioning to amateur and professional athletes alike affiliated with the Ontario Hockey League, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Hockey League, the National Basketball Association and the National Football League. 

In October 2019, Kacsor’s career took off internationally when he became Head Strength & Conditioning coach for the Kunlun Red Star (KRS) Women’s Hockey League (WHL) based out of Shenzhen, China. “In this role, I learnt about the inner workings of team dynamics, as well as how to adapt on the fly and be a constant professional. We won the WHL championship that year, making it the team’s first championship ever.”

In May 2020, Kacsor was recruited in his current position working for the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. He spoke highly of his experience in this job, and described that he’s benefited from learning the Russian tongue. “I’ve been putting a great deal of effort into learning Russian for the past year and a half, and am happy to say that I can now lead a full workout session with the majority of my instructions in Russian.” 

Said Kacsor thinking back fondly on his Laurentian student experience: “I likely would never have chosen a career in this field if I wasn’t accepted into the SPED program at Laurentian University. It’s opened so many doors for me.” 

The Laurentian community looks forward to following Kacsor’s ongoing success in his fast-paced career. Andrew can be followed on Instagram. 

Launch of the book “Les émotions : Comment mieux les expliquer – Volume 2”

Launch of the book “Les émotions : Comment mieux les expliquer – Volume 2”

Psychology research supports the development of young Francophones’ emotional understanding

(November 23, 2021) -  For the past few years, Dr. Annie Roy-Charland and Dr. Jacques Richard, of Moncton University, and Dr. Mélanie Perron, of Laurentian University, have been conducting research in the Greater Sudbury and Moncton areas to assess the impact of reading on the way children understand emotions. For this project, the researchers collaborated with author and illustrator, Émilie Myriam Roy, to develop the book Les émotions : Comment mieux les expliquer - Volume 2. 

“It is with great pleasure and a real sense of accomplishment that we present Volume 2 of the book Les émotions : Comment mieux les expliquer,” said Dr. Perron. “After several years of scientific development and assessment, we are very proud to unveil this illustrated book to the public. Not only is it enjoyable to share with children, it also serves as a tool for Francophones who want to improve the understanding of emotions, an essential skill for the healthy development of children.”

The book includes five short stories focusing on the various aspects of intermediate emotional experiences. The stories are centred on topics adapted to children aged 7 to 11 years, and some guidelines for discussion are suggested. Since reading these stories has had positive results on children’s social and educational adaptation, the researchers received funding from Health Canada for printing and publishing the book.

This volume is preceded by Volume 1, released in October 2019. Research to develop these vibrantly illustrated books first started in 2007. 

These books also benefited from the support of both the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS) and Éditions Prise de Parole publishing house. 

The CNFS holds important not only the development but also the mobilization of knowledge on the health of minority Francophones communities.

 More information on these resource books and digital copies of both volumes are available on the CNFS Laurentian webpage.

 

Laurentian University students volunteer to support Sudbury Ringette Association youth

Laurentian University students volunteer to support Sudbury Ringette Association youth

LU ringette players mentor ringette youth

(November 17, 2021) - With the support of their teammates, Laurentian University students and ringette athletes, Jenna Gilchrist (Sudbury, ON) and Katie Vandeloo (Richmond Hill, ON) led a conditioning camp for the Sudbury Ringette Association’s youth. The camp was organized by Gilchrist in support of youth aged ten to sixteen. “We wanted to give back to our community and run something for ringette youth to jump back into the game. During COVID, these youth didn’t have the opportunity to play, so we ran a conditioning camp to get them back into the swing of things. We really wanted to make it a fun experience for these youth to remember why they play ringette; why they love ringette.”

Gilchrist is a recent graduate from the Biochemistry program at Laurentian. Her educational journey continues at Laurentian, as a first year M.Sc. Biology student. Vandeloo is a third year Sports Administration student at Laurentian.

The camp was well received by all attendees, according to Sudbury Ringette Association’s Treasurer, Troy McLaughlin. “Not only was it extremely generous to have these students give back their time, [but] I know there was a lot of excited anticipation among our younger players to be able to be taught and look up to these older Ringette players.” For Vandeloo, volunteering her time in support of this initiative was rewarding. “I really hope that this continues in future years. It was amazing. I didn’t want to miss a thing.” 

The Laurentian Ringette Club has expanded in recent years, and the team’s dedication to their sport is impressive. In their season’s 2019 / 2020 University Challenge Cup - a national tournament for University Ringette teams across Canada, Laurentian Ringette won bronze in their division. The preceding season, the team earned the Sportsmanship Award at their provincial championship tournament. 

Both Gilchrist and Vandeloo have high hopes for Laurentian Ringette’s future and described enthusiastically the commitment of their team. “It’s amazing how dedicated our team is this year,” said Vandeloo. “Everybody shows up. It’s so great.”

The Laurentian Ringette Club’s next series of home games occur on Saturday, November 27th at Sudbury’s Countryside arena. They play Nipissing University at 10:15am, the Timmins Tornadoes at 4:15pm, and the Sault Ste. Marie Ice Hawks at 9:15pm. They hope to see you there!

Laurentian Voyageur Rower Abbey Maillet wins Provincial Championship

Laurentian Voyageur Rower Abbey Maillet wins Provincial Championship

Sport and Physical Education student celebrates OUA gold medal win

(November 5, 2021) - Abbey Maillet of the Laurentian University Voyageurs is the gold medal winner of the OUA Rowing Championship that occurred in Welland, ON on Saturday, October 30th. A third-year Sport and Physical Education student, Maillet won the Women’s Lightweight Single with a time of 8:49.30, 5 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. “My experience at the OUA Championship to say the least was great. Representing Laurentian and winning gold met my goal which I have been working towards for some time now. I enjoyed being a part of the competitive environment.”

Maillet (Dundas, ON), started rowing at Leander Boat Club in Hamilton, shortly before entering high school. “My whole life, I’ve been very active and have participated in many rep sports,” she explained. It wasn’t long before she was recognized for her competitive edge - an edge equally matched by her passion for rowing. “I was in love with the sport right away.”

Maillet’s success at the OUA championship is preceded by other athletic accomplishments earlier this year. At the season’s opening regatta in Guelph, she was victorious as a double gold medal winner in both the Women’s Lightweight Single, and the Women’s Open Single. “What has helped me succeed is definitely the knowledge and experience from my coach, Dr. Amanda Schweinbenz. What I like most about being a Laurentian Varsity athlete is being able to represent my school with pride and respect. I have been able to create many memories as a Laurentian athlete and enjoy the beauty of Sudbury and Ramsey Lake.” 

Dr. Schweinbenz recognizes Maillet for her excellence as a dedicated athlete. "Abbey is a great young woman with a fantastic work ethic. Throughout the pandemic she has worked tirelessly on improving her fitness, technique and her tactical approach to racing.”

After winning the gold medal of the OUA Rowing Championship in Welland, ON on October 30, third-year Sport and Physical Education student, Abbey Maillet, won bronze in the Women's Lightweight Single at the Canadian University Rowing Championship hosted by Brock University, November 6 and 7. 

“Being able to compete and medal at the Canadian Unviversity Rowing Championship (CURC) was nothing but amazing! I really enjoyed the competitive environment of racing and being able to go up against some tough and fierce women in my event. Representing Laurentian University at the CURC is something I take real pride in,” said Maillet.
 
Maillet’s coach, Dr. Amanda Schweinbenz, was equally enthused to speak about Abbey’s recent athletic accomplishment. “Abbey had a great race on Sunday against a very tough competitive field. She has made a lot of progress since her first year here at Laurentian and I am excited to watch her develop over the next two years.”

Laurentian University celebrates the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration

Laurentian University celebrates the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration

Event featured launch of Environmental Remediation course, the Mineral Resources Industry Leadership Certificate and trail dedication

Thursday, October 21, Laurentian University’s Goodman School of Mines and the Vale Living with Lakes Centre held an official kick-off event in celebration of the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.

Launched by the United Nations General Assembly, the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration is an initiative that aims to support global efforts to protect and restore ecosystems and halt climate change.

“The Sudbury Story reminds us that for more than 60 years, Laurentian has been at the crossroads of culture, industry, art, science, and politics, growing from a humble and small institution to become one of Northern Ontario’s foremost universities.” said Dr. Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University.

The importance of this occasion highlights Sudbury’s ongoing role as a model of restoration. The Vale Living with Lakes Centre and Goodman School of Mines have captured this with the launch of the “Environmental Remediation: Global Lessons from the Sudbury Story'' course, which examines the innovative efforts that made Sudbury the globally recognized regreened city it is today. Moreover, a new important educational initiative was launched by the Goodman School of Mines this September with  the Mineral Resources Industry Leadership Certificate (MRILC), which is designed to foster leadership, character development, and resource industry stewardship in individuals seeking careers in mining. The program also incorporates a mentorship component that matches students with mentors that work in the industry. Participants from this inaugural cohort of the program were able to attend the event, network, and meet their mentors for the first time in person. And finally, Dr. John Gunn, director of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre, launched Laurentian’s program of activities participating in the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, building on the incredible history of Sudbury restoration, but also highlighting the ongoing importance of environmental research and training of students in these fields. Notable words of congratulations were contributed by Dr. Jane Goodall, and the Hon. Bob Rae (UN Ambassador for Canada) acknowledging the importance of this research and community progress.

Industry sponsors for both the Environmental Remediation course and the Mineral Resources Industry Leadership Certificate attended the event to celebrate the launch of each respective program. Guests were also joined by local federal MP Viviane Lapointe, provincial MP Jamie West, and Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger.

This event was part of a number of activities that took place at Laurentian University this week in celebration of this occasion. Earlier that day, the United Nations x Student General Association (SGA) Restoration Trail and Recovery Garden grand opening also took place. A student-led initiative, inspired by the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration that saw the dedication of one of the many restored trails on the Laurentian campus. The celebrations closed with the 2021 Watershed Lecture webinar presented by the Vale Living with Lakes Centre on Friday, October 22, featuring Dr. Line Rochefort. 

 

CONTACT

For information about the Environmental Remediation course and other educational initiatives, please contact:

Dr. Nadia Mykytczuk
Interim President and CEO
MIRARCO
Acting Interim Executive Director
Goodman School of Mines
nx_mykytczuk@laurentian.ca

 

For information about the Mineral Resources Industry Leadership Certificate, please contact:

Nicole Tardif
Program Coordinator
Goodman School of Mines
ntardif@laurentian.ca

 

For information about the U.N. Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, please contact:

Dr. John Gunn
Director
Vale Living with Lakes Centre
jgunn@laurentian.ca 

Laurentian University To Observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Laurentian University To Observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Community called to reconciliation in action

Sudbury, Ontario (September 28, 2021) -- On September 30th, Laurentian University will be marking the first-ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to grieve the victims and honour the survivors of residential schools. An estimated 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children were taken from their families and their communities and sent to residential schools across Canada during the 19th and 20th centuries, with the last residential school closing in 1996, the legacies of which persist to this day. On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Laurentian community will come together in the spirit of truth, action, and sincerity to face the difficult truths of what has happened to Indigenous communities of this land.

 

Laurentian students, faculty, and staff are invited to a series of activities:

  • A Sacred Fire will be held in the Wiigwaam to honour the children of residential schools. The community will be invited to offer semaanh (tobacco), mashkodewashk (sage), giizhik (cedar) and wiingashk (sweetgrass).
     
  • The community will renew and care for the Apology Cairn in Parking Lot #15, which marks the site where Indigenous communities gathered to receive the first apology by one of four churches that administered residential schools in 1986, planting Medicines such as mashkodewashk (sage) and semaanh (tobacco) and preparing the Cairn for Spring planting. Students and classrooms in particular are invited to join at 2 P.M.
     
  • In honour of the children of residential schools, missing and murdered Métis, First Nations, and Inuit women, men, girls, boys and 2SLGBTQQIA, the Laurentian community will plant a maple tree, to be planted in front of the Parker Building, near the Laurentian sign, greeting the community as they arrive.
     
  • The Laurentian community is invited to observe 2:15 minutes of silence at 2:15 p.m. in recognition of the 215 children found by Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation in May 2021, as well as the children for whom communities continue to search. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to observe these 2:15 minutes of silence wherever they might find themselves on campus or in the community.
     
  • The community is encouraged to wear orange shirts, commemorating the bright orange shirt six-year old Phyllis Webstad proudly received from her grandmother and which was taken away from her on her first day at residential school. We also encourage the community to download Zoom backgrounds that honour the children of residential schools.
     
  • In partnership with the Student General Association (SGA), the University will participate in ‘Light the Country Orange,’ illuminating the heart of Indigenous life and culture at Laurentian in orange light, including the Wiigwaam and the entrance to the Parker Building in Founder’s Square, the Round Room and the Student Centre. The idea was proposed to communities across Canada by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) based at the University of Manitoba.
     
  • Students, faculty, and staff passing through the Atrium of the Parker Building will be encouraged to speak out and write down on orange sticky notes how they are or will contribute to reconciliation efforts at Laurentian.
     
  • Laurentian is pleased to welcome guest speakers Grace Fox, Marthe Brown, and Harvey Trudeau who will share their experiences with residential schools as well as their acts of reconciliation. The discussion will take place in the Atrium at 11 A.M. 

 

Laurentian is also pleased to make the following announcements:

  • The University will announce the recipient of the Kina Binoojiinyag Gchinendaagsiwag (Every Child Matters/Chaque Enfant Compte) Scholarship established by the Indigenous Sharing & Learning Centre (ISLC). This scholarship, which prioritizes applicants studying in the field of language revitalization, recognizes Indigenous learners’ commitment to putting their education at the service of their communities.
     
  • It is with great appreciation to the Vancouver and Calgary studios of Perkins&Will Canada and KPMB Architects for their philanthropic support that Laurentian is pleased to announce its partnership with Indspire, an Indigenous organization that supports First Nations, Inuit, and Métis learners in their pursuit of education.
     
  • The partnership will create three awards to recognize Indigenous students at the Laurentian University McEwen School of Architecture. Selection criteria will focus on academic achievement, design excellence, and be based on a student’s connection to their Indigenous heritage.
     
  • In collaboration with the Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig in Sault Ste. Marie, the Laurentian University Library and Archives is honoured to announce that it has recently received official authorization by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to access and use the trial record and the trial materials of the landmark Restoule v. Canada (Attorney General) legal case in order to digitally preserve and make them available on the Internet.
     
  • Restoule v. Canada represents a step towards reconciliation by considering, partly through Anishinaabe law and governance, and granting an increase in annuity payments guaranteed to the Anishinaabe people by the 1850 Robinson Huron and Robinson Superior Treaties. 

 

The community is encouraged to tune in throughout the day on Laurentian’s social media channels for special coverage of the day’s activities. Follow Laurentian on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Laurentian thanks all participants who have committed themselves today to ensuring that the community has every opportunity to come together in a spirit of action, humility, and sincerity.

Rna Diagnostics, a Laurentian University Spinoff, Secures CDN $8 Million in Series A Financing

Rna Diagnostics, a Laurentian University Spinoff, Secures CDN $8 Million in Series A Financing

(September 22, 2021) Laurentian University and Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI) are pleased to announce that Rna Diagnostics Inc., a leading precision cancer diagnostics company created from a discovery made by HSNRI Scientist and Laurentian University Professor Dr. Amadeo Parissenti, has received an $8.0 M series A investment from iGan Partners and BDC Capital, through its Bridge Financing Program.

The discovery that chemotherapy treatment can promote RNA degradation (RNA disruption) in patient tumours was made in 2007 by Dr. Parissenti and his research associate, Dr. Baoqing Guo, in their lab at Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI).  The RNA disruption assay (RDA), patented by Laurentian University and licensed to Rna Diagnostics in 2010, determines whether a patient is responding to cancer therapy, early during treatment, independent of cancer type and cancer therapy.  RDA measures response at 5 weeks after the start of a selected regimen. The RDA cancer diagnostic technology allows oncologists to assess a selected treatment’s efficacy early during treatment, thereby enabling the tailoring of chemotherapy treatments to an individual’s response to treatment in real time. This means that if a patient’s tumor is not responding to treatment, 80% of ineffective doses and lost time can be avoided. 

Rna Diagnostics’ reference laboratory is headquartered at the Health Sciences North Research Institute in Sudbury and Dr. Parissenti continues to study the cellular mechanisms involved in RNA disruption with Drs. Carita Lanner and Tom Kovala of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in the hopes of finding additional tools to predict or monitor chemotherapy response and outcome in cancer patients.  Laurentian University and Health Sciences North Research Institute gratefully acknowledge the Clinical Trials Group of the Canadian Cancer Society and the Northern Cancer Foundation for supporting this important discovery and further validation studies.

“Laurentian University is proud to offer its congratulations to Dr. Parissenti and Rna Diagnostics Inc. on this incredible milestone, the investment will provide critical funding to complete the clinical trials and bring to market a technology that will improve cancer treatments worldwide while impacting positively on the quality of life of cancer patients,” said Laurentian University’s Vice-President, Research Tammy Eger. “A true northern innovation created by outstanding partnerships and collaboration.”

“Our institution is thrilled to host RNA Diagnostic Inc.’s reference laboratory, which is collecting and analysing samples from around the world for the BREVITY Trial,” said Greg Ross, HSN and HSNRI’s Vice-President Academic and Research Impact. “Dr. Parissenti’s leadership in this strategic research is evident through his mentorship of learners in his lab and the positive exposure to meaningful research opportunities that will help patients in our Northern communities. RNA Diagnostics Inc. is truly putting Sudbury on the map.” 

“The continued support of iGan Partners and our current investors, combined with the support of BDC Capital as a new investment partner, is exciting,” said John Connolly, President and CEO of Rna Diagnostics. “The closing of this series A financing will allow us to complete the pivotal validation trial (BREVITY) of the RNA Disruption Assay™ (RDA)™. BREVITY is currently recruiting patients at over 40 breast cancer centres in Europe and North America.”

 “This is an enormous, expensive problem for cancer centres. Typically, in solid tumors, only 30-40% of patients receive a survival benefit from a given drug regimen,” Connolly said. “Patients with nonresponsive tumours (identified by the RDA) can therefore forgo the ineffective treatment and its side-effects and moved quickly to alternate treatments”.

LU researchers awarded $50,000 to address vaccine confidence in Northern Ontario

LU researchers awarded $50,000 to address vaccine confidence in Northern Ontario

Team to visit workplaces across Northern Ontario to engage on safety and effectiveness of vaccines

August 3, 2021 - With support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), researchers and staff from the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) and the Science Communication Graduate Program will be travelling across Northern Ontario this September to enhance confidence in vaccination use with workplaces and communities.

 

Although many individuals have received their COVID-19 vaccinations, some remain hesitant and have questions. “Vaccine confidence has real implications to the health and safety of workplaces and communities,” acknowledges Dr. Chantal Barriault, Director of the Science Communication Graduate Program.

 

This $50,000 grant allows for 1) the development of evidence-based materials and resources and 2) for a team to travel to remote and northern communities to engage workers and community members in conversation around COVID-19 risk mitigation and to encourage confidence in the efficacy and safety of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

 

“Northern Ontario has a unique culture, and the concerns and questions Northern Ontarians have may not reflect the concerns of other Ontarians. Sharing and exchanging health and safety information with people living in Northern Ontario is a core mission of CROSH; we are excited to reconnect with communities and better understand their concerns and choices,” says Dr. Sandra Dorman, Director, CROSH.

 

Researchers, students, and staff from CROSH and the Science Communication Graduate Program will be traveling to interested workplaces and communities across Northern Ontario using the CROSH Mobile Research Lab, which is custom-designed to conduct occupational health and safety outreach and research.

 

Vice-President of Research, Dr. Tammy Eger says: “CROSH has over 10 years of experience connecting and engaging with Northern Ontario workplaces and communities, and Laurentian University’s Science Communication Graduate Program is world-renowned for training professional science communicators; they are ideally positioned to conduct this important work.”

 

For anyone interested in having the team visit their workplace, please contact: croshtech@laurentian.ca

Transdisciplinary Team of LU Researchers Nets Federal Grant

Transdisciplinary Team of LU Researchers Nets Federal Grant

New Frontiers in Research Fund to be used on innovative project involving robotics

July 6, 2021 - A transdisciplinary team of researchers from the McEwen School of Architecture, the Bharti School of Engineering, and the Behavioural Neuroscience Department have successfully applied for a grant to fund a project aiming to reshape how the north makes itself.

The principal investigator, Prof. Steven Beites, alongside co-applicants Marc Arsenault, Blake Dotta, and Reza Foruzanmehr, have received $250,000 from the New Frontiers in Research Fund, an initiative of the Canada Research Coordinating Committee.

The team's proposal, entitled 'Human-Robot Interaction and Collaboration as a Catalyst for Creative Economy, Community Outreach and Emerging Design-Build Solutions in Ontario's North', aims to harness advanced technologies as a way to strengthen northern economies and communities.. 

The major goal of the project is to eliminate barriers to digital tools and technologies in the North through the development of a portable, cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR) for large scale fabrication and assembly. This would have many important uses, particularly in northern  communities where building costs are prohibitive. As part of the project, a user-friendly custom-built interface for the CPDR will also be designed.

The project has the potential to deploy new materials through emerging technologies; to improve rural and northern health by directly confronting the housing crisis in remote communities; to address the technological challenges in Northern Ontario; and to engage in community-centered research that benefits all northern communities, including Indigenous and Francophone.

 

Quote: 

“It’s an exciting project that focuses on Northern Ontario and seeks to introduce emergent technologies to non-professional users as a means to revitalize northern communities through making, ideation and invention.” Prof. Beites

IT’S OFFICIAL! McEwen School of Architecture is Canada’s 12th and Newest fully accredited School of Architecture!

IT’S OFFICIAL! McEwen School of Architecture is Canada’s 12th and Newest fully accredited School of Architecture!

English, Francophone, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives are all central to the unique tri-cultural mandate of the program.

(June 22, 2021 - Sudbury, ON) - Laurentian University’s McEwen School of Architecture (MSoA) is pleased to announce that the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)/Conseil Canadien de Certification en Architecture (CCCA) has granted the professional Master of Architecture Program ‘Initial Accreditation’ for a term commencing July 1, 2021. 

English, Francophone, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives are all central to the unique tri-cultural mandate of the program. Through Elders in residence, Indigenous faculty members, French design studio instruction, and local community-design and design-build exercises each year, students are exposed to an array of methods, knowledge, and experience that is uniquely ‘Northern’. The lessons learned from these local contexts are then extrapolated to address global issues in the disciplines of architecture, landscape design, and sustainable built environments. 

The school’s cooperative education model is rooted in Northern Ontario’s (Canada’s) cultures and experiential learning. It features an integrated co-operative program where students obtain practical experience through work-term placements with related architectural and design employers. 

Since its opening in 2013, over 250 students have successfully completed their undergraduate degree (BAS) at the School, and 100 students have since graduated from its Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program. 

“The McEwen School of Architecture has a lot to be proud of and this external validation is further proof of the high quality student experience being delivered at Laurentian University. This achievement is thanks to many years of exceptional work from staff, faculty, and students of the school. The confidence expressed in the school by the accreditation team at the CACB also reflects a broader confidence in the future of Laurentian.” said President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Robert Haché. 

The McEwen School of Architecture (MSoA), one of Laurentian University's professional schools, is located in downtown Sudbury, Ontario. The MSoA offers a four-year Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS), followed by a two-year Master of Architecture degree (M.Arch).  The School’s accreditation status covers both programs leading to the Master of Architecture degree.

“It is a proud moment for us all -- a culmination of the hard work on the part of faculty, staff and students who have shared the vision and a common passion for the School, through its various stages of development. We are grateful for all those who have contributed to those efforts and supported the School in so many ways. The CACB/CCAA’s initial accreditation has been a goal we are thrilled to celebrate together today.” -- Dr. David Fortin, Director of the McEwen School of Architecture. 

“The MSoA International Advisory Board’s guidance and the support of our extended community, which spans all of northern Ontario, have been instrumental to this achievement. Co-op employers, collaborators and colleagues, partners and donors, so many individuals have invested time, energy and resources in a new generation of architects educated in the North who are unique agents of change for our communities. These significant contributions must be acknowledged. This achievement has been a collective effort and as such, is deeply rewarding.’’ -- Dr. Terrance Galvin, Founding Director, McEwen School of Architecture. 

About the CACB Accreditation Process 

“The CACB only accredits Programs that are intended by their institution to be professional degrees in architecture that lead to licensure. Professional accreditation of a Program means that it has been evaluated by the CACB and substantially meets the educational standards that comprise, as a whole, an appropriate education for an architect.” 

The full CACB/CCCA Accreditation process had three phases: Eligibility, Candidacy, and Initial Accreditation. After launching the undergraduate program in September 2013, the McEwen School of Architecture was successful in its bid for CACB Eligibility in 2017. It achieved CACB Candidacy Status in 2018 and submitted its third and final ‘Architecture Program Report’ for Initial Accreditation in 2020. The MSoA was eligible to apply for the final stage of Initial Accreditation only after the “completion of a minimum of 2 years of continuous candidacy status.” The School also had to follow the criterion of “completion of the professional degree program, for which accreditation is sought, by one graduating class.” This means that the M.Arch graduating classes of 2019 and 2020 will be grandfathered in according to CACB procedures. 

The MSoA calibrated its timeline to meet the above national criteria for a new professional program in Architecture. At the provincial level, the MSoA also had the support of the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA) who, in conjunction with the CACB, allowed M.Arc graduates from both years to begin logging their intern hours towards licensure in architecture offices across Canada. 

Applications for the newly accredited MSoA professional program remain open. All interested applicants should contact the school directly at architecture@laurentian.ca.

Pages