Laurentian University |

Haykuykuy! Bienvenidos! Laurentian Welcomes Peruvian Researchers

International exchange focuses on environment, remediation

August 15, 2019 - Laurentian University is pleased to welcome distinguished colleagues from abroad this week, as we play host to a delegation from Peru. The six researchers and officials are visiting Robinson-Huron Treaty territory to participate in the week-long Building Environmental Strategies workshop. Our distinguished guests include Augusto Cauti, vice-minister of mines in Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines. The series of courses was specially crafted for the delegates by the Goodman School of Mines.

The main goal of the workshops is to help our guests build an environmental remediation plan for their respective regions. Much of the focus will be on sharing knowledge about Sudbury’s successful remediation efforts, and to show delegates how to replicate this collaborative work. Other elements of the courses include duty to consult, establishing environmental protection regulations, and monitoring water quality.

The visit is a return in kind, following our own delegation’s visit two four Peruvian states in May of this year organized by the CORE Foundation. To celebrate, the City of Sudbury has sponsored an Indigenous dinner Wednesday night, attended by Mayor Brian Bigger.

Whether we say biindigen, welcome, bienvenidos, bienvenue, or haykuykuy, we hope the delegates leave inspired and motivated for the important greening tasks ahead.

QUOTE

“Learning about Sudbury’s remediation story, our engagement with Indigenous communities, and our university’s role in supporting world-leading researchers is providing a strong basis for collaboration.” Dr Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University

Laurentian University approves tuition exemption for youth in extended society care (Crown Wards)

NOTE: As of September 2022, this program has been changed to a bursary. Click this link to have up to date information.

August 13, 2019 – Laurentian University is pleased to announce that youth in extended society care will once again be eligible to apply for a full tuition exemption for courses at Laurentian. This program will be open to current and former youth in the care of the children’s aid society, who are pursuing their first post-secondary degree. This tuition exemption program was initiated in 2012 and has been approved again for the upcoming academic year. This funding will be extended to support the equivalent of ten full-time students and is available to students studying full-time or part-time.

“These students, many of whom are Indigenous, face unique challenges in accessing post-secondary education,” said Dr. Serge Demers, Laurentian’s interim Vice-President, Academic and Provost. “It is important that we remove barriers and enable them to achieve their academic goals. We are proud to continue supporting this group of students and we will look towards fundraising within our community to expand the program’s reach in future years.”

This initiative was championed by Jane Kovarikova, a Laurentian University graduate and former youth-in-care. “Post-secondary credentials have made it possible for the few of us who were lucky to achieve our goals,” she said. “Most of us simply don’t have the same opportunities. I am very grateful that I had access to post-secondary via a pathway through my community college and then onward to university studies. I wish for all those raised in care to have the same opportunities.” Jane is the holder of multiple degrees, and is now a Ph.D. candidate.

Conditions

To be eligible for the tuition waiver, students must:

Have been in extended society care in Ontario for a minimum of one year.
Apply for non-repayable grant funding through full-time or part-time OSAP each academic year. Students are not required to apply for loan funding.
Have exhausted any other type of available government funding available.

The waiver is valued at the total amount of tuition fees, less any OSAP non-repayable grant funding and/or any other provincial funding for which the student may be eligible. In order to qualify for the waiver, students must self-identify through the OSAP application process and provide the supporting documentation indicated below. Priority will be given to first degree, first-time applicants.

For interested students, more information and application instructions are available within the Laurentian University website.

Laurentian University and Fleming College create unique pathway to master’s degree

July 25, 2019 – Fleming College graduates from the Environmental Visual Communication (EVC) program now have the option of completing a master’s degree at Laurentian University. It is the first pathway of its kind in postsecondary education in the province.

The institutions have signed an agreement allowing eligible graduates of Fleming’s EVC program to continue their education in the Master’s of Science Communication (M.S.Com) program at Laurentian. Fleming graduates will receive 21 credits for their EVC certificate and will complete 12 additional credits at Laurentian University to receive their master’s, which can be completed in three academic terms. To be eligible, students must have completed an undergraduate degree in addition to the Fleming certificate.

“This unique pathway to a master’s degree is ground-breaking for Fleming College and we are very pleased to offer this to our qualified EVC graduates,” said Brett Goodwin, Principal of Fleming’s Frost Campus and Dean of the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences. “This pathway is extremely attractive to students and will offer a seamless option from an Ontario Graduate Certificate into a master’s program. The environmental sector is experiencing strong growth and the EVC program provides students with a unique and highly marketable portfolio of communication skills that will only be enhanced through this pathway into a Master’s of Science Communication.”

“In many career tracks in Science Communication, a master’s degree is often a requirement to qualify for more senior positions, and the MSCom program is attracting students who already have their EVC credentials,” said Dr. Chantal Barriault, Director of Master of Science Communication program at Laurentian University. “Laurentian is very pleased about this pathway agreement with Fleming College as it will increase the pool of potential applicants.”

Fleming’s EVC program runs in a compressed, intensive format and students are on-campus at the Royal Ontario Museum during their first and second semester. The program is designed to fill a recognized need for individuals who are passionate about environmental issues and storytelling, and who want to effectively engage people to foster change.

Laurentian’s Master’s of Science Communication program is Canada’s first and only comprehensive Master’s program in Science Communication. The program is delivered in partnership with Science North, which provides students an experiential learning opportunities for research and application of science communication principles. Recently recognized by the Royal Canadian Institute for Science, the program delivers a multidisciplinary experience that covers the theory underlying good communication, as well as the practical challenges of effectively communicating science and the issues involving science in society.

About Fleming College

Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Sciences, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 71,000 alumni.

United Steelworkers commits $225,000 to occupational health and safety research at Laurentian University

Funds to support research relevant to Northern Ontario

JUNE 28, 2019 – Laurentian University interim President and Vice Chancellor, Dr. Pierre Zundel and United Steelworkers President (USW), Leo Gerard announced that the United Steelworkers are committing a total of $225,000 in research funding over the next three years to Laurentian University’s Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH).

“It is important that USW support research that solves workplace problems and improves the safety of all workers, including those in Northern Ontario; we are proud of our continued support of CROSH’s efforts,” said Leo Gerard.

Over the last 8 years, the United Steelworkers have been key supporters in the development of CROSH; including previous commitments of $50,000 to obtain a Research Chair in Occupational Health and Safety, $50,000 in endowed scholarships for students, and $60,000 towards the operation of CROSH’s Mobile Laboratory, for a total investment of $385,000. The funds committed for the next three years will continue to support CROSH’s efforts to engage with northern workplaces, prioritizing their research needs as well as provide support to train students in-the-field.

Dr. Zundel stated that “CROSH’s efforts in the occupational health and safety field in the North have been ground breaking and would not be possible without the continued support of partners like the USW.”

As the only occupational health and safety research centre located in northern Ontario, CROSH envisions a team-approach to solving critical and relevant workplace challenges, by including workers, workplaces, communities, government and safe work associations in a field approach to research. Specifically CROSH emphasizes a field-to-lab-to-field approach where researchers engage face-to-face with communities and industries to understand critical workplace problems they are dealing with. CROSH researchers conduct field measures to understand the problem, develop evidenced-based solutions in the lab and then go back to the workplace to test the solutions in the field. CROSH has launched a Mobile research lab (M-CROSH) that allows students and researchers to travel to remote communities and provide on-site facilities while in the field. CROSH has also built a Workplace Simulator Lab that allows researchers to replicate workplace conditions in a controlled environment to test solutions.

“The funds announced today will strengthen CROSH’s ability to carry out research and reach evidenced based solutions that are relevant to communities and industries in the north; communities who have traditionally been unable to participate in research, due to their geographic isolation. USW’s past and continued support of CROSH has a significant impact on CROSH’s success, in particular, it has helped students develop the skills they need to be the future occupational safety and health leaders,” says CROSH Director, Sandra Dorman.

Board of Governors of Laurentian University appoint Claude F. Lacroix as incoming Chair for a two-year term

June 27, 2019 – The Board of Governors of Laurentian University voted on April 26, 2019 to appoint Claude F. Lacroix as incoming Chair for a two-year term, effective at the close of the annual general meeting of the Board on June 21, 2019, when the term of current Chair Jennifer Witty ends. Mr. Lacroix has been a Board member since 2006 and currently serves as Vice-Chair.

“We are fortunate to have a Board member with the experience and the vision that Claude brings to the role,” said Interim Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Pierre Zundel. “Jennifer has been a superb Chair, guiding the Board through a remarkable period of growth and change, and we continue to benefit from her contributions as Past-Chair for the next year.”

Mr. Lacroix is an Alumnus, having earned his B.A. from Laurentian University in 1991. He graduated from the faculty of Law at L’Université de Moncton in 1996. Mr. Lacroix is partner at Lacroix Lawyers. He is fluently bilingual and practices in the areas of Civil Litigation, Corporate/Commercial, Construction Law, Wills, Estates and Trusts, and Real Estate.

Mr. Lacroix becomes the third member of his family to serve as Chair of the Board of Governors of Laurentian University, following his mother Maureen Lacroix (2001-04) and his Father André Lacroix (1978-81).

“It is an honour and a privilege to continue to serve the Board and Laurentian University. Laurentian is an incredible community asset and is critical to the growth and development of the North,” said Mr. Lacroix. “The University faces both challenges and opportunities in the years ahead, and in great part because of the work of our outgoing Chair, I know we are well positioned to keep driving success.”

Mr. Lacroix is an active member of several community boards, not-for-profit agencies and professional organizations. He is currently vice-chair of the Science North Board of Trustees. He is past president of both the Laurentian University Alumni Association and the Sudbury District Law Association; past executive member and director of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation; past president of the Ontario French Speaking Trial Lawyers Association; and a past chair of the Sudbury Airport Community Development Corporation.

Jennifer Witty will serve as Past Chair of the Board for a term of one year.

Dr. Joël Dickinson appointed Dean of the Faculty of Arts

Dr. Joël Dickinson (Ph.D.) has been named as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. Dr. Dickinson has served in this role as interim Dean since August 2018.

“I’m humbled to be selected for the role. Arts programs and courses are fundamental in helping graduates navigate the complex societal issues we face today and in the future. We also have some truly amazing faculty members with great ideas - I can't wait to work collaboratively with them” said Dr. Dickinson.

“Dr. Dickinson is an exceptional leader and her commitment to Laurentian University has been felt in many areas. From her collaborative approach to committee work, to her focus on the student experience, we are very fortunate to have her take on this role” said Dr. Serge Demers, Laurentian’s interim Vice-President, Academic and Provost.

Dr. Dickinson received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of New Brunswick in 2006. She was first appointed at Laurentian University in July 2007 as Assistant Professor. She was
promoted to Associate Professor in July 2014 and promoted to Full Professor in July 2018. She was Chair of the Department of Psychology from July 2015 to August 2018 when she was then asked to take on the position of interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts. She was also the winner of the Laurentian University Teaching Excellence Award in 2016.

Dr. Dickinson has demonstrated her leadership in many ways, even beyond her academic appointments.

First, as a member of multiple committees within Laurentian University - the 2017-2023 Strategic Planning Committee, the university Senate, and the Laurentian University Native Education Council (LUNEC). Second, her leadership expands to our Greater Sudbury community as she was a participant in the Northern Leadership Program - a year-long program in partnership with Laurentian University, City of Greater Sudbury, Science North, and Child Community Resources. Finally, within the Laurentian community, her efforts in developing and delivering a Safe Space Training Course from September 2015 to September 2018. This training session highlighted the importance of being an ally to the LGBTQ2-S community and was delivered to over 900 participants.

The Selection Committee for the role (chaired by Dr. Demers) was impressed with her commitment to the University’s bilingual and tricultural mission. The Selection Committee also felt that Dr. Dickinson’s interpersonal skills and collegial approach to problem solving would be an asset not only for the Faculty of Arts but for Laurentian University.

About the Dean of the Faculty of Arts

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, contributes significantly to the University’s Strategic Plan, and promotes focused areas of research excellence within the Faculty, while continuing to maintain strong graduate and undergraduate programs. Reporting to the Vice President, Academic and Provost, the Dean fosters strong relationships with faculty members, Chairs and Directors, and will work collaboratively with University wide governance bodies, fellow Deans, senior administration, the Board of Governors, industry, external advisory bodies, the media and the community at large.

Laurentian to present honorary doctorates to four outstanding Canadians

Celebrated artist, renowned francophone publisher and mining industry leaders to receive honorary doctorates from Laurentian University

May 31, 2019 – As part of its 2019 Spring Convocation ceremonies, Laurentian University will recognize and celebrate the remarkable careers and achievements of four outstanding Canadians: internationally-acclaimed artist Bernard Poulin, renowned francophone publisher Denise Truax, and mining leaders Ned Goodman and Terry MacGibbon.

“We’re very pleased to be welcoming these outstanding individuals into our alumni family,” said Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Pierre Zundel. “We marvel at their immense talents, but also at their willingness to share their knowledge, passion and resources with others to expand their horizons and help realize their full potential. We are extremely proud to be celebrating their generous spirits.”

“Each of these exceptional honorees have made tremendous contributions to the social, cultural and educational fabric of our region, and their influence extends across the country and around the world,” said Laurentian Chancellor Steve Paikin. “Their creativity, ingenuity and willingness to give back make them incredible examples for our students to follow.”

Bernard Poulin

Dr. Poulin is an artist of rare talent whose reputation for creating stunning works in a variety of mediums has garnered him international acclaim. He is recognized as one of Canada’s finest portraitists, and served as the president of the Canadian Institute of Portrait Artists from 2003-2005. His subjects have included royalty, religious leaders, and politicians, among others. He is also an accomplished sculptor, muralist, sought-after lecturer and prolific author. He has written 11 books and contributed to countless others, sharing his vast knowledge with aspiring and established artists around the world. Dr. Poulin’s work has been commissioned by private patrons, governments, organizations and corporations around the country, including the Canadian Pacific Railway, the National Research Council of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Denise Truax

Dr. Truax is a champion of francophone literature and one of the community’s most active advocates for the arts. She has served as the executive director of the Sudbury-based Prise de parole publishing house since 1988, which is the oldest French-language publisher outside of Quebec. Despite being small in size, Prise de parole has garnered international recognition for publishing hundreds of works by some of the country’s most acclaimed francophone authors, including a number of Governor General Award winners. Under her leadership, Prise de parole was twice a finalist for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Artistic Excellence, and a founding partner of the Place des Arts, Sudbury’s soon-to-be-built hub for francophone arts and culture.
In 2012, Dr. Truax received the Sudbury Community Builders Award of Excellence in the Arts category for the significant role she has played in distinguishing the city as one of the French literary capitals of Canada.

Terry MacGibbon

Dr. MacGibbon has been an important member of the Laurentian community and a driver of economic prosperity in the region and around the country. After retiring from Inco Ltd. (now Vale) with over 30 years of service, Dr. MacGibbon grew FNX Mining Company, then an obscure junior explorer, into a multi-billion dollar producer and one of the country’s greatest mining success stories. In 2010, Dr. MacGibbon helped orchestrate a $1 million donation from FNX’s successor, Quadra FNX Mining Ltd., to support Laurentian’s then unnamed school of mines. Dr. MacGibbon made a further impact at Laurentian by chairing the university’s $65 million The Next 50 Campaign from 2011-2013. The funds raised and connections made under his leadership continue to support a wide array of institutional priorities.

Dr. MacGibbon has served in leadership roles with a variety of mining companies, including Torex Gold Resources, INV Metals and TMAC Resources. He has been a strong advocate for more progressive approaches to mining, including creating more opportunities for women to enter the industry, particularly at the executive level. He is a member of the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame and has received many other prestigious awards over the course of his career.

Ned Goodman

Over his five-decade-long career, Dr. Goodman, Founder of Dundee Corporation, earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most astute and respected investment leaders. A trained geologist, Dr. Goodman successfully financed many of the country’s most successful junior mining companies whose operations created jobs for thousands of people in Northern Ontario and around the country. He and his family have made some of the most significant private philanthropic investments in Canadian history, including multi-million dollar gifts to support healthcare and education. In 2012, the Goodman Family made a transformational gift to support Laurentian’s excellence in mining related education, and created the Goodman School of Mines.

In recognition of his charitable endeavors and the many contributions he has made in strengthening the national economy, Dr. Goodman was named as a member of the Order of Canada in 2016. He was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in 2012, as well as the IIAC Investment Industry Hall of Fame in 2017.

Laurentian University Celebrates Inaugural Master of Architecture Graduates

McEwen School of Architecture Grads to shape Canada’s Indigenous Architecture Landscape

May 29, 2019 - Next week, 29 students from the McEwen School of Architecture will be recognized at convocation and receive the first degrees of Master of Architecture ever conferred by Laurentian University.

These students will not only be realizing their dream, but the dream of many community members who helped make the McEwen School of Architecture a reality. For our community members, this represents another significant milestone in the story of the school. For the students, their six-year journey culminates with this degree.

“Seeing our first group of Masters students cross the stage will be a proud moment for our students, their families and our faculty members. When I think about this group of trailblazers, the first of many to follow, they’re an impressive group of resilient leaders,” said Dr. David Fortin, Director of the McEwen School of Architecture.

“They’ve persevered through, and learned from, the multiple construction projects within the school. They’ve been the first to complete the many community projects and build partnerships. They’ve done all of this without a blueprint to follow.”

The moment is one that is especially gratifying for the school’s founding director - Dr. Terrance Galvin. “From the beginning, we wanted to have an impact on Canada’s Indigenous architecture landscape. I can think back to when we first started this program, there were 13 registered Indigenous architects across Canada. Now, we have three Indigenous architectural graduates (to add to the 18 registered Indigenous architects in Canada) and have many more enrolled. We’ve been able to bring together traditional teachings, the needs of our communities, and modern architectural practices to deliver a program that is truly unique,” said Dr. Galvin.

The school is not only unique in its commitment to inclusivity of Indigenous perspectives and worldviews, but has been internationally recognized for the exceptional teaching, the accomplishments of the students and even the physical building of the school at the heart of downtown Sudbury.

The McEwen School of Architecture’s graduation ceremony will be held on June 6th, 2019 at 2:30 PM at Laurentian University’s Fraser Auditorium. The ceremony is a private event with seating reserved for our students and their invited guests, however, it can be viewed live online by visiting: laurentian.ca/convocation.

McEwen School of Architecture collects national awards

May 29, 2019 - Students and faculty members with the McEwen School of Architecture are earning awards and recognition both in Canada and around the world. Although the school’s inaugural Masters of Architecture class graduates this spring, McEwen has already garnered the kinds of prestigious awards and recognition one would expect from more long-standing institutions.

Students recognized for projects that connect people to the landscape

Master’s of Architecture student Sophie Mackey was among seven winners of the Ontario Association of Architects’ first ever SHIFT 2019 ideas competition.

Mackey received the honour for her thesis project, Immigrant Landscapes: Architecture in the Age of Migration. Her thesis explores how the City of Greater Sudbury can better accommodate new immigrants by centralizing many of the services critical to this population demographic. Mackey imagined and designed the integration of a small library, a daycare and a learning centre to help welcome newcomers to the community.

To add to the accolades, Architecture students Brendan McDonald, Muskan Goel, and Harrison Lane received honourable mention at the National Capital Commission design competition.

Their design goal was “to re-connect people with the river in addition to its amenities by using water to re-calibrate existing infrastructure. This would provide a social gathering hub where activities of different scales can happen from markets and festivals to picnics and playing.”

Professor Tammy Gaber receives Women Who Inspire Award

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women recognized McEwen School of Architecture assistant professor Tammy Gaber with its annual Women Who Inspire award on Sunday, April 28, 2019.

“Challenging the conventional stereotypes, these women proudly serve their communities and are a source of inspiration for all Canadians,” said the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.

Gaber is among seven recipients from across Canada for 2019. Much of her research has focused on the architecture of Islam and in particular, on contemporary mosque design. She is also the first recipient in the field of architecture.

Rob and Cheryl McEwen to receive Words & Deeds Leadership Award

The world renowned Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is honouring Rob and Cheryl McEwen with its Words & Deeds Leadership Award for their volunteer work and philanthropy.

Cheryl McEwen is a volunteer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Rob McEwen is founder and former CEO of Goldcorp and now Chair and Chief Owner of McEwen Mining Inc.

In 2016 the couple donated $10-million to Laurentian University, and helped make the McEwen School of Architecture a reality.

In addition to the McEwen School of Architecture, they have also donated to The Rob & Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building at the Schulich School of Business, York University; the McEwen Leadership Program at St Andrew’s & Lakefield College Schools; The Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation; Mount Sinai Hospital; The Weizmann Institute; The Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival; the Art Gallery of Ontario; and Toronto’s Luminato Festival. Internationally, Cheryl and Rob are also both engaged with Virgin Galactic, X-Prize Foundation, International Society of Stem Cell Research Conference (ISSCR), the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and the Prince’s Charities.

Oldest reported fossil fungi: Laurentian researcher published in Nature

May 27, 2019 - Laurentian University’s Dr. Elizabeth Turner, professor of geology at the Harquail School of Earth Sciences, co-authored a paper published in the journal Nature this week.

Earth is 4.5 billion years old, but the ‘normal’ fossil record consisting of marine shells and bones spans only the last 10% of its history (the Phanerozoic); the record of complex life on land is even shorter. This ‘obvious’ fossil record, visible to the naked eye, consists of fairly readily understood organisms representing most types of life - but there must have been an earlier history during which much of the diversity of life emerged evolutionarily but left no obvious record. Life in the first 90% of Earth history (the Precambrian) is commonly assumed to have been almost exclusively bacterial (prokaryotes), yet organisms that are more complex at a cellular level (eukaryotes) must have emerged sometime in the Precambrian. Investigating this early time of ‘hidden’ evolution is a challenging, hot topic in geological and paleobiological research.

Specimens of a microscopic fossilised fungus named Ourasphaira giraldae were extracted from one-billion-year-old (1 Ga) shale of the Grassy Bay Formation in Northwest Territories, Canada, pushing back the date for the oldest known unambiguous fungus in the fossil record by more than half a billion years. The fossils have numerous physical characteristics typical of fungi, resembling modern fungal hyphae and spores.

Fungi are critical components of modern ecosystems because of their role in biological cycles: they decompose organic matter and make its energy and nutrients available to be reused. In deep time, they may have played an important role in the colonisation of land, contributing to the eventual success of land plants. Despite their importance, fungi have a very sparse fossil record owing to poor preservability.

The existence of fungi a billion years ago has profound implications.

The microfossil assemblage containing the fungus (described in earlier publications by the same researchers) implies the existence, a billion years ago, of a complex ecosystem containing diverse, microscopic eukaryotes that occupied most roles in a modern-type food web – photosynthesising, consuming photosynthesisers, degrading organic matter (fungus), and even predation of one eukaryote upon another. Earth’s biota therefore included diverse, complex organisms much earlier than previously assumed.
Fungus and animals are known to be genetically related (forming a group called ‘opisthokonts’) and share a common ancestor. The presence of fungus 1 billion years ago indicates that the divergence of the fungal and animal lineages must have taken place before that. Some form of proto-animal must have existed already by 1 Ga, long before the earliest known fossil evidence of animals (650 million years), and well before the advent of readily identifiable animal fossils (Phanerozoic).
The Grassy Bay Formation preserves sediment that was deposited in an estuary, a type of Earth-surface environment where land and ocean meet. It is possible that the fossil fungus was derived from land rather than living in a marine environment, which could suggest the presence of some type of simple ecosystem on land as early as 1 billion years ago.

Top Searches