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Renewed appointment of Laurentian University Chancellor

TVO’s Steve Paikin to take on second term as Chancellor until 2021

Laurentian University Board of Governors unanimously approved the renewal of Mr. Steve Paikin’s appointment as the Chancellor for a second term of three years, beginning July 1, 2018.

Mr. Paikin was appointed as Laurentian University’s second Chancellor in July 2013 for a five-year term. During that time, he has acted as Speaker of the Laurentian Model Parliament at the House of Commons five times, and assisted the University in a number of other honorary functions. He has also presided over numerous convocation ceremonies, his interaction with graduates on stage having been widely praised.

“It is a great honour to be asked to take on a second term as the Chancellor of Laurentian University – an institution whose students, faculty, staff and alumni contribute immensely to making our world healthier, more sustainable, and inclusive,” said Mr. Paikin. “I am passionately committed to collaborating with our talented Board of Governors, Senate and many institutional partners and supporters to consolidate and shape these next years at Laurentian.”

Mr. Paikin is a journalist, author, documentary film producer and well-known Canadian television personality who has contributed to Laurentian University’s national reputation. He is the anchor and senior editor of TVO’s flagship current affairs program The Agenda with Steve Paikin, which often draws its expertise from Laurentian University.

He has been conferred with honorary degrees from Laurentian University, Victoria University at the University of Toronto, McMaster University and York University, as well as honorary diplomas from Humber College, Centennial College and Mohawk College. In 2012, Mr. Paikin was presented with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his significant contributions to Canadian society. In December of 2013, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for his contributions as a journalist who engages, informs and educates viewers on a broad range of public policy issues. He was also invested into the Order of Ontario in 2014. To date, he has authored seven books.

“We are proud to have Mr. Paikin serve as Chancellor of Laurentian University, and we are thrilled that he has accepted this appointment for a second term,” said the Chair of the University’s Board of Governors, Jennifer Witty. “Mr. Paikin embodies the shared values identified in our Strategic Plan entitled Ensemble. Together. Maamwi. and we look forward to his continued leadership as an ambassador for Laurentian.”

National Indigenous Peoples Day

A message from Pamela Toulouse, Interim Associate Vice-President, Academic and Indigenous Programs, Laurentian University

National Indigenous Peoples Day offers us a moment to celebrate and recognize our accomplishments. This is also a time when reflection is welcomed in order to identify the challenges that we still face.

Laurentian is committed to the principles of truth and reconciliation. Our new strategic plan acknowledges this in many ways. One of our five key strengths is Indigeneity and our commitment to the principles established by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). Outcomes include a commitment to enhance relationships with Indigenous communities, to implementing the calls to action from the TRC, to undertaking research that enhances mino-bimaadiziwin and to offer Anishinaabemowin language training to faculty, staff and students.

Laurentian was one of the first universities in Canada to create a senior academic position dedicated to Indigenous issues. This ongoing commitment to capacity building has resulted in the hiring of 25 Indigenous faculty members. We are also proud that our student population represents approximately 1100 self-identifying Indigenous learners.

Laurentian is a leader in Indigenous curriculum and programming. We house a unique community based master’s program in Indigenous Relations. Also, anyone who graduates with a BA must have completed at least six credits in courses with predominantly indigenous content.

Today also marks exactly one year since Laurentian opened the Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre. A place that is home to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students alike. It is a culturally relevant space that is constructed in a traditional Anishinabe wigwam design. It is positioned at the front door of our university and is a reminder of the traditional lands that our institution is located on.

The McEwen School of Architecture is proudly led by Dr. David Fortin, who is the first Indigenous director of an architecture school in Canada. His work is currently prominently displayed at the Vienna Bienniale in Architecture. It is important to note that within a few years, McEwen grads will double the number of indigenous architects in Canada.

Laurentian’s Maamwizing Research Institute is dedicated to creating research partnerships with Indigenous communities. This institute is based on the principles of respect and reciprocity and is guided by Indigenous faculty. Maamwizing will be hosting its second conference in November 2018 with the theme “Pursuing Research in a Good Way” as its foundation.

It is critical that National Indigenous Day becomes a platform where we look forward together, speak our truths and listen honestly. This is the only way to make critical change for all of our peoples.

Pamela Toulouse

Interim Associate Vice-President, Academic and Indigenous Programs

Indigenous

Laurentian recruits local star for new varsity baseball team

This fall 17-year-old Julia Jodouin of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School will be making history as the second and youngest female athlete in Ontario University Athletics’ (OUA) history to play for a men’s varsity baseball team. Julia will be working towards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing starting this September. She joins the team as a pitcher.

“One of the main reasons I accepted the offer at Laurentian was so that I could continue to play ball,” Jodouin said. “I am excited to begin my journey at Laurentian pursuing two things I love – nursing and baseball. September can’t come soon enough!”

Jodouin’s athletic success landed her a spot on the Sudbury Shamrocks peewee travelling team. She then joined the Team Ontario 16U girls’ team for two seasons. She played a summer of both softball and hardball with the Waterloo Ghosts Gold 16U fastpitch team, making it all the way to Nationals. She was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) and All-Star 1st Base Player with Team Ontario 21U Women’s team.

Jodouin continues to highlight her exemplary skills at all levels earning as spot on the Canadian Women’s National team. Last summer she participated in a development series playing for Canada against Team USA.

“Jodouin is an excellent player. Having someone of that calibre on the team will raise the bar for each and every player,” said Brodie Jeffery, coach of the men’s baseball team at Laurentian. “When starting a baseball program from the ground up, you need good players to build a solid foundation. Julia not only brings the necessary talent, but also steadfast determination and commitment to the sport.”

Growing our own: Summer school plants the seeds for Indigenous Health Research

Laurentian Hosts Ontario’s Indigenous Mentorship Network Summer School

Today graduate students from across Ontario will be attending a learning opportunity like no other. From June 11-15, 2018, Laurentian University will host the inaugural summer school of Ontario’s Indigenous Mentorship Network (IMN), Ontario’s first Indigenous-led health research training network.

This summer school is being offered to 25 graduate students who are working on community-based Indigenous health research projects, and emphasis has been placed on students studying, or planning to work, in Northern contexts.

IMN-Ontario values the importance of Indigenous-led and collaborative scholarship and has prioritized activities that will strengthen and promote opportunities for learning with and from the community.

The Summer School brings together students, practitioners, Indigenous knowledge holders and researchers to strengthen the skills, capabilities, and knowledges needed do meaningful and respectful research with Indigenous communities.

This school seeks to enhance Indigenous presence and sense of belonging in Indigenous research by incorporating Indigenous knowledge, traditional teachings and fostering community engagement. The summer school will act as a platform upon which students can build collaborative networks integral for their own research and professional development.

About the IMN

IMN-Ontario is a five-year health training program, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to provide Indigenous scholars and trainees with high quality mentorship, training, and opportunities to participate in Indigenous health research.

IMN-Ontario is an interdisciplinary collaboration involving 13 research institutions in Ontario, including the province’s leading Indigenous health scholars and research centres. IMN-Ontario is governed by a sub-regional structure that includes Northern Ontario, Central Ontario and Eastern Ontario.

IMN-Ontario is guided by a Community Advisory and Elders Council, who support the program in its mission to serve community research needs and capacities.

For more information on the program: https://www.facebook.com/OntarioIMN/ | http://imnp.uwo.ca/.

Laurentian to honour two distinguished Canadians at 2018 Spring Convocation

Nobel-Prize-winning physicist and leading business executive to receive honorary doctorates

Laurentian University will award honorary doctorates to two outstanding individuals during its 2018 Spring Convocation ceremonies in Sudbury.

“Each year, we pay tribute to exceptional Canadians who have led the way in their respective fields,” said Laurentian University Chancellor Steve Paikin. “Our honorary doctorate recipients are highly talented and engaged individuals who serve as an inspiration for students, professors, researchers and staff.”

“The contributions and achievements of these outstanding individuals have touched the lives of many,” added Laurentian University President Pierre Zundel. “Their leadership serves as a role model for us all, and we are thrilled to welcome them as part of the Laurentian Alumni family.”

The honorary doctorate recipients include:

Nicole Boivin

(Tuesday, May 29 at 10:00 a.m. in Sudbury)

Bilingual business executive and Laurentian alumna, Nicole Boivin, has over 30 years of experience working in financial services and telecommunications for public and not-for-profit organizations. Strategic consultant to boards and executives dealing with disruption and changes in leadership and strategy, Ms. Boivin is a contingent faculty member of Schulich’s School of Business Executives with York University and an advisor to the venture capital firm DG Capital. She currently serves on the private board of RES PUBLICA Capital and the public board Supremex. She is a former board member of the Ontario Power Generation, Brampton Distribution Holdco, Pathways to Education and Harbourfront Centre.

Ms. Boivin held several leadership roles during her 14-year career at Manulife, a leading Canadian-based financial services company. As the company’s first global Chief Branding and Communications Officer, she led Manulife’s global brand strategy and co-branding efforts following the company’s merger with John Hancock. As a senior vice-president, Ms. Boivin also led key communications and human resources initiatives for Manulife’s Canadian Division, including the creation of the global talent management strategy. Before joining Manulife, she was the Director at BCE Media, a division of Bell Canada, the Assistant to the President of Laurentian University, and the Executive Director of the Sudbury United Way. Ms. Boivin recently launched “Leaders Unplugged,” a podcast series featuring female leaders at different stages in their professional and personal lives.

Ms. Boivin is an MBA graduate from Laurentian University; she holds the ICD designation from the Rotman School of Management, she was named one of the 50 personalities as part of Diversity 50 initiative of the Canadian Board of Diversity Council (CBDC), and was the recipient of the Manulife Stars of Excellence Award.

Dr. Arthur B. McDonald

(Wednesday, May 30 at 2:30 p.m. in Sudbury)

Canadian physicist and co-winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics, Dr. Arthur B. McDonald has gained global recognition for his extensive work with neutrinos — subatomic particles considered the basic building blocks of the universe.

Dr. McDonald was instrumental in efforts to build the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO), an experiment designed to study the solar neutrino problem in which the number of electron-neutrinos observed coming from the sun was much lower than expected. He was the director of the observatory located 2,070 meters underground in the Creighton mine near Sudbury, Ontario.

In 2001-2002, Dr. McDonald and his SNO collaborators presented exciting results indicating that the number of neutrinos – electron, muon, and tau – was the same as the number of electron-neutrinos predicted by solar models, noting that some of the electron neutrinos had changed to other types. These findings attracted worldwide interest as they helped recast the fundamental scientific understandings of how matter works.

Dr. McDonald has had a close and fruitful working relationship with Laurentian University physicists for over thirty years, as Laurentian University was a founding member of the SNO Collaboration. He is a professor emeritus at Queen’s University and a Companion of the Order of Canada. Dr. McDonald has received many other scientific honours and accolades for his work, including the Polanyi and Breakthrough Prizes shared with the SNO Collaboration.

Click here to view all Convocation times and livestreams.

Laurentian University celebrates teaching excellence

Reception held to honour Teaching Excellence Award Recipients and Inaugural Teaching Fellows

Laurentian University is proud to honour Dr. Joy Gray-Munro, Dr. Andrée Beauchamp, and Dr. Michelle K. Brunette with 2017-2018 Teaching Excellence Awards. In addition, two Teaching Fellows, Mr. Charles Daviau and Dr. Aaron Langille, were announced today at a ceremony held in the Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre.

Teaching Excellence awards are presented annually to faculty members who have demonstrated an outstanding ability to impart knowledge and invoke enthusiasm from their students. One full-time and up to two part-time awards are awarded each year.

“At Laurentian University, teaching and learning define us,” said Serge Demers, Interim Vice-President, Academic and Provost of Laurentian University. “This award celebrates teaching that has lasting, positive effects on students and deepens their learning. It is a pleasure to give these remarkable educators the recognition they deserve.”

The Laurentian Teaching Fellowship Program is designed to engage faculty in leading change, practise the scholarship of teaching and learning and support faculty communities that provide mentorship and leadership in teaching and learning. In line with Strategic Plan Outcomes 13 and 14, one fellow was chosen with expertise in technology-enabled learning and a second with a focus on the integration of Indigenous content into the curriculum.

“Our teaching fellowship program is designed to elevate teaching and to positively impact student learning, engagement, retention, and success,” noted Shelley Watson, Acting Associate Vice-President, Learning and Teaching. “Our Strategic Plan speaks to enhanced support for professors through peer-mentoring and collaboration. Each of these award winners and teaching fellows exemplifies the attributes of excellent educators, and we are so fortunate to have these professors at Laurentian.”

Recipients of Laurentian’s 2017-2018 Teaching Excellence Awards include:

Joy Gray-Munro

Dr. Gray-Munro is a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She received the full-time award in recognition of her teaching style that is described as both engaging and rigorous.

Andrée Beauchamp

Dr. Beauchamp teaches both on campus and online in the Anthropology and Archaeology departments. She received one of this year’s part-time awards because of her ability to engage students through a variety of teaching approaches and innovative assignments.

Michelle K. Brunette

Dr. Brunette teaches in the Human Kinetics Department and received one of the part-time teaching awards in recognition of her strong connection with students and her emphasis on providing students with positive and constructive feedback.

Recipients of Laurentian’s 2018-2019 Teaching Fellows Awards include:

Charles Daviau

Mr. Daviau is a Master Lecturer in the Labour Studies and Economics departments. He was chosen as the inaugural teaching fellow with expertise in Indigenous approaches because he is an Indigenous community leader at Laurentian and considered a role model by students.

Aaron Langille

Dr. Langille is a Master Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science. Because of his integration of social media and novel uses for technologies, he was chosen as the technology-enabled learning teaching fellow.

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