Growing up in a single ­parent home can be challenging, but that hasn’t stopped Celina Rios-­Nadeau from pursuing her dream of becoming an architect.

“I love design and how it really inspires people,” Rios­-Nadeau said. “Through my adolescence, it was a challenge growing up with my mom and two brothers, but since I’ve been in University, I’m starting to develop my own sense of what I want and what inspires me.”

Following her second­ year of study at the McEwen School of Architecture, Rios­-Nadeau’s artistic flair and motivation to achieve academic success were rewarded with a bursary celebrating her Indigenous heritage.

Established by the RBC Financial Group, the RBC Architecture Award is based on academic standing and is presented to a full­time Aboriginal student studying architecture at Laurentian University.

Rios-­Nadeau feels grateful for receiving this award and is greatly encouraged by the “boost of confidence” it has given her moving forward into her third­ year.

“Sometimes school can be very stressful,” she said. “But receiving a bursary definitely helps you focus more on what you want to pursue. It keeps you on the right track of achieving your goals and feels like you are not tackling the problem all by yourself.”

The McEwen School of Architecture has a tri­cultural mandate, which is reflected in the teachings of First Nation and Métis Elders and guests, who provide students with a further array of cultural and educational perspectives.

Rios-­Nadeau believes having an Elder’s opinion on design projects has definitely given her the opportunity to further embrace her Indigenous culture.

“It is an honour and we as students are lucky to engage with these individuals,” Rios­-Nadeau said. “For one of my projects, I did a pavilion inspired by Aboriginal culture that strives to connect all cultures. I designed four panels with different creation stories, as well as the form representing the circle which has many strong representations in Aboriginal symbolism. I received a lot of guidance by the elders Juliette S. Denis and Jerry Otawadjiwan in regards to respecting the placement of entrances and the symbolic representation of each aspect within the design.”

Perspective ­altering interactions with Elders, as well as a number of eye­ opening hands ­on learning experiences, have allowed Rios-­Nadeau to approach her work with new creativity and artistic energy.

“Art and architecture play a hand -in-­hand role, but the creativity of an individual is hard to teach,” Rios-Nadeau said. “One thing the professors teach us is to never approach a project with the same manner as the last.”

Throughout her first and second years, Rios-­Nadeau had the opportunity to work on multiple hands ­on projects, such as the construction of a birch bark canoe and an ice hut, the redesign of St. Andrews Place’s Courtyard and the production of a model of the Dome of the Rock located in Jerusalem.

Rios-­Nadeau feels very optimistic about her future, and hopes to one day become an influential architect in the City of Greater Sudbury.

“Since I’ve learned so much here, I’d like to continue in the path of staying in the north,” she said. “I find Sudbury has small touches of architecture which would be great to expand on. I believe in the north and will do my best to continue to improve it.”

To learn more about supporting the McEwen School of Architecture, please contact the Development Office at Laurentian University.

My first real memory of Laurentian University was driving around campus the day before classes started. The University was a lot bigger than the 3-room schoolhouse where I attended grade school which was a little intimidating. I didn’t sleep at all that night. I was so worried that I would get lost but I had nothing to worry about – the people were so friendly and helpful.

Laurentian is family to me, my husband is a Laurentian graduate and both our daughters attended Laurentian. It was so nice to keep them close to home and to be able to share the Laurentian experience with them. I’m even still in contact with many of my professors – the benefits of attending a school where the professors know you by name.

I still remember where I was the day I received the letter that indicated that I would get an entrance scholarship. I was “over the moon” and my folks were very proud – it is something I remember to this day. I want other people to enjoy that same sense of freedom and pride that comes from not having to worry as much about the financing of their University degree. Most of my scholarships have been provided for future accountants and I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting and working with some of the recipients.

I am a donor because I am passionate about what I do and invested in doing what I can to support my students. Although I already give a great deal of my time to students, I know that a few extra dollars can make a big difference in their lives.

These are difficult economic times for universities and taking the small amount I get paid to do an overload and giving it back to the program makes a big difference in the lives of my students. As a professor, I know where additional funding can have the greatest impact. Being able to target where the money goes, allows me to support what I know is most important to my students and program.

I played for the men’s soccer program for four seasons, and as a result of that, the soccer program means “family” to me.

As a recent graduate, I have decided to give back because I was very fortunate during my time with the soccer program to have received some help. After graduating, I was lucky enough to be able to reciprocate something back.

It means a lot to be able to be a donor for both the men’s soccer program and Laurentian University because as a former student, I know the positive impact it can provide.

My favourite memory as a Voyageur (and there are quite a few) would probably be scoring the winning penalty kick against Queen’s in the 2011 playoffs. A close second would be showing up to training camp the next year and being one of the athletes whose face was on the team bus.

The men’s soccer program and Laurentian University have provided me with both the experiences and the skills necessary to be successful as a young professional. I wouldn’t change a thing about my decision to study at Laurentian and play for the Voyageurs!

I taught here for 36 years, and I am aware of the difficulties faced by many students.

When I went to University, it was a struggle. I was working and going to school and had no family support. In my third-year, I faced seriously financial difficulties. I will never forget the day my dean came up to me and said “there’s a bursary that I think you should apply for that will help.” I applied and I got it. It was only $200 but the relief was incredible and it helped me pay my tuition that year. It was a huge burden lifting off my shoulders. Even today, I can just feel the relief.

I have never forgotten that day. Since I’ve retired, I have wanted to provide a similar type of assistance to another needy student. It meant so much to me to have a helping hand and I know there are many students out there who need one.

I love my students and love teaching. When people ask me what I miss most about Sudbury, I say “I miss my students.”

Hopefully the bursary I have endowed will help a student remain in school.

Make an impact by donating to Laurentian University designations this GivingTuesday on Nov. 29th!

There is a new scholarship available at Laurentian University this year: the R. W. Drysdale Memorial Scholarship in Aquatic Science, offered through the Vale Living With Lakes Centre.

This annual award supports graduate students who are conducting research in aquatic biology.  The award was established in 2016 in memory of Richard Drysdale, a well-known Sudbury businessman and father of Sherry Drysdale of Laurentian University’s Department of Communications.

“Throughout his life, my father’s happiest hours were spent on the waterways of the northeast,” says Sherry.  “At Killarney, on Manitoulin, or on the lakes in Sudbury, he so loved and appreciated the beauty of our environment, the abundant clean water and the good fishing.  The Living With Lakes Centre is the focal point for the critically important research that will protect this resource for future generations.  We are really immensely proud that my dad’s legacy is supporting the graduate students who are leading this crucial work.”

Already, this legacy is making a difference.  Matthew Heerschap is the very first recipient of the R. W. Drysdale Memorial Scholarship.  A Master’s student in Biology, Matt’s research brings a unique element of food science to the study of environmental contamination.  He is measuring the levels of healthy fatty acids in fish populations along the James Bay coast, while referencing the trace metal contamination found in these fish stocks.

This approach is giving indigenous communities better tools to assess the nutritional value of traditional food sources like northern pike, lake whitefish and brook trout.  “If we factor in the fatty acids, we have a more meaningful measure of the nutritional value of these food sources,” says Matt, “And over time, that should mean better diets in our remote communities.”

Contact us to learn more about creating your own scholarship at Laurentian University!

I believe in Laurentian University’s Model Parliament. It is a chance to showcase Laurentian’s talent and diversity.  This is what inspired me to create the Leaders of Tomorrow Fund in Celebration of Laurentian University’s Model Parliament that supports the costs of attending model parliament for students in any field of study who have an interest in Canadian Politics.

This award will enable more students to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  I am so grateful that I was able to participate during my degree. I would have had a very different experience at Laurentian if it was not for Model Parliament, it gave me confidence and a voice.

A university has to be the right fit for the individual and my experience at Laurentian proved that this university was definitely the right fit for me. A lot of individuals took me under their wing and gave me the chance to succeed. I never would have been able to achieve everything I have so far if it was not for the confidence and opportunities Laurentian provided me.

It is important for recent graduates to give back because it gives students confidence in themselves and in Laurentian. Alumni support allows students to believe that their dreams are achievable and that there are others out there who believe in their journey and want them to achieve those dreams.

It is important for me to give back where I have a connection. Laurentian has made tremendous strides to build and act on a vision. My donation is a small token of appreciation for the impact Laurentian has had on me, and to ensure it excels moving forward.

Supporting scholarships, bursaries, capital projects and research has a ripple effect which enriches educational experiences, supports dreams and opportunities, and inspires others to give back.

A gift to any of the following priority areas will make an impact on students, our communities, the country and the world.