Alumni Association of Lakehead University

Outdoor Rec, Parks and Tourism Grad Paddles for the Environment

Since 2006, Seth Wotten (Honours Bachelor of Arts in Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism 2005) has been turning his dream into a reality by paddling the Water for Future Generations expedition. He is traversing the continent by canoeing across Canada from southeast to northwest. Read more

Photo taken March 22, 2006 - World Water Day - Getting ready to test my canoe at Silver Islet on Lake Superior.

Duncan Weller, (BA '89) 2007 Governor General's Literacy Awards in Children's Literature

Lakehead Grad, Duncan Weller has received a 2007 Governor's General Award for Literature for his illustrations in his book, The Boy from the Sun . Read more

Carrie McGown, (BA/HBOR '99) Wins National Education Award

Carrie McGown, (BA/HBOR '99) was recognized for her work in the field of experiential education this year.   McGown, a native of Parry Sound, Ontario, holds a B.A. in outdoor recreation from Lakehead University and an M.S. in experiential education from Minnesota State University in Mankato.  She has won a national education award in was awarded Outstanding Experiential Teacher of the Year by the Association of Experiential Education (AEE) at the group's annual international meeting in Arkansas in early November.   She enrolled in the Ph.D. program at UNH this year; her focus is on the philosophy of education, particularly as experiential education relates to faith. Read more

Lakehead Wrestler Wins Light Heavyweight Championship

Former Lakehead Thunderwolves heavyweight wrestler and UFC veteran Rob MacDonald captured the Ring of Fire World Light Heavyweight Championship MMA (mixed martial arts) title.  MacDonalds win over defending Ring of Fire champion Elliot Marshall was one of the feature bouts at Ring of Fire 31, “Undisputed”, on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Broomfield Event Centre in Broomfield, Colorado. Read more

By Mike Aylward

Profiles in Leadership: Glenn A. Miller (BSc'69, Grad.Dip.Bus.'69)

Featured in the Fall 2007 issue of the Lakehead University Magazine, Lakehead University graduates express their views on Leadership, success, and how Lakehead University has contributed to their professional career. Read more

Alumni Profile: Roger Lee ('81) - To Lakehead and Back

LU graduate Roger Lee ( 1981, Engineering ) was only 17 years old when he embarked from his native Hong Kong; alone, full of hope and destined for Canada.  His family had arranged for him to attend boarding school in Vancouver and hoped that he would complete his education and benefit from the experience he gained in the most moderate of the English speaking countries in the Western world. Read more

By Maureen Arges Nadin

Lakehead Wall of Fame Inductees - 1974-75 Swim Team

The 1974-75 Women's Swim Team of Kerri Rock (Skilling), Wanda Wright (DePape), Andrea Burgelis (Kerr) and Pat Gibson made a huge splash in the pool for Lakehead University.

The squad, coached by Lakehead Wall of Fame Inductee Don Talbot, was small in numbers, having only four swimmers, but huge in results and achievements. That season, the team set seven CWIAU (now CIS) individual records and two team records. Team Captain Kerri Rock (Skilling) set five of the seven national records, Depape and Kerr one apiece. All four members, of course, were involved in setting the two four-swimmer team relay national records. Read more

By Mike Aylward

Wall of Fame Inductees for 2007: Builder: Bob Thayer: Men's Wrestling

Bob Thayer is this year’s inductee in the builder’s category and his contributions and achievements to Lakehead Wrestling are enormous.  He was the coach of Lakehead wrestling from 1977 to 1982 and he capped his tenure with a Canada West and CIAU (now CIS) championship in 1979-80; Lakehead’s only full national championship to date.  Under his leadership, Lakehead took a CIAU (now CIS) national championship, three Canada West conference titles, and national silver in a very, very controversial close second place finish. Read more

By Mike Aylward

Couple Enjoy Wild Fundraising Ride Across Canada

There’s nothing more gratifying for two students supporting Canada's wilderness areas than actually seeing many of them in a cross-country fundraising bike tour.

Brantford native Valerie Bennett and her Orillia-born significant other, Grant MacDonald, have just returned from the ride of their lives: cycling for nearly three months from Vancouver, B.C. to St. John’s, Nfld. They raised $8,260 for their favourite organization, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. Read more

By Michael-Allan Marion
Sault Star

Denis Turcotte Creates Engineering Award for Students

When Lakehead University alumnus and President and CEO of Algoma Steel, Denis Turcotte, was approached to be a lead donor to Lakehead’s Scholarship Campaign, the decision was easy, says Turcotte.  "Giving back to my alma mater by supporting current and future students was something I had been thinking about for some time.  In addition, with the federal government modifying the capital gains tax on gifts of securities I was able to contribute shares in a more tax efficient way”, explains Turcotte. Read more

Entrepreneurial Alumna Crosses Continent

For 1968 LU Grad (BA Psychology/ Mathematics) Julie Munro, nee Wierzbicki, “home “is a relative term.  In the course of her personal and professional path since graduating from LU and leaving Thunder Bay shortly thereafter, Julie has crossed continents and oceans as a business entrepreneur and professional woman. Read more

By Maureen Arges Nadin

Alumni Athlete Profile: Linda Henderson

This week Lakehead Athletics looks at one of its most successful female athletic alumni; Linda Henderson. Henderson played for the then Lakehead Nor Westers women’s volleyball team from 1982-85 when her squad played in the GPAC conference (Great Plains Athletic Conference). Read more

By Mike Aylward

Jim Zoet: Lakehead Basketball Legend

The name Jim Zoet brings a surge of great memories to Lakehead and Canadian basketball afficionados.  The “Big Man” played for the then Lakehead Norwesters for two seasons (1976-77 and 77-78) and led Lakehead to its only CIAU (now) CIS national championship game 30 years ago. Read more

By Mike Aylward

LU Grad Students Go East- and West- to Present to International Community

Two grad students in Lakehead University's Masters of Public Health program will be traveling to Vancouver and Istanbul, respectively in June to present the results of their research on behalf of people with Parkinson's Disease. Read more

By Marianne Jones

Genuine Wealth: The Importance of Health and Happiness

Poh Lam Tan, 1980 Business Grad and successful businessman, loves people. It is evident in the earnest and enthusiastic nature of his conversation which can not be subdued even during a long distance transmission from his native Singapore. Despite the miles that separate us, and the 13 hour time difference, (my 10 o’clock at night compared to his 11 in the morning), I can feel Poh Lam’s "smile" and I am quickly energized to match his vibration. Read more

By Maureen Arges Nadin

Lakehead University Magazine Feature: Going Global

When you tune in to CBC-TV to watch the Beijing Olympics in 2008 you may see the work of Qi Ma, one of Lakehead's multi-talented International students.

Qi (pronounced chee) Ma is a thirty-three-year-old Chinese journalist who came to Thunder Bay to practice speaking English. She stayed on to earn a Master’s degree in Education, to become a Canadian citizen, and to move closer to her goal of becoming a university professor. Read more

By Frances Harding

Dave Shannon BA '86, Launches Book

When Lakehead University alumnus and President and CEO of Algoma Steel, Denis Turcotte, was approached to be a lead donor to Lakehead’s Scholarship Campaign, the decision was easy, says Turcotte.  "Giving back to my alma mater by supporting current and future students was something I had been thinking about for some time.  In addition, with the federal government modifying the capital gains tax on gifts of securities I was able to contribute shares in a more tax efficient way”, explains Turcotte. Read more

Thunderwolves Graduate Profiles: Rena Bode: Nordic Skiing

Catherine “Rena” Bode has come to symbolize the success and continuity of Lakehead’s excellent women’s Nordic ski team over the past five seasons. Read more

By Mike Aylward

Thunderwolves Graduate Profiles: Men's Hockey: Mike Self

Mike Self played four seasons for the Lakehead Thunderwolves men’s hockey team and in those four years the Peterborough native established himself as one of the toughest defenders in OUA hockey. Read more

By Mike Aylward

Adventurous Spirit Takes Grad Around the World

Andre Dunford has seen and accomplished more things in his 30 years than many of us will in a lifetime. From the Old World elegance of Vienna to the Libyan desert to the mountains of Siberia, this LU Grad (BSc Earth Science '01, HBSc Geology '03) has followed his adventurous spirit to distant lands and exotic locales to fuel his need for challenge and growth. Read more

By Maureen Arges Nadin

Tara Boyce: The New Face of Women's Basketball at Lakehead

Tara Boyce has become the new face of Lakehead women’s basketball over the past four seasons and her excellent and improving play each season is a good reflection of the rebuilding of the women’s Thunderwolves program. Read more

By Mike Aylward

Balancing Success and Social Responsibility

When AJ Slivinski gazes out into the endless blue of the Mediterranean from his home on the island of Cyprus, he still remembers the darker and more commanding waters of another large body of water. Despite the seduction of his current exotic locale, Slivinski speaks with obvious affection about Lake Superior and Thunder Bay, the city he still proudly calls “home”. Read more

By Maureen Arges Nadin

Alumni Profile: John Bonofiglio: Alumni

John Bonofiglio (HBA’81) has always gone that extra mile when it comes to making connections between Lakehead University and the Italian and Francophone communities.

“His gracious style and genuine warmth and enthusiasm for all things Lakehead make him an ideal Ambassador,” says Bonnie Moore, Director of Development. Read more

By Frances Harding, Editor, Publications

LU Grad Has It All, Except for His Soumate; And the Search is On!

Ross McWilliam, Owner and CEO of “Simply Events” Event Coordination Company in Britain, was looking for a cross cultural experience and perhaps a bit of adventure when he made the decision to cross the Atlantic and travel from the UK to Canada for his post graduate education. How he selected Thunder Bay and Lakehead University in particular, has a little to do with coincidence and in Ross’s mind, and a whole lot to do with destiny. Read more