Alumni Association of Lakehead University

Alumni Profile: John Heilig, BA & HBOR '92

Outdoor Recreation graduate brings passion for skiing to 2010 Olympics

When the 2010 Olympics open next February in Vancouver, Lakehead University graduate and fellow alumni, John Heilig, will be at the helm coordinating the ski jumping and Nordic combined events.

John graduated from the Outdoor Recreation program in 1994 and clearly has a passion for outdoor sports and recreational activities in general and skiing in particular.  A native of Toronto, John was drawn to the positive reputation of the Outdoor Recreation program and the wild and wonderful outdoor environment that surrounds the city and area.  Of course, the fact that there was a ski jump and alpine ski facilities readily accessible in the city did not hurt either.  “ I have excellent memories of my time at Lakehead University” he says, still marvelling at the fact that he could cross country ski right next to the University at Golf Links and that there were access trails right across campus. Read more

Photo: John (on the left) working as a Technical Delegate in Lahti, Finland in April 2009.

Alumni Profile: Colin Lacey, BSc '04

Graduate Uses Earth Sciences Degree to Bring Nature to the City

Colin Lacey, a graduate of the Earth Sciences program, has the perfect job. Especially if  you define the perfect employment situation as working in a field that combines your interests and passion with reaching out to communities at the grass roots level to deliver a message that is near and dear to your heart. Read more

Photo: Colin removing invasive plants at Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat in Toronto.

Alumni Profile: Patrick Brunelle

Patrick Brunelle had always dreamed of being a teacher - a dream which he pursued and ultimately achieved. But an interest in world geography and social justice issues, awakened while he was still a high school student at St. Ignatius high school, which would broaden Patrick's horizons and lead him to the other side of the continent fulfilling another kind of dream. Read more

Alumni Profile: Taher Fares

For LU Business grad Taher Fares, the most profound advice he ever received was three simple words from his father: "give it time."

He did and 26 years after arriving in Canada from his native Libya barely able to speak English and unprepared for the Harsh climate, Taher is managing the Human Resources affairs for three regions of Spectra Energy and is responsible for over 450 employees. It would seem that he has travelled light years through time from the earnest young man who arrived in Canada with a dream and an English dictionary that was his "Bible." Read more

Alumni Profile: Tim Commisso

BRINGING HIS VISION OF MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION TO HIS HOMETOWN

Lakehead University Business graduate Tim Commisso may well understand the term “baptism by fire” better than most.  At an age when young adults in today’s world are often still testing the waters to determine their ultimate career path, he was managing a department that over was ultimately responsible for City Council’s approval of a 200 million dollar budget for the City of Thunder Bay.  That was in 1986 when at the tender age of 27 Tim was appointed the Manager of Budgets and Planning.  He’s done some travelling since then and has been immersed in all aspects of municipal government while living in Southern Ontario since 1988. And the good news is that he’s back—this time at the helm of the Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay---once again overseeing the budget as well as everything else that goes on in the major urban center that is the hub of Northwestern Ontario.  And for City Manager Tim Commisso, it’s good to be home. Read more

Alumni Profile: Elliott Doxtater-Wynn

BROADCASTER AND ARTIST CREATES HIS OWN MAGIC

Lakehead University Fine Arts graduate (HBA 2004), Elliott Doxtater-Wynn, brings an impressive breadth of creativity and infectious energy to a diverse body of artistic work. But he cannot be easily contained or categorized.

The Thunder Bay radio audience may know him best as a member of CBC radio’s talented “the Great Northwest “morning team where he works as a technician/operator and sports broadcaster. Local school children will know him as a workshop leader, role model and mentor who generously shares his gift to instruct children in art techniques and coach them on what art and the process of completing a project can meet for their personal growth and development. And of course, art enthusiasts and members of the local artist community will know him as an accomplished visual artist and sculptor.
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