LAKEHEAD ALUMNI MAGAZINE | WINTER 2019 JOURNEY LIFE ON THE EDGE Alumna Trish Newport shares stories from the frontlines of humanitarian aid work

ARCTIC TRAGEDY The mystery of the 1845 Franklin Expedition

SURVEILLANCE SOCIETY Do police body cameras make us safer?

PLUS Introducing Lakehead’s new president – Dr. Moira McPherson The uneasy coexistence of wolves and humans

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10 14 18 03 08 14 ON THE MAP TRACKING AN APEX COURAGE AND Essential news from Lakehead Orillia PREDATOR COMPASSION and Lakehead Thunder Bay Alumna and researcher Lynn After deciding to become a Remmelgas ventures into wolf humanitarian aid worker at age 10, territory Trish Newport never looked back 07 THE FRANKLIN 09 18 EXPEDITION BREAKING BARRIERS The Globe and Mail reports on SAFETY, SECURITY, Did lead poisoning end the quest to Lakehead’s Achievement Program find the Northwest Passage? SURVEILLANCE Dr. Alana Saulnier studies how body 10 cameras affect policing WELCOMING OUR SEVENTH PRESIDENT 22 Dr. Moira McPherson shares her Cert no. XXX-XXX-000 dynamic vision for Lakehead TURNING POINTS Alumni milestones and achievements

1 WINTER 2019 • Volume 35, Number 1

Lakehead Journey Alumni Magazine is published twice a year by the Marketing and Branding team which is responsible for establishing policy, editorial direction, and content for the magazine. The views expressed or implied do not necessarily refl ect those of Lakehead University or the Marketing and Branding team. Publications Mail Agreement Number 40062450 QTY: 33,000 CONTACT US Marketing, Branding and Clayton Browne  Canadian sportscaster Ron MacLean Web Development Director Your university years were full spent some time with Alumni Editor Tracey Skehan of fi rsts… your fi rst love, your Association members when he travelled Graphic Design Melissa Kastern to Thunder Bay to receive an honorary Telephone: 807-343-8134, Fax: 807-346-7770 fi rst heartbreak, your fi rst time degree in September 2018. Email: [email protected] away from home. CONTRIBUTORS Weekend was combined with the Editor Tracey Skehan, Brandon Walker, Mark Witten, It’s exciting that at 54 years old, the Caroline Alphonso installation of a Lakehead president. Alumni Association of Lakehead Over the weekend, alumni awards SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO University (AALU) still has some Offi ce of Annual Fund and Alumni Engagement were presented to Crystal Davey, Lakehead University “fi rsts” up its sleeve. 955 Oliver Rd., Thunder Bay, ON Canada P7B 5E1 Shandor Alphonso, Karl Subban, Telephone: 1-800-832-8076 This fall, Debra Woods (HBCom’05) Sue Craig, Rob Jamieson, and Fax: 807-343-8999 Email: [email protected] or online alumni.lakeheadu.ca was elected the fi rst ever president David Hare (Honorary Membership) from outside Ontario. She took over ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS in front of a record audience of President and Chair Debra Woods from Dr. Michel Beaulieu who will over 200 guests. The AALU also Vice-President Yolanda Wanakamik be establishing the new Presidential partnered with the recruitment Vice-President Karen Boz Secretary and Treasurer Paul Popo-Ola Advisory Council, comprised of offi ce to have award recipients Past President Michel Beaulieu Association past presidents. In Shandor Alphonso and Karl Subban Director Nancy Angus Director Michael Michaud addition, the AALU welcomed its talk to high school students at St. Director Chris DaSilva fi rst international board member Ignatius and Westgate. Director Linda Henderson – Mr. Peter Lau, president of Asia Director Nancy Luckai Rounding out our event fi rsts, Director Chris Vaillant One Communication Ltd. of Hong on December 9 and 12, AALU Director Kevin Ford Kong. Director Laara Losier volunteers cheered up students Director Peter Lau Director Ashleigh Quarrell In the summer, the Bill Keeler busy studying for exams with the Director Mike Walton Memorial Golf Classic raised Annual Fund and Mark Tilbury Food for Thought initiative, the Alumni Engagement Director over $55K for student athletes brainchild of University Librarian EXTERNAL RELATIONS TEAM and student fi nancial aid. The Karen Keiller. The volunteers made External Relations Vice-President Deb Comuzzi tournament was the fi rst for a stressful period manageable by Associate Vice-President Ann Brandt (Toronto Offi ce) incoming Lakehead President distributing hot chocolate, cookies, Annual Fund and Mark Tilbury and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Moira and fruit to appreciative students. Alumni Engagement Director Government Relations Director Richard Longtin McPherson. Anyone wanting to help during the (Toronto Offi ce) Marketing, Branding and Clayton Browne Lakehead Orillia held its inaugural April 2019 exams should get in Web Development Director touch with the Alumni Association Philanthropy Director Kathryn Davidson Homecoming celebration for an External Relations Coordinator Patricia McCluskey enthusiastic gathering of alumni, o f fi c e. Annual Fund and Jill Cooper Alumni Engagement Assistant staff, and friends behind Simcoe Finally, to assist grassroots Annual Fund and Meghan Hanbury Hall. Many thanks to Principal Dr. Alumni Engagement Manager and student-driven fundraising Annual Fund and Amanda Gerow Dean Jobin-Bevans, Jacquie Kent, initiatives, we have launched the Alumni Engagement Associate Annual Fund and Anna Sampson the Lakehead University Student crowdfunding site – Lakehead Alumni Engagement Associate Alumni Association, and the Simcoe Giving – at donate.lakeheadu.ca. Campaign Operations Associate Jennifer Steers County Chapter for organizing this Campaign Research Analyst (Toronto Offi ce) Mike Ding Perhaps you’ll fi nd a project to Communications and Marketing Associate Brandon Walker memorable event. In Thunder Bay, Donor Events Associate Diane Robnik support for the fi rst time! Donor Events Manager Patti Merriman for the fi rst time, Homecoming External Relations Associate Jacquie Kent (Lakehead Orillia) External Relations Associate Samantha Carothers (Toronto Offi ce) Gift & Database Administrator Vacant Marketing and Branding Associate Tracey Skehan Marketing and Branding Associate Melissa Kastern Marketing and Communications Associate Jaclyn Bucik Debra Woods, President Mark Tilbury, Director (Lakehead Orillia) Philanthropy Associate Lee-Anne Camlin Alumni Association Annual Fund and Alumni Engagement Stewardship and Student Aid Associate Tara Monteith Web Development Manager Spencer Ranta Web Developer Justin Michel Web Information Designer Stefan Hoard 2Web Information Designer Ian McLeod ON THE MAP

Lakehead’s Seventh President Dr. Moira McPherson became Lakehead University’s seventh President & Vice-Chancellor on September 22, 2018. “I am passionate about the strengths that Lakehead offers as a comprehensive Canadian university as well as a vital member of the economic, social, and cultural communities that we support – and that support us,” Dr. McPherson said during her installation speech. She began her career at Lakehead in 1987 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Athletics. After seven successful years as the School of Kinesiology Director, she became Associate Vice-President (Academic). Since then she has served as Lakehead’s Deputy Provost, Provost & Vice-President (Academic), and Interim President & Vice-Chancellor. The special ceremony was held at the Hangar in Lakehead Thunder Bay in conjunction with the presentation of the All-Canadian Athletic Awards to Lakehead student athletes. One of the  Dr. Moira McPherson shares a moment with Canadian sportscaster and 2018 ceremony highlights was the conferral of an honorary degree to hockey icon honorary degree recipient Ron MacLean Ron MacLean. during her installation ceremony.

Going Bottle Free management and responsible In Conversation sustainability practices.” The ban Lakehead Orillia stopped selling was instituted after a request from On Saturday, March 2 at 2 pm, bottled water at the beginning the Lakehead University Student join Lakehead English professors of January. The change was Union (LUSU). Theresa Vandeburgt, Dr. Judith Leggatt and Dr. Monica announced by Principal Dr. Dean LUSU vice-president Orillia, Flegel in the Brodie Library’s Jobin-Bevans. “As Canada’s explained that “LUSU had a hand in Fireside Reading Room for a fi rst Leadership in Energy and developing this policy because not discussion called: Is Superman an ® Environmental Design (LEED ) only do we strongly believe in cutting Immigrant?: Race, Ethnicity and the Platinum university campus, down on single-use plastics,” she Superhero. In Conversation talks Lakehead Orillia is committed said, “but also that water is a human are free of charge and everyone is to comprehensive sustainability right, not a commodity.” welcome to attend. Retired Lakehead Employee? The Retirees’ Association of Lakehead University (RALU) invites all former University staff, faculty members, administrators, spouses, and partners to become a member. Renew old friendships and make new friends at events including monthly lunch meetings and a monthly speaker’s program at the 55 Plus Centre on River Street in Thunder Bay. RALU also publishes a regular newsletter. Learn more about RALU at www.lakeheadretirees.ca or send an email to [email protected].  Student Success Director Chris Glover, LUSU Vice-President Orillia Theresa Vandeburgt, and Principal Dr. Dean Jobin-Bevans at a campus refi lling station

3 ON THE MAP

CASES Building The grand opening of the new Centre for Advanced Studies in Engineering and Sciences (CASES) happened on November 30, 2018. Four of Lakehead’s newest Canada Research Chairs, three research support units, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and more than seven leading research programs and laboratories are located in the 42,000-square- foot building, which is LEED® Gold certifi ed and cost more than $26.2  CASES ribbon cutting (l-r): Lakehead Board of Governors member Brian McKinnon, Acting Mayor Iain Angus, Lakehead President Dr. Moira McPherson, Thunder Bay- million to design, construct, and Rainy River MP Don Rusnak, Research and Innovation VP Dr. Andrew Dean, Thunder equip. The project received $7.96 Bay-Atikokan MPP Judith Monteith-Farrell, graduate student Jocelyn Bel, and Canada million from the Government of Research Chair in Green Chemicals and Processes Dr. Pedram Fatehi Canada, $1.54 million from the Lumina Concert at the William H. Buset Centre for Province of Ontario, $5 million from Music and Visual Arts in the Jean the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Come enjoy a Department of Music McNulty Recital Hall. Tickets are Corporation, $1 million from FedNor, Lumina Concert on March 12 at $15 ($10 for students). $1 million from the City of Thunder the Thunder Bay campus. Damian Bay, $6.56 million in capital funding Rivers-Moore on French horn Contact Jennifer Howie from Lakehead University, and and Derek Oger on piano will be at [email protected] or $855,783 in equipment funding, also performing from 12:30-1:30 pm 807-343-8787 for more information. from Lakehead. Indigenous Research Grants Lakehead researchers are receiving more than $140,000 in SSHRC Indigenous Research Capacity and We’re better, together. Reconciliation – Connection Grants to build relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Dr. Martha Dowsley will engage Indigenous youth to create video research stories about Lac Seul First Nation and Dr. Rhonda Comprehensive coverage. Superior value. Koster will work with government Term Life Insurance Dependent Term Life Insurance Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance associations and Indigenous and Critical Illness Insurance Office Overhead Insurance settler businesses in the hunting Travel Medical Insurance Health & Dental Insurance and fi shing sector to develop a Lakehead Personal Insurance Program consultative research process based on common Indigenous cultural For a personalized quotation or to apply online, please visit us at: solutionsinsurance.com/lakehead concepts. In addition, Dr. Ruth 1.800.266.5667 Beatty is organizing an Indigenous Mathematics Conference at

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4 ON THE MAP

NOSM Dean CANADA’s #1 Research University Dr. Sarita Verma will become the #1 RESEARCH In October 2018, Lakehead was new dean and CEO of the Northern ranked the country’s #1 research Ontario School of Medicine UNIVERSITY university in the undergraduate (NOSM) on July 1, 2019. She will FOURTH category by Re$earch Infosource succeed founding dean, Dr. Roger – Canada’s source of research Strasser, who has headed NOSM CONSECUTIVE and development intelligence. This since 2002. Dr. Verma is currently YEAR! is the fourth year in a row that education vice president at the Undergraduate Category Lakehead has received this honour, Association of Faculties of Medicine a feat that no other university in the of Canada. She is a family physician undergraduate category has ever who originally trained as a lawyer Third Age Learning achieved. “We continue to conduct at the University of Ottawa (1981) research that is well cited and and later completed her medical Over 50? Looking for interesting and has an impact from fundamental degree at McMaster University creative education opportunities to research to applied research,” said (1991). She has been a diplomat stimulate your mind – without the Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead’s in Canada’s Foreign Service and quizzes, grades, and prerequisites? vice-president, research & worked with the United Nations Lakehead Orillia’s Department innovation. “I am particularly proud High Commissioner for Refugees of Community Engagement and of the opportunities that our faculty in Sudan and Ethiopia for several Lifelong Learning (CELL) is offering provide to our students for exciting years. “I am deeply committed Third Age Learning Lakehead research projects.” to serving the people of Northern programs – thought-provoking Ontario,” Dr. Verma said, “to lectures and discussions for Simcoe Giving Tuesday leading progress in Indigenous and County residents. Uncovering the On November 27, 2018, Francophone health, and cultivating Truth: Investigative Journalism in Lakehead’s alumni and friends innovation in clinical research.” the Age of ‘Fake News,’ is running on Wednesdays from February 27 came together to help students to March 27, 2019. Contact CELL continue to pursue their university Coordinator Dr. Linda Rodenburg dreams. Supporters donated a at [email protected] or record $63,001.10 on Giving 705-330-4008 ext. 2632 for more Tuesday – an international day information and to purchase tickets. of charitable giving that kicks off the holiday season. “This is Humanities 101 the third year that Lakehead has participated in Giving Tuesday and On November 31, 2018, Dr. Kim each year we’ve seen more donors Fedderson, former Lakehead Orillia participating and more dollars principal, hosted a Christmas Open invested in our students,” said House organized by the Offi ce External Relations Vice-President of Community Engagement and Deb Comuzzi. Recently elected Lifelong Learning at Lakehead Alumni Association President Orillia. The event raised money Debra Woods added, “Thank you to for Humanities 101 – a free 12- everyone who donated to Lakehead week outreach program that gives University. Our alumni and friends,  Dr. Sarita Verma, the new dean and community members facing fi nancial CEO of the Northern Ontario School of in Canada and around the world, Medicine (NOSM) or social barriers to postsecondary answered the call with unparalleled education an introduction to the generosity.” university experience. The event raised $17,000 for the program, exceeding their goal of $12,500.

5 ON THE MAP

Tecumseh Coin A new coin released on September 4, 2018, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of famed Indigenous leader Tecumseh, was created by Mary McPherson – a fourth-year visual arts student. “I feel extremely grateful to have had the honour of drawing Tecumseh and having the design immortalized on a coin,” said McPherson, who is Ojibway and a Couchiching First Nation member. Tecumseh was a  According to the Shawnee chief who allied himself Royal Canadian Mint, Mary with the British and led hundreds McPherson’s of First Nations warriors into battle. selectively gold- plated portrait of “Tecumseh fought for the wellbeing Tecumseh is a and independence of his people,” $25 Fine Silver Piedfort. said McPherson.

Kim Wildhaber Ranks among Top 1% in Accounting Exam

This year only 6,163 individuals Medal for the Faculty of Business in Canada passed the rigorous Administration, he embarked on his Common Final Examination (CFE) – career at BDO Canada LLP in Dryden, a key step to attaining the prestigious Ontario. While working at BDO, Kim Certified Public Accountant (CPA) began pursuing the CPA designation. designation. Lakehead alumnus Kim “It was not until after I graduated and Wildhaber (HBCom’17, Accounting) began studying for my CPA exams not only passed, but he also made that I realized how well Lakehead the CFE Honour Roll – a distinction had prepared me,” Kim noted. reserved for the top 1% of all CFE “Lakehead’s program was well aligned writers in Canada. with the CPA Competency Map The CFE is a three-day evaluation which allowed me to be so successful designed to assess candidates’ throughout the CPA program and knowledge, judgment, and skills and place on the national CFE honour is a critical part of the Canadian CPA roll list. It’s an accomplishment I  Kim Wildhaber (HBCom’17, Accounting) certification program. The process hope to build off of as I continue is designed to produce collaborative, to learn and progress through the strategic decision-makers who accounting profession and towards career,” said Associate Professor will fill business and accounting my designation.” of Accounting Dr. Camillo Lento. “Placing on the CFE Honour Roll is leadership roles in organizations of “Kim was always an exceptional all types and sizes. not an easy task, and is a testament student in our undergraduate to Kim’s intelligence, work ethic, After Kim graduated from Lakehead program, and I was not surprised and determination. We are all University in 2017 with a major in to learn that he had distinguished very happy for Kim for this major accounting and the Dean Braun himself at this early stage of his accomplishment.”

6 ON THE MAP

Recently, Lakehead anthropologist Death in the Arctic Dr. Tamara Varney was part of The Disappearance of the 1845 Franklin Expedition a team of Canadian researchers investigating possible lead poisoning. by Tracey Skehan Previous examinations had found elevated levels in the bodies. Contamination from canned food and the ships’ water fi ltration systems were considered. “I felt very honoured to be part of this historic project because it’s captivated the minds of so many people,” Dr. Varney said. Using a synchrotron – a machine that emits confocal X-ray fl uorescence – the researchers mapped lead levels in the bones and teeth of the sailors. They were trying to discover several things – whether or not expedition members who survived longer had higher lead levels, if bone formed around  By the time of the 1845 expedition (pictured above), Captain Franklin had been on the time of death had elevated lead three earlier expeditions to fi nd the Northwest Passage. On the last one, he and his levels compared to older bone, crew barely avoided starvation by gnawing on shoe leather, making Franklin notorious as “the man who ate his boots.” and, lastly, if the Franklin Expedition sailors had signifi cantly higher lead The ill-fated Franklin Expedition has have full three years’ supplies of levels than Royal Navy sailors based haunted the public imagination for everything needful on board – so that on the Caribbean island of Antigua over 170 years. if we should be foiled even after this during the same time period. In 1845, two British Royal Navy winter, we can, without apprehension If any of these hypotheses had ships – HMS Erebus and HMS remain a second winter.” been proven true, it would have Terror – sailed from England to the Three crewmembers perished while pointed to lead poisoning as a major Canadian Arctic Archipelago under wintering on Beechey Island in factor in the Franklin Expedition the command of Captain Sir John 1845-46. This setback, however, tragedy. Instead, Dr. Varney and Franklin. The veteran explorer was seemed surmountable once the ice her colleagues found the opposite charged with mapping the last receded and the ships were able to – the lead levels of expedition section of the treacherous Northwest sail again. Then, in September 1846, members who died later were the Passage to open up a shorter trading the ships became frozen off King same as those who died earlier route to Asia running through the William Island. The ice never thawed and the Franklin sailors’ lead levels Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacifi c oceans. and more men died – including were comparable to the Antiguan sailors. The only mixed result came There were 128 sailors aboard Captain Franklin in 1847. The remaining 105 sailors abandoned the regarding the bone formation of the the two ships and not a single one Franklin sailors. Bone structures near returned home. ships in 1848 and attempted to walk to a Hudson’s Bay depot over 600 the time of death, Dr. Varney noted Despite rough weather on the miles away. None survived. in a 2018 CBC interview, “defi nitely Atlantic crossing, when the showed lead exposure. But then, Erebus and the Terror docked in Although the Erebus was fi nally there was an equal number that Greenland to stock up on provisions, found by a Parks Canada search didn’t show lead exposure.” Taken the expedition members were team in 2014 and the Terror by together, the researchers were able undeterred. In a letter written from the Arctic Research Foundation in to discount lead poisoning as the Greenland on July 7, 1845, to fellow 2016, the fate of the sailors remains cause of death. a lasting mystery. Suspicions of lead Arctic explorer, John Richardson, The saga of the Franklin Expedition Franklin reported: poisoning, hypothermia, pneumonia, starvation, scurvy, and even still holds many secrets to unlock. “When we have completed our cannibalism have been suggested. The body of Captain John Franklin, for one, remains unfound. provision from the transport we shall Fig Map of 1. Franklin expedition route is courtesy of PLoS ONE | Citation: Swanston Varney TL, T, Kozachuk M, Choudhury uorescence S, Bewer B,imaging Coulthard of skeletal I, et Franklin expedition al. (2018) fl microstructure. lead exposure: PLoS ONE 13(8): Newe0202983. insights from high resolution https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202983 confocal x-ray

7 WOLVES NEED TO BE

RESPECTED by Brandon Walker Lynn Remmelgas (HBASc’15/ Lynn discovered that many people Lynn believes that people’s either love or hate wolves – and they attitudes about wolves form when MSc’17) has thought a lot are the most vocal groups. She also they’re young. “We all have these about wolves since earning her conducted a livestock depredation preconceived ideas because of master’s in biology at Lakehead study that tracked the number and stories we hear and share – creating University Orillia. type of livestock killed by wolves, fear. Urban people may think of a coyotes, and wolf-and-coyote hybrids. wolf as a mystical creator and an In addition, she reviewed each icon representing nature, while other farmer’s management practices, the people imagine the Big Bad Wolf or size of farms, how far they were from Peter and the Wolf. Those stories Algonquin Park, and what they farmed really do shape our attitudes.” – sheep, cattle, or chickens.

“I’ve been on trails where wolves were tracking moose – it was a little unnerving, but they stayed away from us.”

Her research provided strategies If wolves can fi nd a different food for sharing wilderness areas with, source instead of livestock, they will go  Researcher Lynn Remmelgas lives near Algonquin Park – the area of Canada and educating people about, this elsewhere, Lynn says. “They’re very made famous by the paintings of the misunderstood creature. Since elusive. Most people can’t say they’ve Group of Seven. On her walks and horseback rides near the park, Lynn wolves will not change how they act, even seen a wolf in Ontario. I’ve been has encountered wolves several times. it’s up to us to alter our attitudes and on trails where wolves were tracking behaviours toward wolves. “Mostly moose – it was a little unnerving, but She recently moved to a farm we need to learn to respect wolves they stayed away from us.” near Algonquin Park where she and live in harmony with them,” Lynn runs the Muskoka Dog occasionally spots wolves while out Lynn says. Academy, which offers obedience walking or horseback riding. When “Understanding wolves and their training and behaviour modifi cation, she does, she considers what she behaviours is very important. and her experiences there remind her learned from her research. Lynn Most farmers already have great that there are parallels between dogs undertook case studies for 28 farms management plans in place and wolves. “Their DNA is almost the west of the park that had livestock including measures like putting up same. Some wolves are dominant killed by wolves and she interviewed good fencing and lighting, patrolling and some are passive or submissive. people outside that area to gauge property boundaries, using guardian They have strict hierarchies in the wolf their opinions. dogs, and so on.” world. So do dogs.” “I was looking into attitudes She thinks that education is critical Lynn, who also completed her regarding the wolf harvest ban that for those around Algonquin Park Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science the provincial government put in as well as for people in southern at Lakehead, continues to be a vital place a few years earlier,” she says. areas who want to save all wolves. part of Lakehead Orillia. She will teach “When people live near a protected “I encourage both sides to have a the course Aboriginal Peoples and zone they look at things differently more realistic attitude. My goal was Natural Resources this winter and will than city dwellers who may have always about fi nding a balance.” continue working on her PhD in forest voted for these harvest bans. It was studies next fall. a hot topic.”

8 Lakehead University program helps elementary school children break barriers by Caroline Alphonso, Education Reporter, The Globe and Mail ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 1, 2018, BY THE GLOBE AND MAIL

Eliza Paul was building paper Council of Ontario, a government agency, said many intervention race cars in the engineering programs tend to happen in high department at Lakehead school, because there’s a natural University when she was nine link to a postsecondary education. years old. But she said that engaging children from disadvantaged backgrounds She also learned how to monitor early in their schooling builds their someone’s heart rate, studied confi dence and self-esteem.  Thirteen-year-old Grade 8 student Indigenous history and earned Eliza Paul is in a program that will fi nancial credits to cover tuition in “It may be early to actually talk cover the fi rst year of tuition at about university and college, Lakehead University if she completes her freshman year that was still the university’s achievement program. almost a decade away. specifi cally, but it’s not too early to start building a student’s academic Photo Credit: Fred Lum It was part of a creative initiative confi dence. Not only the confi dence that connected the Thunder Bay, that they can do this, but the ability themselves attending university in Ont.-based university with schools to navigate the education system the future. They contacted Lakehead in the area, helping provide children and believe they belong there and and were encouraged to fi nd out it as young as Grade 4 who face they can succeed and excel in the was planning a similar initiative. socioeconomic challenges a chance academic system,” Ms. Deller said. About 65 students are enrolled in to start envisioning their futures early The initiative at Lakehead, funded the program, and the majority of and earn fi nancial support to make them are Indigenous. Others have it a reality. through donations, began eight years ago in partnership with the parents who didn’t attend university “I want to be the fi rst one to local public and Catholic school and don’t have the fi nancial means graduate in my family,” said Eliza, boards, and just expanded this past to do so. now 13, who is Indigenous and living week to two other nearby districts, “It’s so rewarding,” Ms. Pharand in foster care. where students will travel for an hour said. “Kids think about different Christine Scheibler, who has cared and a half to get to campus. The career pathways and opportunities for Eliza since birth, added: “My University of Winnipeg has a similar that are open to them that they daughter has a goal now. It has program. Eligible students starting in really would not have thought about made her think of the future and Grade 4 must maintain good grades, without this program.” what she wants to be.” participate in school or community programs, and attend the university Amanda Stefanile, the program’s Educators and researchers are at least once a year for a day of co-ordinator at Lakehead University, increasingly realizing that exposing activities that involves athletics and said she and her staff capture the students like Eliza to postsecondary exposure to different faculties. elementary students’ attention with schooling should start in the athletics on their visits to campus, elementary-school years. That’s They earn fi nancial credits each and then introduce hands-on around the time the gap in literacy year, and when they receive their activities with various faculties, between those from disadvantaged high-school diplomas, those credits including engineering and nursing. backgrounds and other students could equal as much as an entire starts to show and, by the middle- year’s tuition. Not everyone will take a direct path to university, so the school years, they may grow To learn how to support money will be held for up to fi ve disengaged in academics. By high the Achievement Program, years. school, it could be too late, some contact Kathryn Davidson, say, because many students have Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Philanthropy Director, at started to solidify their academic superintendent of education at E: [email protected] career. Lakehead Public Schools, said T: (807) 343-8476 Fiona Deller, senior executive school staff became interested director of research and policy several years ago in developing You can also donate online at at the Higher Education Quality a program for children to see donate.lakeheadu.ca.

9 Q&A WITH PRESIDENT & VICE-CHANCELLOR Dr. Moira McPherson

applied biomechanics, which was a economies. I also recall how incredibly Your background is in perfect fit with my sport background welcoming and appreciative the Kinesiology. What drew you and academic interests. Following people in these communities were. to this field and what type of Kinesiology research have you the completion of my PhD, I worked Those experiences continue to inspire been involved in? extensively with a number of national me in my commitment to Lakehead sport governing bodies as a sport and to the communities we serve. Throughout my youth, I was a keen biomechanist as well as with the athlete but also really enjoyed science Coaching Association of Canada. Since arriving at Lakehead in and math at school. My interest in My research focus was mainly on 1987, you’ve served in many pursuing a university degree was the kinematics of winter sports different roles including sparked by learning about Kinesiology skills (specifically cross-country Director of the School of – an emerging area of study focused skiing, figure skating and hockey, Kinesiology, Deputy Provost, on the science of movement. As a and ski jumping), and on qualitative and Provost & Vice-President graduate student, I specialized in biomechanical analysis. (Academic). Can you share a couple of highlights from your tenure at Lakehead? You were a competitive figure skater from a young age. Have I had the opportunity to serve as the the qualities that made you a Director of the School of Kinesiology successful athlete been helpful for seven terrific years. We developed to you in your academic a strong team and implemented career? many positive changes that built Absolutely! Back in my skating days, on the program foundation initiated the mastery of both compulsory by my predecessors. The School figures and free skating skills was of Kinesiology is unique in many mandatory. We needed to spend ways – it provides students with a an incredible amount of time on the compelling mix of practice and theory ice training, as well as doing off-ice and prepares them for postgraduate conditioning. From the time I was 11, study in a number of multi- and I started almost every day on the ice interdisciplinary areas, as well as for (winter and summer) at 6:30 or 7 am. careers in allied health professions. As I moved through high school, I Lakehead’s Kin grads are professional needed to be really organized and I kinesiologists, doctors, scholars developed the discipline, resilience, and scientists, educators and social and time management skills that workers whose accomplishments are certainly helped me to succeed valued locally and around the globe. during my postgraduate studies – and Their success is due to the deep have been critical in the development commitment of faculty to serve our of my professional career. students, and is a commitment I see embraced across Lakehead. As a competitive skater, I travelled extensively as part of an initiative to Serving as the Deputy Provost was promote youth sport, and in particular an important development in my figure skating, across the province career at Lakehead. This was a of Quebec. We bussed and flew into new position at the University that many rural and remote communities included a focus on transitioning to perform and to meet community the University to the provincially- members. I observed the social and mandated Quality Assurance cultural strengths and challenges Framework. Without a doubt, one of associated with living in remote the highlights as Deputy Provost was locations and in resource-based leading the external program review

10 DR. MOIRA MCPHERSON Q&A

process and experiencing firsthand will always feel pressure to provide the overwhelming appreciation the greater breadth in programming Is there a key project or external reviewers expressed for our while ensuring the authentic depth initiative that you will be programs and for the extraordinary of scholarship and experience that focusing on over the next campus and community experiences sets our students apart. Political, year? we provide. community, and regional imperatives Over the next year, I will be continuing require changes to what we do and to lead the implementation of our How is the role of how we do our work without losing new strategic plan priorities. I am universities in contemporary sight of our mandate to provide deep, passionate about our plans for society changing? effective, and accessible learning the Gichi Kendaasiwin Centre, a and scholarship. We need to be long-held dream of our Indigenous In a recent report by the Royal Bank careful managers of current funding faculty, staff, and advisory members, of Canada on the skills economy, and aggressive cultivators of new and of Lakehead University. CEO Dave McKay states, “The resources. Building this facility will allow us to next generation is entering the provide programming and support workforce at a time of profound What is your vision for services to Indigenous students economic, social and technological Lakehead University? and expand postsecondary change.” Paul Davidson, who heads education opportunities for youth in Universities Canada, says that the At my installation in September, I communities across Northern Ontario. role of universities responding to stated that my Vision as the new It is central to our vision for Lakehead this challenge is to “build resilient, President is to weave innovation, Thunder Bay! We have many exciting persevering young people who are discovery, and learning to cultivate plans for the growth of Lakehead fluent in cultural diversity.” I believe more pathways and partnerships Orillia and our partnership work in we need to work together across and to create a new physical and Simcoe County. I am really excited disciplines and with our partners to virtual presence that is the Lakehead to be working with the Principal of address design and delivery options of OUR Future. I am committed the campus along with a keen group that will prepare our learners, young to championing new innovations of internal and external community and mature, to move back and forth and entrepreneurial approaches members there to take Lakehead between and among postsecondary by engaging all of our members to Orillia to the next stage. education credentials and jobs and identify and make the small and create new dynamic careers that the large changes we need. We know future demands. Is there anything else you’d our ticket to success is continuing like to add? to offer the best possible learning What are some of the experiences in class, on campus, I have lived, loved, and breathed challenges and opportunities and online! Our new strategic plan Lakehead in my academic and that Lakehead faces right is a detailed roadmap directing us to leadership career for many now? where we need to go. An overarching years. I am passionate about the theme of Lakehead’s 2018-2023 strengths that Lakehead offers as a Across the province, universities Strategic Plan is to enhance our comprehensive and unique Canadian face many challenges, including role creating future leaders and university, as well as a vital member managing enrolment and changing continue to engage in positive of the economic, social, and cultural demographics. This is particularly relationships with the communities communities that we support – and the case in the North and in Simcoe surrounding our campuses. To do that support us. I am honoured to County. Achieving optimal student this we are continuing to prioritize work with our university members and enrolment will be a key to staying high-calibre research and learning as all of our incredible Alumni, donors, true to our goals and to making well as building strong local, global, and supporters – far and wide – to changes needed to achieve those and Indigenous partnerships that help us fulfill our shared goals. goals. As a regional comprehensive champion equity and access. university with two campuses, we

11 Alumni ASSOCIATION HONOURS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Do you know a Lakehead graduate who is an exceptional person? Nominate them for an award!

The Alumni Association of Lakehead University has been NOW OPEN honouring distinguished alumni since 1988 when the fi rst Deadline March 31, 2019 Alumni Honour Award was given. The Outstanding Young Alumni Award was added in 2004.

Alumni Honour Award Outstanding The Alumni Honour Award is Young Alumni Award presented by the AALU to general The Outstanding Young Alumni Award members who have demonstrated is presented annually in recognition distinction or outstanding achievement of a graduate, 40 years of age or in one of the following areas: public younger, who has achieved signifi cant service; business; humanities; accomplishments since graduation, research; science and technology; either in their profession, sport or scholarship; the arts; or, for community service. outstanding personal service rendered to the University over a period of years.

Crystal Davey ’05, ’10 Visit alumni.lakeheadu.ca and select “Engage” 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni for the nomination form and for more details or call Award Recipient Jill at (807) 346-7784 | Toll Free: 1-800-832-8076

Past Award Recipients

2014 Ahmoo Angeconeg, ’94 2010 Larry Hebert, ’69, ’70, ’78 2003 Dennis Turcotte, ’83, ’85 Alumni Honour Award Mae Katt, ’86, ’95 Jim Sanders, ’69 2018 Karl Subban, ’83, ‘84 Gary Polonsky, ’77 2002 Joseph R. Baratta, ’70, ’75, Sue Craig, ’91, ’01 Scott Kress, ’93 2009 Dr. Thomas Ryan ’80 Poh Lam Tan, ’80 2017 Ken Boshcoff, ’72 2013 Arnold Park, ’71, ’72 2001 Peter J. Prior, ’70 2008 Glenn A. Miller, ’69 Darren Lentz, ’96, ’07 Dolores Wawia, ’83, ‘85 2000 Margaret R. Page, ’67 Dr. Linda Rodenburg, ’99 Dr. Elizabeth Murray, ’88 2016 Liana Frenette ’88 Duncan Weller, ’89 1999 Diane Schoemperlenm, ’66 David Lod ’03 2012 Jamie Sokalsky, ’80 Peter Lau ’86 Phillip Walford, ’70 2007 Gwen Dubois-Wing, ’82 1998 D. John Valley, ’71, ’73 2015 Jill Marrick, ’88 2011 Steve Ashton, ’86 2006 Tracy Buckler, ’99 1997 Betty C. Coates, ’69 Kevin Page, ’80 Dave Shannon, ’86 2005 Stephen Low, ’74 Kevin Ford, ’78 1996 Joseph R. Logozzo, ’70 2004 Robert Mace, ’83 1995 Robert J. Gregor, ’70 Lakehead Giving

We are pleased to present Lakehead’s new platform! 2018 CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS

A unique funding platform for University projects, both large and small, Lakehead Giving allows Alumni and friends of Lakehead to make an impact on specifi c University initiatives that they feel $ 10 connected to. 63,001. RAISED In fact, project champions and supporters will be FROM APPROXIMATELY 148 DONORS able to share projects with their friends and social networks, encouraging them to make gifts too.

AVERAGE NEW ALUMNI: STAFF/ GIFT SIZE: DONORS: FACULTY: Current Projects include: $240 18 104 52 • Food Security for Students • Thunderwolves Curling DONATIONS CAME FROM: • Superior Science Camp 8/10 PROVINCES • Humanities 101 (Lakehead Orillia) 1/3 TERRITORIES • The Labyrinth

To see all our current projects, visit FURTHEST GIFT CAME FROM: CHINA donate.lakeheadu.ca % OF ALL GIFTS WENT TO THE AREA 100 OF NEED SELECTED BY THE DONOR

1994 Dennis H. McPherson, 2014 Ashleigh Quarrell, ’09 2010 Dr. Michel Beaulieu, ’88, ’89, ’93 Outstanding Young Dr. Christopher Mushquash, ‘01, ’03 Alumni Award ’02, ’04 Anthony Leblanc, ’93 1993 Lyn McLeod, ’84, ’86 Eric McGoey, ’02 2018 Shandor Alphonso, ’09, ’10 2009 Terry Robinson, ‘97 1992 Rick Lang, ’76 Crystal Davey, ’05, ’10 2013 Mehdi Dashtban, ’12 2008 Catherine (Kate) Bird, ’94 1991 Anthony Petrina, ’53 2017 Lloyed Lobo, ’05 Deanna Burgart, ’10 Crystal Luchkiw, ’09 2007 James Dennison, ’95, ’99 1990 Dusty Miller, ’69 2016 Coleman Hell, ’11 Michael Thorn, ’10, ’11 2006 Herpreet Lamba, ’98 1989 Dr. Lorne Everett, ’66, ’68 Nathan Lawrence, ’07 Dr. Ofelia Jianu, ’08, ’10 2012 Michael Friscolanti, ’99 Dr. Matthew Tocheri, ’99 2005 Christopher Fernyc, ’97 1988 Dr. Ronald Duhamel, ’68 Joshua Briand ’15 2004 D. Todd Moore, ’98 2015 Julie Cosgrove, ’04 2011 Shy-Anne Hovorka, ’00, ’03 Michael Nitz, ’04 Michael Power, ’92 Luan Ngo, ’08 Carla Whillier ’07 Life on the Edge Trish Newport (BA’00, Outdoor Recreation) reaches out to people in crisis by Tracey Skehan

 Trish in the Yukon in 2002. “Ninety percent of people in Whitehorse know Trish’s name,” her friend Rob Horne says. “They are proud and excited that someone from their community is doing what she’s doing. Those who are her friends count themselves as fortunate.”

14 LIFE ON THE EDGE

tree instead.” In Tchad, malnutrition is “Trish was very passionate about responsible for nearly half of all child animal rights and human rights. She deaths. was the first vegan I’d ever met but she was never preachy or judgmental It was a scene that was difficult to about other people’s choices.” witness, but Trish did not look away. She has been doing her best to In third year, Trish, Rob, and several confront these realities since she other outdoor rec students shared a was a child growing up in Oakville, house. Trish lived in a hammock in Ontario. “I have never thrived in the basement. “She was in a funk ‘easy,’” she says. “I do better in band called the Filling Station,” he situations where I am challenged recalls. “At home, she’d play the physically, mentally, or emotionally.” didgeridoo and the bongo and write She vividly remembers when a music.”  ”Trish is one of the most senior catastrophic famine struck Ethiopia Trish and Rob have remained managers who works in the field,” in 1985. Sensationalized pictures of reports fellow MSF colleague and friend good friends. “He’s like my family,” Victoria Christensen-Lopez. Trish spent malnourished children flooded the she says. After graduating, both the end of 2018 and the start of 2019 in news. “I had nightmares for years the Democratic Republic of the Congo of them ended up moving west (DRC), a country that is trying to fight trying to figure out why these children and working with at-risk youth for the spread of Ebola. After returning were starving,” Trish says, “and why from the DRC, Trish will be in Paris for the Yukon government. Trish’s several months to establish an office it wasn’t me in those pictures – it was fondness for testing herself meant harmonizing the Ebola response. my 10-year-old existential crisis.” that she wasn’t interested in renting That same year, Trish’s grandmother, an apartment or buying a house. a doctor, retired and went to Malawi, Instead, her home for 10 years was The sun beat down on Africa, to practice medicine. She a simple canvas tent. “I loved living a one-storey stucco began writing her granddaughter in a context where if I didn’t cut the building in Tchad – an monthly letters chronicling firewood or haul water, I would feel her experiences. “I was totally the consequences,” she says. African country where mesmerized,” Trish says. “She gave temperatures often reach me a very strong desire to work in a blistering 45 degrees humanitarian aid.” Celsius. Trish’s resolve never wavered after these early formative events and It was an afternoon in 2012 as a she pursued her vocation in a way group of women made their way that was methodical yet quirky. “My outside this malnutrition hospital run grandma told me that I marched by the government health authority to the beat of my own drummer,” and the humanitarian organization she says. “As a kid, I was absolutely Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). clueless about following any norms or Trish Newport (BA’00), a Canadian social rules.” When she finished high aid worker, watched the women in school, Trish applied to Lakehead’s their beautifully patterned cotton outdoor recreation program, believing robes raise their arms to the sky it would help her develop as a person and begin crooning. “What are and move her forward on her journey they singing about?” Trish asked a towards humanitarian work. translator standing nearby. “A child She became a well-known figure has just died,” he replied. “They are  Trish during the summer of 2002 on the Thunder Bay campus. “Trish building the frame for the tent she praying for him not to return to earth lived in for 10 years. Now she lives in inspired a lot of students because she as a human, because being a human a “chaled” which she describes as “an had strong values she lived by,” says elegant cross between a chalet and a in Tchad is too painful. They are shed.” The 12 x 16 foot cabin has no fellow outdoor rec grad Rob Horne. asking for him to return as a bird or a electricity or running water.

15 LIFE ON THE EDGE

Trish says. “One family arrived at our health centre after eating only leaves for weeks.” Trish and Victoria became a close- knit team. “She’d come to my room at 4:30 in the morning,” Victoria says, “climb onto my bed with her laptop and we’d have coffee and do paperwork for a couple of hours.” Since then Victoria has seen Trish take on increasingly important roles. “You could easily underestimate Trish when you first meet her,” says Victoria. “She is physically small, only about 5’2”, but she has an internal  Trish and John, a nurse, at a hospital on the border of Sudan and South Sudan in the strength beyond anything you’d Abyei Administrative Area. “It’s a no man’s land,” Trish says, “but the number of lives the hospital has been able to save over the last 10 years – with very little health infrastructure imagine and a huge capacity for – is incredible.” compassion.” Marching to the Beat of and teaching than direct clinical “MSF moved their clinics care,” Trish says. “It was about her own Drummer leadership and risk management, every time the combat zone Several years later, Trish applied to skills I learned in outdoor rec.” moved – at some points, the University of British Columbia’s The majority of people Trish we were only 2 km from the nursing school and then got practical works with on MSF missions are front line.” experience at the Whitehorse General local staff from regions facing crisis. Hospital. But even before she started In a disputed territory between the Victoria was also impressed by Trish’s her degree, she had her sights set on border of South Sudan and Sudan, fearlessness. “She has this peace one organization alone – MSF. for instance, MSF is able to deliver with her mortality that most people Also known as Doctors Without excellent care in difficult conditions don’t,” she explains. It was a quality Borders, MSF’s stated purpose is because of South Sudanese hospital that became indispensable when to “provide medical humanitarian workers. “I have a profound respect Trish accepted a post as a project assistance to save lives and ease the for the local staff,” Trish says, “their coordinator responding to the Mosul suffering of people in crisis situations dedication is beyond anything I’ve war in Iraq. “In 2014, ISIS took over – including epidemics, disasters, seen.” Mosul – a city of more than 1.8 or exclusion from healthcare – It was on the border of two other million – and controlled it for two irrespective of race, religion, creed or African countries – Cameroun and years,” Trish says. “Then in 2016, the political convictions.” the Central African Republic (CAR) Iraqi Army, the Kurdish Peshmerga, In 2009, Trish embarked on her first – that Victoria Christensen-Lopez and the US army launched an overseas mission. Her destination first encountered Trish. “We clicked offensive to take it back.” was an MSF malnutrition hospital in straight away,” Victoria says. MSF was there to provide trauma Djibouti – a small country cradled in Now based at the MSF headquarters stabilization to the injured – mostly the Horn of Africa. During this period, in Geneva, Victoria was in charge of civilians but sometimes soldiers Somalians displaced by civil war were the response to a massive influx of if the army response team was travelling through Djibouti on route to refugees from CAR following ethnic overwhelmed. “To treat the wounded Yemen. It was a gruelling trek made violence in 2014. Trish oversaw right away,” Trish says, “MSF moved with little food or water. “Djibouti the medical side of the operation. their clinics every time the combat showed me that my role as an MSF “People were walking for weeks to zone moved – at some points, we nurse was more about supervision get to the border of Cameroun,” were only 2 km from the front line.”

16 LIFE ON THE EDGE

When Trish and her team were “It was only about a foot and a face – “Well, it wasn’t in there,” and closest to the action, they wore half tall, but I do yoga so I’m super walked out of the room. bulletproof jackets and took other bendy,” Trish says. She wedged In between MSF missions, Trish precautions to ensure that they herself into the shelf and shut the returns to the Yukon – a place where stayed safe. door. Suddenly, she heard voices. she can recharge emotionally and Even in the bleakest of Her colleague was called outside and psychologically. “When I’m home, I circumstances, Trish finds hope. “I footsteps began ringing down the want to be moving and in the trees. have witnessed the incredible power corridor. She felt a creeping dread I go hiking and walking with my of humans, from both the positive when she realized it was her boss friends – both my human friends and and the negative perspectives. And I and all of the staff delegates. They my dog friends.” Most recently, Trish have seen the strength of the human paused at her empty office and her has been in the Democratic Republic spirit.” boss said, “This room is free, let’s of Congo (DRC), combatting Ebola. meet here.” Friends she has made like Mahmoud “It’s a horrible disease that attacks – a Mosul resident and a guard at Should I stay or should families and communities,” she says. MSF’s trauma stabilization unit – “Initially, the virus has a 90-92% inspire Trish with their resilience. I go now? death rate.” During the DRC’s first Mahmoud was a familiar sight in Trish was stuck, in more ways than outbreak of 2018, Trish ran an MSF the city because he always carried one. Should she make her escape project that used a new experimental a mint plant with him. The small after everyone dispersed or stay – Ebola vaccine to contain the potted plant had been grown by his twisted up like a pretzel – where outbreak. youngest daughter and he’d promised she would overhear confidential Trish’s willingness to reach out to to care for it when his family went to information? those who are struggling, even when a displacement camp to escape the “I have to get out now,” Trish decided. it would be easy to be overwhelmed conflict. “On days when the fighting The delegates, deep in conversation, with despair, has brought her was really intense,” Trish wrote fell silent when the armoire door fulfillment. “Every day I am grateful in a story for the Globe and Mail swung open and an arm, followed for who I am, for where I come from newspaper, “I would look outside the by a head and then the rest of Trish, and how I live, for the people I have clinic to see Mahmoud sitting calmly emerged from the tiny space. Trish in my life, and for the work I do. I in his shelter – with the plant on his straightened herself up and said – think I am one of the luckiest people lap.” When it was time for Trish to with a puzzled expression on her in the world.” return home to the Yukon, Mahmoud brought her some mint seeds. “He asked me to plant the seeds at home, where the plants could have a better life.” Despite the intense nature of the high-security assignments Trish chooses, she says she laughs a lot. Once, in Niger, Trish and a colleague were working late at headquarters. “He texted me saying ‘What are you doing?’ and me, being a geek, texted back, ‘I’m hiding.’” As he began counting down from 10, Trish looked around wildly for a place to conceal herself – there was nothing but a big table and an armoire.

Trish opened the armoire and saw  Trish in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with MSF colleagues. “Now, I fly into any that the bottom shelf was empty. country and I have an instant family and an instant team,” Trish says. “It’s not so different from Lakehead.”

17 Body Cameras and Policing DR. ALANA SAULNIER INVESTIGATES THE IMPACT OF SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY

by Mark Witten

How do you feel about the program coordinator in Lakehead effects of BWCs on officer and public growing use of surveillance Orillia’s interdisciplinary studies perceptions, victims’ concerns, police technologies – such as drones department. service outcomes, and prosecution In 2018, the Durham Regional Police outcomes. or body-worn cameras (BWCs) Services (DRPS) brought in Dr. Dr. Saulnier’s research will also assess – by law enforcement officials? Saulnier as an independent reviewer whether the use of body cameras has Some people believe that equipping to help evaluate the effectiveness of an impact on police service outcomes police officers with body-worn video body-worn cameras for the police, such as arrest rates, complaints, cameras will reduce the use of partner agencies, and the community tickets issued, and vehicle stops. force by officers and improve police in a one-year pilot project. Previously, Prosecution outcomes provide insight accountability. Others are concerned she’d helped evaluate the Chicago into the effect of BWCs on the quality about privacy – especially being Police Department’s BWC pilot project of police evidence. filmed in a sensitive or dangerous while a visiting assistant professor at The project also breaks new ground situation. If someone becomes a the University of Illinois at Chicago. by considering the concerns of victim of crime, potentially anyone “In the wake of a series of high profile victims of serious crimes such as could watch footage of them at their police-involved killings in America, sexual assault, domestic violence, most vulnerable. body cameras are seen as a way to and human trafficking. “The victim’s Criminology researcher Dr. Alana improve the accountability of police perspective is almost completely Saulnier investigates not only public and citizens. But Canadian policing is unexplored globally. We’ll be and police perceptions of these new very different. It’s important to not rely conducting interviews with survivors surveillance tools, but also their real on data from U.S. studies in making to better understand this perspective. world impact on policing, society, and our decisions,” she says. Some may not want the camera on in individuals. In the DRPS Body-Worn Camera Pilot a moment of crisis and any policy on body cameras should address victims’ “Body cameras are being used Project, 65 officers from Pickering’s concerns about consent,” she says. increasingly by police services in 19 Division, along with the Traffic the United States and are starting Enforcement Unit and 2018 Festive Dr. Saulnier is encouraged that to be used in Canada, mainly in RIDE campaign members, are the Durham Regional Police are pilot projects. This research enables wearing body cameras until June conducting a thorough and objective public policy-makers to determine 2019. Officers turn on the camera assessment of body cameras. the best use of body cameras, before arriving at a call for service, “Police practice should be guided whether they truly make a difference or when they start investigating or by evidence, and the evaluation is in practice, and if the benefits justify interacting with individuals, and inform making an important contribution the investment,” says Dr. Saulnier, an people when they’re being recorded. to evidence-based police policy on assistant professor and criminology Dr. Saulnier’s evaluation explores the BWC use in Canada,” she says. The outcomes of the evaluation will be shared with DRPS in a report anticipated for late 2019.

 Dr. Saulnier’s team of undergraduate research assistants out on a cold night in December 2018. They are conducting a field experiment with members of the Durham Regional Police’s RIDE program. The highly standardized police contact with drivers stopped at the RIDE checkpoint proceeded as usual, except that in half of the contacts, officers wore BWCs. Afterwards, community members were invited to complete an online survey about their interaction.

18 VARSITY SPORTS

OUR STUDENT ATHLETES AND COACHES APPRECIATE HAVING FANS IN THE STANDS AT THEIR AWAY GAMES!

Coach’s Highlight | Andrew Wilkins (BA’13, BEd’14) HEAD COACH, THUNDERWOLVES HOCKEY

“The support we receive at these away games from This season at the University of Toronto, we had a convincing our alumni is truly unreal. Two games stick out to me in win at the varsity arena. Our guys knew the alumni were in particular. During the 2016-2017 season game versus the rink, as there were about 100 people wearing the alumni Laurier we came back from a three goal deficit in the third varsity scarves. After our win, the team saluted the alumni, period to win. The Alumni in attendance were the loudest our way of saying thank you for the support! The support fans in the stands - motivating our players like it was a home we receive is outstanding – it speaks volumes to the positive game! experience you get at Lakehead.”

VARSITY AWAY GAMES: 2018-2019 SCHEDULE OF DATES, SECOND SEMESTER Date VS City Varsity Sport Friday, February 1 Waterloo Warriors Waterloo Men’s and Women’s Basketball Friday, February 1 Western Mustangs London Women’s Volleyball Saturday, February 2 Waterloo Warriors Waterloo Men’s and Women’s Basketball Saturday, February 2 Western Mustangs London Women’s Volleyball Sunday, February 3 Brock Badgers St. Catharines Women’s Volleyball Friday, February 8 Laurier Golden Hawks Waterloo Men’s and Women’s Basketball Friday, February 8* Western Mustangs London Men’s Hockey Saturday, February 9 Western Mustangs London Men’s Hockey Saturday, February 9* Laurier Golden Hawks Waterloo Men’s and Women’s Basketball Saturday, February 23 Queen’s Gaels Kingston Women’s Volleyball Sunday, February 24 RMC Paladins Kingston Women’s Volleyball

* Alumni event confirmed for this game. Visit alumni.lakeheadu.ca for up-to-date event details. At the time of printing the wrestling schedules were unavailable.

Want to receive an invitation to these events? Make sure we have your up-to-date email address and/ or phone number. Contact the Annual Fund and Alumni Engagement Office by calling 1-800-832-8076 or by emailing [email protected]. Having Fans in the Stands can be a tremendous advantage for a visiting team. We encourage you to attend games in your town as much as possible. The coaches and players appreciate your cheers! We’re going to be back with an even more ambitious schedule of engagement in collaboration with our varsity teams. Keep an eye on your email inbox starting in September! See you next season!

For a complete listing of varsity games, visit thunderwolves.ca We look forward to seeing you on the road, and at HOME in the THUNDERDOME!

19 The Shirley (Ricketts) Symington Memorial Nursing Award

controller, had travelled throughout  Shirley (centre), Jim (right), and their Opening Up International daughter Sarah (left) on Antarctica’s the globe. “We’ve been to Antarctica Deception Island in 2012. The island is a Experiences for Lakehead twice as well as Asia, Europe, Africa, scientific research station and the site of Students and the Arctic,” Jim says, “but an active volcano. It was a January day in one of Africa and Antarctica were Shirley’s favourite destinations.” Shirley and Jim Symington’s the remotest corners on Earth commitment to their hometown and Shirley Symington was in her Jim is now honouring Shirley’s bold prompted them to become generous element. spirit and her community leadership Lakehead University supporters. She, her husband Jim, and their by establishing the Shirley (Ricketts) They have donated to multiple daughter Sarah had sailed from Symington Memorial Nursing Award. awards and bursaries because Argentina to the frigid Southern “I’d like to leave something for our “Lakehead allows a lot more young Ocean before disembarking with children, our grandchildren, and the people in this area to get an excellent their fellow tourists at an island people whose lives she touched to postsecondary education,” Jim says. off the Antarctic coast. They were remember her by,” he says. “Many of my classmates couldn’t soon walking through a colony Shirley’s long nursing career ranged afford university even though they of thousands of squawking king from home visiting and hospital had the ability.” penguins. The three-foot-tall birds care to teaching and public health. The new Shirley (Ricketts) Symington were completely unperturbed by She was also a dedicated Girl Guide Memorial Nursing Award will be the visitors in bright red parkas. leader and an active member of given to a fourth-year nursing “Antarctica has incredible wildlife – many Thunder Bay organizations. student from Northwestern Ontario seals, whales, and birds,” Jim says. “She was a very caring person – it with demonstrated financial need “It was a thrill to see them.” showed in her work and how she to assist with the travel costs of an For Shirley – a passionate animal treated people,” Jim says. international clinical placement. lover – going to Antarctica had been Shirley grew up in London, Ontario, “When the School of Nursing told one of her long-held dreams. “She and met her future husband while me about their overseas clinical was an adventurous and feisty lady,” they were both working in Toronto. program,” Jim says, “I thought it Jim explains. Before she passed Jim was sharing an apartment with would be a good idea to help a away on July 13, 2018, Shirley, a two friends and Shirley was living on student nurse see life from a different retired nurse, and Jim, a retired the same floor with two roommates perspective and get their clinical chartered accountant and financial as well. “One evening we were having training at the same time – and it a party and we needed a cup of gin,” epitomizes who Shirley was. She Jim recalls. “I asked my roommates would be very proud of this award.” to borrow some.” They knocked on all the doors along the corridor before reaching Shirley’s place. Fortunately, she had some gin to spare and a lifelong partnership was born. To learn more about how you can support Lakehead nursing After they had children, Shirley and students who will provide critical Jim moved to Thunder Bay – Jim was health care, please contact originally from Northwestern Ontario Kathryn Davidson, Philanthropy and they thought it would be a good Director, at place to raise a family. It didn’t take  Shirley and Jim Symington enjoy a E: [email protected] summer afternoon at their home in long for the couple to become vital T: (807) 343-8476 Thunder Bay. members of the community.

20

Your legacy is enriching my future. ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH EDUCATION The Achievement Program is Lakehead University’s commitment to support access to postsecondary education by providing opportunity to students who experience socioeconomic barriers.

HOW IT WORKS + LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH SCHOOL BOARDS + PARTICIPATING STUDENTS ENROL IN GRADE 4 + PARTICIPANTS EARN FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM GRADES 4 TO The support I received through the estate of 12 FOR LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE EXPENSES Florence Shuttleworth-Higgins has allowed (TUITION, BOOKS, ETC.) me to focus more on my studies, bringing me closer to my career goals and dreams. PARTICIPATING STUDENTS ~ Marinda Tran, Bachelor of Arts AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE PROVIDED WITH: Recipient of the Florence Higgins Music Scholarship (2017), Lakehead University

FINANCIAL LITERACY STUDENT SPEAKER ATHLETIC MENTORS For information on how to include a charitable AND EDUCATION SERIES AND ACADEMIC gift in your will to Lakehead University contact WORKSHOPS TUTORS Lee-Anne Camlin at: T: (807) 346-7792 E: [email protected] All requests remain confi dential with no obligation TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN MAKE A GIFT TO THE ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT: Kathryn Davidson T: (807) 343-8476 EXCEPTIONAL. Philanthropy Director, E: [email protected] UNCONVENTIONAL. External Relations W: lakeheadu.ca/achievement

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Alumni Spotlight 1980s Mary Bluechardt Leads Mount Maureen Adamson (née O Brien) Saint Vincent University (BAdm’86) was appointed Dr. Mary Bluechardt (née president of Fleming College in Sinkins) (HBPHE’80/MSc’83) Peterborough, Ontario, in June became the 13th president and 2018. She is the first Peterborough vice-chancellor of Mount Saint native and Fleming graduate Vincent University in Halifax, to hold this position. Maureen Nova Scotia, on July 1, 2017. earned a business administration “Mount Saint Vincent University diploma from Fleming before has a reputation for academic and getting her business administration research excellence, collaboration, degree from Lakehead University. and commitment to social justice,” She also has an MBA from the Mary said. “My personal and University of Toronto’s Rotman professional passions align strongly School of Management. She has with the university’s approach.” 25 years of experience in health care, government, not-for-profit, Mary brings more than 25 years and postsecondary management, in the postsecondary sector to  Dr. Mary Bluechardt (née Sinkins) most recently serving as Ontario’s (HBPHE’80/MSc’83) her role as Mount Saint Vincent’s deputy minister for culture, president. Immediately before Other highlights from Mary’s tourism and sport. She’s also joining the Mount, she was vice- been president and CEO of the president of Memorial University’s career include serving as the Faculty of Health Sciences dean at Michener Institute, vice-president Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook, of corporate services at Mohawk Newfoundland. She was first the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and the dean of College, and CEO of Cystic Fibrosis appointed to that position in 2011 Canada. and re-appointed in 2016. the School of Human Kinetics and Recreation at Memorial While at Grenfell, Mary bolstered University. She was also with 1990s the campus’s teaching and Special Olympics Canada for five Jennifer Tallman (née Baxter) learning, student health and years as national director of coach (HBScF’92) is the chief forester of wellness, research, supports for development. EACOM Timber in Northeastern Aboriginal students, recruitment, Ontario where she is responsible public engagement, and Mary holds a PhD in Exercise for overseeing forest management internationalization activities. Science and Health Promotion plans. Jennifer has always been “In particular, she has overseen from the University of Toronto drawn to the outdoors – as a the opening of a new Aboriginal as well as an Honours Bachelor youngster, she was an enthusiastic student centre and the of Physical Education and a member of the Ministry of appointment of an Aboriginal Master of Science from Lakehead Natural Resources’ Junior Ranger student services officer, enhanced University. program. After graduating from partnerships and relationships with Mary still maintains her connection Lakehead, she worked as a the Grenfell Campus Students’ with Lakehead and says that she forester-in-training with the Union, and increased student would love to attend a Class of Ministry of Natural Resources support centres and spaces – 1980 BPHE event. and Forestry in Cochrane. Before and these experiences will be of being hired by EACOM in 2015, great value to the Mount,” noted she worked at the Iroquois Falls Jolene Mahody, the Mount’s Board paper mill for more than 20 years. of Governors’ chair and search In 2017, Jennifer was promoted committee lead.

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to her current position, becoming Youth (I Tsuwa Sa I Stsmált) – a Bachelor of Arts degree from EACOM’s first female chief forester. had its world premiere at the 43 York University. He holds specialist She also belongs to Women in American Indian Film Festival qualifications in guidance and Wood, a group that encourages in San Francisco in November special education as well as women in the forestry sector. 2018. It is also showing at several principal qualifications. Jill Wheatley (BEd’99) is in the other festivals in the coming Kienan Wilson (BEd’15) has been Himalayas as part of her quest to months. Christopher says that the vice-principal of the Joussard run mountains around the world project was shaped by his time School in northern Alberta following a traumatic brain injury in Lakehead’s outdoor recreation, since July 2018. Kienan was that left her with 70% vision loss. science, and education programs. first hired as a teacher by the Since completing her Lakehead He has dedicated the film to one elementary school in 2017. He education degree, Jill has worked of his mentors, outdoor recreation has also worked as an educational as a physical education teacher professor Dr. Brent Cuthbertson, outreach specialist facilitating in Singapore, Russia, and who passed away in 2014. science programs for Indigenous Switzerland. It was while teaching Mursal Khalif (BSc’00) was communities in Prince Edward in Bavaria, Germany, in 2014, that appointed the minister of health in Island and Nova Scotia. Prior she was accidentally struck in the Jubbaland State – an autonomous to joining the Joussard School, head during a baseball practice region of Somalia in July 2018. Kienan taught at the Atikameg session with her students. Her Mursal is a health care executive School on the Whitefish Lake injuries were so severe that she who has worked in hospital First Nation Reserve in northern was not expected to live. “I have operations, human resources, Alberta. As well as his Lakehead struggled with acceptance of how diversity and inclusion programs, education degree, Kienan has a drastically my life changed so and community health initiatives. Bachelor of Environmental Studies quickly,” she said. At one point He has built successful teams from York University. while recovering in Colorado, to improve health care delivery she became mesmerized by the and has received several awards In Memoriam mountains outside her window, including the 2014 Amerinet David Parsons (Dipl For’65/ setting her current adventure Health Care Achievement Award BA’69/HBA’72/MA’75) in motion. “By sharing, I hope for Financial & Operational that Lakehead students and improvements. In 2010-2011, he David Parsons was a well- the entire community may find held a fellowship in Community respected and much-loved English inspiration in my story, hope and Health Leadership at Harvard professor at Lakehead University patience in times of adversity.” University. for more than 30 years. David Learn more about Jill’s journey on passed away peacefully and with mountainsofmymind.com. 2010s unwavering courage and dignity on August 31, 2018, surrounded 2000s Carlo Porretta (BEd’10) by his children and his brothers. was appointed principal of He was born on June 30, 1943, in Christopher Britt (BSc’09/ Northwestern Ontario’s Geraldton Fort William, Ontario. He attended HBOR’10/BEd’10), the Composite High School and B.A. local schools and graduated administrative coordinator of the Parker Public School on August from Lakehead with a diploma Xet’olacw Community School in 20, 2018. Carlo began his teaching in Forestry, and an HBA and a British Columbia, just north of career at Chief Simeon McKay Master of Arts, both in English. He Whistler in Lil’wat Territory, recently Education Centre in Kasabonika was the co-author of two books filmed a short documentary Lake First Nation, Ontario. Before on the writing process, a sought- about the outreach ski program accepting his current position, after basketball referee for over 20 he has been leading since March he was the vice-principal of St. years, and an athlete himself. 2017. The film – Belongs to the Andrew’s K-12 School in High Prairie, Alberta. In addition to his Lakehead education degree, Carlo has a Masters of Arts and

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David hiked in the Rockies, Gregory Spivak – an active He taught thousands of students snorkelled with sea turtles off researcher and an award-winning during his career at Lakehead Buck Island, slept on a Chinese chemistry professor who joined and received a student-nominated junk in Halong Bay, slid down the Lakehead in 1999. Greg was a Contribution to Teaching award Great Wall of China, climbed the Lakehead alumnus who obtained in 2017. A memorial service was ruins of Angkor Wat, and strolled his HBSc in chemistry in 1992, held for Greg on August 31, 2018, the beaches of southern Thailand earning fi rst class standing, as at Harbourview Funeral Centre in and Florida. Family and friends well as an MSc in 1994. He then Thunder Bay. Lakehead’s fl ags gathered at the 5 Forks restaurant earned a PhD at the University were lowered to half mast on that on September 4, 2018, to share of Western Ontario and held day in honour of his passing. stories and celebrate David’s life. postdoctoral positions at Indiana Plans for a Lakehead University Donations to the Northern Cancer University and Queen’s University. award in Greg’s name are currently Fund or the Northwestern Ontario He returned to Thunder Bay underway. Sports Hall of Fame would be to take up a faculty position in Memorial donations may be made greatly appreciated. inorganic chemistry in 1999. at donate.lakeheadu.ca. Please Greg held multiple NSERC grants, indicate on the page that you Dr. Gregory Joseph Spivak supervised students at all levels, (BSc’89/HBSc’92/MSc’94) are making a donation in Greg’s from fi rst-year undergraduate to memory. Students, faculty, and staff PhD, and published in top-ranked at Lakehead University were journals in his sub-discipline of saddened by the loss of Dr. organometallic chemistry.

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24 Open your world

Applications now open for the Alumni Entrance Award

For over 35 years the Eligible applicants must: • Plan to attend Lakehead University in the 2019-20 Alumni Association of • Be an immediate family academic year on a full-time member of a Lakehead basis. Lakehead University University alumnus/alumna. has been awarding the Immediate family is defi ned For a full list of conditions of the as: spouse, sister, brother, award and application form, visit Alumni Entrance Award. child, parent, grandparent, or alumni.lakeheadu.ca and select “Engage.” It is one of the largest donor- grandchild. funded awards at Lakehead • Have a minimum overall Deadline April 30, 2019 University with a value of 80% average. $10,000 ($2,500 per year for • Demonstrate strong Supported by four years). leadership qualities and community involvement. donations from the UNEXPECTED UNPARALLELED

COME BACK TO THUNDER BAY. FOR LIFE. WWW.GOTOTHUNDERBAY.CA