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Professor William Newbigging awarded Teaching Award of Excellence

Professor William Newbigging awarded Teaching Award of Excellence

Laurentian students moved by professor＊s passion for education.

April 3, 2024 - 51勛圖app has numerous staff and faculty members that go above and beyond for students. William (Bill) Newbigging, this year’s winner of the , is no exception.

Dr. Newbigging has been a member of the Laurentian faculty since 1993. For the majority of his time at Laurentian he has been a distance education professor, teaching courses online. The virtual nature of his teaching doesn’t stop Dr. Newbigging from forming meaningful connections with each of his students. 

This year, 26 Laurentian students nominated Dr. Newbigging for the Teaching Award of Excellence. OUSA is a provincial advocacy group that represents over 150,000 post-secondary students throughout the province. Their Teaching Award of Excellence provides students with the opportunity to recognize educators within their post-secondary institutions who excel at unleashing the potential of Ontario's youth and spark the desire to learn in students. 

Students shared kind words about Dr. Newbigging, highlighting his teaching style as engaging, motivating, and exceptional. 

The Student’s General Association (SGA) has partnered with the OUSA to award Dr. Newbigging the Teaching Award of Excellence. “Dr. Newbigging’s students came out in droves to speak highly of their professor. They collectively agree that he is a “one-of-a-kind” educator. Students spoke of his caring, kind, patient, and thoughtful nature and highlighted his efforts to always be responsive, supportive, and understanding.” 

Dr. Newbigging humbly credits Laurentian students, faculty, and staff for his ability to make an impact. “Good teaching is only possible when you have highly motivated students. It’s hard to get students motivated in one term so they must already be motivated. That says something about Laurentian. It says something about the students. It says something about hard-working faculty and staff. It’s not something one person does, it is a collective effort,” said Dr. Newbigging.

The professor’s teaching philosophy puts an emphasis on hard work, saying, “Students always say they appreciate the work I put in while teaching and I always say to them that this course deserves hard work. The subject matter deserves hard work. So I do work hard and I expect that the students work hard as well. It is a responsibility I take very seriously.” 

The SGA collects the nominations from students and forwards them to OUSA annually. “Educators like Dr. Newbigging help our students not only to succeed but also to enjoy their academic journey,” said the SGA. “We wish to thank Dr. Newbigging for his continued efforts to make the learning experience positive for our students and congratulate him on his very well-deserved win.”

Other Laurentian faculty members have received the OUSA Teaching Award of Excellence in previous years:

  • Dr. Blake Dotta, 51勛圖app (2022)
  • Dr. Pamela Toulouse, 51勛圖app (2021/2020)
  • Dr. Sara Burke | 51勛圖app (2019)
  • Dr. William Crumplin | 51勛圖app (2018)
  • Kathleen Zinn | 51勛圖app (2017)

Previous winner, Dr. William Crumplin was a notable mentor and inspiration for Dr. Newbigging when he started out as a professor. “Dr. William Crumplin led by example and showed me that it was very important to engage students all the time,” said Dr. Newbigging, reflecting on the mentorship he received from Dr. Crumplin in his early days of teaching. “He demonstrated the positive impact of direct and ongoing communication with students. He paid attention to his students' needs and praised them when appropriate. All those things I thought made the experience and connection better for the students in the program.”

Dr. Newbigging will be presented his award at the OUSA Partners in Higher Education Dinner on April 10th, 2024.

※There is no such thing as bad weather§

※There is no such thing as bad weather§

Whatever the weather, the dedication and bond of 51勛圖app＊s Cross Country Team knows no bounds.

March 28, 2024 - If you’ve ever wondered just who might have the courage to be running on a snow covered sidewalk down Paris Street during Sudbury’s winter weather, it might just be Angela Mozzon or Cameron Date.

The two have been members of the since their first year as Laurentian students in 2019. Five years in, you can find them on the track for competition or outside training in almost all conditions. Angela and Cameron’s love for running is evident in their discipline, time management, and dedication to the sport. 

Angela, 5th year Concurrent Education student and Health Promotion graduate, is from Sudbury and trained with Track North while attending St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. Choosing Laurentian for her studies after high school was an effortless decision for Angela since both her older siblings were alumni but also because of the fast-track, five-year teaching program.

Cameron Date, 5th year Sports Administration (SPAD) graduate, is currently taking accounting courses as prerequisites to becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). Originally from Haileybury, Ontario, Cameron attended Timiskaming District Secondary School before enrolling in the SPAD program. “I chose Laurentian for the SPAD program. It is such a unique program where you study commerce and sports at the same time. I am on a first name basis with my professors and we have fun in class. I just don’t think you get that at a bigger school,” said Cameron.

The Laurentian Cross Country team trains throughout the year, though cross country competitions start in the fall outdoors and move indoors to track starting around January. Throughout the academic year, the team is traveling almost every weekend to universities around Ontario to compete.

The team spends three hours training, three evenings a week, and if they aren’t competing on weekends, they are training on a Saturday or Sunday. Although it can be challenging to juggle coursework, athletics, and their personal life, both runners agree that the sport is worth it. They emphasize the importance of discipline and passion in the life of a student athlete. “We are constantly running throughout the year to stay fit. Students who are passionate about running are really good at time management because they get used to prioritizing time to run,” said Cameron.

Angela and Cameron say that the cross country team has formed an incredibly strong bond on and off the track. “Our school’s team has something special. We spend time together even outside of practicing. Our coaches are so invested in us and our team is so tight. I have talked to runners from other schools and that isn’t the experience everywhere. Those bonds make us a stronger team and help us improve as individuals,” said Cameron. Angela agrees, saying, “I love the running but being on the team is more than running - it’s being a part of a family.”

In her first year, Angela faced adversity and did not perform to her expectations when competing at Ontario University Athletics (OUA). “I was finishing almost last and since then I’ve shaved almost five minutes off my time,” she says, reflecting on her improvement. “If it wasn’t for our coaches who focus on development and this being a small school, I wouldn’t have been able to get to this point.”

Evidence of their love for the team and the sport, the Laurentian Cross Country team runs in rain, shine, or snowstorms. “Running all together outside in the winter is a choice,” says Cameron. “Most of us prefer to run outside so even snow won’t stop us. It’s fun to run in the snow with a group of friends instead of running on a treadmill in the gym.” The team recently ran through the city streets during a major snowstorm on a busy Saturday in Sudbury’s south end. Angela admits, “It wasn’t the fastest run that day but we had fun with it.” The two say that it is common for friends and family to not understand their hunger for running no matter the time of day or the conditions outside.

Having reached the end of his studies, Cameron will start working at a local accounting firm full time this spring but he says he will never stop running. Angela plans to stay at Laurentian for another year to make up for one year of competitive running that she lost to the pandemic lockdowns in 2020 and is considering taking a masters program.

New Five-Year Strategic Plan launched at 51勛圖app

New Five-Year Strategic Plan launched at 51勛圖app

Plan emphasizes unique aspects that make up Laurentian＊s diverse identity

March 27, 2024 - A new chapter begins for 51勛圖app with the introduction of the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan. Named “Laurentian’s Plan for Connection, Innovation, and Impact”, the plan identifies a vision, a mission, values, and four key priorities as the focus of the academic institution over the next five years. 

“The vision, mission, and values are much more than words on a page. They are the bedrock of any organization’s strategy – they are to be used to guide priorities, shape shared ambitions, and to define how the University will strive to create a lasting impact.” said Dr. Sheila Embleton, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “This plan is the result of an in-depth and inclusive process that mobilized many people with unique perspectives who make up the Laurentian community.”

The development of the strategic plan began in July 2023 and featured extensive participation from the Laurentian community. Workshops, consultations, town halls, and surveys were  conducted to gather and organize invaluable feedback from students, staff, and faculty. To help with the in-depth process, StrategyCorp was hired as the strategic plan consultant. Together with the University’s planning committee, the input and perspectives of more than 2,500 people within the Laurentian community were collected and analyzed. 

This path forward emphasizes the importance of, and our dedication to, deepening partnerships and fostering collaborations with the Laurentian community in four priority areas: enhancing the student experience; energizing the academic and research mission; building up the communities served; and valuing and supporting the people who make up Laurentian University.

The implementation of this plan is now underway as success indicators are in development. In the coming months, the academic and research plans will have an important role in defining  how key elements of the strategic plan will be implemented.

 

Plan Highlights

Vision: Bring the power of Northern Ontario values, resilience, innovation, and Indigenous ways of knowing to the world.

Mission: Prepare the leaders of tomorrow through an inclusive, intellectually curious and  connected bilingual and tricultural learning community.

Values: Community, Integrity, Student Success, Stewardship, Collaboration

 

Strategic Directions: 

  • Enhancing our Student Experience
  • Energizing our Academic and Research Mission
  • Building Up the Communities We Serve
  • Valuing and Supporting our People

 

Learn more about the plan.

Celebrating the achievements of four outstanding women of 51勛圖app

Celebrating the achievements of four outstanding women of 51勛圖app

Val谷rie Gauthier-Fortin, Gis豕le Roberts, Dr. Lynne Gouliquer, Dr. Bettina Brockerhoff-Macdonald

March 22, 2023 - On Wednesday, March 27th, 51勛圖app's Presidential Advisory Committee on the Status of Gender Equity will honour the achievements of four women during its bi-annual awards ceremony.

The Outstanding Women Award is given to role models deserving of recognition for their work in promoting and uplifting women in their field, at Laurentian, in the community, and beyond. This year's recipients are Val谷rie Gauthier-Fortin, Gis豕le Roberts, Dr. Lynne Gouliquer, and Dr. Bettina Brockerhoff-Macdonald.

Val谷rie Gauthier-Fortin is being honored for her leadership in promoting French-language research and innovation.

Gis豕le Roberts is being honored for her leadership in encouraging female students to enter STEM fields and in advancing EDI on campus.

Dr. Lynne Gouliquer is being honored for her active research on the inclusion of women, 2SLGBTQI+, and M谷tis peoples.

The former Chair of the committee will also be honored at the event for her long-standing dedication and contribution to the committee over the span of a decade. Dr. Bettina Brockerhoff-Macdonald, who chaired the committee from 2003 to 2023, will receive a lifetime achievement award.

All are welcome to attend the ceremony. A virtual option is available for those wishing to join remotely:

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 3:00pm in the Brenda Wallace Reading Room, J.N. Desmarais Library and Archives

https://laurentian.zoom.us/j/95174292159?pwd=aHJJZ0pyTFpVUk15aExRZDJmb21oUT09
Meeting ID: 951 7429 2159
Passcode: 549457

51勛圖app Welcomes New University Librarian

51勛圖app Welcomes New University Librarian

Laurentian alumna chosen to lead library and archives

March 20, 2024 - 51勛圖app looks forward to welcoming Danielle Dennie as its new University Librarian commencing July 1, 2024. Dennie holds a Master of Library and Information Studies degree from McGill University, a Master of Science in Applied Microbiology from the Institut national de la recherche scientifique, and she brings 20 years of experience working in academic libraries. Currently she serves as Head, Vanier Library at Concordia University in Montréal. 

“Danielle’s experience and her user-centric approach to delivering exceptional support and services to students, faculty, staff and the community will contribute immensely to the realization of our Strategic Plan and expanding the role of the Library and Archives”, said Brenda Brouwer, Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic. “She will lead a strong, experienced, and dedicated team of library staff and faculty - the library is in great hands.” 

Dennie is Franco-Ontarian, with Sudbury roots, and she is a Laurentian alumna (B.Sc Biochemistry). She is passionate about the role of the university library in cultivating community and advancing teaching, learning and research; and how it must evolve to meet the ever- changing needs of its current and future patrons.

“Libraries must be inclusive, welcoming spaces with collections and services that stimulate creativity, innovation and different ways of knowing and thinking. I am thrilled to be returning to Laurentian as University Librarian and very excited by the possibilities as we collectively and collaboratively realize the vision for the Library and Archives,” said Danielle Dennie, incoming University Librarian. 

Dennie will begin her five-year term at the J.N. Desmarais Library and Archives on July 1, 2024.

11 Teams Compete in 6th Annual Goodman Gold Challenge

11 Teams Compete in 6th Annual Goodman Gold Challenge

Teams from universities in Canada, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom competed in the most unique and realistic mining investment case competition

February 5, 2024 - The Critical Minerals Edition of the Goodman Gold Challenge (GGC), a realistic mining investment case competition, ran from January 31st to February 2nd, and included a European team for the first time ever.
 
Teams of university undergraduate students acted as finance firms in this unique annual competition, organized by the Goodman School of Mines at 51勛圖app and presented by Kinross Gold as the title sponsor. The teams were tasked with evaluating and justifying which of three companies would be the best to invest in. The investment choices included real mining companies, Canada Nickel Company, Magna Mining, and Talon Metals. CEOs from each company had 30 minutes to convince teams that they should invest with them. Teams then had an opportunity to sit down with each CEO to ask hard hitting questions, consider important data, and discuss analytics to help form their decision.
 
Executive Director of the Goodman School of Mines, Dr. Nadia Mykytczuk, commended the students on demonstrating forward thinking, ※Mining is undergoing a big transition, and having students understand the critical minerals value chain and how to build successful mines will be a great asset for the industry as a whole.§
 
Students interacted with industry experts throughout the event. Theresa Nyabeze, Technical Leader, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Vale Base Metals, gave a keynote address and the competition judging panel consisted of highly experienced executives from Canaccord Genuity, Dundee Corporation, Kinross Gold, Orix Geoscience, RBC Capital Markets, and Technica Mining.
 
The Camborne School of Mines from England and Colorado School of Mines from the USA were international attendees but it was the University of British Columbia that took home the title. The winning team chose to invest in Canada Nickel Co., and went home with the cash equivalent of four ounces of gold. 

※A big congratulations goes to the University of British Columbia, winners of the 6th Annual Goodman Gold Challenge. As someone who has worked in the investment business for a long time, watching these students present their work is always so impressive and gives me great hope for the future of the industry,§ said Jonathan Goodman, Chairman of the Goodman Gold Challenge and Chairman and CEO of Dundee Corporation. 
 
Second place, Colorado School of Mines, and third place, University of Manitoba, received silver coins. All participating teams received Sudbury-made miner＊s lunchboxes for their participation. Students from the eleven teams learned invaluable lessons in mining investment decision-making and built lasting relationships with peers and industry leaders.

What happens when antibiotics stop working?

What happens when antibiotics stop working?

Mutation of viral bacteria is reducing effectiveness of treatments

January 31, 2024 - Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been a problem since the discovery of penicillin, and will continue to be a problem as long as there are infections that require treatment. It is a global issue that results in 4.95 million deaths per year, according to the . What is AMR and how can it be managed? 

Antimicrobial resistance is the physiological adaptation of microorganisms to agents that would be toxic to them. A bacteria that makes people sick (known as a pathogen) learns to resist the medicinal effects of a medicine, or antibiotic. That new variation of the bacteria then spreads and results in the medicine no longer having an effect against an infection.

※AMR is a global issue,§ says Dr. Mazen Saleh, Associate Professor, School of Natural Sciences at 51勛圖app. ※Normally when a person gets an infection, they get prescribed a specific antimicrobial, commonly known as antibiotic, although the two terms are not synonymous. If that microbe builds resistance by mutating, the option would be to prescribe a different antimicrobial to treat the infection. The problem lies therein. The antimicrobials become useless as the bacteria continues to mutate against one, two, sometimes three antimicrobials. We can get to a point where a pathogen is resistant to all of the antimicrobials available to us.§ 

This is something that scientists are already seeing happen with tuberculosis. There are multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) forms, which is when ※the pathogen is resistant to multiple structurally unrelated antimicrobials, including first and second line antimicrobials. The major concern in this case is when the pathogen becomes resistant to all the antimicrobials we have at our disposal and these infections can no longer be treated with traditional medications,§ says Dr. Saleh. 

While chemical antimicrobials like sulfa drugs and penicillin have been used to treat infection since the time of the second World War, naturally occurring non-chemical antimicrobials, called phages or bacterial viruses, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are newer treatments. Phages and peptides behave the same way as chemical-based antimicrobials, in that they attack the bacteria but rather than being created in a lab, they are abundant in nature and they target the pathogen more specifically. 

※Phages and peptides can be useful when multidrug-resistance or extensive drug-resistance occurs,§ says Dr. Saleh. ※With the increasing resistance to antibiotics globally, peptides and phages are receiving renewed interest by scientists. Still, phages and peptides have their downsides and are not the perfect replacement for what is currently the most ideal treatment for bacterial infections, antibiotics.§

※The most pressing potential outcome if we don＊t take action against antimicrobial resistance is the spread of lethal pathogens. The risk of spread of antimicrobial resistance can not be overstated,§ says Dr. Saleh. ※At that point, we would not have any other options. In general, bacteria becomes resistant to every new drug that we develop, but we can slow down the spread of resistance.§ 

Slowing down the spread of antimicrobial resistance happens in a few ways. 

According to Dr. Saleh, patients and physicians alike have a responsibility when it comes to taking antimicrobials. ※Physicians are cautious when prescribing antibiotics to ensure that a bacterial infection is the cause of the ailment. Likewise, patients should not expect antibiotics to resolve any infection, particularly self-resolving mild viral infections that cause the common cold. Additionally, Dr. Saleh cautions, ※Patients should always complete the course of an antibiotic that has been prescribed to them. Don＊t stop taking it when symptoms stop or after a few days. Complete the course.§ 

Dr. Saleh also says that the way that leftover antibiotics are disposed of is of critical importance. ※Dispose of leftover medication by bringing it into a pharmacy. If these antibiotics end up in the environment, like water ways and landfills, they can encourage resistance. Similarly, if antibiotics are left in the cabinet, it increases the potential of people taking the medication later to self-medicate or self-treat an illness which also contributes to antimicrobial resistance within the population.§ 

With the cold and flu season in full-effect, Dr. Saleh emphasizes that considering these cautions around the use of antibiotics will support global efforts in slowing antimicrobial resistance. 
 

Laurentian students and alumni hold Model Parliament in Canada＊s capital

Laurentian students and alumni hold Model Parliament in Canada＊s capital

More than 100 alumni and students participated in the parliamentary event, which was first held in 1992

January 29, 2024 - Since 1992, members of the 51勛圖app community have been participating in a Model Parliament event held in Canada＊s Parliament in the nation＊s capital of Ottawa, but this year marks the just the fifth time the event has been organized by alumni of 51勛圖app, and the first student/alumni hybrid event. On January 27th, a group of more than one hundred students, alumni, and donors continued the tradition by debating their bills in the Senate Chamber.

The unique opportunity offers a look into the inner workings of the Canadian federal parliament. The event was planned by an organizing committee made up of alumni, students and staff, and offered to attendees which included a tour of the Supreme Court of Canada, a full day in the Senate, and an evening banquet. 

※It＊s difficult to imagine 51勛圖app without Model Parliament. It is widely regarded as one of Laurentian＊s most appealing assets. For almost half of its 63-year history, LU has given its students the opportunity to demonstrate their talents and practice their political acuity in this way. Over all these years, hundreds of students, faculty members, and public servants have devoted much time and talent to making Model Parliament happen. It is wonderful to find ourselves with a triumphal return to Ottawa with this hybrid student-Alumni Model Parliament,§ said Dr. Rand Dyck, Chief Advisor and founder of the Model Parliament.

Addressing the Laurentian group at the banquet dinner that followed the parliamentary visit, Dr. Sheila Embleton, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of 51勛圖app said, ※there have been many model parliamentarians who have gone on to run for office, filled key roles within political campaigns, and worked in multiple levels of government. Through this experience over the years, students have learned about far more than parliamentary procedure每they have learned about themselves and have been genuinely inspired and transformed by this event.§

Model Parliament has seen participation from sitting politicians from Sudbury and many other ridings, cabinet ministers, former Prime Minister, Jean Chr谷tien, and Laurentian chancellors Madame Aline Chr谷tien and Steve Paikin. 

Dr. Embleton also thanked the organizing committee and remarked on the impressive impact that Model Parliament has had on students and faculty over the years. 

Model Parliament attendees pose for a group photo in the Senate Chamber

Student Spotlight: Anthony Zanetti

Student Spotlight: Anthony Zanetti

Laurentian student uses video games to study concentration and performance

(January 26, 2024) - Technological advancements are rapidly changing the way we interact with the world around us. Can we use advancements in wearable technology to improve performance in high-concentration activities? Anthony Zanetti, second year Masters of Psychology student at 51勛圖app, is working to answer just that. 

Anthony didn＊t always know he had a strong passion for studying the human brain. Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Anthony grew up in Copper Cliff and attended St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. Right after high school, Anthony began a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Biology at Laurentian.

A couple years into the program, Anthony realized he did not want to go on to attend medical school, even though many of his classmates were planning to take that route. It was a psychology elective in third year that inspired Anthony to start thinking about different career options. After completing his undergrad, he enrolled in Laurentian＊s Bachelor of Psychology program to pursue his second degree.

Now a graduate student, Anthony is enjoying his experience at Laurentian. ※In my Masters, I noticed it isn＊t just about lectures. We have actual conversations because it is a smaller group that allows for that dynamic,§ Anthony says, reflecting on the evolution of his education journey. ※There is continuous support from my professors. My supervisor, Dr. Blake Dotta, has been the most amazing support throughout the entire process in terms of motivating me and allowing for creative ideas and space. He has a wealth of knowledge in neuroscience and I received ample support from him along the way.§

Anthony explains his thesis involves a unique activity 每 video game play. ※Through my research, I am looking to see if electromagnetic fields can be used to have neurological effects like improved focus, concentration, and attention for people,§ Anthony explains. ※The idea is that if performance is improving in these areas during video game play, the same might apply to studying, composing music, or playing sports, among other activities.§ 

To conduct this research, Anthony had participants, who were mostly undergraduate Laurentian students, play the high concentration video game, Snake, with and without an electromagnetic field present. ※An electromagnetic field is created when you run an electric charge through something conductive. For my study, Laurentian provided a device with two boxes, each containing a copper coil, that created an electromagnetic field as an electric charge moved through it,§ explained Anthony. While participants played the video game, Anthony measured their performance and brain activity in areas responsible for concentration and focus. ※When we looked at the results, we saw changes in regions of the brain that are associated with sustained attention, concentration, and focus in a way that suggests that the field was having beneficial effects in these areas.§

Now in the process of publishing his findings, Anthony is excited to be able to contribute to this area of research. He is hoping his results will help future innovators create wearable electromagnetic headpiece devices to boost concentration.

With his graduation fast approaching in summer 2024, Anthony is hoping to stay in Sudbury and practice as a Psychological Associate at Health Sciences North or a private practice. No matter what Anthony goes on to accomplish, his research has already made an impact and he will surely make a great practitioner. 
 

51勛圖app seeing consistent growth in domestic student applications

51勛圖app seeing consistent growth in domestic student applications

1st Choice Applications from Ontario High School students up by 16%

January 22, 2024 - 51勛圖app is once again seeing an increase (+5.9%) in the number of applications from Ontario High School students. The Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) released their for Ontario Universities and 51勛圖app＊s applications have increased in number and at a rate higher than the sector average (+5.0%).

※We are pleased that more students want to study at Laurentian and are selecting our university as their first choice,§ said Dr. Brenda Brouwer, Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic. ※The investments we＊ve made in faculty and staff renewal and introducing resources to enhance the student experience, is having an impact on positioning Laurentian as a destination of choice.§  

In addition to the increase in 1st Choice Applications, there are increases in all choices including a 12% increase in second choice. These increases in applications are in both on campus (+7%) and online degree (+23%) programs.

Importantly, Laurentian is seeing an increase in applications from all regions of the Province, with the most significant growth taking place in Northeastern Ontario +13%, Eastern Ontario +11%, Greater Toronto Area +10% and Central Ontario +7%. 

※We have focused recruitment efforts in the region and the province which has included many Ontario high school visits - we＊re thrilled to see that the effort is paying off,§ added Dr. Brouwer. ※We＊re confident that application trends will translate to increased enrolment. We're already seeing an increase in the number of domestic students who have confirmed their offers (+68%) relative to this time last year.§ 

The University continues to accept applications for fall 2024 and interested students are encouraged to learn more about the 100+ programs available, including 34 offered in French. 
 

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