Dr. Laurie Hayes Appointed Vice-President (Academic)
Dr. Laurie Hayes has been appointed as Vice-President (Academic) and Provost at Lakehead University, effective August 1, 2004.
Hayes brings to Lakehead a wealth of experience in both academic and student affairs from her time at Colorado State University where she has served as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, and at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where she was Associate Dean for Curricular and Student Affairs, College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences; Interim Associate Vice President for Student Affairs; and Acting Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, College of Agriculture.
Hayes is recognized by colleagues as a team builder with a management style marked by collegiality and principles of shared governance. Hayes’s background, academically and administratively, will serve Lakehead well and we look forward to welcoming her to the Lakehead team.
She replaces Dr. Reino Pulkki who has been serving as Acting Vice-President (Academic) and Provost since February 2004.
Kailash Bhatia receives Staff Award
Kailash Bhatia has demonstrated superior leadership skills, abilities, and a willingness to give of himself to staff, faculty, and students at Lakehead University. For this dedication, he was awarded the 2004 Award to Staff for Outstanding Performance and/or Contributions during the Employee Service Recognition Reception held on April 29.
Bhatia has been a technologist in the Department of Mechanical Engineering for 15 years. During that time he has developed an excellent rapport with students and faculty not only in the Faculty of Engineering, but in other faculties as well.
In the nomination letter, written by a colleague, it states: “Mr. Bhatia is very dedicated towards his obligations to the students. He has devoted many hours on weekends setting up labs and doing maintenance and research works. He is always present in the University whenever needed. It’s dedicated people like Mr. Bhatia who make a difference to the experience gained by the students going through our program.”
Bhatia has contributed to several programs and projects on campus, including the Shad Valley program, the Fuelathon (Mechanical Engineering), and the Steel Bridge Competition (Civil Engineering). As well, he has made significant contributions to the Graduate Program in Control Engineering.
In addition to his assistance to and positive impact on staff, faculty, and students, Bhatia has developed specialty apparatus when needed for research projects, saving time and money. One such project was a robotic hand he built for the Electrical Engineering Degree Project, along with custom-made pulleys, links, and joints, to produce a more precise robot.
Congratulations Kailash!
Lakehead U graduates Ahead of the Pack
According to the Ontario University Graduate Survey conducted by the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre, Lakehead U graduates have a 96.4% employment rate two years after graduating. This is higher than the provincial average of 95.8%. The six-month employment rate of 93.7% also was above the provincial average (93.6%).
The survey also investigates whether the grads are working in an area that is related to their university education. Lakehead graduates at 89.5% again beat the provincial average of 85.3%.
These survey results are from students who graduated in the year 2001.
CIBC Branch & Small Business Banking Scholarship
The Faculty of Business Administration has established the CIBC Branch & Small Business Banking Scholarship. The scholarship is for 3rd year Honours Bachelor of Commerce Students (Business Finance Major), and offers $2000 to the successful candidate for the 2004-2005 academic year.
Alumni Association Annual General Meeting and Call for Nominations
The Alumni Association of Lakehead University is calling for nominations for graduates interested in serving on the Board of Directors.
Candidates must be graduates of Lakehead University or any of it predecessors. A letter of nomination along with CVs for the candidates must be submitted to the Nominations Committee, c/o Office of Alumni Relations, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd. Thunder Bay, ON. P7B 5E1.
The 2004 Annual General Meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 27, in the Advanced Technology & Academic Centre, AT1010. The Alumni Dinner will follow in Faculty Lounge.
