Lakehead University thought leaders and changemakers are headlining a free public lecture series celebrating learning, discovery, and community.
Launching later this month in honour of Lakehead's 60th anniversary, the President's Public Lecture Series brings timely, thought-provoking conversations to the university's campuses and communities in northwestern and central Ontario, supporting access and encouraging broad participation.
The series also invites community members to reconnect with Lakehead in person to visit campus, engage with faculty and ideas, and celebrate the spirit of discovery that defines our university.
The six-part series will run from October through June and will feature world-renowned speakers, including Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair on Truth and Reconciliation, and Faculty of Education professors Dr. Gerald Walton and Dr. Sonia Mastrangelo, with more to be announced. Events will alternate between Lakehead's Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses, with all lectures available via live stream and posted online for on-demand viewing. Most lectures will be held outside of regular business hours to encourage broad community participation.
"We're marking our 60-year history in a way that centres and celebrates those who have supported us from the beginning by opening our doors, sharing ideas and knowledge, and most importantly, saying thank you to the communities who built us," stated Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice-Chancellor. "Lakehead's story has always been one of partnership -- of what's possible when people come together to imagine a brighter future. This series is an open invitation to the communities we serve to re-engage, reconnect, and imagine what's possible when knowledge is shared freely and widely."
Since 1965, Lakehead University has been deeply rooted in the belief that education should uplift communities. Over the past six decades, Lakehead has grown into a university known for research excellence, student success, and meaningful engagement with the regions it serves.
While an estimated 95 per cent of Lakehead's domestic students face barriers to attending university, such as financial need, coming from a rural or remote community, or being the first in their family to pursue post-secondary education, Lakehead's strong graduation rate the second highest among Ontario's primarily undergraduate universities changes the life trajectory of its graduates.
"Last year, Lakehead was recognized by Maclean's as Ontario's top primarily undergraduate university an honour that reflects the outstanding teaching and learning led by our dedicated and talented faculty," explained Dr. Siddall. "Through this lecture series, I'm delighted to introduce the public to some of those individuals. I'm confident you will enjoy these talks may they spark new ideas, inspiration, and conversation."
The President's Public Lecture Series is open to anyone interested in learning, challenging, and exploring. Attend in person or virtually.
Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux will host our inaugural lecture live from Lakehead Orillia on Friday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. Then, on Thursday, Nov. 20, Dr. Gerald Walton will untangle the roots of bullying and offer advice on addressing these behaviours live from The Agora at Lakehead Thunder Bay.
For more information or to register, visit www.lakeheadu.ca/presidentslectureseries.
