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Laurentian University installs new president at convocation Tuesday

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Tuesday at Laurentian University in Sudbury, one of eight convocations that will take place this week featured Lynn Wells installation as Laurentian's 12th president and vice-chancellor.

 “The university has a proud history,” Wells said.

“We know that the university went through a difficult time a few years ago but a lot of work has been done already by the interim team to put the university on a good path. And now we're ready for a bright future.

“Seeing those smiling graduate faces is the best thing ever for my installation day,” she added.

The morning ceremony also saw the return of honorary doctorate degrees. The first to be handed out since 2020 went to the Hon. Michelle O’Bonsawin, the first Indigenous person to serve on Canada’s highest court. She was appointed in September of 2022 to the Supreme Court of Canada.

O’Bonsawin said she started her post-secondary education at Laurentian in 1992.

“This is where my journey began, at Laurentian University, so for me to come back here and receive the honorary (doctorate of Law) degree is really important to me because it's like a full circle,” she said.

Laurentian will also recognize Catharine Farrow for her work in the mining industry, as well as Dan Andreae for his advocacy studying and supporting those with brain issues later this week.

Meantime, the school continues to work on rebuilding public confidence after emerging from insolvency.

“We've just hired a new provost, who is the senior vice-president academic,” Wells said.

“So we now have a full executive team. We're hiring deans, we're hiring new faculty. We're hiring new staff. So this really is a fresh start for Laurentian and we know the institution is going to do great things in the future.”

Wells said she will be convening a committee in the fall to start a new process to identify a chancellor. The university has been without one since 2021. 

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