New sculpture unveiled at Laurentian University
It was a celebratory scene at Laurentian University on Wednesday as officials unveiled the latest sculpture that will stand permanently on school grounds.
Student-led and student-purchased, the sculpture sits on the north side of Fraser Auditorium as a reminder of the school's ongoing environmental restoration efforts.
"After the hardship Laurentian has gone through and the students have suffered, to see this really hopeful day was wonderful and for them to step up and say what they wanted," said John Gunn, director of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre.
"They want to be part of a global university, they want to keep the regreening, environmental work going and they paid for a beautiful sculpture themselves … It'll be a famous spot in Sudbury."
The sculpture is symbolic of a white pine growing through the rocks, a sight visible in many places across the region, including Killarney and the Georgian Bay.
"When you see that tree pushing its way up through a rock … it's something that we're all familiar with and we always say 'wow, how does it do that,'" Gunn said.
"I think the students are saying 'wow how can we do that and make the change to be part of a more sustainable world.'"
"We look at today as a day of renewal, it represents the resiliency of the university and we're looking forward to having Laurentian focused on environmental health and sustainability," said Anastacia Chartrand, a masters student and chair of the environmental sustainability committee.
The school's work in environmental restoration has earned them fans from across the country, including Canadian author Margaret Atwood.
"I'm more than happy to lend my voice in support of Laurentian's newest project, under the wing of the Vale Living with Lakes institute, the Climate Science parkette which I'm sure we all hope will help people better understand the actual challenges facing us," said Atwood.
"It's a fresh start and I like that people haven't given up and that they're going to move forward, especially the student body," said Ward 9 city councillor Deb McIntosh.
The sculpture will be part of a parkette that will see architecture students build a new pavilion overlooking Ramsey Lake, with help from famed architect Bruce Mau.
"I thought it was pretty cool, it's nice that we're commemorating something like the re-greening of Sudbury," said Earth Sciences student Jacob Fralick.
"We lost a lot of that capacity at Laurentian because of the CCAA and I think that this is a strong statement and dedication that we are going to build on that legacy when we talk about Laurentian's future," said researcher Nadia Mykytczuk.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.