Charting New Courses

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE · FALL/WINTER 2016 1
FALL/WINTER 2016 ALGOMA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE
algomau.ca
CHARTING
NEW COURSES

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE · FALL/WINTER 20162

ALUMNI COUNCIL CHAIR’S MESSAGE
By: Adam Carpenter, Chair, Algoma University Alumni Council
I am honoured to serve as the Alumni
Council Chair. I joined the Alumni
Council in 2010, three years after I had
graduated, and continue to be involved
because I am proud to be an alumnus.
I know it is important for alumni to
stay connected to their university for
many reasons, including: networking,
career advancement, engaging in
recruitment and reputation activities for
the university, and providing input and
support to help shape the educational
experience for future students.
As a Council, we have updated our
Strategic Plan, a guiding tool for the
advancement of the work of the Council
for the next five years. Our objectives
are to: be a valuable resource; engage
and strengthen our alumni network;
and to be recognized as an important
stakeholder. To be successful, we
need your active involvement and
participation.
The Council is committed to staying
connected to you and helping you stay
connected to each other. Our alumni are
spread out across the country and around
the world, so it’s challenging to maintain
up-to-date records, but with technology
we are striving to make it easier for you to
also stay in touch with us.
We’ve upgraded our website so you can
update your information on-line, stay
informed about upcoming events, and
keep up with the accomplishments your
fellow alums have achieved. We’ve also
updated our social media presence and
with the creation of #algomalumni,
you can now tag us. We will also be
hosting alumni events around the
province, reaching out to our graduates
and communities where we deliver
programming.
The job market is very competitive.
As alumni, sharing our knowledge and
experience can be very beneficial to
students and soon-to-be graduates.
We are working to build a coordinated
alumni network who are willing to share
their experience and expertise. If you
would like to participate, please contact
our Alumni Office at 705-949-2301, ext.
4125 or by email at alumni@algomau.ca
As alumni, your feedback about your
program is very important. Each
program goes through a program review
and input from alumni is an essential
part of the process. These reviews will
help shape programs in the future and
provide valuable data to support key
program decisions.
We are constantly working towards
creating value for the students, the
alumni and the institution. We look
forward to hearing from you soon.
www.algomau.ca
Contents
Alumni Council Chair’s Message 3
Acting President and Vice Chancellor’s
Message - Dr. Celia Ross 4
New Scholarships Reward College Grads and
University Transfer Students 5
Soaring High at Algoma U 6-7
Ma’iingan Corbiere: A Mature Learner Achieves
her Dream 8
Cody Ambeault: From Sault College to
Algoma University 9
Opportunity Knocked for Three Sri Lankan
Students 10
Algoma U Signs MOA with Northern College 11
Sault Ste. Marie Convocation 2016 12-13
Brampton and Timmins Convocation 14
John Willinsky: Algoma Grad Pioneers
Breakthrough Global Technology 15
Caitlin Burry: From Canadore College to
Algoma University 16
Professor Pelham Matthews 17
Education is an investment for a lifetime 18-19
Brent King: Student turned Entrepreneur 20
Baffa Yusuf : From Nigeria to Sault Ste. Marie 21
1972: The Beginning of Varsity Athletics 22-23
Carriera Lamoureux: A Second Chance on the
Hardwood 24
From BC to Ontario: Reng Gum’s Journey to
the OUA 25
Share Your Story – A Message from the
Alumni Office 26
Contributing Editors
Joanne Nanne,
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
joanne.nanne@algomau.ca
Bev Teller, CFRE, Alumni & Development Officer
bev.teller@algomau.ca
Meaghan Kent, Communications Writer
meaghan.kent@algomau.ca
Photos
Tammy Fieghan
Kenneth Armstrong
Meaghan Kent
Tiina Keranen
Peter Howard
Brian Leahy
Martin Lipman
Prof. Kelly Pearce
Northern Lens Photography
Custodio’s Photography Studio Inc.
Contributing Writers
Nadine Robinson
Rick McGee
Marc Capancioni
Meaghan Kent
Jessica Ferlaino
For information about this publication, please contact:
Algoma University
c/o Communications Department
1520 Queen Street East
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada P6A 2G4
705-949-2301 ext. 4122
communications@algomau.ca
Algoma University Alumni Magazine is published by the
Communications Department of Algoma University.
Algoma University Alumni Magazine is printed in Canada.
Algoma U Today is published by the University for
the University’s alumni, faculty, staff and friends. The
magazine is the University’s primary vehicle for providing
information on the accomplishments of alumni, faculty
and students, and on significant issues and developments
within the University community.
Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement
no. 40005450
Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to:
ALGOMA UNIVERSITY
1520 Queen Street East · Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Canada P6A 2G4

ACTING PRESIDENT AND VICE CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE
By: Dr. Celia Ross, Acting President and Vice Chancellor, Algoma University
On behalf of the Algoma University
community and of all our alumni and
community readers of this magazine,
I extend our thanks to Dr. Craig
Chamberlin for his work on behalf of
Algoma University over the past
18 months. We wish Dr. Chamberlin and
his family well on this new phase in
their life.
I am honoured to have been asked to
serve as Acting President of Algoma
University. Stepping back into the
President’s shoes is a humbling
experience, but I trust that my 12 years
of previous service as President will serve
myself and the University well.
It is an exciting time to serve as Acting
President. Algoma U has three broad
plans that are guiding our activities: an
academic plan, a research plan, and our
new 2016-2021 Strategic Plan. Faculty,
staff, and students have committed to
maintaining a dynamic campus culture
that will inspire engaged learning and a
strong sense of pride. Algoma U faculty
are committed to ensure that we have
vibrant academic programs that are
aligned with student expectations and
that support a culture of research and
innovation.
Perhaps most exciting, together, as a
community, we have committed to build
Anishinaabe Inendamowin (Indigenous
thought and ways of knowing)
throughout our activities and programs.
Recently, Senate endorsed the 96 Calls
to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of Canada. Working closely
with our partner institution Shingwauk
Kinoomaage Gamig, informed by the
vision of the Children of Shingwauk
Alumni Association, guided by our
Chancellor Shirley Horn and by our
Anishinaabe Peoples’ Council, we look
forward to growing our University as
a leader in Anishinaabe learning in
Canada.
Our students come from a wide
variety of backgrounds. Many are
not the ‘traditional’ learners, straight
from high school. We have enhanced
various support programs to help all
our students be successful, including
a revitalized Bounce Back Program,
new renewable scholarships, enhanced
diploma-to-degree pathways, and new
articulation agreements. This issue of
our magazine tells the stories of some of
our students and alumni who have used
their life learning and experiences as a
stepping stone to their journey at
Algoma U.
Best wishes,
Dr. Celia Ross,
Acting President and Vice Chancellor

NEW SCHOLARSHIPS
REWARD COLLEGE GRADS
AND UNIVERSITY
TRANSFER STUDENTS
By: Meaghan Kent
There are more reasons than ever to
consider studying at Algoma University.
In April, the University unveiled its
newly revised and enhanced scholarship
and bursary program, which features
attractive pathway scholarships, making
it more enticing for college graduates
and university transfer students to earn
a degree at the Northern Ontario
post-secondary institution.
Prior to the announcement, the
University’s scholarship and bursary
program was outdated. “Using
institutional data, an effort was made to
identify gaps in the administration of the
scholarship program,” says University
Registrar, David Marasco. The new
scholarships, however, are more relevant
and better suited for today’s students,
he touts.
The new pathway scholarships feature
three new awards, which are based
solely on academic merit. Scholarships
are valued at $1,000, $1,500, and $2,000
and are renewable for the duration of
a student’s studies, making it possible
to earn up to $8,000. Students must
maintain at minimum 80 per cent
average and complete 24 credits per year
to hold their award. These scholarships
are guaranteed, unlimited in number,
and do not require an application.
In addition to this new funding, students
who begin studies in the winter terms
will also be eligible for these pathway
scholarships. “We weren’t offering
scholarships to students starting in the
winter originally. We have a number of
students that start their studies in the
winter. Now, however, with this new
revision, students will be able to get
half of the scholarship if they start in
the winter term,” adds Aliisa Witty, the
Financial Aid and Awards Officer at the
University.
The significant revisions to the
scholarship and bursary program were
undertaken by the Office of the Registrar
and Financial Services in an effort to
align the scholarship program with
recruitment and retention strategies.
“Algoma University is a unique
institution with a diverse student body.
The percentage of direct from high school
students, mature students, international
students, university transfers, and so
on, is very different than most other
institutions. We have more non-
traditional learners than most other
universities,” says Marasco. “And because
of that, we have to have a system in place
that recognizes academic achievement
and encourages them to continue their
studies here. That’s what this program
does, it rewards academic excellence.”
In 2015, 20 per cent of Algoma U’s students
were college transfers, nine per cent were
university transfers, and another six per
cent were mature students.
According to Marasco, the new pathway
scholarships level the playing field
amongst other universities. “Our
scholarships are competitive, and in
many situations, better than what other
universities are offering their college
graduates and university transfers.”
What Algoma U does offer that packs
a bigger punch and knocks out the
competition is exceptional articulation
agreements and generous credit
recognition for high affinity programs
from the college ranks. “A number of
our diploma-to-degree agreements
are exceptional agreements. Students
coming to Algoma U will get more credit
recognition than almost anywhere else.
We’re leaders in the province in respect
to transferability as well as recognizing
transfer for certificate programs.”
College graduates and university transfer
students can earn a degree in as little as
20 months at Algoma U, for example,
through the Bachelor of Business
Administration program, or in one
calendar year through the Accelerated
Bachelor of Computer Science Degree
program.
In addition to these scholarships, college
graduates and university transfers are
also eligible for other scholarships and
bursaries at the University, making
university education even more
attainable and affordable.
These new pathway scholarships came
into effect in the fall of 2016.
Aliisa Witty, Financial Aid and Awards Officer and David Marasco, University Registrar

SOARING HIGH AT ALGOMA U
By: Rick McGee
The parallels seemed more than apt
when Chris Biocchi and Paul Bursche
graduated — both cum laude — from
Algoma University’s Bachelor of Business
Administration (BBA) program last June.
After all, the very close lifelong friends
have been virtually inseparable since
they began playing together as children
living on the same Sault Ste. Marie street.
They went on to attend Korah Collegiate
and then enrolled in Sault College’s
Aviation Technology Flight pilot training
program. Even before graduating in
2012, they used Algoma’s pathways
option to begin university studies in their
hometown.
But that was only part of the remarkable
journeys shared by the inspiring
25-year-olds.
While going to school, they also worked
part-time and started their own business
— one that continues to thrive.
“Taking the Algoma program came up
along the way,” Biocchi recounted.
“I worked in sales [at the former Future
Shop outlet] when I was at Sault College.
I found more and more as I got to interact
with customers and be in the business
environment that it would be a better
career fit for me than strictly flying.
“It was sort of a team effort with Paul
and I. We had already started in business
together renovating houses and what not.
The program was out there so we could
finish a degree.”
Bursche decided a baccalaureate would
make a difference if he remained in the
aviation sector. That’s because college
diplomas aren’t recognized beyond
North America.
“That triggered something in my mind,”
he said. “A degree could broaden my
horizons. It’s always a good strategy to
have a backup plan. Having a degree
will always enhance your possibilities.
For more management or business roles
with an airline, having [flying] experience
and education to back it up is a good
combination.”
The transition from college to university
went smoothly for the duo.
“Sault Ste. Marie is the perfect size and
at the same time it’s still pretty small,”
Bursche observed. “So a lot of our profs
and support staff at the University just
happened to be the parents of kids we
went to high school with or that we grew
up with. It became a very easy transition.
It’s like you already know the staff.”
Biocchi appreciated support received
along the way. “The University guided
us through the whole process, which
was really seamless. The transition
from college to university was, for me,
pretty straightforward. Shelley Mitchell
[Assistant Registrar, Admissions] and the
Registrar’s Office were great to deal with.
Anytime we had questions, we always got
answers quickly.”
Besides running their own enterprise,
both impressive young men are enjoying
further career success as employees with
different Sault organizations.
After completing a year-long internship
with the Sault Ste. Marie Airport
ALUMNI PROFILE

Development Corporation last spring,
Biocchi became the facility’s Security and
Business Administration Manager.
“I’m in a great place from a career
development standpoint,” he enthused.
“I’m responsible for overseeing the airport
security program and the security team.
I’m also responsible for overseeing our
administrative staff.”
And, as a member of the airport’s
management team, Biocchi contributes
to strategic planning and to monitoring
millions of dollars in renovations now
underway at the site. As well, he is
Recording Secretary for the Corporation’s
Board of Directors meetings.
Bursche’s career trajectory has similarly
moved steadily upward.
“I started at Sault College in June 2015
as a part-time Flight Instructor on a one
year contract,” he said. “I am currently a
full-time support staff employee called
an Aviation Flight Technologist. I conduct
flight training with students and am on
our Internal Safety Committee. I also do a
lot of the paperwork end of the business,
including documentation we must have
for different students.”
Having a BBA has already paid dividends,
Bursche believes. “I interviewed for my
current position before my degree was
done. It was absolutely relevant and I
think it helped me. The degree could also
help me move into a full-time professor
role in the future.”
A university credential might open other
doors down the road, too.
“I love the Sault and I just bought a house,
so I’d like to stay here. But I’m certainly
not putting aside any other opportunities.
Some days I wake up and think it’d be
really cool working for an airline. But
at the same time, working 9 to 5, having
weekends off, and still bringing home a
good paycheque definitely has its appeal.”
For now though, the high-flying alums
have more than enough to keep them
busy.
“We’ve always been entrepreneurial,”
Biocchi chuckled when discussing their
business achievements. “In Grade 12 we
put on a Christmas semi-formal dance.
We made a fortune. That’s probably how
it started.”
“I’ve always had an interest in real
estate,” Bursche added. “I was always
bugging Chris saying we should get into
rental properties and we could make
a lot of money. We were still in high
school. The hardest part of being a young
entrepreneur is getting respect. A lot of
people just automatically discount you
because you’re young.”
During the early years, Biocchi and
Bursche mostly bought, renovated,
repaired, and sold houses. Much of the
often physically demanding refurbishing
work they did themselves.
These days, the Algoma U grads have
a rental property and are eyeing some
commercial possibilities.
Incorporation led to the name of
Cavok Holdings. The reference comes
from an aviation term used to forecast
clear weather ahead.
Chris Biocchi
Paul Bursche

MA’IINGAN CORBIERE:
A MATURE LEARNER
ACHIEVES HER DREAM
By: Jessica Ferlaino
When Ma’iingan Corbiere walked across
the stage at her Induction Ceremony four
years ago, she got a taste of what it would
be like to cross the stage as an Honours
Bachelor of Social Work graduate. It was
exactly what she needed to motivate her
to succeed.
Many factors led Corbiere to Algoma U:
the University’s relationship with
Shingwauk Kinoogaame Gamig, as well
as the institution’s size and setting.
Corbiere had to overcome a number of
personal struggles and Algoma U offered
an environment that would be conducive
to her personal and academic success.
“I didn’t want to be a number. I wanted to
be a student with a first name that people
said hi to,” Corbiere explains. “It was also
important for me to be able to take
Anishinaabe courses while at university to
provide a balance to my learning experience
and enhance my social work degree.”
Corbiere is pursuing an Indigenous
Language Certificate alongside her
degree.
Corbiere was encouraged by her
brother to enrol and was empowered
by his confidence in her. Tragedy struck
Corbiere’s family and she lost her brother
before embarking on her academic
journey. This further reinforced her
desire to be the first member of her
family to earn a degree.
At first, Corbiere felt like “a fish out of
water,” as a mature, first-generation
student. She had attended several
institutions on a part-time basis prior,
but she did not feel that it prepared her
for what she was up against at Algoma U.
Corbiere used her first year as an
opportunity to navigate the many
services and supports that Algoma U
has to offer. “The benefit of attending
a small university is that the staff are
approachable and helpful. With the
help of the Learning Centre and the
First Generation Program, I soon
found my way.”
Throughout the years, Corbiere became
active in campus life. She took on roles
including Shingwauk Anishinaabe
Students’ Association Secretary,
Vice-President of the Social Work Club,
Food Bank volunteer, member of the
Student Safety Committee, and Walking
With Our Sisters Exhibit volunteer.
She also participated in the local
Roller Derby League as a member of
The Soonami Slammers outside of the
University community.
Corbiere credits Gary Taylor, Fraser the
Security Guard, and Raquel Lehto as
having played a major role in her ability
to succeed at Algoma U. They offered a
great support system, always willing to
share a smile or lend an ear, helping her
to push forward towards her goal.
Corbiere also had the opportunity to
attend a conference to present her own
research. As an undergraduate, she
presented alongside graduated students,
gaining great experience and forming
professional networks that remain
supportive of her to this day.
Though Corbiere came close to calling it
quits a number of times, she never gave
up and completed her academic course
work. She is currently completing her
practicum. Corbiere credits the course
SWRK 3206 Anti-Oppressive Social Work
with Dr. Chris Hillier, as a major turning
point for her.
“This was the class where I experienced
a paradigm shift in regards to my own
identity.” Corbiere was to create an
artifact that expressed her identity.
“The artifact I created was a jingle dress
that depicts my mixed heritage – a piece
of work that will remain with me in my
social work practice.
“I’ve always struggled with my identity
and how I present myself to others being
of mixed heritage [Irish and Ojibway] and
always feeling like I didn’t belong in either
group. Finally, I know who I am. I know
how I am comfortable identifying.”
Today, Corbiere identifies as Métis.
This is only the beginning for Corbiere.
She hopes to pursue her Master’s of
Social Work at the University of Northern
British Columbia. “Algoma U gave me the
tools. It was up to me to pick them up and
use them.”
Corbiere is proud of her accomplishments
thus far. “[I’m] proud to be the first
member of my family to obtain a
university degree. My children are so
proud of me for going back to school later
in life. It has shown them that it is never
too late to achieve your dreams.”
STUDENT PROFILE

CODY AMBEAULT:
FROM SAULT COLLEGE TO
ALGOMA UNIVERSITY
By: Nadine Robinson
It was while working in a seatbelt factory
in Southern Ontario that Cody Ambeault
had the realization that perhaps leaving
college hadn’t been the best idea. Since
then, he’s been on an upward trajectory,
thanks to some key motivation and
mentorship, and the pathways program
at Algoma University.
“My girlfriend at the time, and her
parents, helped motivate me to go back
to school. However, it was no easy task,
because I had to ace all of my remaining
classes at Sault College if I wanted to get
the grades required to continue on to
university.”
A 70 per cent average is required for
the majority of credits to be transferred
through the College to University
Pathways program. Ambeault achieved
high 90s in his remaining courses and
was able to secure admission.
“I credit John Cavaliere in the Business
Department at Sault College for
encouraging me to continue on to Algoma
University. He saw the potential in me
before I did; he believed in me before I
did… and that pushed me to make it
happen.”
Ambeault felt that staying close to home
also made sense, as his whole university
education would cost the equivalent of
what most of his friends were paying
for one year’s schooling out of town. He
transferred into the Bachelor of Business
Administration (BBA) program at
Algoma University in January 2015 from
Sault College.
Ambeault would have been able to
complete his degree in two years, but
he chose to do an international student
exchange from September 2015 to
January 2016, which means he’ll be back
to pick up his last few classes this fall.
“The experience at CESINE University
in Spain was amazing! It was my first
time on an airplane. Having met a lot
of exchange students at Algoma U, I had
many places to stay and ‘tour guides’
when I visited London, Canterbury,
Finland, Austria, Germany, Madrid, and
Amsterdam. The experience gave me more
confidence in my abilities, and makes
me want to get more academic or work
experience abroad, make more friends,
and learn new languages.”
Ambeault excelled at Algoma U, earning
Dean’s List status and received several
bursaries and scholarships. He also
received a Certificate of Distinction
from CESINE International Business
School for outstanding course work in
the International Business Management
program.
“Algoma U is pretty unique. Because it’s
a small school, if you want to become
involved there are lots of opportunities,
you just have to sign up. Among other
things I was a Frosh Week leader and
[was] a mentor and a leader again this
year, giving a warm welcome to domestic
and international students alike. It’s
amazing that you can actually see
yourself making a difference at
Algoma University.”
Ambeault also appreciates the benefits of
the small class sizes at Algoma U.
“You get to know people from around
the world; Algoma U has a unique
international culture. And of course you
get one-on-one feedback from professors.
For me, I’ve gotten to know my academic
advisor, Dr. Aaron Gordon. He’s never
too busy to meet up and talk, reflect ideas
off, or to provide a reference. Algoma
University is a nice little community.”
Ambeault’s next goals include learning a
new language, more international travel,
and he is also considering pursuing a
master’s degree and a doctorate.
“The Pathways program was a good
incentive.Without it, I would probably
have been too discouraged to just start
over from scratch.With my transfer
credits, I saved 1.5 years and I’ve had a
great experience at Algoma U. Now I know
I can push myself and achieve my goals.”
Ambeault will graduate in April 2017 with
a BBA degree and a Human Resources
Management specialization.
STUDENT PROFILE

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKED FOR
THREE SRI LANKAN STUDENTS
By: Marc Capancioni
A partnership between Algoma
University and a post-secondary
institution in Sri Lanka is proving to be
a boon for both schools and for three
students now studying here under the
collaborative agreement.
Sutharsan Sundaramoorthy, Zahra
Adbullah and Malhardeen Mohamed
each completed diplomas at the
Sri Lanka Institute of Information
Technology, which is located in Colombo,
the country’s largest city and commercial
capital. They are now working towards
degrees at Algoma U and began their
second year here in September 2016.
For the three students, getting an
opportunity to study in Canada at an
established and globally-recognized
university was an opportunity they
couldn’t pass up.
“I wanted to gain more experience,
and with Canada being one of the best
countries in the world, I chose to continue
my studies at Algoma University,” said
Sundaramoorthy, who’s enrolled in the
Bachelor of Computer Science program
and is set to complete the degree at the
end of this year.
Coming to Sault Ste. Marie in the
summer of 2015, Sundaramoorthy
quickly took a liking to the Northern
Ontario community. “It’s a nice, relaxing
place,” he said. “I love the four seasons.”
When he completes his degree at
Algoma U, Sundaramoorthy wants
to pursue a career as a computer
programmer, business analyst or project
manager. The experience and training he
gains while studying in Sault Ste. Marie
will go a long way in helping him achieve
that objective, he said.
Adbullah is also working toward earning
a Bachelor of Computer Science degree
at Algoma U. For her, coming to
Sault Ste. Marie was largely a strategic
maneuver. “A Canadian degree is
extremely valuable,” she said.
Coming to Algoma U last year was
the first time Adbullah left Sri Lanka.
Compared to her hometown of Colombo,
Sault Ste. Marie is a “quiet city with few
distractions,” she said. “It’s a great place.”
To further bolster her résumé while
here, Adbullah is taking part in a co-op
program and is working as a technology
analyst for the Municipal Property
Assessment Corporation. “It’s a great
opportunity to gain experience and
network. The Algoma University co-op
program gives me that opportunity.”
In the meantime, Mohamed’s decision
to study abroad stemmed from a desire
to make a positive impact on the world.
While working in the international
affairs sector in Sri Lanka, he saw an
opportunity to advance his skill set and,
as a result, is now enrolled in the Law
and Justice program at Algoma U.
“That’s why I came here as an
international student,” said Mohamed.
The size of Algoma U is one of the
school’s best attributes, he added.
“The personal interaction you get with
professors from the small class sizes is
great. Every instructor knows your face
and name, and they’re always willing to
help out.”
As an example of the above-and-beyond
help available at the University, a
number of professors are now assisting
Mohamed as he prepares for the Law
School Admission Test (LSAT). After
graduating from Algoma U, he plans on
attending a Canadian law school.
STUDENT PROFILES
Malhardeen Mohamed
Zahra Abdullah

ALGOMA U SIGNS MoA
WITH NORTHERN COLLEGE
By: Rick McGee
A collaborative undertaking with
Northern College, headquartered in
Timmins, Ontario is gradually opening
the door to new global opportunities for
Algoma University.
In May, the institutions’ presidents
signed a Memorandum of Agreement
(MoA) to provide a pathway for
international students to transfer
seamlessly from Northern College
diploma programs delivered in China
into degree offerings at Algoma U.
The arrangement follows a joint
Algoma U and Northern College
admissions agreement finalized in 2015.
The accord reduces the time, cost, and
barriers for students who want to move
from completed college studies to a
baccalaureate.
“I’m thinking of this [pathways
agreement] as a pilot program,” said Dr.
Richard McCutcheon, Academic Dean
at Algoma University. “We’re coming to
this with realistic expectations.We’re very
confident that we’ll recoup our investment
but to do that we’re not talking about
very large numbers at first. Students will
still have to go through the college system
[before going on to Algoma U].”
Dr. McCutcheon believes the University
will be happy if five or seven students
arrive from China two or three years
from now. “It’s not so important to think
about what the pilot will mean in actual
numbers. It’s more a matter of how this
will show us how much interest there is
that could be scaled up.”
Initially, students bound for Algoma U
will have begun Northern College post-
secondary studies at Taizhou University,
located in a large coastal city of the same
name. But expanding the model is clearly
possible.
“This is one of potentially 50 institutions
that we might be able to have
relationships with on a project like this,”
Dr. McCutcheon continued. “And so five
students turns into 250 students in five
years or seven years or nine years. This
is going to be critical as we go forward
with planning and is an example of an
attempt to look forward on enrolment
to say,‘Okay, we might have a dip here
and we’re struggling and we’re going to
have to figure out how to make enrolment
numbers work in the short-term, but if we
are not thinking about years seven, eight,
and nine, then we’re not doing our job.’ ”
At present, partnerships in China
are allowing Northern College to
accommodate some 500 students in
nine locations.
“China is a wonderful success,” said
Dr. Audrey Penner, Vice-President,
Academic and Student Success at
Northern College. “Students there are
considered our students. They go through
our registration system and they follow
our courses’ synopses. Our courses are
delivered in the same manner.We do
quality assurance checks to ensure what
is being delivered is what we intend to be
delivered.”
The Chinese can earn a Northern College
diploma by completing all studies in
China. Alternatively, if so inclined,
students can finish third-year
requirements in Canada.
“They might not come onshore to
Northern [College] but they still have the
pathway to come onshore to Algoma U,”
Dr. Penner added. “So it’s a very flexible
opportunity. A student might not be ready
[to come to Canada] so instead of doing
third year with us they still may do third
year on-site in China and that’s fine. But
they still have that laddering opportunity
to go to Algoma U after that.”
Degrees are highly valued by Chinese
students’ families, Dr. Penner
emphasized.
By working together, Algoma U and
Northern College are fulfilling a larger
vision of collaboration with our Northern
partners, Dr. McCutcheon said.
“It seems to me that there’s a particular
mandate that we have in Northern
Ontario to create relationships and this is
one more example of how working with
Northern College is good for Northern
College, but really good for us, too. It
creates yet another example of how we,
as institutions, are coming together to
provide services not only for domestic but
also for international students.”
Further academic developments could
be ahead as representatives from
Algoma U and Northern College
continue working together. Online
opportunities and collaborative research
in the social sciences field are currently
being explored.

SAULT STE. MARIE
CONVOCATION 2016
By: Meaghan Kent
On June 11th 2016, 245 graduates
entered into the Algoma University
alumni family, at the annual June
convocation ceremony, held at the
Roberta Bondar Park Tent Pavilion.
As part of the ceremony honouring
the graduates, Algoma U conferred an
Honorary Degree, a Doctor of Law, on
Senator Murray Sinclair, who became a
national figure when he was appointed
to Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of Canada. Kareem Roberts,
Founder and President of K-Robs Social
Enterprise, was recognized as the
Alumni Achievement Award winner. The
Distinguished Alumni Award winner was
Justice Charles H. Vaillancourt.
Daniel Imre, who graduated with a
Bachelor of Computer Science, earned
the Governor General’s Silver Medal for
achieving the highest academic standing
in the graduating class.

BRAMPTON CONVOCATION
By: Meaghan Kent
On October 26th 2016, Algoma University
held its fifth convocation ceremony for
students graduating from its extension in
Brampton, Ontario. Thirty-one students
earned degrees at the ceremony held
at the Brampton Golf Club, joining the
TIMMINS CONVOCATION
By: Meaghan Kent
Since 2011, Algoma University has been
offering programming at Northern
College in Timmins, Ontario. Students
at Algoma U at Timmins can earn
either a Bachelor of Arts in Community
Development or an Honours Bachelor of
Social Work.
likes of more than 110 students who have
graduated from Algoma U at Brampton
since it began offering programming in
2010. Arezo Mansury was the recipient
of the Convocation Award, presented to
the graduating student with the highest
overall academic achievement, while
John Cutruzzola, a local builder and
real estate developer, was this year’s
Honorary Speaker. One hundred and
thirty-eight students studied on a
part-time or full-time basis at Algoma U
at Brampton in 2015-16.
Samuel Chiengkvach and David Marasco
This past May, Algoma U at Timmins
students participated in their first-ever
convocation ceremony alongside
Northern College graduates. A total of 10
Algoma U students participated in the
ceremony, bringing the total number of
students who have earned a degree at
Algoma U at Timmins to 25.
“The exciting thing about this program
is that we now have 25 graduates and
all of them are employed in a position
related to their degree or area of career
interest or they are choosing to further
their education,” said past President and
Vice Chancellor Dr. Craig Chamberlin.
“Graduates from this cohort have been
accepted into masters of social work
programs and we even have one heading
to law school.”

ALUMNI PROFILE
ALGOMA GRAD
PIONEERS BREAKTHROUGH
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY
By: Meaghan Kent
John Willinsky gives some of the credit
for founding the Public Knowledge
Project (PKP) to the Sundays spent
browsing scholarly journals in the Arthur
A. Wishart Library, while earning his
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at
Algoma University College (AUC) in the
1970s. Those weekend discoveries led
him decades later to take on the goal of
making this research available to all. In
the process, he created a sophisticated
open-source scholarly publishing system
that is used by more journals today than
any other system in the world.
Having attended high school, as well as
teaching school, in Sault Ste. Marie amid
the first hints of the digital age, Willinsky
decided to take advantage of the web to
make scholarship more of a public good
now that he was a professor of education.
“In 1998, I started to shift my research
from the study of literacy and literature
education to the ways of improving the
reach of scholarly publishing.With the
introduction of the internet, it seemed
possible to make research and scholarship
more of a public good available to
all,” he states. “That was the year I
founded the Public Knowledge Project
at the University of British Columbia
with the intent of helping scholarly
journals (and later books) move online
and become ‘open access’ or free to
read. As an education professor, I was
frustrated at being forbidden by the
journal subscription system from sharing
education research with teachers, parents,
and the public.”
Such frustration also inspired PKP, which
got its start with an initial Social Sciences
and Humanities Research Council of
Canada (SSHRC) grant to create an open-
source software publishing platform for
scholarly journals. Open Journal System
(OJS), as it is called, can be downloaded
and installed for free. It is now being
used by over 10,000 active journals.
“This makes OJS, as far as I can tell, the
most widely used scholarly publishing
system in the world, operating in
25 languages, with almost all of these
journals’ content open and free to read.”
With over 2.3 million articles published
by journals utilizing OJS, PKP continues
to facilitate the global sharing of
scholarly research and data.
PKP was also sparked by Willinsky’s sixth
book (of 10) Learning to Divide World:
Education at Empire’s End, in which
he explored the educational legacy of
European imperialism. “Was there a way,
I wondered after finishing this book in
1997, of countering this legacy by utilizing
new technologies to enable far more of a
global knowledge exchange around this
common project of learning. The post-
colonial age had led to a global system of
universities, and I wanted to see whether
the web could be used to similarly expand
participation in scholarly publishing for
the benefit of all.” With over 60 percent
of the journals using OJS published in
the Global South, PKP helps others share
more of what they learn through research
and scholarship.
In November, SSHRC presented Willinsky
with the 2016 Connection Award for his
continued commitment to advancing the
sharing of knowledge. One of SSHRC’s
prestigious annual Impact Awards and
with a prize of $50,000 in research funds,
the Connection Award acknowledges
those who facilitate the exchange of
research knowledge, creating intellectual,
cultural, social, and economic impact.
“The SSHRC award,” Willinsky notes,
“really recognizes the dedication of
PKP’s team, as these twenty committed
individuals create a set of robust tools
that scholars have used over the last 18
years to edit and publish quality journals
and books around the world.”
From those 1970s weekends among the
quarterlies in the Wishart Library to the
Smithsonian Institute in Washington
and Vietnamese Mathematical Society in
Hanoi, among the many organizations
using PKP software, Willinsky’s
enthusiasm for scholarly publishing
has come a long way.
Willinsky is currently Khosla Family
Professor of Education at Stanford
University and Professor (Part-Time)
in the School of Publishing at SFU.
At Stanford, he directs the Program in
Science, Technology, and Society, as well
as the Honours in Education Program,
while at SFU he directs the Public
Knowledge Project in a partnership
with SFU Library.
He graduated from AUC in 1976. He
earned his MEd in Educational Theory
from the University of Toronto (1979) and
his PhD in Education Foundations from
Dalhousie University (1982).

CAITLIN BURRY:
FROM CANADORE COLLEGE
TO ALGOMA UNIVERSITY
Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie,
Ontario, Caitlin Burry is returning
home to embark on her Bachelor of
Social Work (BSW) degree at Algoma U.
Having recently completed the Mental
Health and Addictions Worker program
at Canadore College, the BSW program
at Algoma U serves as the perfect
complement, even though she is straying
from her original plan.
“I was originally planning on returning
to Canadore for a third year to complete
the dual diploma and after working for
a few years I would consider returning to
school to complete my BSW,” she explains.
As a diploma-to-degree transfer student,
Burry entered Algoma U with the
maximum transferability of credits.
Advice she received during her summer
employment at Phoenix Rising Women’s
Drop-in Centre is what shifted her
direction. Instead of pursuing the dual
diploma, which would have resulted in
both Mental Health Addictions Worker
and Social Service Worker certifications,
Burry thought long and hard about her
options.
“One of my bosses at the centre asked me
why I wouldn’t just go to Algoma U for
my BSW right after I finish my program if
I was planning on doing that eventually
anyway. I thought about what she said for
the rest of the summer and into the school
year and I was really glad she suggested
it,” she recalled.
Burry intends on making the most of her
experience at Algoma U, just as she did
during her employment with Phoenix
Rising and during her previous studies
at Canadore College. Burry is looking
forward to the small class sizes and the
sense of community at Algoma U.
Burry is also hoping to get more involved
in campus life at Algoma U. “I am hoping
to have the opportunity to get some
hands on experience and get involved in
causes I care about on campus and in the
community,” she shared.
“I am also hoping to have the opportunity
to meet people in Sault Ste. Marie
working in this field and to be able to
network. I am also hoping I will have
the opportunity to complete some
certifications such as ASIST, NVCI,
and Safe-Food Handler through the
University, or on my own.”
Though she isn’t quite sure where this
path will take her, Burry knows that
she is going to use the knowledge and
experience that she gains to impart real
change in the world. She looks forward
to the theory-based learning she will
receive at Algoma U and the opportunity
to put that theory into practice.
“I feel that attending Canadore College
prepared me for university because it
gave me a knowledge-base and field
experience to build off of and gave me a
good perspective to learn from. I feel that
attending college prior to university was
very beneficial for me because I was able
to learn some of the practical components
and I’ve had an opportunity to gain some
experience.
“I don’t yet know what type of work I
want to end up doing, I just know that I
want to help people and make a positive
impact on their lives. I’m really interested
in mental health and I would like to help
people develop skills to improve their
quality of life.”
Burry truly feels that Algoma U will help
her to achieve these ends.
STUDENT PROFILE

PROFESSOR
PELHAM MATTHEWS
By: Rick McGee
Recognized provincially for his
leadership in developing college-to-
university transfer opportunities for
business students, Associate Professor
Pelham Matthews believes Algoma U
must build similar pathways in other
disciplines.
Doing so would complement a provincial
government priority and the University’s
2016-2021 Strategic Plan. It includes
a call to “Establish and strengthen
pathways to and from colleges and
universities.”
Algoma University past President and
Vice Chancellor, Dr. Craig Chamberlin
asked Professor Matthews to chair a
six-person Pathways Working Group.
An inaugural meeting held in August
began to set the wheels in motion.
Students and the institution will both
gain from pathways advancements.
Algoma U’s four-year Bachelor of
Business Administration (BBA) program
has developed a model for a viable
pathways agreement with multiple
Ontario colleges. Eligible students with
a three-year Ontario college business
diploma can receive up to 60 credits –
some of which may be counted as core
credits – towards a BBA. Consequently, a
degree can be earned in as little as four
additional terms at Algoma U at Brampton
or at the Sault Ste. Marie campus.
Professor Pelham’s experiences as an
undergraduate student in Montreal
helped make him a believer in preparing
for university by first gaining a solid
footing at the college level. As is the case
in many jurisdictions, Quebec students
spend two years in college before
advancing.
“University comes after college and there’s
a seamless link between the two,” he noted.
“This gives students more time to mature,
to figure out where they’re going, and to
figure out how they’re going to do it.”
With extensive expertise in marketing
and small business, the long-time faculty
member can readily see pathways’
importance in purely pragmatic terms.
“For this University to survive, based on
the [declining high school enrolment]
demographics and all the other related
enrolment forecasts, we have to find
students elsewhere. The question is how to
do that.
“We have to move to where the students
are. They are in the GTA [Greater Toronto
Area]. Now, can we compete for direct-out-
of-school students in the GTA? Maybe. But
I believe this could be part of the longer-
term plan.We are lucky to be in Brampton,
because it’s going to soon be the fourth
largest city in the country. But we have
to remember there are five universities
encircling the area and they are all vying
for direct-out-of-high-school students –
we need not infringe on their market.
“For us – to use a business term – it’s a
market that can be grown significantly
to where we can reach a level of
sustainability as a university and reduce
our need for additional government
funding. It’s a matter of doing what we do
and doing it well.
“We need to figure out who we are, if we
are going to expand in these markets, and
do it well. That’s the best way to project
and protect your brand, or know your
niche. I would love for us to be known as
the foremost degree completion university
in Ontario.”
In addition, pathways can help recruit
local learners yearning to head south
immediately after high school.
Until available hometown opportunities
are explained, most students and their
families haven’t considered the many
pluses of remaining in Sault Ste. Marie
for two years followed by two years of
study in the GTA.
“When parents hear that their children
can go to Toronto in years three and four to
complete their degree, their eyes open wide.
“A student could be in co-op, be working
in Toronto, and complete a degree there.
Many local people have family there. It’s
not going to cost them as much for their
child’s living expenses. And if a child
decides to complete his or her degree here
instead, so much the better. It’s a win-win-
win-win.”
FACULTY PROFILE

Their duty is in their name. Support staff at Algoma University are charged
with supporting the student body and fellow workers, along with the school
in general.
The team assists with office, administrative, physical plant, and other vital
services required to keep the university running smoothly. In particular,
Algoma U support staff are responsible for janitorial and maintenance,
finance and accounting, information technology, marketing and
recruitment, library, registrar office, and a number of other essential roles.
Years ago, the school’s support staff decided to go one step further and
ended up establishing bursaries to help students in another way.
Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) - District 35
represents support staff at multiple universities throughout the province,
including Algoma U. The 85-member local created the Algoma University
Support Staff Bursary Awards and the Algoma University Support Staff
International Scholarship.
“We want to support our students and see them succeed,” said Craig Diotte,
President of the Bargaining Unit for OSSTF - District 35.“Ultimately, that’s
why we work at Algoma University – to assist students in any way we can.
Helping students is extremely important to our members, which is why we
established the awards in the first place. It allows our team to give back in a
different way.”
A graduate of Algoma U’s Bachelor of Computer Science program,
Diotte began working in the school’s Information Technology Department
16 years ago.
Given his various roles at the school, Diotte sees the education sector from
a few different lenses. “A majority of our union members are post-secondary
graduates – a lot came right from Algoma U – so we know what it’s like to
be a student,” he said. “From a financial perspective, it’s not always easy to
go to university. If our awards can help out a few students in reaching their
potential and graduating, our members are very happy to do it. Algoma U is a
great place to work. The students are great to interact with, and we’re delighted
to be able to assist them.”
The OSSTF District 35 - Algoma University Support Staff Bursary Awards,
valued at $800 each, are given to two students who are enrolled in
full-time studies, are in good academic standing, and have demonstrated
financial need. Last year’s recipients were Eva-Louise Hyderman and
Pirathapan Kandiah.
The OSSTF District 35 - Algoma University Support Staff International
Scholarship provides one award, valued at $800, to the international student
enrolled in full-time studies with the highest average overall. The 2015
recipient of this scholarship was Kanzhe Liu.
The 2016/2017 recipients of the awards will be announced at the 23rd
Annual Algoma University Student Awards Reception this coming winter.
Written by: Marc Capancioni
OSSTF District 35 Algoma University
Support Staff Executive members,
from left, top row, Rose Linklater,
Benjamin Miller, Ivana Bruni, Raquel
Lehto, and Jenn Reid. Bottom row, from
left, Andrea Miller, Craig Diotte and
Margaret Neveau.
OSSTF District 35
Algoma U
Support Staff
Supporting
Students with
Bursary Awards
Education is an investment

for a lifetime
For local fire fighters, helping people is an everyday occurrence.
Given the spirit and essence of the job, members of Sault Ste. Marie
Professional Fire Fighters, Local 529 are no strangers to supporting
the community.
Last year, the association saw an opportunity to give back in a different
way and established two bursaries at Algoma University.
The Sault Ste. Marie Professional Fire Fighters, Local 529 Social Work
Bursary is awarded to a full-time student in their second, third or fourth
year of Algoma University’s Honours Bachelor of Social Work program.
The Sault Ste. Marie Professional Fire Fighters, Local 529 Bachelor of
Business Administration (BBA) Bursary is awarded to a full-time student
in their second, third or fourth year of Algoma University’s BBA program.
Working with Algoma U staff, Sault Ste. Marie Professional Fire Fighters,
Local 529 created the bursaries in 2015. For the association, supporting
students and the education sector was a logical extension of what its
members do on a regular basis.
“The nature of our job is community-minded, and we’re always looking
for ways to give back to Sault Ste. Marie,” said fire fighter and Local 529
executive member, Sandy Bunting. “Our guys are involved with a lot of
charity initiatives in the community. A new opportunity with Algoma
University presented itself, and we wanted to help as best we could.”
The bursary winners are selected by Algoma University based on criteria
established by Sault Ste. Marie Professional Fire Fighters, Local 529.
Students must submit an application to be considered.
Last year’s inaugural recipient of the $500 Sault Ste. Marie Professional
Fire Fighters, Local 529 Social Work Bursary was Carter Vance. The 2015
recipient of the $500 Sault Ste. Marie Professional Fire Fighters, Local 529
Bachelor of Business Administration Bursary was Danielle Cicchini.
This year’s winners will be announced at the 23rd Annual Algoma
University Student Awards Reception in the winter of 2017.
Sault Ste. Marie
Professional
Fire Fighters,
Local 529
Give Back
Written by: Marc Capancioni
From left, Dr. Richard McCutcheon,
Academic Dean, Algoma University,
Sandy Bunting, fire fighter and
Sault Ste. Marie Professional Fire
Fighters, Local 529 executive member,
Scholarship recipient, Carter Vance and
past Board Chair, Algoma University,
Armando Plastino.

BRENT KING:
STUDENT TURNED
ENTREPRENEUR
By: Nadine Robinson
It’s unusually quiet at the King residence.
Brent King isn’t working on one of
his two businesses, and his wife and
business partner has taken their two
young daughters to the park. He reflects
on his time at Algoma University and
how it prepared him for where he is
today.
“From a young age, I knew that I
wanted to be an entrepreneur, but I
needed to prepare myself academically.
My brother and dad both graduated from
Sault College, so I started there.”
Upon graduation from the two-year
business diploma program, King started
his first business with a fellow graduate.
Although an exciting venture, King,
thirsty for more knowledge, sold his
share of the company in order to focus
on acquiring a degree.
“The pathways program was great. It gave
me transfer credits, and through careful
course scheduling, including summer
and evening courses, it only took me two
incremental years at Algoma University
to complete a BBA [Bachelor of Business
Administration] in Economics in 2009.”
King absolutely fell in love with studying
business and economics at Algoma U.
“Classes were smaller at Algoma U. The
personal attention pushed me farther.
Dr. Krishna Kadiyala was a true mentor,
encouraging me to complete a master’s
program.”
King went on to complete a master’s
degree at the University of Westminster
in London, England.
“Other students in the program were
having difficulties in the global economics
courses, but Dr. Kadiyala prepared me so
well due to the level of care and personal
attention that I received.”
While studying in London, King travelled
extensively. He also met his now wife,
Mandy, on the first day of classes.
“Years later, after getting engaged to
Mandy, I moved to Taiwan and enrolled
in the National Taiwan Normal
University for Mandarin language
training and through immersion,
I became semi-fluent. Most importantly,
I was able to communicate with Mandy’s
family members who didn’t speak any
English. …Mandy and I are a team for
everything: in business, in parenting, and
in life.”
Now residing in Oakville, King and
his wife are running two businesses
together. Three years ago, they founded
Royal Oak Property Developments Ltd.,
a residential property developer with
projects in the Niagara region.
“We’re very excited about launching our
newest project, which is now in the final
approval stages.We’re working towards
a fall 2017 construction start date for
a 40-unit adult lifestyle residential
community.”
Their other business, Royal Oak Global
Trading Ltd., is a global commodity
supplier, specializing in the exportation
of Canadian softwood lumber to Asia.
“Mandy handles customer acquisitions
and customer service and I handle
procurement and logistics.We’ve found
a niche selling to end-users and small
local distributors, cutting out most of the
intermediaries.We grossed over $1 million
in sales during our first year of operations
and are on track to double that this year.”
King was the first of his family to attend
university. When King entered Algoma
University he was awarded an entrance
scholarship for achieving the highest
academic average of all college transfer
students that year. He also graduated
from Algoma University with the highest
overall academic average in the BBA
Economics program.
“I would choose Algoma U over
again hands down. I felt a really deep
connection with Algoma University. The
personal care was amazing, and if
I hadn’t studied there, I might not be
on the path I’m on today. I loved what I
studied and I love what I’m doing. Since I
found a passion for what I’m doing,
I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Next up for King, he plans to open a
real estate brokerage to increase the
saleability of his property development
projects and to widen brand recognition
for Royal Oak. He’s also hoping to
find time to get some sleep, as his two
businesses and two daughters Lily, four,
and Lucy, two, keep him quite busy.
ALUMNI PROFILE

FROM NIGERIA
TO SAULT STE. MARIE
For BaffaYusuf, his checklist of
requirements for a university were
really quite simple: the school had to be
located in Canada and it had to provide
an environment that would be conducive
to academic success. Algoma University
was that institution.
Algoma U was not the first post-
secondary institution attended by Yusuf,
who is originally from Nigeria. He began
his studies in Malaysia but was not
satisfied with the learning environment
and it lacked a sense of community.
That’s when he set out to find a school
that was right for him.
After discovering Algoma U and with
minimal research conducted on the
City of Sault Ste. Marie (he located it on
a map and it met the Canadian school
requirement), Yusuf enrolled.
“I approached an agent who worked
out the logistics and admissions and
everything for me in Nigeria and that’s
when I decided to come here,” he shared.
Yusuf was determined to complete his
studies and achieve academic success.
He also ended up finding the sense of
community he was longing for. “I first
went to the GLC [George Leach Centre]
and I met a student there who showed me
around. I had some issues locating places
on campus,” Yusuf explained of his first
day at Algoma U.
“I walked around and some students from
Saudi Arabia took me out to have lunch.
There’s that diversity and I got accepted by
people so fast.” It was much different than
his previous experience and played into
his strategy for academic success.
He noted, “Because of the small class
sizes, it’s really easy to find a group that
you can work on group projects with.
Compared to my other university where
we had about 200 to 300 students in
a class, here it’s easy. The education
experience was very beneficial.” He also
acknowledged the advantages of having
professors who were both accessible and
responsive to students.
Yusuf certainly made the most of his
academic experience at Algoma U,
joining a number of extracurricular
activities which helped to enrich his
academic journey. Yusuf served on the
Algoma University Students’ Union
(AUSU) Board for two and a half years,
holding the positions of Vice-President
External and President.
Yusuf also served as a representative
on the World University Service of
Canada (WUSC) Committee, founded
the Afro Beat Club and played on the
varsity soccer team. He was also selected
to participate in a student exchange
program, which he credits with being his
most memorable experience during his
time at Algoma U.
“I took the opportunity to enrol in the
exchange program. I was fortunate
enough to be picked for one of the
exchange programs to Finland.” There he
got to participate in activities and tours
that gave him a taste of Finnish food,
culture, and architecture. The exchange
also included a trip to St. Petersburg,
Russia.
“It was a very memorable experience.
It’s hard to have these experiences in other
places because it is very competitive. If I
was in a big institution I would have to
compete with people, but at Algoma U,
the opportunities are there for you, you
just have to take the first step to pursue it
and the chances of being selected are
very high.”
This drive and sense of initiative has
served Yusuf well.
In June, 2016, Yusuf graduated with
his Bachelor of Arts in Finance and
Economics. Looking towards the future,
Yusuf hopes to gain work experience
in his field that will better prepare him
to undertake a master’s degree related
to economics. He eventually hopes
to pursue his Chartered Professional
Accountant (CPA) certification.
After earning his CPA, he hopes to earn
meaningful employment within the city.
Yusuf encourages other students to stay
within Sault Ste. Marie upon graduation
and help the University take initiative in
pushing forward new policies and plans
that will make the city a more appealing
place to live, learn, and work.
ALUMNI PROFILE

1972: THE BEGINNING
OF VARSITY ATHLETICS
By: Meaghan Kent
In 2001, Algoma University College (AUC)
joined the ranks of the Ontario Colleges
Athletics Association (OCAA), allowing
student-athletes to compete in the sports
of curling and basketball alongside other
Ontario colleges. However, Algoma’s
varsity athletics history goes well beyond
the glory days of the OCAA. In fact, AUC
earned its first varsity medal in 1972 in
alpine skiing. It was the first and last medal
the University would garner in the sport.
Four local athletes, Norman Coulter,
Paul Saarinen, Don Shushkewich,
and Tim FitzGerald began studying at
Algoma University College in the 1970s.
Decorated downhill skiers, the foursome
had just earned the Shell Cup Trophy and
looked to continue their reign atop of the
mountains. That’s when then Athletics
and Recreation Director George Leach
approached Laurentian University to
gain approval for the skiers to compete in
the sport as Laurentian student-athletes.
With encouragement from various
faculty members and Principal Dr. Ian
Brown, the alpine team was formed and
raced competitively under the name of
affiliate Laurentian University, though all
finishes and medals were awarded to the
home institution in Sault Ste. Marie. The
team was rounded out by Laurentian-
based skier Peter Koyk and received
guidance and support from Laurentian’s
Bob Rogers, who went on to be Assistant
chef de mission for the Canadian Olympic
team at the 1998 Winter Olympics in
Nagano, Japan.
The squad competed on a four-course
circuit at Georgian Peaks (Thornbury),
Blue Mountain (Collingwood), Camp
Fortune (Ottawa), and at the Levack
Ski Hill (Levack), and travelled to and
from competitions in Saarinen’s father’s
’69 Volvo, Coulter’s ’66 Volvo, or loaned
vehicles from various local doctors and
lawyers. “People were very supportive
of our team and generous with their
vehicles,” recalls Coulter with a laugh.
Three of the four skiers recently reunited
in late October in Shingwauk Hall.
While a lack of funding would put an end
to the team within two years’ time, the
team garnered provincial attention in
their short-lived race to the top. Before
having to call it quits, the team trained
at Hiawatha Highlands at Landslide Hill
with Brian Mealey’s junior alpine team.
Mealey also headed the AUC team as
In photo: Norman Coulter, Paul Saarinen, Don Shushkewich and Tim FitzGerald - Algoma Ski Team 1972.
ALUMNI PROFILE

well as the Searchmont Ski Runners,
with whom the Algoma group was first
formed. “He was a great go for gold kind
of coach. A strong and powerful skier, with
a good sense of humour,” says Saarinen,
who has been dubbed the “Flying Finn”.
Training went beyond their time with
Mealey. “The Algoma College Ski Team
were a new breed of renegade skiers, we
did it on our own… We coached ourselves,
trained as hard as we could… and
returned home with plenty of medals!
We were ordinary guys from Northern
Ontario who achieved extraordinary
results racing against the biggest schools
in the province!”
After amassing 190 points out of a
possible 200 at Onaping Falls, the
team earned gold and the Alpine
Combined Trophy at the 1972 Ontario
University Athletics Association (OUAA)
Championships, which in 1997, would
become the Ontario University Athletics
(OUA), the premiere sport conference
in Canada – the same conference the
Algoma Thunderbirds joined in 2013.
Thus, the alpine skiers were the first
student-athletes to compete and medal
in the league representing the Algoma
Thunderbirds.
Their podium finish qualified the team
for the national championships. For
Coulter’s individual performance on the
slopes, he attended the Mount Sutton
Ski Trials in hopes of earning a spot at
the World University Championships in
Lake Placid, New York. Both Coulter and
FitzGerald were considered excellent
contenders. Unfortunately, Coulter didn’t
qualify; he did, however, later compete
in pro dual slalom races in Whistler,
before turning his attention to becoming
a professional windsurfer while living in
North Carolina.
While the team had the physical and
mental prowess to excel on the mountain
and garner countless accolades, Saarinen
believes the team’s strength lay in their
Finnish spirit – sisu – or “Finn power”,
as he calls it. Saarinen still uses his Finn
power to this day, skiing the rugged
slopes of Whistler. In fact, he skied over
150 days in 2015-16, more than his fellow
teammates, as most have since retired
from the adrenaline-junkie sport, and
opted for Nordic skis and snowshoes
instead.
Saarinen (Geography), FitzGerald
(Economics), and Shushkewich
(Psychology) graduated from Algoma
University College in 1974, followed by
Coulter (Geography) in 1975. FitzGerald
was working in Toronto when his
teammates relocated to Whistler for a
short time to continue their passion for
skiing. When they first arrived at Whistler,
the mountain was far from the luxurious,
recreational village it has become today.
There were no black diamond runs and
the chair lift was a chilly 45-minute ride.
And if you wanted to reach the summit,
you had to climb to the top yourself. “You
were frozen once you got to the top and
your legs burned all the way down,” adds
Shushkewich, who is still referred to as
“Sasquatch”, a nickname he earned in the
’70s on the slopes.
Searchmont was then much the same.
Shushkewich, who excelled at the
downhill and giant slalom, recalls having
to groom the course by hand – or rather
foot – packing each run with his own two
feet before each race. “We didn’t have any
groomers or fancy snow makers.We did
everything ourselves. It was a great team
building exercise.”
The foursome drifted apart after calling
it quits on the mountain. Careers and
families pulled each member into
different directions in Canada and the
United States. But no matter where
they ended up, they all agree, their
years on the slopes were some of their
best – despite the bumps, bruises,
and broken bones – and their time at
Algoma University College, immensely
memorable. “My degree from Algoma
has opened so many doors for me. A
magical college in a powerful setting,
with so many wonderful teachers,” adds
Saarinen. He had his degree delivered via
helicopter while working in the Yukon
with Coulter doing mineral exploration.
Flash forward 44 years later, the Alpine
Combined Trophy and Shell Cup now
sit proudly polished and on display at
the George Leach Centre, after being
discovered in Shushkewich’s home
amidst an annual spring clean. The
trophies, thought lost and forgotten,
symbolize the longstanding tradition of
varsity athletics at Algoma University.
In photo: Mark Kontulainen, Norman Coulter, Don Shushkewich and Dr. Craig Chamberlin. Trophies from 1971-72
Paul Saarinen - the “Flying Finn”

A SECOND CHANCE
ON THE HARDWOOD
By: Meaghan Kent
Double knee surgery wasn’t enough to
keep Carriera Lamoureux from playing
basketball. In fact, being off the court
for over a year and a half only made her
drive and will to play stronger.
The road to the Ontario University
Athletics (OUA) wasn’t easy for
Lamoureux. The Winnipeg, Manitoba
native struggled to find a team to play
on in her home province at the
post-secondary level. Despite trying out
at various USports (formerly Canadian
Interuniversity Sports) schools and
putting the time in in the gym and on the
hardwood, Lamoureux failed to make a
team after graduating from high school.
“Frankly, I just wasn’t good enough.
So I actually played college ball for
two years at the Canadian Mennonite
University [CMU] and that’s what gave
me the hope that I could play somewhere
else someday.”
Lamoureux, who is of Métis heritage,
played for the CMU Blazers for two years
before transferring to Brandon University
where she was finally able to play on a
USports team. Her career, however, was
cut short due to extensive knee injuries,
which resulted in being sidelined for
almost two years. Her injuries made
coaches weary about playing someone
with such a condition. “My knees were my
discerning factor. No one would play me.”
But that didn’t stop Lamoureux. “I went
online and went to the OUA [web]page
and thought there has to be someone
who is willing to give me a second
chance.” And that’s when she stumbled
upon Ryan Vetrie, Head Coach of the
women’s basketball team.
“Several of my close friends in Manitoba
knew about Ryan. They suggested I go
see him.‘Maybe he would take you. He’s
coaching girls, he’s good.’ That’s what they
were all saying. So I went to the website,
found his email, and sent him my tape
and asked him to consider me. He called
me within 15 minutes.”
Although Lamoureux sent her
recruitment tapes to many schools
within the OUA, she had strong feelings
about Algoma University. “There was
something very unique about Algoma
U. Not only because Ryan contacted me
immediately but he also phoned me.
All of the other coaches would just email
me a standard response. Ryan was very
engaged with me all the way through and
was very eager and excited. It had been a
long time since I had felt that excitement
and it made me feel like I was worthwhile.
He made me feel good about myself.”
From there, Lamoureux transferred
to Algoma U, majoring in History,
becoming the first female basketball
player to come to the Thunderbirds
with previous USports experience.
She received maximum transfer
credit, enabling her to graduate after
completing just one year of studies.
However, wanting to play all five years
of basketball allowed under USports
rules, she postponed her graduation for
one year.
Staying the additional year has also
allowed Lamoureux to complete an
undergraduate thesis. “I didn’t know
this when I transferred here but at
Algoma U, I have this opportunity to write
an undergraduate thesis. That wasn’t
even a thing in Manitoba.You can’t do
that.You have to get special guidance to
do that. But [here], it’s just part of your
integrated program. I love that.When I
found out that was an option for me I was
so excited. Finally the freedom to explore
different avenues.”
Now in her second and final year with
the Algoma Thunderbirds as a combo
guard, Lamoureux is proud to wear the
red, white, and grey, and be named
Co-Captain of the squad. This is her
second year with this honour.
Off the court, Lamoureux is working to
build upon the local Athletes in Action
chapter at Algoma University and to
work with Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
“I work with a lot of troubled inner city
youth. I run a program in Manitoba
through Athletes in Action for these kids.
And I’m starting that here... In Winnipeg,
I grew up as one of these kids. Sport is
such an amazing platform. I’m here, this
is my home. I’d like to get in touch with
these kids and spend time with them.
I’d like to give them the opportunity that
I had even when the odds weren’t in my
favour.”
STUDENT PROFILE

FROM BC TO ONTARIO:
RENG GUM’S JOURNEY
TO THE OUA
By: Meaghan Kent
Reng Gum travelled 3,564 kilometres
from Surrey, British Columbia to play
university ball. The 6’7”, 225-pound
forward, made the cross-country trek to
compete in Canada’s premiere athletics
conference, the OUA (Ontario University
Athletics).
Before joining the Algoma Thunderbirds
men’s basketball line-up in 2015-16, Gum
played for the Douglas College Royals in
New Westminster, BC. In his second year
with the Royals, the team earned bronze
in the Pacwest 2014-15 Men’s Basketball
Provincial Championships, narrowly
missing an opportunity to compete for
the national title. Despite being on a
medaling team, he opted to leave and
relocate to Sault Ste. Marie to play for the
underdog team in the OUA and compete
among the best student-athletes in the
nation.
Gum admits that he wasn’t head
hunted by bench boss Thomas Cory.
Instead, he first heard about the Algoma
Thunderbirds from former teammate
Adam Benrabah, also a BC native, who
joined the Algoma U roster in the
2014-15 season. “Adam encouraged me to
talk to Coach and he also talked to Coach
about me.We were all very interested in
having me play for Algoma U.”
Immediately, Cory showed interest.
Gum had the experience of playing at
a higher level in the Canadian Colleges
Athletics Association (CCAA) and added
much needed height to an otherwise
short roster. Gum was the exact player
Cory had been looking for since joining
the OUA.
“It’s hard to find someone who has both
the size and skill that Reng does,” says
Head Coach Cory. “Usually you get one
and not the other. Never both.We knew
he would be a great fit with the boys and
would help bring our team to that next
level of competition. There’s some really
big teams in the OUA who are stacked
with six-foot and seven-foot tall guys,
which makes it tough for us to defend.
Reng helps cut down the size difference
and makes us more competitive.”
Gum quickly adjusted to life as a
Thunderbird and found himself as the
starting forward for the team in the
2015 home opener. Although he was
sidelined for a large portion of the season
due to a concussion, Gum came back
strong as a defensive threat, ranking
fifth in the OUA for blocks and tenth
for rebounds, averaging 1.6 and 7.2 per
game, respectively. He later earned the
title of Defensive Player of the Year with
the Thunderbirds.
While being able to compete in the
OUA was the big draw for Gum, the
University’s first-class education has
been an added perk. Gum is currently
enrolled in the University’s Bachelor
of Business Administration program,
minoring in Accounting. While he admits
it is a struggle balancing being a student-
athlete with full-time studies, he is
maintaining excellent grades, and hopes
to one day either attend law school or
business school for graduate studies.
For Cory, who’s been Head Coach of the
men’s squad since 2005, being able to
recruit student-athletes from outside of
the province and country has been the
core to building an OUA team. “Ontario
has great talent. There are great athletics
programs in secondary schools and at
the college level that we’re constantly
drawing from to build our team. But
those student-athletes who come from
outside of Ontario and outside of Canada
bring something unique to the team.
They have a stronger drive and passion
and bring a different playing mentality.
They’re extremely competitive and are
willing to commit everything to the team.
That’s what we need to build an OUA
powerhouse team.”
Plus getting students to commit to play
for Algoma U has been easy for Cory, he
admits. “When you’re recruiting students
from out of province, it’s a little easier
when you can say that our team competes
in the premiere league in Canada.
Being in the OUA is a big draw for
athletes. But another aspect that makes
recruiting easier is having credit transfer
recognition. Algoma U is very generous in
offering students coming from college or
university with maximum credit transfer.
So you’re time and effort you put in before
Algoma U doesn’t go to waste.You can
get the degree you want in less time since
you’re not starting from year one in your
studies.”
STUDENT PROFILE

UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION
FIND US ON FACEBOOK.
“Like” our Algoma University
Alumni page and stay connected.
It’s never been easier to
stay connected. Update your
contact information online
algomau.ca/alumni-donors/update-your-information
YOU CAN WIN SOME
GREAT PRIZES TOO!
Monthly draws will take place
from all updates received
during each month.
Once again our alumni family has grown.
This year we were pleased to welcome
our newest alumni family members
from our Convocation celebrations in
Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, and most
recently, from Brampton. As I have said
many times, Convocation is a wonderful
time to celebrate our graduates’ success,
to see the smiles and the sense of
accomplishments from both the graduates
and their families. It truly is special.
Your association with Algoma U doesn’t
end at Convocation. In fact, Convocation
begins the next phase of what we hope
will be a lifelong relationship.
Algoma U will always be your university.
Some of your best memories were
created here and will be cherished well
into the future. It is always nice to have
alumni come back to campus; to visit,
to get involved, to share their expertise,
experience and knowledge with today’s
students, to attend events or to bring
their children and grandchildren to
campus for events and activities - or to
register as the next generation of
Algoma U students.
Alumni are our best ambassadors.
Who better to talk about what Algoma
University has to offer than someone
who has been here and experienced it
first hand. Students and their parents
look to the experience and success
that graduates have achieved when
considering their university options – so
SHARE YOUR STORY! We want to hear it,
and most importantly future generations
of students want to hear it.
Your opinion matters and we hope
that you will take the opportunity to be
heard. Your Alumni Council has made it
a priority to help you stay connected and
engaged.
As alumni, you can provide critical
input into how academic programs
are designed and delivered. Receiving
feedback from alumni is an important
part of the process, keep in touch so we
know how to reach you. We have made it
even easier for you to stay in touch. You
can update your contact information
online at: algomau.ca/alumni-donors/
update-your-information/. It’s
convenient and easy, and you could have
a chance to win some great Algoma U
alumni swag.
So what are you waiting for – contact us
today. We can’t wait to hear from you!
For more information, contact Bev Teller,
CFRE at 705-949-2301, extension 4125
or email: bev.teller@algomau.ca
SHARE YOUR STORY – A MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI OFFICE

Couldn’t attend Homecoming 2016?
Don’t miss the fun next year!
Stay tuned for the 2017 fall dates.

BESTofSaultSte.Marie
Reader'sChoice
AcknowledgingTheBestInSaultSte.Marie
The Sault Star
Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement no. 40005450

Charting New Courses

Recomendados

Recomendados

Más contenido relacionado

La actualidad más candente

La actualidad más candente (20)

Destacado

Destacado (13)

Similar a Charting New Courses

Similar a Charting New Courses (20)

Charting New Courses