Lakehead University will recognize five exceptional people at this year’s convocation ceremonies on Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28 at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.
The Hon. Jean Charest, Helen Cromarty, and Dr. Keijo Virtanen will each receive an honorary doctorate for their work in politics, health care, and research on Finnish immigration to Canada, respectively. “Honorary degree recipients are chosen based on their excellent contributions to society and their remarkable service,” said Dr. Brian Stevenson, Lakehead’s President and Vice-Chancellor.
Lakehead will also recognize the hard work and dedication of Tammy Squitti and Bill Bartley, who will each be named Fellow of the University. Murray Walberg, Chair of Lakehead’s Board of Governors, said these individuals were selected due to their contributions to Lakehead University. “Bill Bartley and Tammy Squitti have made a profound impact on Lakehead University and this is our way of publically saying thank you,” Walberg said.
Honorary Degree Recipients
The Hon. Jean Charest
As Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Premier of Québec, Jean Charest is one of Canada’s best known political figures. As Minister of the Environment, he led his country’s delegation at the 1992 Earth Summit on the economy and the environment in Rio and was praised for his leadership role among G7 countries on climate change and biodiversity. The Charest government has been a world leader on the environment and climate change, and best known for a major initiative for the sustainable development of Northern Québec called “Plan Nord.” Under his leadership, Québec experienced a sustained period of economic prosperity with stronger economic growth from 2008 to 2012 than the US, Europe, Canada and Ontario, despite a global financial and economic crisis.
For the International arena, his administration was the most active in the history of Québec. Thus, the Charest government initiated an unprecedented labour mobility agreement between France and Québec, and convinced Canada and the European Union to negotiate a broad economic partnership. Jean Charest is a partner at McCarthy Tétrault. He provides invaluable expertise to the firm’s clients with his in-depth knowledge and experience with public policy, corporate Canada and international matters. As a strategic advisor with a unique perspective, he supports clients on complex transactions, projects and international mandates, as they navigate the global business environment.
Jean Charest will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws during the Friday afternoon ceremony.
Helen Cromarty
Helen was recognized for her work in First Nations Health by the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, and the Chiefs of Ontario. She has an extensive board and committee experience, including Lakehead University, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Wequedong Lodge and Aboriginal Health Services for Accreditation Canada. Helen is a residential school survivor, friend, sister, aunt, mother, and Kookom (grandmother). Her husband, Dennis Franklin Cromarty, passed away February 3, 1993. She is proud of their five children and a very proud Kookom of three beautiful girls. Upon retiring in 2013, she felt honoured to have completed the circle in her career. Her first nursing post was at the Sioux Lookout Indian Hospital, now known as the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre.
Helen Cromarty will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science during the Saturday morning ceremony.
Dr. Keijo Virtanen
In the 1970s he made several long trips to Canada and the United States to microfilm archival material on Finnish immigrants. Keijo became the longest-serving rector/president of the University of Turku (1997-2012). He has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Klaipeda University (Lithuania) and the University of Tartu (Estonia). He is the honorary consul of Estonia in Southwest Finland. After his retirement in 2012, Keijo continues with his research on migration. The John Morton Center for North American Studies was established at the University of Turku in 2014 as led by him. He is the chair of the Council of the Institute of Migration. Keijo and his wife Orvokki have two children, Seppo and Marjaana, and six grandchildren. Seppo has a doctorate in Information Technology and Marjaana in Musicology.
Keijo Virtanen will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on Saturday afternoon.
Fellows
Tammy Squitti
Tammy’s commitment to the wellness of our community is evident in her 10 years of continuous volunteer service with the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre in the Aboriginal Community Council Program, participating in Restorative Justice Circles to support the people of Thunder Bay. She also volunteers with the Thunder Bay Police Service sponsorship committee in support of Special Olympics Ontario and the Can Am Police-Fire Games. Tammy is married to Robert Squitti and her favourite role in life is the one called “Mom” to their only child – Robert Squitti Jr.
Tammy will be named Fellow of the University on Saturday morning.
Bill Bartley
Presently, he is both the chair of the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority and the Source Protection Authority; secretary/treasurer of the Prostate Cancer Canada Network – Thunder Bay; and treasurer of the 18 (Thunder Bay) Service Battalion Senate. Bill is a past president of the Lakehead University Alumni Association; past governor of Lakehead University; former councillor in the Municipality of Shuniah; past vice-president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association; past board member of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario; and past director of the ROMA Insurance Board. Over the past two years, Bill has been honoured not only by his fellow alumni but now by his university community. In 2015, Bill was awarded the “Alumni Legacy Award’ and now he will be joining his late father as a Fellow of the University. He looks forward to his renewed association with Lakehead University.
Bill will be named Fellow of the University on Saturday afternoon.
Convocation Schedule
Friday, May 27 – 2 pm
Faculty of Medicine
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Business Administration
Faculty of Engineering
Saturday, May 28 – 9:30 am
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
Saturday, May 28 – 2 pm
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
Faculty of Natural Resources Management