THUNDER BAY – EDUCATION – Lakehead Chancellor Dr. Derek H. Burney and his wife, Joan, announced a generous gift of $150,000 to establish a special postdoctoral fellowship at the University.
The Derek and Joan Burney Postdoctoral Fellowship is the first fellowship established through Lakehead’s Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining and Exploration (CESME).
The new postdoctoral fellowship will be affiliated with Lakehead’s Department of Economics within the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies. The fellowship will fund a three-year bridging position at the University for a researcher who is between their PhD and a faculty position.
“It is because of our education and what we were able to do with it, that we are in a position today to make this donation to CESME,” said Dr. Burney. “It is one that we sincerely hope will inspire others to do something similar in support of Lakehead University.”
Lakehead University President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, explained the importance of the Burneys’ gift: “As the Burneys’ generous gift will most certainly help push CESME closer to its goals, my hope is that their gesture encourages others to make philanthropic contributions to the Centre and Lakehead University.
“The returns on these kinds of investments are long-term, and are felt throughout Northwestern Ontario,” added Dr. Stevenson.
CESME’s Director, Dr. Pete Hollings, said, “By creating this postdoctoral fellowship, Derek and Joan Burney are making a strong commitment to CESME.
“By directly supporting the people who undertake the research into resource development in Northern Ontario, the Burneys recognize the important role that CESME will play in our region’s future,” Dr. Hollings explained.
Dr. John Mason, Project Manager, Mining Services for the Thunder Bay Economic Development Commission, explained the significance of CESME’s new Fellowship. “It’s important to invest in strategic Northwestern Ontario mining industry players like Lakehead University and CESME because the mineral sector is a far-reaching and impactful economic driver in this region, and will continue to be for years to come,” he said.
The goal of CESME is to encourage and support research, education and outreach activities regarding the nature and impacts of mineral resource exploration and extraction particularly in Northern Ontario.
To learn more about CESME, please visit www.cesme.lakeheadu.ca.
