Laurentian University congratulates Professor Dr. David Pearson, NOSM Board member Angèle Brunelle, and honorary doctorate recipient Ronald Caza on their appointment to the Order of Ontario.
The Order of Ontario recognizes individuals whose exceptional achievement in their field has left a lasting legacy in the province, Canada and beyond. Order members come from all walks of life and from across Ontario. They represent diverse professions and have played an important role in shaping our province.
Dr. David Pearson is a Professor in the School of the Environment, working in the Vale Living with Lakes Centre at Laurentian. He is an earth scientist and was a member of the Department of Earth Sciences from 1969 until 2005 when he became one of the two founding Co-Directors of the Laurentian University / Science North Graduate Diploma Program in Science Communication. From 1980 to 1986 he was the founding director of Science North, whose pioneering interactive approach has become a model for public science engagement.
Angèle Brunelle is an advocate for northwest Ontario's Francophone community. She is the director of the l'Acceuil francophone de Thunder Bay and has dedicated her life to promoting Francophone rights in the health and education sectors. Ms. Brunelle is an active member of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) Board of Directors.
Ronald F. Caza is a well-known Franco-Ontarian and Laurentian University graduate, he received an honorary doctorate in May 2013. He is a lawyer and ardent defender of Francophone linguistic rights. Mr. Caza has championed the preservation of French language and culture in Ontario, successfully arguing before the highest courts against attempts to eliminate or undermine essential institutions.