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Where the streets have no name (yet)

Algoma University is in the process of officially naming its roadways, along with some of its buildings and rooms , on its main campus.

Algoma University is in the process of officially naming its roadways, along with some of its buildings and rooms , on its main campus.

The naming process is seen as one of many ways to mark Algoma University's 50th anniversary celebrations, which run throughout 2015 and begin with a weekend of activities Friday.

"We have a committee in place, there will be a public call for suggestions and the committee will formulate a package of recommendations, the president will take those to the board, and we'd be looking to have something in place for late April and probably announcing them (the new names) as the second leg of our anniversary celebrations at convocation in June," said Richard Myers, Algoma University president, at the university's board of governors meeting Thursday.

The name for the incoming roadway, from Queen Street East leading into the campus, has been already approved and will be unveiled during this weekend's celebrations Saturday, Myers told the board.

"At most universities you would find that virtually everything on the campus has a name…in many cases it's a question of recognizing the contribution of someone who's played a significant role in building the institution," Myers said, speaking to SooToday.

"It could be a retired professor, administrators, board members or community people who have supported the institution."

"We don't do a whole lot of that here, something that strikes you when you arrive as an outsider," Myers said.

"We have the Arthur Wishart Library, for a tremendous supporter of the university…we were just meeting in the Doc Brown Lounge, he was one of the early principals of Algoma University College and did great service for the university so it's nice he's remembered that way."

"But there isn't a lot of that on our campus, and you notice there are many things with no name at all," Myers said.

Myers said the matter came to his attention when a visiting cabinet minister's staff member recently asked for the street address of the university's Essar Convergence Centre.

"The institution grew and we added the George Leach Centre, then the townhouses…we now have three distinct streets running through our campus but not one of them has a name," Myers said.

"It would be nice to be able to assist people in locating things by telling them 'it's on this street' and the street has a name."

"At the same time it's a wonderful opportunity to recognize people who've helped build the institution, a fitting initiative in our 50th anniversary year to see if we can attach suitable names to suitable places or buildings to give people a better sense of the history and a better sense of recognition for all the great work people have done over the years to make this a great institution," Myers said.    

The naming committee includes Don Jackson, retired Algoma University professor, and retired local judge Ray Stortini.

 

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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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