WHITEHORSE, YT—Forty, full-time Yukon University students are receiving a brand-new laptop this month to support their educational success during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventeen will also get a one-year internet package.

Lenovo kickstarted this generous initiative by donating 40 ThinkPad laptops. Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel jumped onboard to donate support for eight internet packages. When seventeen students were identified as needing internet support, a Yukon University Foundation board member and an anonymous donor stepped forward to support an additional nine internet packages.

WHITEHORSE, YT—Yukon University has received $50,000 from the Bell Let’s Talk Diversity Fund towards the development of an integrated Mental Health and Wellness Strategy for students and employees.

The funding was announced last week as part of $1 million in grants announced by Bell Let’s Talk for organizations across Canada.

Canadians benefit from a health care system that is informed by research evidence—and by the voices of patients and caregivers. That is why it is essential that the government invest in patient-oriented research, which engages patients as partners throughout the research process.

Today, the Honourable Pauline Frost, Yukon’s Minister of Health, and the Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Canada’s Minister of Health, announced a combined investment of $10.4 million in funding and in-kind contributions to establish a Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Support for People and Patient-Oriented Research and Trials (SUPPORT) Unit in the Yukon.

WHITEHORSE, YT—Yukon University founding president and vice chancellor, Dr. Karen Barnes, has been honoured with the title president emerita by the YukonU Board of Governors.

The designation recognizes the outstanding contributions of retired presidents to the University and to the community, including demonstrated excellence, distinguished service, and effective leadership beyond normal expectations.

“Honouring Dr. Barnes with this significant title is a wonderful and fitting way for Yukon University to remain connected with our founding president as she continues to impact learning and research across the North,” said David Morrison, chair of the Yukon University Board of Governors.

Yukon University’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) is pleased to announce that a local I&E innovator has moved their business idea through to commercialization. The SUPStick land paddle, invented by Brennan Innovations Inc., is now available for purchase on its newly launched website.

Over the last five years, I&E has helped Joel Brennan, president of Brennan Innovations Inc. and developer of the SUPStick, in making his idea a reality. The SUPStick is an ergonomic dry land Stand Up Paddle (SUP) designed to simulate the feeling of being on water, while using a skateboard on land. I&E played a central role in helping Brennan actualize his idea by supporting him through prototype design, manufacturing and testing, intellectual property protection, and product development.