By Kayla Perry, Editor in Chief

As we arrive at the last issue of the school year, I always like to take some time to look back over the past year: not just where we’ve come as a nation or country, but also as a community: specifically, the Laurentian community.

For Laurentian, the year of 2014 brought changes, above all else.

The university faced a re-branding, and over the summer construction officially began for the campus modernization plan, with the renovation and grand opening of the Great Hall.

This year also marked the beginning of the Fresh Food Company’s service in the hall, and the introduction of mandatory meal plans for all students living in an LUL residence, with the exception of Mature Student Residence (MSR).

In February LU hosted it’s first TedX event, and shortly after that, Student’s General Association (SGA) President Johnny Humphrey was elected, in the same vote that passed the referendum for the $10-million new student center.

The SGA constitution was also re-vamped, and long-time Executive Director of the SGA Charles Wilson left the organization.

Then, in October, the Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) and Laurentian staff came to an agreement on renewing faculty contracts, narrowly avoiding a strike.

Finally, Laurentian was welcomed onto the list of top-10 universities in the primarily undergraduate category in the prestigious Maclean’s university rankings.

Laurentian’s Voyageur’s soccer team also won the Gallo Cup in the annual competition against Nippissing, and the women’s cross country team made it to the OUA’s.

Although this is just a small glimpse of what Laurentian has achieved in the past year, as we say goodbye to 2014 it’s important to take a moment to forget about the stress of writing final papers and completing exams, and glance at all we have achieved.