Dr. Larry Black Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Research Scholar at Carleton University is Director of the Centre for Research on Canadian- Russian Relations at the University Partnership Centre, Georgian College. He has degrees from Mount Allison University, Boston University, and McGill University; has written, edited, or coedited 35 books on Soviet and Russian foreign policy and domestic affairs; is the founding editor of Russia and Eurasia Documents Annual, with subscribers in 17 countries. He has briefed government departments and NGOs, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Export Development Canada, the Immigration and Refugee Board, and CSIS; and served as a Research Fellow with NATO.

Michael Johns Assistant Professor of Political Science with Laurentian University at Georgian College, has an MSc from the London School of Economics and a PhD from the University of Maryland. Regular media commentator on Canadian and local politics.

Jennifer Armstrong-Lehman MA in Political Science from Wilfred Laurier; worked with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAIT) and was a member of the Canadian delegation to the United Nations in 2002-2003. Teaches for Georgian College in Orillia, and Laurentian University in Barrie.

GREAT IDEAS IN SCIENCE

Doug Cunningham Doug Cunningham a retired science and outdoor education teacher and amateur astronomer has always enjoyed the adventure of scientific inquiry. His fascination with the Great Ideas of Science permeated his lessons. He loves scientific narrative and the idea that the Universe is composed, not only of atoms and energy, but of stories. During his career as a science educator he earned many awards including The Prime Minister's Award, the National Youth Science Foundation Award, and the OSSTF's Excellence in Education Award. He and his wife, Paula, have built Quetican Observatory ("Spirit of Beautiful Places") and enjoy sharing their knowledge and love for the night skies. Their love of astronomy has taken them around the world in search of unique astronomical adventures. This is Doug's fifth time as a featured BALL lecturer.

POLAR TRIUMPHS & TRADEGIES

Reverend Jerry Salloum Reverend Jerry Salloum a high school geography teacher for 32 years, is also a retired Anglican minister. Jerry completed studies in Anthropology, Education and Theology at U of T and earned a graduate degree in Physical Geography at WLU. A part–time faculty member of Wilfrid Laurier University since 1988 when he taught Geography through Distance Education, he is now involved in teaching intramural courses at the undergraduate level. The focus of Jerry's graduate work was the Canadian Arctic, a region through which he has traveled on 7 different occasions.

Dr. Laird Christie Dr. Laird Christie received his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Toronto in 1976. He has taught at Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Waterloo and Redeemer College. From 1979 until 2004 he engaged in research primarily focusing on the Canadian Arctic. He has been stationed at Holman on Victoria Island, Eskimo Point, Baffin Island and Pangnirtung. Since his retirement he has continued to teach on a part-time basis at Wilfrid Laurier.

THEATRE THEN AND AGAIN AND NOW

Ted McGee Ted McGee is an English Professor at St. Jerome’s University in the University of Waterloo. He teaches "The Rebel in Literature," literary criticism, Canadian drama, Shakespeare, and “Editing Literary Texts.” He is co-editor of the Records of Early English Drama volumes for Dorset and Wiltshire, a contributor to the Oxford University Press Complete Works of Thomas Middleton, and is working on the New Variorum Shakespeare edition of Othello. A member of the Board of Governors of The Stratford Shakespeare Festival from 1992 to 1999, he continues to serve on the Education and Archives Committee of the Board.