Renée Jeanne Falconetti as Jeanne D’Arc in director Carl Theodor Dreyer’s silent film.Renée Jeanne Falconetti as Jeanne D’Arc in director Carl Theodor Dreyer’s silent film.

Professors to discuss history of silent film classic

A discussion Saturday, March 28, will provide context for a screening of Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1928 silent film masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc at the Capitol Theatre.

UWindsor professors Vincent Georgie and Erica Stevens Abbitt will join Windsor Symphony Orchestra conductor Robert Franz for the free public 6 p.m. discussion, which precedes an 8 p.m. screening accompanied by a performance of the cantata Voices of Light.

  • Franz will speak briefly about composer Richard Einhorn’s extraordinary project to create a contemporary soundscape to match Dreyer’s film;
  • Dr. Georgie, director of the Windsor International Film Festival, will discuss the history of this controversial film and the challenge of creating music to match its vision; and
  • Dr. Stevens Abbitt, a professor of drama, will talk about the contribution of theatre pioneer Antonin Artaud to Dreyer’s masterpiece.

The Humanities Research Group is a co-sponsor of the lecture portion of the evening, and the University Singers are performing the cantata with the WSO Chorus. Featured soloists with UWindsor ties include alumna Erin Armstrong (BMus 2007), a soprano, and mezzo-soprano Lesley Andrew, a voice instructor.

Tickets for the screening and concert are available from the orchestra’s box office. Find details on its website. The Capitol Theatre is located at 121 University Avenue West.

Muhammad Umar Amjad, Grace Bottah and Tabitha MannMuhammad Umar Amjad, Grace Bottah and Tabitha Mann celebrate their wins in the Leave the Pack Behind contest.

Students celebrate sweet taste of going smoke-free

Coming to Windsor meant a new life for Muhammad Umar Amjad, and in this new life, he doesn’t smoke.

“I wanted to quit, but I was addicted,” said the native of Pakistan, who moved to Canada in December to begin studies in the Master of Management program. “The change of country helped me a lot.”

The Leave the Pack Behind program provided the incentive he needed to give up tobacco, Amjad said Wednesday as he collected a $500 voucher toward his tuition. He won the prize in a draw for students who quit smoking.

“This is a great reward, but the best thing is that I have quit,” he said. “I am done with smoking.”

The contest offered tuition vouchers, provided by the Office of the President, in several categories. Tabitha Mann won $200 for reducing her cigarette consumption by half, Grace Bottah won $200 for breaking the connection between tobacco and alcohol, and Patricia Alsalom won $100 in a category for non-smokers who stay tobacco-free.

While the contest is a great way to draw attention to the issue, Student Health Services provides a variety of supports to combat tobacco addiction, says health promotion nurse Judi Wilson.

“It takes time and planning to quit smoking,” she says. “We have information, strategies, and free nicotine replacements that can help.”

Wilson invites students to visit her office, room 240, CAW Student Centre, or phone 519-253-3000, ext. 3260.

Martin Vaughan and Susan McKeeSupport Staff Award recipients Martin Vaughan and Susan McKee were among the honorees at the 23rd annual OPUS awards banquet, Thursday in the CAW Student Centre.

Awards pay tribute to contributions of, and for, part-time students

He never expected to receive recognition from the Organization of Part-time University Students, says Martin Vaughan, but that doesn’t make it any less welcome.

Media and audio-visual technician in the Centre for Teaching and Learning, he was one of three UWindsor staff honoured for their support of student achievement during the organization’s awards banquet Thursday.

“I was so surprised to learn I had been nominated, let alone selected to win an award,” Vaughan said. “I feel so humbled to know my work has been noticed.”

Martin Deck, marketing coordinator for the Campus Bookstore, and Susan McKee, publicity coordinator for the School of Creative Arts, also received support staff awards.

“It’s really a special recognition because it comes from the students,” McKee said. “They’re the reason we’re all here. To have them acknowledge us really means a lot.”

The evening included a video tribute to several outgoing members of the OPUS board, including long-serving vice-president Anthony Meloche, who received a lifetime achievement award. In total, 16 individuals received awards. Find more information, including a complete list of honorees, on the event website.

Simon du Toit and VP Research K.W. Michael SiuOrganizer Simon du Toit and VP Research K.W. Michael Siu congratulate award winners at the conclusion of the UWill Discover conference, Tuesday in the CAW Student Centre.

Conference highlights research by undergraduates

Kayla Dettinger can trace her family’s involvement with Willistead Manor back at least two generations—her grandmother Mary Jane Dettinger has long been dedicated to the preservation of the Walkerville landmark and currently serves on its board of directors.

That sparked her interest in the city-owned heritage facility, originally built as a home for distillery heir Edward Chandler Walker and his wife Mary Walker. Kayla Dettinger’s work to create a digital archive of primary documents, including Mary Walker’s will and personal letters, earned the third-year history student the Community Connection Award at the UWill Discover conference Tuesday.

“I couldn’t imagine I would be recognized in this way,” Dettinger said. “I feel really honoured.”

Organizer Simon du Toit said the event, the University’s first campus-wide showcase for undergraduate research, was a huge success.

“Just seeing how excited the participants were to share their work put a smile on my face all day,” he said. “Hundreds of audience members engaged with the students. I am very grateful for all the support.”

Researchers took home cash prizes in a variety of disciplines. Find a full list of award winners on the conference website.

Student Anna Toaze sorts costumes in a drama storage room.Student Anna Toaze sorts costumes in a drama storage room.

School of Dramatic Art to showcase new production wing at today’s open house

The School of Dramatic Art will officially unveil the new production wing of its operation today by welcoming the campus community to a behind-the-scenes look at the spaces where staff and students now prepare for productions.

Tour the art production workrooms, classrooms and offices in the basement of Essex Hall this afternoon from 3 to 4 p.m.

Guests will have a chance to watch staff and students working on their upcoming University Players’ production of The Nerd.

Follow the signs and tour through the Costume, Paint, Props and Scene Building Shops. Don’t forget to peek into the costume and furniture storage areas.