mosaic of facesA documentary film premiering tonight explores the multicultural experiences of the local community.

Students share exploration of Windsor’s multiculturalism

Digital journalism students will premiere their documentary film investigation of Windsor’s multiculturalism on Monday, March 30, at a free event, The Mosaic: Windsor’s Diversity.

The class, led by instructor Marty Gervais, put questions to community members about their experiences of moving to and living in Windsor.

“Windsor is the fourth-most diverse city in Canada,” says Sarah Lau, promotions manager for the program website the30.ca. “Although we see different cultures every day, do we ever truly take the time to know the stories behind these faces? Our program believes it’s important to be well-versed with diversity in Windsor and listen to these unique stories.”

Tonight’s event includes an exhibit and starts at 6 p.m. in Katzman Lounge, Vanier Hall.

Clark Awards to honour four university supporters

A former dean, a drama professor emeritus, a leader in community arts, and a charitable entrepreneur are the four outstanding UWindsor supporters who will be recognized with a 2015 Clark Award during an evening in their honour on Tuesday, May 5, at 6 p.m. in the Ambassador Auditorium, CAW Student Centre.

Clark Awards have been presented annually since 1994 and are named in honour of the late Charles J. Clark, former Chancellor of the University of Windsor. The award recognizes outstanding personal service of alumni volunteers and friends of the University who have made significant commitments in time, energy and expertise by serving on University boards, committees or campaigns, or who have worked extensively to increase the profile and reputation of the University.

The 2015 recipients are:

Wilf InnerdWilfred L. Innerd, a former dean of the UWindsor Faculty of Education, member of the University’s Board of Governors and its Senate. He has served on the Advisory Committee for AIDS Education, the Teacher Education Review Committee, the Ontario Association of Deans of Education, and the Ontario Association of Children’s Mental Health Centres. He chaired the St. Clair College Early Childhood Education Advisory Committee and was a director of Ontario Olympics of the Mind with the late Jerome Brown. Dr. Innerd served as chair of the Board of Canterbury College. He chaired the Board of Windsor Regional Hospital and serves on the Site Selection Sub-Committee for the new hospital.

Diana Mady KellyDiana Mady Kelly O.Ont. (BA 1960), drama professor emeritus whose influence on generations of actors spans over three decades. As director of the School of Dramatic Art, she influenced such luminaries as Antoni Cimolino and Stephen Ouimette. Mady Kelly is a founding member of the Stratford Summer Academy for University courses, and the Changing the Odds program for youth. She is a recipient of a Lieutenant Governor’s Laurel Award, an OCUFA Excellence in Teaching Award and the International Outstanding Teacher of Theatre in Higher Education award. Mady Kelly is a member of the Order of Ontario and a recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She served as president of the Council of Ontario University and College Theatre Programs.

Carolyne RourkeCarolyne J. Rourke (BA 1963, BFA 1991), a visionary leader in arts and culture. She initiated, ”Art Among Us” to increase the visibility of art on the UWindsor campus, spearheaded the first campus and city sculpture competitions and chaired the successful Humanities Research Group events, “1900 Paris World’s Fare” and “Carnevale di Venezia.” She was integral in encouraging the generous donation by Louis Odette of numerous sculptures to the University and to what became the $4.5 million Windsor Sculpture Park. Rourke’s crowning achievement was in helping develop the Windsor Endowment for the Arts, which has invested more than $50,000 in community, literary, performing and visual arts.

Sheila WisdomSheila E. Wisdom (BA 2001, LLD 2004), whose community impact began when she was a grants officer in the 1970s, supporting early funding for Hiatus House, a shelter for abused women. With her husband Jerry, she opened South Shore Books, which lured major Canadian authors to Windsor. Wisdom served on Windsor City Council and championed a fiscal fitness policy that cut tax increases substantially over 10 years, the preservation of the Capitol Theatre and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, and the conversion of a landfill into the Malden Road Park. Wisdom served as executive director of the United Way, and on the Advisory Committee for the University of Windsor’s Centre for Executive Education. She now manages the Windsor Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets for the May 5 dinner are $75, available by contacting Mary-Ann Rennie before April 20 at mrennie@uwindsor.ca or 519-973-7059.

Athletic director Mike Havey congratulates Dylan KucheravyAthletic director Mike Havey congratulates Dylan Kucheravy, one of two students honoured as the department’s employees of the year.

Luncheon pays tribute to student athletics staff

His work with Athletics and Recreational Services expanded his horizons during his time at the University of Windsor, says Dylan Kucheravy.

“All the opportunities I have gotten here have been just incredible,” says the kinesiology student. “I have gotten to know so many people: all the athletes on all the teams.”

He and Olivia Binder won recognition as the department’s employees of the year, Friday at the 10th annual Blue and Gold Student Staff Appreciation Luncheon.

Athletic director Mike Havey recounted Kucheravy’s career as a fitness instructor, trainer for varsity athletes, and assistant coach of Lancer football, while playing on the team as a defensive end. He said the contributions of all the students were vital to his department’s operations.

“We could not do what we do here without our student staff members,” Havey said. “They’re the oil that keeps the machines running.”

The luncheon featured more than a dozen awards highlighting outstanding employees in the St. Denis Centre, Campus Recreation, aquatics, managers and therapists, and Lancer home events. Find a full list at goLancers.ca.

Finalists in Three Minute Thesis competition to present today

The University’s Three Minute Thesis Competition will wrap up today with presentations by eight finalists who advanced from the preliminary heats.

The public is invited to attend as graduate students in a variety of disciplines endeavour to explain their research in three minutes. The event begins at 2 p.m. in the CAW Student Centre’s Ambassador Auditorium.

Contestants include:

  • Katherine Balasingham, Biological Sciences, Fishing for DNA
  • Molly Cairncross, Psychology, ADHD Treatment: Does Mindfulness Matter?
  • Anna Crater-Potter, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Please leave a message
  • Kyle Eckart, Civil and Environmental Engineering, How to prevent climate change from flooding your basement
  • Anivesh Reddy Minipuri, Computer Science, “What-if” in an organization
  • Alex Pennetti, Kinesiology, Train Your Brain
  • Sara Santarossa, Kinesiology, #SocialMedia: Somethin' to tweet about
  • Amirreza Talaei, Psychology, Organizational Identification: Too Much of a Good Thing? The Role of Self-Esteem

Judges will select a winner and runner-up, with cash awards of $1,000 and $500 respectively. The top finisher will also represent the University of Windsor at the Ontario championships, April 23 at Western University. Members of the audience will vote for a $250 people’s choice award.

kid flying paper airplaneThe local “qualiflyer” in the Red Bull Paper Wings competition comes to the St. Denis Centre at noon March 31.

Paper airplane contest ready for take-off Tuesday

The last time Red Bull held a paper airplane contest on the UWindsor campus, the local winner advanced to represent Canada at the world championship. That’s what Milos Savic wants students to keep in mind as he helps to organize the Paper Wings “qualiflyer” set for noon Tuesday, March 31, in the St. Denis Centre.

“The defending national champion was from the University of Windsor and got to compete in Austria!” he says. “People don’t realize what they can get from this contest.”

Entrants compete in three categories: furthest distance flown, longest time airborne, and most aerobatic flight.

Windsor will be the second-last competition held across the country this year. That may give local contestants an edge, if they are willing to review the results of previous rounds.

Find more information—including complete contest rules, design tips, and current leaderson the contest website.

One day left to nominate gems of the Student Affairs team

If you know a staff member of student affairs who has gone above and beyond in their everyday work, tomorrow is the deadline to nominate them for the annual GEM Awards. The awards recognize those who embody the Going the Extra Mile (GEM) philosophy.

Winners will receive such awards as the Lifetime GEM Award and the Peer Nominated GEM Award at a staff recognition luncheon.

Eligible members of the Student Affairs team serve these areas:

  • Aboriginal Education Centre;
  • Academic Integrity Office;
  • Campus Community Police;
  • International Student Centre;
  • Office of the Vice Provost, Student Affairs and Dean of Students;
  • Residence Services;
  • Student Counselling Centre; and
  • the Student Success Centre (Academic Advising, Career Services, Co-op, Disability Services, LEAD@UWindsor, Orientation Programs. STEPS, Transitional Support, Writing Support, Volunteer Internship Program).

Find the online form at: http://fluidsurveys.uwindsor.ca/s/GEM2015/.

Evamarie Bergeron and Joanne Ashton flank scholarship recipient Brittni Ann CareyEvamarie Bergeron and Joanne Ashton flank scholarship recipient Brittni Ann Carey at Thursday’s reception honouring University supporters.

Breakfast reception honours University donors

Receiving a bursary means more than just money to second-year drama student Kyndel Drouillard.

“It’s a gift from God,” she told guests at a breakfast Thursday to honour donors to the University’s student aid programs.

Her family struggles with money and she herself works two part-time jobs, but even so she couldn’t afford to take classes this summer, until she learned she had won the Francis and Vera McGrath Dramatic Art Bursary.

“I cannot thank the donors and the University enough for their generosity,” Drouillard said. “I hope one day I am able to give back to those who need it just as much as I do right now. You’ve made today a little easier, not just for me but for my entire family.”

The breakfast also featured an address by alumnus Cam LaCivita (BHK 1983), who established a scholarship in oncology and palliative care to honour the memory of his wife, Madeline DeLuca La Civita, who died in March 2013.

Open house to celebrate retirement of Lyn Authier

Staff of the Office of the Registrar invites friends and colleagues of admissions and records specialist Lyn Authier to join them in celebrating her retirement at an open house reception in her honour Tuesday, March 31, from noon to 3 p.m. in the Registrar’s Office, Chrysler Hall North.

Authier began working at the University part-time in February 1972 and became full-time in May 1976 in the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Since 1996, she has dedicated her career to the Registrar’s Office.