The Secretariat on Stairoids teamThe Secretariat on Stairoids team

Take the Stairs Challenge: And the winners are…

They made it! Take the Stairs challenge participants climbed Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro, Grouse Mountain, reached the top of the CN Tower and more - all within 20 days!

From March 11 to April 8, the Workplace Wellness Committee challenged employees to add more physical activity to their workday by taking the stairs. During the 20-day challenge participating employees completed virtual climbs of well-known buildings and mountains as individuals or in teams.  

Since all participants are considered winners, challenge individuals and teams who submitted tracking sheets were entered into a prize draw.

“I thought this challenge would be fun and since I'm a stair person and do not like to take an elevator I thought it would be a great time to see how many steps I take and where it could take me,” said Individual Winner Claire Villemaire from Leddy Library.

The Secretariat on Stairoids team, consisting of Maria Giampuzzi, Carol Perkes and Renee Wintermute of the University Secretariat found the climb grueling at times but were spurred on by team captain Alison Zilli.

 “Isn’t it amazing that with a little team effort, we were able to accomplish our goal, which at first looked so unobtainable,” says Zilli.  “As the saying goes, one step at a time.”

A total of 20 individual employees submitted completed tracking sheets at the end of the challenge and together climbed and descended a total of 13,239 flights of stairs.

An additional 20 teams also took part, representing a total of 94 individuals who climbed and descended 70,399 flights of stairs. Four of the teams climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest while three individuals climbed the height of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Stay tuned for a summer Workplace Wellness Committee challenge currently in the works.

Click here to learn about the virtual climbs completed by individuals and teams

Odette Student Foad Karimian receiving his award. Odette Student Foad Karimian receiving his award.

Odette Student wins Youth Volunteer Service Award

The Odette High School Leadership Initiative (OHLI) is a perfect starting point for high school students to develop skills needed for university, college and life in the real world, says fourth-year business student Foad Karimian.  

Karimian won the provincial Youth Volunteer Service Award in April for establishing and growing (OHLI), an international youth leadership initiative delivered to high school students by a volunteer team of Odette undergraduate students.

“Through OHLI, we aim to provide an environment where the youth of Windsor-Essex can learn core leadership competencies like presentation skills, problem solving and teamwork,” Karimian says.

Mentored by Dr. Martha Reavely, Professor Roger Bryan and Professor Joanne Ramsey, Karimian identified high school youth community needs and designed the OHLI as a 5-day initiative consisting of two workshops, a case analysis and a student contest.

To accommodate growing interest, the OHLI team has added 33 new members to its original team of three, reaching out to eight classes at six local high schools.  Led by current president Mike Ouellette, the group has also reached across the border to mentor Detroit area students, providing outreach to more than 500 students so far.

OHLI is supported by Odette faculty, and sponsored by Odette EPICentre, KPMG, and TLab, a Michigan-based leadership program.

Students in the Master of Medical Biotechnology (MMB) program visit to Toronto’s MaRS Discovery DistrictStudents in the Master of Medical Biotechnology (MMB) program visit to Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District

Masters students explore MaRS Discovery District

Students in the Master of Medical Biotechnology (MMB) program recently paid a visit to Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District - one of the world's largest urban innovation hubs.

The March 20th trip emphasized the significance of innovation accelerators for new business start-ups.

Dr. Tranum Kaur, MMB Program Coordinator, says the students learned about the history of MaRS and its importance to Ontario's biotechnology sector and were exposed to various types of MaRS venture services and business accelerator models.

The students also added a short visit to the Royal Ontario Museum to their day in Toronto.

The trip was organized by Dr. Kaur with the support of Dr. Michael Boffa, MMB Academic Director, and the Centre for Executive and Professional Education (CEPE).  

Tree dedicated to memory of former head of Economics

The Faculty of Science is inviting the campus community to a reception and tree dedication to honour the memory of former head of Economics, Dr. Peter Townley, who passed away in August 2012.

The ginko tree was planted in the fall of 2014 and all are invited to a reception scheduled for 3 p.m., Friday, May 1, Essex Hall student lounge, Room 250.

 “Peter provided valuable leadership during a time of transition in the Department of Economics. He was a highly respected mentor, teacher, researcher and colleague who embodied the spirit of a true academic,” says Dean of Science Marlys Koschinsky.

“He was well-known for his vibrant personality and sharp wit. I am very pleased that we can honour Peter by dedicating this tree in his memory.”

To RSVP, please email: gemmagh@uwindsor.ca, by Friday April 24. 


Bottle blender on sale at Campus BookstoreBottle blender on sale at Campus Bookstore

Bottle blender on sale at Campus Bookstore

Need to mix a protein drink, salad dressing, or fluffy omelette? The Campus Bookstore has got you covered. It is offering a 600 ml (20 oz.) bottle shake blender, regularly $11.95, for just $7.95 April 21 as its True Savings Tuesday special.

“It’s perfect for mixing up creamy nutrition shakes, marinades, or even pancake batter,” says marketing coordinator Martin Deck. “Just throw in your ingredients, give it a shake and let the blender ball—like a self-contained whisk—do all the work!”

The plastic bottles feature the UWindsor logo, a secure screw-on lid in black or blue and large drinking spout with snap enclosure.