A University of Windsor law professor has won recognition for her work to support refugees.

The Windsor Essex Local Immigration Partnership will confer its Welcoming Community Award on Anneke Smit at a forum March 2. The award is named in memory of advocate and activist Jean Foster, who died in May 2013.

Dr. Smit’s research includes on the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. She has led efforts across Canada to advocate for those fleeing violence in Syria and serves on the steering committees of the organizations Canada4Refugees and Scholars at Risk.

Her local work includes founding the Windsor chapter of the Refugee Sponsorship Program, which works with lawyers and students to assist groups complete the sponsorship application process, and a Group of Five at Windsor Law to sponsor members of the Tanbari family from Syria.

Smit will receive her award during a community forum at Central Park Athletics, 3400 Grand Marais Road East. The event runs 9 to 11 a.m. Admission is free and open to the public; register online.

This weekend, UWindsor’s own David Bergeron (BMus 2015), an MFA student of film production and media arts, will be one of five featured composers whose original compositions will be performed by the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The inaugural Canadian Music Centre Orchestra Reading Workshop will take place over two days at the Capitol Theatre, culminating in a free public performance on Saturday, February 18, at 3:30 p.m.

Bergeron was the only Windsor-based composer selected from a national pool of entrants to work with WSYO conductor Peter Wiebe and mentors to write a short piece for orchestra. The composers began writing in the fall, and will have two intensive days with the orchestra on February 17 and 18.

“This experience has been very rewarding,” says Bergeron. “I learned a lot about the orchestra and orchestral writing. The process was long and difficult, but I got through somehow.”

He says he benefited from UWindsor faculty acting as mentors.

“Brent Lee was a major asset to me; he guided my technical development and understanding of the orchestra,” he says. “Jason Grossi offered excellent guidance for the artistic direction of my piece in its final stages.”

Bergeron says it has been very exciting to hear his work realized in real time by talented instrumentalists, and admits he is excited and nervous in equal measure for Saturday’s premiere.

The workshop’s other featured composers are Mian Chen, Henrique Gomes Coe, Saman Shahi and Bekah Simms.

The Capitol Theatre is located at 121 University Avenue West.

A free event Friday, February 17, will let UWindsor students try ice skating for the first time, or flash around the rink like a pro.

Lancer Recreation is hosting the free skate from noon to 2 p.m. in the arena at the Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex, 1552 Wyandotte Street West.

In addition to time on the ice, the event promises free hot chocolate, free loan of skates for those who don’t own them, and experienced skaters to help new learners. Find more information on the Facebook event page.

“Be Bold for Change” is the theme of a masquerade gala to celebrate International Women’s Day, March 9 at the Ciociaro Club.

Hosted by the campus Womyn’s Centre, the event will feature a multi-course meal and a Mardi Gras party as well as a panel of speakers discussing gender inclusivity within the workplace.

“Advancing the rights of women and minorities is still a pressing issue,” says Sarah Noureddine, the centre’s co-ordinator. “This event will allow us to create an empowering, educational environment where social change and networking can take place.”

Tickets are $50 each or $450 for a table of 10, available from the Womyn’s Centre in room 291 of the CAW Student Centre, or online at http://iwdgala.brownpapertickets.com/.

Food Services has released a revised schedule for its campus operations during Reading Week.

These are the outlets that will be open each day:

Friday, February 17

• CAW Student Centre Marketplace, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Vanier Hall Crocodile Grill, 7:45 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.
• Alumni Hall Bru, 5 to 11 p.m.
• Odette Building Dividends, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Centre for Engineering Innovation Tim Horton’s, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, February 18 and 19

• Marketplace, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Crocodile Grill, 9 a.m. to noon and 5 to 9 p.m.

Monday, February 20

• Crocodile Grill, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday to Thursday, February 21 to 23

• Marketplace, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Crocodile Grill, 9 a.m. to noon and 5 to 9 p.m.

Friday, February 24

• Crocodile Grill, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, February 25

• Marketplace, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Crocodile Grill, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.

Sunday, February 26

• Marketplace, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Crocodile Grill, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 11 p.m.

Find schedules for each of the individual stations in the Marketplace food court on the Food Services website. The Leddy Café, Toldo Bru, and the Tim Horton’s kiosk in the student centre will close through this entire period. All outlets will resume regular hours Monday, February 27.

Mental health and wellness encompasses far more than just an absence of mental illness, says the February edition of Workplace Wellness E-Digest.

“From time to time, we all experience demands and stressors that impact our ability to cope with life’s challenges and that take a toll on our sense of well-being,” says the newsletter, published by the Department of Human Resources’ Office of Employee Engagement and Development.

It shares everyday activities that can improve mental wellness, a self-help checklist and screening tools for common anxiety disorders, symptoms of depression and information on where to go for help. Read the Workplace Wellness E-Digest.