The University of Windsor campus received national applause recently when Best Choice Schools (BCS) ranked it among the most beautiful in Canada.

UWindsor won high marks for aesthetics and useable student space, as well environmental friendliness, an attractive mix of historic and modern architecture, as well as temperate climate.

The University was recognized for its location on an international border, giving students access to both the big-city advantages of Detroit as well as Windsor’s safe, walkable neighbourhoods.

Campus landscaping was also highlighted as home to several species of trees found in the Carolinian forest — a feature most often found in the warmer climes of the southern United States.

“For the thousands of students who take on the weighty task of choosing a university, the decision often comes down to more than just the school’s reputation and cost, and rightly so. If it’s true that man is inspired by beauty, then it makes perfect sense to attend a university where you can be literally surrounded by it,” BCS said.

In 2013 the University marked its 50th anniversary with the announcement of a Campus Master Plan — establishing a vision for the next 50 years, with an attractive design intended to enrich both the student and the community experience.

Extensive consultation among architects, students, administration, faculty, staff and the Board of Governors imagined new pedestrian pathways enhanced with lighting, landscaping, and signage leading to various hubs of activity for recreation, cultural displays, and gathering spaces with seating. The plan was intended to heighten the sense of arrival on campus with impressive gateway signage, welcoming points of interest and sought-after destinations reached through easily accessible entry points to help navigate the campus.

Over the past five years completed projects have included:

• David A. Wilson Commons — a crossroads and gathering place at the heart of the main campus. The commons replaced a former parking lot on Sunset Avenue and features a basketball court, performance stage, meeting and gathering spots, and new landscaping and lighting;
• The area east of the Odette Building — an extension of the David A. Wilson Commons which created a new link from the centre of campus to the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation and includes seating areas at the corner of Wyandotte and California;
• Alistair MacLeod Walk — formerly a portion of Patricia Road — honouring one of UWindsor’s most acclaimed scholars and authors in recognition of both his personal and academic contributions;
• Turtle Island Walk — recognizing the First Nations history of the land that the University of Windsor sits on with a series of plaques featuring the Seven Teachings of the Ancestors — Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth — as well as the artwork of First Nations artist Teresa Altiman.

For more information on the UWindsor Campus Transformation Plan, visit: http://www.uwindsor.ca/campustransformation/318/campus-master-plan.

The University of Windsor boasts great diversity on campus, with about 3,500 international students from almost 90 countries — students who have travelled thousands of kilometres to come here and experience Canadian culture and lifestyle.

The Celebrations of Nations cultural festival, March 15 in the CAW Student Centre, will bring the UWindsor community together for an exchange of heritage.

To jump-start the process, DailyNews asked some international students what they wanted to share about their home country with Canada.

India

“I want to share with Canadians about the strength of faith which people have in my country, as huge number of religious places are situated in my country. Moreover, I also want to share about the colourful festival and the way of celebration as it is very unique and interesting.”

“We have different religious diversity, festivals, rituals, food, devotional, ancient monuments, art and culture, historic places, foundation of Hindu philosophy, mythology, literature and theology, beliefs and practices like dharma, moksha, karma and yoga, Indian architecture, different clothing, etc.”

“India is the largest vegetarian-friendly country in the world. It is natural for Indians to sit on the floor and eat food, people in India do that regularly as they are used to it. Eating with washed hands, without cutlery, is a traditional Indian practice.”

Pakistan

“People think that Pakistan is an extremist country, but we are the most lovable people you will ever come across.”

“I belong to Pathan ethnicity — one major ethnic group of Pakistan. We have our own culture and are known for our hospitality, and the region is known for its beauty all over Pakistan.”

Iran

“Iran has a historical culture and lots of interesting cities.”

“Even though Iran is portrayed negatively due to its authoritarian Islamic regime, this regime is only a small insignificant part of our history … the majority of Iranians oppose the clerics’ brutal ruling and their archaic laws and practices.”

South Korea

“I love cooking different countries’ food, so I would like to share different Korean food experience at different places, like street markets or classic Korean restaurants for various kinds of food that they might not have heard of.”

Philippines

“Philippines has many perfect beaches and turquoise waterfalls. It has the number-one island in the world — Palawan — and 2,000-year-old rice terraces.”

Bangladesh

“My country, Bangladesh, is a fast-developing country with its GDP growth around 6.5 per cent. We are a small country in terms of land area but we have been facing the problems related with over-population since independence. However, despite our own challenges of dealing with so many people and limited resources, we have given shelter to around 1 million Rohingya refugees in our country, who escaped mass murder and violence from their own country.”

Sweden

“We have the same amount of snow as Canada, more coffee and a dry sense of humour.”

“Sweden is more than just IKEA and ABBA. The countryside offers a peaceful environment with meadows, forests and classic red wooden houses with white trims and is a must to visit when in Sweden. And don’t miss out on a traditional Swedish fika!”

Nigeria

“Nigeria is the country with the highest population in Africa. We are an English-speaking country because English is our official language. We are very hospitable and we believe in academic success. Hard work is our watch word.”

“Every country has her own challenges. So does Nigeria, but the best thing is that I am proud to be a Nigerian.”

Ida Karlsson

The Lancer men’s volleyball team will travel to Hamilton for the provincial championship Forsyth Cup tournament. Windsor will open against the top-ranked McMaster Marauders in a semi-final at 8 p.m. Friday, March 9.

The bronze and gold medal games are set for Saturday. All contests will be webcast live on OUA.tv.

Four members of the squad won recognition from Ontario University Athletics this week — John Moate and Pierce Johnson named west division first-team all-stars, Brad Geymi a second-team all-star, and first-year player Anthony DeGirolamo to the OUA west all-rookie team.

Read the full story at goLancers.ca.

The Lancer women’s volleyball team also earned some league honours, with outside hitter Paige Phills named the west division rookie of the year, fifth-year player Carleigh Bailey a first-team all-star, Lexi Pollard a second-team all-star, and Brooke Davis named to the all-rookie team.

Phills, a graduate of Riverside Secondary School, was also a second-team all-star and all-rookie selection. Find more information at goLancers.ca.

Summer camp used to be about arts, crafts, and songs around the fire, but when forced to go co-ed, it turns into a battle of the sexes. That’s the plot of “Boys vs. Girls,” a film under development by UWindsor alumni Mike Stasko and Theordore Bezaire, 2002 grads of the communications program.

Their Dot Film Company is about to begin production on this, their fifth feature. They plan to shoot in June and are seeking local support through an Indiegogo campaign with a goal of raising $60,000.

The company’s previous project, The Birder, used locations in Ojibway and Point Pelee parks, employing a cast and crew of more than 200 Windsorites, says Stasko, who also teaches in the Department of Communications, Media, and Film.

“Windsor is a fantastic city in the midst of diversifying its local economy and industries,” he says. “Our film will give the opportunity to many University of Windsor students to work this summer on a real film set.”

To learn more on the crowdfunding campaign, and watch the video pitch, visit https://igg.me/at/boysvgirls.

Students seeking relief from stress will have an opportunity Friday afternoon to make some feline friends, as the Peer Support Centre hosts a cat therapy day.

Safe and Sound Kitten Rescue will bring in cats and kittens for a play session March 9 from noon to 3:30 p.m. in the Alumni Auditorium, CAW Student Centre. The organization will also have adoption information for those interested in providing a home for one of its animals.

Find details in the Facebook event listing.

UWindsor students, recent alumni, and staff are now welcome to get a free membership to the EPICentre Makers' Base.

Research Associate Duncan Lam is busily recruiting members for the new program and gleams with excitement now that the doors and the possibilities of a tinkering network are open for business. EPIC Makers' Base is located in the EPIC Industrial Hub (Centre for Engineering Innovation Room 1133) and is a place for people from all academic and technical backgrounds to undertake experiential learning through hands-on activities.

You can feel the enthusiasm when you enter the space.

The hum of the 3D printer sings a tune of progress, while the CO² laser cutter is busily redefining the term ‘cutting edge’.

Visitors who attended the open house came to satisfy their curiosities, see the new tools, have a coffee, and imagine the possibilities.

Lam proposes that the Makers' Base is a chance to build that widget, gadget or "doodad." 

When you enter the space it is easy to imagine how new members will stretch their creativity, build prototypes, and make new parts for broken items that were previously unfixable. 

To apply for a membership you can complete the application form and submit to Wen Teoh at wteoh@uwindsor.ca.

Contact Wen Teoh at wteoh@uwindsor.ca for further information.

Tim Brunet

The Quebec City-based musicians Erreur de Type 27 will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10, in the Freedom Way Building’s multimedia studio, room 107.

Since 1999, the new music production organization has offered audiences the chance to hear a variety of contemporary music through its well-crafted and geometrically variable concert scenarios. Watch a video about the group.

Saturday’s presentation is free and open to the public. The Freedom Way Building is located in downtown Windsor at 360 Freedom Way. Read more on the School of Creative Arts website.

The Organization of Part-time University Students (OPUS) will host its 26th annual awards banquet on Friday, March 23, at the Caboto Club.

The event recognizes University of Windsor faculty, staff, alumni and part-time undergraduate students for exceptional contributions to campus life. The organization is distributing invitations; the RSVP date is Monday, March 12, at 519-971-3603 or e-mail opus@uwindsor.ca.

This year’s awards include:

• OPUS Lifetime Achievement Award: Maryan Amalow, OPUS executive director;
• OPUS Friend of Students Award: Michael Khan, dean of the Faculty of Human Kinetics;
• Teacher of the Year Award: Pardeep Jasra, Faculty of Science;
• OPUS Faculty Award: Antoine Khoury, languages, literatures, and cultures;
• OPUS Support Staff Awards: Sherry Ketterer, alumni affairs; Mark Lafleur, Food Services; Karen Pillon, Leddy Library;
• OPUS Staff/Faculty Leadership Award: Marian Doll, director of Student Awards and Financial Aid;
• Disability Campus Community Recognition Award: Kaye Johnson, director of Office of Human Rights, Equity, and Accessibility;
• Volunteer of the Year Award: Josephine Sawyerr;
• Student Solidarity Award: Rajiv Sivanesan;
• Alumni Association Academic Achievement Award: Amy Osman;
• Alumni Association First Year Part-time Undergraduate Student Award: Donna Patterson;
• Student with Disability Achievement Award: Michael Livingstone;
• Dr. Kathleen McCrone Award: Adam Dagenais;
• Ken Long Memorial Award: Jonathan Goncalo.

In addition, 21 part-time undergraduate students received bursaries and scholarships based on financial need. Find additional details on the event website.

Remember to turn your clocks ahead an hour this weekend — Daylight Saving Time will commence Sunday, March 11.

When the clock is about to reach 2 a.m., turn it ahead to 3 a.m. Or just set your clocks ahead an hour before you turn in for the evening Saturday. Note: many electronics are programmed to adjust themselves automatically.

The practice adds an extra hour of sunlight to the evening hours.