View is now offered in a new online format

A cool new VIEW

VIEW, the University of Windsor alumni magazine, has launched a dynamic new website.

“This new website gives us an attractive platform to tell even more stories about the great things happening at the university,” says editor Jennifer Ammoscato, of Public Affairs and Communications. “The site will have more profiles, more feature stories and more ways to connect our alumni with their alma mater.”

The website went live in early May with new stories to be published on an ongoing basis. A fall and spring print edition will still be produced. “The website will include that content but so much more,” explains Ammoscato.

For example, in this online edition, profiles include Hakeem Subair, BComm '16, who hopes to train one million teachers to give children in poor countries greater access to a quality education, and fourth-year student Jonathan Nari, who found his career inspiration while being fitted for new braces.

And readers will find out about the joys (and challenges!) of going on exchange. For example, what did UWindsor student (now proud grad) Lauren Oakley do when she arrived at Heathrow Airport to start the second leg of her trip to Sweden...only to learn she wouldn't have enough time to make her flight to Sweden?

Ammoscato encourages the UWindsor campus community to send along story ideas regarding interesting alumni, faculty, staff and students. “Online, we’re not limited by the number of pages we print. Let us know about the people and initiatives you think might make a good article or profile.”

 

 

The University of Windsor's Subba Rao Chaganti, Charu Chandrasekera, Cheri McGowan and Kevin Milne attend the Royal Canadian Institute for Science's 2018 Science Exchange Dinner on May 8, 2018.The University of Windsor's Subba Rao Chaganti, Charu Chandrasekera, Cheri McGowan and Kevin Milne attend the Royal Canadian Institute for Science's 2018 Science Exchange Dinner on May 8, 2018.

UWindsor researchers eat, drink and talk science

A pair of University of Windsor professors had the opportunity to eat, drink and chat about their research with The Royal Canadian Institute for Science.

Charu Chandrasekera from the University’s Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods and Cheri McGowan, from the Faculty of Human Kinetics, represented the University of Windsor as table hosts at the 2018 Science Exchange Dinner in Toronto last week.

“It was a career highlight for me to be there,” Dr. McGowan said following the event.

“When I got into research, I always wanted to help people, bring science to the people that ultimately help them live longer and better.

“This was a perfect opportunity to do that.”

The night allowed science savants with diverse backgrounds to meet and discuss a wide range of research topics.

Dr. Chandrasekera’s table was titled “Beyond Animal Testing: New Frontiers in Human-Centered Science.”

She said the dinner allowed her to have conversations with former and current animal researchers and students who are looking for information on how to incorporate human-based methods into their current laboratory.

“It was a great opportunity to represent not only our areas of research but to show that the University of Windsor is in the forefront of emerging and exciting areas of science,” Chandrasekera said.

The Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods is dedicated to the development and validation of human-centred research and testing to better understand human biology in health and disease and reliably predict chemical toxicity.

McGowan’s table, “Getting a GRIP on High BP: Using Isometric Handgrip Training as an Adjunct Standard of Care Treatment,” highlighted how regular isometric resistance training may help prevent and/or manage high blood pressure.

“Unfortunately, poor blood pressure control is a problem worldwide, increasing the risk of long-term and potentially fatal complications” McGowan said.

“But something as easy as isometric handgrip training, a form of resistance training comprised of multiple sustained forearm contractions separated by short rest periods (total 12 minutes), three times a week may help.

“Last fall, this form of exercise training made its way into the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association’s guidelines (2017 Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults) as a recommended treatment, and is listed under “Best Nonpharmacologic Interventions for Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension”.

McGowan said people were drawn to her table for scientific query and for personal enquiry.

“A lot of them knew people that had high blood pressure, or they themselves were concerned personally about high blood pressure,” McGowan said.

“It was really exciting for me because it was pure knowledge translation.”

Both researchers said the night provided a platform to highlight innovative research in Canada.

“There was a real sense of Canadian pride,” Chandrasekera said.

“Everyone there was contributing to science in Canada and working to resolve real-life problems.”

And for McGowan, it was the support of the University of Windsor, including her colleagues and students, and the community that has helped her research achieve such great success.

“I’m just so grateful that I ended up here because I truly believe that it’s Windsor’s support that allowed me to make this happen,” McGowan said.

For more information about the Science Exchange Dinner, visit the Royal Canadian Institute for Science’s website.


By Dylan Kristy

The Canadian Jewish Experience is on display at  Leddy Library until May 31The Canadian Jewish Experience is on display at Leddy Library until May 31

Canadian Jewish Experience exhibit shows contributions to country's growth

The Canadian Jewish Experience -- an exhibit that tells the story of how Jews have contributed to Canada’s strength and vibrancy during more than 150 years – is now on in display in the Leddy Library.

The exhibit uses photographs and panels to illustrate nine main themes, including patterns of immigration, war and diplomacy, public service, justice and human rights, economic growth, arts, culture, and sports. 

Tova Lynch, a spokesperson for the CJE board, says the exhibit celebrates the important roles that Jewish Canadians have played in all facets of life in Canada, dating back to the mid-1700s.

She says their accomplishments reflect the challenges and successes experienced in Canada over the past 150 years and can be celebrated by all citizens and residents, whatever their faith or ethnicity.

Lynch says the CJE exhibit stresses that Canadians continue to build a country that respects cultural and religious diversity, national unity, fairness and progress.

Included in the display is a wide range of Jewish Canadians, among them musician-poet Leonard Cohen and rapper Drake. As well, among the elected officials profiles are long-time Windsor MP Herb Gray, Canada’s first Jewish federal cabinet minister, and Windsor's David Croll, the first person of the Jewish faith to head a Canadian city, Ontario’s first Jewish cabinet minister and Canada’s first Jewish senator.

The Canadian Jewish Experience is a volunteer initiative curated by Sandra Weizman Morton, with contributions from Dr. Victor Rabinovich, president emeritus of the War Museum and the former Museum of Civilization (now the Museum of History).

The travelling display has been featured in many Canadian universities, the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa City Hall, Canadian War Museum, Parliament Hill, the Ontario and Manitoba legislatures,  as well as Canadian embassies or consulates in Israel, Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago. It will be in the Leddy Library until May 31.

 For more information visit the online exhibit at: cje2017.com.

 

High school students work on a building project during a recent SoCA visit.High school students work on a building project during a recent SoCA visit.

High school students get a taste of VABE during SoCA visit

SoCA’s “VABErs” welcomed over 100 area high school students last Friday for a tour of the new School of Creative Arts buildings and a team design and construction project.

Architect and VABE Coordinator Jason Grossi along with VABE students Cassie Vojvodin, Mona Makki and Max Pecoraro lead the design/build competition. The goal was to build a structure using the variable sized wooden Jenga pieces. This activity provided students hands-on experience working with the concepts that Visual Arts and the Built Environment (VABE) students study.

“Students took this activity very seriously but with joy and understood the objective of creating space in addition to attaining height,” said Grossi. “Not surprisingly, all enjoyed the seismic test and each group had to identify the hinge failure mechanism.  This provided an opportunity to explained what a ‘soft story’ was.”

Women’s Campus Safety Grant Committee accepting applications

The Women’s Campus Safety Grant Committee is accepting applications for funding for projects to promote safety for women on campus. The committee invites creative, innovative proposals from members of the university community, including faculty and staff individuals or groups and student organizations.

The Women’s Campus Safety Grant Committee is a presidential standing committee established to address women’s safety issues on campus, and to establish, promote and improve facilities, programs and services at the University of Windsor. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) has provided an annual grant of $35,000 since 1991. In August 2016, the MTCU increased our allocation to $64,000 in order to further support efforts in addressing sexual violence and making campuses safer.

In accordance with the parameters set by the ministry, submissions are required to support one of the following broad categories or objectives:

·         Awareness/education (e.g., workshops, websites, awareness campaigns);

·         Student services/supports (e.g., Campus-Walk safe programs, sexual assault prevention initiatives, volunteer training, resource materials);

·         Facilities and equipment (e.g., lighting, mirrors, security cameras, emergency phones).

Applications for funding requests are accepted on an ongoing basis from the Office of Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility at:

www.uwindsor.ca/ohrea/womenssafety, or email to ohrea@uwindsor.ca, or by calling 519-253-3000, ext 2056.

The deadline for the next round of submissions is May 31, 2018. Funded projects must be completed and invoices paid by March 15, 2019.

 

 

Noiseborder Festival promises a full slate of activitiesNoiseborder Festival promises a full slate of activities

Noiseborder Festival a mash up of musical performances, screenings, installations and workshops

This week sees the launch of the 2018 version of the Noiseborder Festival, with performances, screenings, installations, and workshops running from May 14-June 1 in the School of Creative Arts’ new facility on the downtown campus. All of the events are free, and most are short with lots of chances for discussion and socializing.

“We are excited this year to have Chris Myhr from McMaster University in Hamilton and Megumi Masaki from Brandon University in residence for part of the festival. And of course we have our community of local artists that make the event something we share with our friends, students, and colleagues,” says NMPL and festival co-director Prof. Sigi Torinus.

The festival opened Monday evening with a free workshop with local DJs Justin James and Anthony Gomez for electronic musicians focused on Ableton Live 10 software and Push hardware.

“Like last year’s festival, this year we will present a series of short events: performances, installations, screening s and workshops,” explains Brent Lee, co-director of the Noiseborder Multimedia Performance Lab (NMPL) and prosonic arts . “Our idea is to share our research and creative work with our local community and to prepare for presentations at festivals nationally and internationally.”

Tuesday evening features the first of three different performances by the Noiseborder Ensemble. They will perform two recent pieces at 6 pm, in an open recording session. Outer Drive (8 minutes) is composed by Brent Lee with video by Chris McNamara; Epiphanies (20 minutes) is composed by Douglas Finch with video by Sigi Torinus. Both pieces feature Megumi Masaki on piano.

All events take place in either the Multimedia Studio, room 107 in the Alan Wildeman Centre for Creative Arts, Freedom Way building, or the SoCA Gallery located at the north entrance of the Windsor Armouries, 37 University Avenue East.

Info on this year’s festival can be found at: http://www.uwindsor.ca/visualarts_nmpl/430/noiseborder-festival-2018

A highlight reel of last's year's festival is available at: https://vimeo.com/269360440

 

Selena Chauhan, Employment Readiness Program Facilitator, shares a cupcakeSelena Chauhan, Employment Readiness Program Facilitator, shares a cupcake

Meet-and-greet with treats

Co-op and Internship students were treated to a cupcake and a chance to meet the student co-op team on Monday during the Cupcakes with Coordinators event in the CAW Centre. The meet-and-greet with treats gave students the opportunity to pick up a manual for a non-credit mandatory course they will begin next week. The course will provide participating students with important job readiness skills, both in securing job placement and in preparation for real world job experiences.

For more information on Coop Career and Placement Services, visit:  http://www.uwindsor.ca/cces/

Retirement celebration to honour Dave Smith on 36 years of service

Dave Smith, Senior Budget Analyst and a fixture in the Finance Department for more than 36 years, is retiring to concentrate on grandparenting and golfing. Finance department colleagues, who enjoy his wry sense of humour and vast knowledge of the University, invite the campus community to an open house in his honour on Friday, May 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Leddy Library room 4108. For those unable to join the party, Dave's colleagues ask that you send him a "so long" note.

 

 

Campus community mourns Michael Charron

Campus flags were lowered on Wednesday in honour of Michael Charron who passed away on May 13. Mr. Charron commenced his UWindsor employment  as a Mechanical Engineering Technologist in the Department of Mechanical, Automotive & Materials Engineering and was later transferred to Junior Network Administrator in the Information Technology Services Department, a position he held until his passing. Michael touched the lives of many students, faculty and staff on campus and he will be missed.

http://www.windsorchapel.com/obituary.aspx?ObitID=14709