Alan WildemanUWindsor president Alan Wildeman will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce on June 22.

Chamber of Commerce to confer lifetime achievement award on UWindsor president

UWindsor president Alan Wildeman will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce at its annual gala June 22, CEO Matt Marchand announced in a release Wednesday.

“Dr. Wildeman is an integral part of the Windsor-Essex community and his significant contributions ranging from education to business combined with his outstanding leadership at the University of Windsor has positively impacted development in the region,” Marchand said.

The event, a celebration of the work of the chamber and its member businesses, is set for 6 p.m. at the Windsor Club, 2072 Riverside Drive East. To attend, register online at www.windsoressexchamber.org.

Wildeman became the sixth president of the University of Windsor in July 2008 and will step down at the end of June. In addition to service on boards and committees in the academic sectors at the national and provincial levels and engagement with community economic development efforts, he served on the board of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce from 2009 to 2012.

Volunteers with the 2017 WEDig History survey explored Assumption Park for buildings that once stood on the site.Volunteers with the 2017 WEDig History survey explored Assumption Park for buildings that once stood on the site.

Scientists offering public a chance to dig deeper into local history

The Windsor-Essex community will get a second chance to join UWindsor geoscientists in a geophysical survey of Assumption Park on June 16 and 17.

In September 2017, in celebration of Canada150, the WEDigHistory Project held a public geophysical survey looking for evidence of buildings that once stood in the park. The project is welcoming people back next week to help take another look.

Maria Cioppa, professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, says Assumption Park is a good representation of the rich and complex history of Windsor and Essex County.

“The site was originally occupied in 1748 by a French Huron mission and then a parish. We also think there may have been a cemetery,” says Dr. Cioppa. “We had a great time last year giving the community just a bit of training to help run the instruments needed to look for evidence of what stood on this site. This year we want them to come back, visit with friends they made last year, and make new friends.”

Cioppa says in addition to surveying, they will update attendees on last year’s results and explain future plans and projects. Members of the Ontario Archaeological Society will be on hand to discuss the historical and archaeological significance of the area.

The project was funded through the WindsorEssex Community Foundation and the University of Windsor — Faculty of Science, Leddy Library, departments of History and Earth and Environmental Sciences — with support from Ontario Heritage Trust, the Windsor-Essex chapter of the Ontario Archaeological Society, and Sensors and Software Ltd.

The geophysical surveys take place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17. There are also preparation days June 14 and 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To sign up, email wedighistory@uwindsor.ca, or join the Facebook event online.

Michael Akpata, Rob Aitkens, Marcin PulcerKeynote speaker Michael Akpata (centre) discusses cybersecurity with Rob Aitkens and Marcin Pulcer following his presentation at Campus Technology Day, June 7 in the CAW Student Centre.

Conference contemplates campus computing

Campus Technology Day — Thursday, June 7, in the CAW Student Centre — brought together more than 200 faculty, staff, and students to exchange ideas about the use of technology on campus.

“Sharing is always good,” said Marcin Pulcer, program co-ordinator for the one-day conference. “There are so many areas of expertise on campus. You need to come together or it’s all just so much Swiss cheese.”

Among the day’s highlights was a keynote address by UWindsor alumnus Michael Akpata (BA 1989), team lead for public safety, investigations, and counterfraud for IBM Canada. His presentation, “Cyber-attacks and ransomware: Are you prepared for fifth dimensional warfare?” focused on the human element of network security.

“It was super engaging and more than a little alarming,” Pulcer said. “I think a lot of people walked out of the room with plenty to consider.”

With a theme of “Taking U Forward,” that day’s activities also included sessions on research data management, making public computing more efficient, and the UWinsite enterprise resource planning system.

Third-year nursing student Nicole Preston admires some of the new UWindsor branded giftware available at the Campus Bookstore.Third-year nursing student Nicole Preston admires some of the new UWindsor branded giftware available at the Campus Bookstore.

Bookstore expands stock of UWindsor giftware

The Campus Bookstore has added a number of new items to its stock of giftware, says marketing co-ordinator Martin Deck.

“We have totally revamped our display of glassware and other branded gifts,” he says. “Our expanded line boasts things to appeal to students, families, and friends of the University.”

He points to mugs labelled “Grandma” and “Grandpa,” stoneware patterned drinkware, and glasses in a variety of new shapes as proving popular.

“Come on in and check out our diverse range of ways to show your pride in the University of Windsor,” Deck says.

The Campus Bookstore is located on the lower level of the CAW Student Centre, and operates through the summer weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sandra AversaA reception June 21 will honour Sandra Aversa as she concludes her term as the University’s vice-president of planning and administration.

Reception to thank VP planning and administration for service

The campus community is invited to a reception June 21 honouring Sandra Aversa (BComm 1982) as she concludes her role as the University’s vice-president of planning and administration.

Aversa will commence a two-year term as special advisor, major capital projects, on July 1. In this capacity, she will be responsible specifically for providing institutional oversight for construction of capital projects under external project management.

The June 21 event will run 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Freed-Orman Commons, Assumption Hall.