interior of SoCA ArmouriesThe SoCA Armouries building will open to the public as part of Doors Open Windsor on Sunday, September 23.

Campus to open doors and streets to weekend visitors

The University of Windsor’s Leddy Library and School of Creative Arts will be featured on the Doors Open Windsor tour this weekend.

Leddy will highlight its archives, rare books, and special collections on Saturday, September 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and SoCA’s home in the newly restored downtown Armouries building will be open to the public on Sunday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Included in the Leddy collection is a book written in Latin by Carlo Fontana and printed by the Catholic Church to commemorate the construction of the Vatican prior to 1694, and there is shelf upon shelf of Land Registry records for Kent, Lambton and Essex Counties. Nearly 5,000 large volumes dating as far back as 1855 are on loan from the Archives of Ontario.

The University repurposed the Armouries through an extensive restoration process that preserved the look and feel of the original building that was built in 1900-02. The Armouries now houses 12 practice rooms for musicians, a performance hall, classrooms, offices, a keyboard and computer lab, photography and painting studios, and the VABE (Visual Arts and the Built Environment) studio.

Architect for the renovation project, Craig Goodman, principal at CS&P Architects, will also be on hand after noon to meet visitors.

Doors Open Windsor includes more than 30 sites this year, including old and new buildings, and places that represent the history of the community. The Ontario Heritage Trust works with communities across the province to stage the two-day event. There is no admission charge; more information is available at doorsopenwindsor.com.

The University will also participate in Open Streets Windsor, which will close an eight-kilometre length of city roadways to vehicular traffic from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, September 23. From Sandwich Town to Ford City, people will pour into the street for healthy and fun physical activities like walking, cycling, yoga, dancing, and fitness.

A hub on University Avenue at its intersection with Patricia Road will feature:

  • Hands-on activities organized by Let’s Talk Science;
  • Tours of the Campus Community Garden providing free mint tea;
  • Demonstrations of applied science by engineering students;
  • Fitness and games run by Lancer Recreation;
  • A community paintball art project of Assumption University Campus Ministry;
  • Law students offering information on their project helping low-income seniors draft their wills; and more.

Students of drama and creative arts will participate in the downtown hub, where the University of Windsor Alumni Association will distribute swag and promotional materials.

Find more information, including maps and a detailed list of activities, on the Open Streets Windsor website.

Computer science student Tong Li gets a close look at a gauge in the Hiram Walker and Sons distillery.Computer science student Tong Li gets a close look at a gauge in the Hiram Walker and Sons distillery.

Tour gives students a taste for careers in distilling

A group of UWindsor students got a taste of local culture Tuesday, touring the Hiram Walker and Sons distillery to learn about career opportunities in the industry.

The company, founded in 1858, is now a subsidiary of the French-based Pernod Ricard group. Its operation in Windsor is the largest distillery in North America and produces a variety of alcoholic beverages, including Canadian whisky, rum, and vodka.

“People in Windsor understand that we’ve been here for a long time, but there is a corporate aspect to it that is not as well known,” said Angelo DeMarco, director of human resources, North America. “We employ people in finance, engineering, supply chain management, and one of the largest IT departments in the region.”

He told the students — about 30 majoring in computer science, business, engineering, and science — that the company draws on the local workforce to develop the specialized skills required.

“We are a company that really believes in growing talent,” DeMarco said.

Employees divided the students by discipline of study for in-depth discussions of career opportunities before leading them on a tour of the manufacturing plant.

Computer science student Nikola Zjalic said the day’s activities taught him something new about a Windsor institution.

“I feel like I got more exposure to the culture of a different work environment,” he said.

Selena Celic, a fourth-year student of industrial engineering, agreed.

“I am interested in pursuing a job outside automotive production,” Celic said. “Here I saw what goes on in a company with completely different manufacturing processes.”

The day wrapped up with a whisky tasting led by master blender Don Livermore.

All in all, the event is one worth repeating, said Bill Marino, an employer engagement specialist in the University’s Office of Co-operative Education and Workplace Partnerships, which arranged it.

“Our goal is to give our students career-building experiential learning,” he said. “There is something to be said for going into the employer’s site and the industry operations.”

The Office of Co-operative Education and Workplace Partnerships works with employers and students to provide experiential learning opportunities for students where they can apply the knowledge they learned during their course of study to their placements, and in return gain valuable job experience.

Google Home voice-activated smart speakerAnswer 20 trivia questions about the University of Windsor to qualify for a draw for a Google Home voice-activated smart speaker.

Trivia contest to measure UWindsor spirit

A game of 20 questions will earn one lucky winner a Google Home voice-activated smart speaker as part of a new campaign to build UWindsor spirit, headed by the Office of Student Experience.

As part of a larger effort to raise pride in everything UWindsor, UWin Proud poses 20 trivia questions about the University of Windsor. Students, faculty, and staff with the most correct entries will enter a random draw for the device, which responds to voice commands as an electronic personal assistant, calculator, dictionary, translator, and jukebox.

How well do you know UWindsor? Play the game and submit your answers by Wednesday, September 26.

Next week will kick off the UWin Day campaign, with activities leading up to free cake for students starting at noon Thursday, September 27, in four campus locations: the CAW Student Centre, Odette Building, Centre for Engineering Innovation, and SoCA Armouries.

Additional staff and faculty elements of the UWin Proud campaign will roll out in the coming months. For more information on all the ways to participate, visit the UWin Proud website.

graphics represeting the four fairsFair Week offers a different professional development event each day, September 24 to 27 in the student centre.

Fair Week promises series of professional development opportunities

Stop by the Commons area of the CAW Student Centre during the week of September 24 to 27 to visit a different professional development fair each day. Meet with representatives from schools, organizations, companies, and employers to learn about new experiences and opportunities for your future.

Grad FairMonday, September 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Meet with representatives to learn more about their graduate programs, post-graduate certificates, and professional schools. Find out about masters and PhD programs, law school, teacher education, pharmacy and medical programs, graduate certificate programs, MBAs, and much more.

Lancers Care Volunteer Fair — Tuesday, September 25, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Looking to make a difference in your community? Learn about volunteer opportunities and speak face-to-face with representatives from non-profit and community organizations.

Health Info Fair — Wednesday, September 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Health Info Fair is a fun, interactive event for campus departments and local health agencies to promote their services to the campus community. The event is geared to health issues of the young adult, and promises:

  • Beer Goggles
  • Massage
  • Blood Typing
  • Free Samples
  • Quizzes
  • Prize-Winning Games

Part-Time Job Fair — Thursday, September 27, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Local employers who are looking to fill part-time, seasonal, and contract positions will be on campus and want to meet you. This job fair is open to students in all departments; research the organizations attending, bring your resumé, practice your pitch, and dress to impress.

All Fair Week events, presented by the CAW Student Centre and Career Development & Experiential Learning, are free to attend. Visit the website for more information, including a full list of participating schools, organizations, and employers.

Michael PfaffMichael Pfaff will present his architectural renderings for an addition to a Canadian heritage hotel, Sunday in the SoCA Armouries.

Grad to discuss award-winning architectural project

A design hailed as blending in perfectly with a historic Ottawa hotel is the subject of a free public lecture Sunday, September 23, in the SoCA Gallery.

Michael Pfaff (BA 2013), an alumnus of the visual arts and the built environment (VABE) program, will introduce renderings underpinning his thesis project advocating a traditional approach to a proposed expansion of the Château Laurier.

Pfaff earned a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2015 and completed a post-professional Master’s degree in architectural design and urbanism from the University of Notre Dame in May.

His thesis there exploring a proposal to add conference space and parking to the Ottawa building won an award for design excellence from the Notre Dame School of Architecture. It laid out an alternative to the modernist design of Peter Clewes, principal of the Toronto-based firm ArchitectsAlliance.

“My design is based upon my belief that buildings should respond to their context,” Pfaff says. “The modern addition does not respond to its context in anyway. It relies upon a parasitic condition to the historic fabric for it to work…. Instead, the addition should be grounded in the historic Château Style language.”

His exhibit is displayed for public viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Sunday. The gallery is located in the Armouries building, 37 University Avenue East.

Lancer logo on floor of Dennis Fairall FieldhouseTuesday is the deadline to register to attend the 2018 Alumni Sports Hall of Fame ceremony, September 30 in the student centre.

Still time to register for Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Fans hoping to attend the 2018 Alumni Sports Hall of Fame ceremony have until Tuesday, September 26, organizers advise.

The event will run 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 30, in the Alumni Auditorium, CAW Student Centre.

This year’s class of inductees includes:

  • All-Canadian and Olympic middle distance runner Melissa Bishop (BHK 2010, B.Ed 2011);
  • All-Canadian Lancer basketball player Charles Pearsall (BComm 1978), posthumously;
  • All-star Ontario University Athletics champion basketball guard Ryan Steer (BHK 2007, B.Ed 2008);
  • All-Canadian football running back and 2006 Hec Crighton Trophy winner Daryl Stephenson (BHK 2008, MHK 2011).

In addition, swim coach Reg Chappell (BA 1979) will be honoured for his contributions to sport beyond the University of Windsor campus, and members of the 1997-98 Lancer men’s hockey squad, winners of the first Queen’s Cup Ontario championship in program history, will receive the Team Achievement Award. Find more information at goLancers.ca.

Register by Tuesday to attend the September 30 ceremony.

Reception to celebrate retirement of campus police sergeant Rosemary Briscoe

An open house reception on Friday, September 28, will celebrate the retirement at month’s end of Campus Police sergeant Rosemary Briscoe.

Friends and colleagues will gather from 4 to 7 p.m. at Rock Bottom Bar and Grill, 3236 Sandwich Street.

To allow organizers to ensure adequate seating, indicate your intention to attend by RSVPing to Sandi Eansor at seansor@uwindsor.ca or 519-253-3000, ext. 4040.

John CappucciUWindsor alumnus John Cappucci has begun a further two-year term as Jarislowsky Chair in Religion and Conflict at Assumption University.

Incumbent to stay on as chair in religion and conflict

UWindsor alumnus John Cappucci (BA 2006) says he is thrilled to have accepted a further two-year appointment as Jarislowsky Chair in Religion and Conflict at Assumption University, effective September 1.

“I’m looking forward to continuing my work and grateful to both the Jarislowsky Foundation and Assumption University,” Dr. Cappucci says. “The courses and activities that we organized last year were very well-received by both the campus and community. We already have several engaging activities planned for the year, including a new course and guest speaker scheduled for October.”

Cappucci followed his UWindsor studies with a master’s degree from Queens University and a doctorate from Carleton University. His research interests include religion and politics, world religions, diasporas, and multicultural theory.

Launched in 2004, the Chair in Religion and Conflict was established at Assumption University following a $1-million donation from the Jarislowsky Foundation and a matching gift from the Basilian Fathers of Sandwich. Cappucci took on the position in 2017.