Thanksgiving dinner: roast turkey with fixingsThe Host for the Holiday program matches local volunteers with international students eager to taste a Canadian Thanksgiving.

Program to extend holiday spirit by opening homes

Sharing her family Thanksgiving meal helped her appreciate the festivities, says Lisa Burke.

She hosted an international student last year through the Host for the Holidays program, and loved the experience.

“It was great seeing the joy in the eyes of a visitor to Canada,” Burke says. “All of our traditions that we take for granted seemed so special and important when someone who has never experienced them tells you how amazing they are.”

Organized through the International Student Centre, the program matches local volunteers with students from abroad eager for a taste of Canadian culture.

The centre’s director, Beth Oakley, says everyone wins.

“It’s a fun opportunity for hosts to make new friends and learn about another part of the world,” she says. “Our students have a chance to learn about Canada and don’t have to spend a holiday alone.”

Families can host a guest Oct. 12, 13, or 14. This year the program will operate only for Thanksgiving; previously it extended to the Christmas season as well.

“So we’re hoping everyone who wants a chance to host will register for Thanksgiving,” Oakley says.

The centre will accept applications to host through Tuesday, Oct. 1. Learn more, or sign up to receive a Thanksgiving guest, on the Host for the Holidays website.

firetruckStudents can learn about fire safety during the ice cream social, outside the CAW Student Centre at noon Sept. 10.

Event to combine fire and ice

Windsor Fire and Rescue Services will put a safety spin on the ice cream social for UWindsor students, today — Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Firefighters will be on hand to teach fire safety. Students and staff can tour a firetruck, try on gear, and learn to extinguish a simulation. Officers from the prevention division will explain how to keep safe and how to recognize and use equipment in the home, like alarms and sprinklers.

The team will be in the Student Courtyard between Dillon and Memorial halls from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students can also enjoy free gelato during this time, courtesy of the student centre.

Lancer Morgan SimardGirls’ hockey players are invited to skate with the Lancers, Sept. 29 at Central Park Athletics.

Women’s hockey team invites youngsters to skate

The Lancer women’s hockey team invites local girls who play the sport to come out for a skills session on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Skate with the Lancers will feature a meet-and-greet and instruction in three age categories:

  • Novice and Atom, 7 to 10 years old, 9 to 11 a.m.
  • Peewee and Bantam, 11 to 14 years old, 9 to 11 a.m.
  • Midget, 15 to 17 years old, 10 a.m. to noon

The event is set for Central Park Athletics, 3400 Grand Marais Rd. E., and costs $20 per participant. Click here to register.

Fund to further mental health among students

A new fund will support projects that foster mental health within the campus community.

The Student Mental Health Strategy Fund will disburse $24,000 each year to improve prevention and early intervention efforts, and enhance mental health services. All projects must align with the strategy’s recommendations; the committee especially encourages applications that involve collaboration between students, staff, and faculty.

Visit the website to learn more about this new funding opportunity and to submit an application. For consideration in the first term, apply by Oct. 1. View the Student Mental Health Strategy here.

Datta Pillay receives the hood of his honorary doctorate during 2019 Spring Convocation ceremonies.Datta Pillay receives the hood of his honorary doctorate during 2019 Spring Convocation ceremonies.

Committee issues call for nominations for honorary degrees

The Senate Governance Committee on Special Appointments and Honorary Degrees welcomes nominations for honorary degrees.

Anyone wishing to nominate a candidate for an honorary degree must submit a nomination form by Monday, Sept. 30. Read the selection criteria or print a nomination form here.

For more information, contact Maria Giampuzzi at 519-253-3000, ext. 3317, or by e-mail at woody@uwindsor.ca.