The Gently Mad Magazine, the literary journal co-founded by UWindsor alumna Serafina Piasentin (BA 2024), invites submissions of poetry, prose, photography, and other art forms including digital art for its third issue, inspired by its theme of the gently mad giant (who was a bit too small).
“Send us your poems, stories, and artworks that encapsulate your dreams for greatness,” Piasentin says.
Find more information on submission guidelines, click here to submit work, or email the editors directly at gentlymadmagazine@gmail.com. Submissions will close June 12.
The journal’s second issue will enjoy a public launch 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Biblioasis Bookshop, 1520 Wyandotte St. East. The event will feature readings and signings by Windsor-based contributors.
Serafina PiasentinStrategic Priority: Research and Creative ActivityAlumniAcademic Area: Arts, Humanities and Social SciencesEnglishRyan Coop’s journey in the skilled trades began in Grade 12 when he decided to pursue a plumbing apprenticeship within the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. What started as an introduction to the field would later come full circle, leading him back to the classroom, not as a student, but as a teacher shaping the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
Through dedication, hard work, and years of service in the plumbing industry, Coop earned his Red Seal certification, a nationally recognized mark of excellence in the skilled trades. As his career advanced, he found a passion for mentorship, helping apprentices connect hands-on skills with theoretical knowledge.
“Helping apprentices make connections between the practical installation and the theoretical concepts was incredibly rewarding,” said Coop. “The influence a teacher and mentor have on a student and apprentice is far more powerful than many mentors in industry understand.”
Inspired by the impact that a mentor can make, Coop decided to explore teaching as a second career path, eventually leading him to the Bachelor of Education - Diploma in Technological Studies program at the University of Windsor in 2019.
After completing his first summer in the program, Coop was able to secure a role as a construction technology teacher with the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board. Since then, he has been a pivotal figure in skilled trades education and now works as the lead secondary teacher at the St. Anne Catholic Skilled Trades Academy and Learning Centre, helping secondary students planning for careers in the skilled trades.
“The centre houses four different trade offerings, all taught by Red Seal qualified instructors in their respective skilled trades,” Coop said. “I feel fortunate to be the lead for one of the first programs offered at the facility and to have witnessed the incredible growth of the facility and programming.”
In his role, Coop works closely with a team of educators, consultants, administrators, and senior administrators, directly supporting the growth and development of programming in the academy.
He said that his favourite part of the job is the impact he can have on a student’s journey.
“I have worked with students who struggled to see their potential, become passionate leaders, graduate with their diploma, complete their first apprenticeship requirements and log thousands of hours in the field,” said Coop. “I am incredibly passionate about fully investing in my students and providing them with the reassurance that they have great potential.”
As the classroom evolves, Coop emphasizes the importance of continuing education to maintain a standard of excellence in the classroom.
“I regularly meet with contractors in industry to ensure that my students are meeting expectations and are coming prepared with the skills they need to be successful in the modern workplace,” said Coop. “Attending skilled trade specific training sessions, industry trade shows, and establishing a network of mentors and educators has helped fuel my passion for keeping my students engaged.”
His greatest hope is that his students remember him as someone who believed in them.
“I hope that as they progress through their career and life, they believe in themselves because of the confidence they were able to develop in a safe, inclusive, and accepting environment. I sincerely hope they continue to feel pride and share their accomplishments with me, that they carry forward the lessons of mentorship, inspiring and guiding the next generation of skilled trades professional.”
Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5 to 9, is a time to express gratitude to the educators who inspire, guide, and shape the future generations.
Ryan CoopStrategic Priority: Teaching and LearningAlumniAcademic Area: EducationThe Faculty of Science held their annual Spring and Shout event to celebrate those staff, faculty and students who went above and beyond in their job with the announcement of the 2025 Science Awards.
Faculty and staff award recipients:
Student award recipients:
The event also acknowledged recent retirees and new staff members.
The awards are designed to formally recognize and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of members within the Faculty of Science.
Science Awards 2025Faculty of ScienceStrategic Priority: Teaching and LearningAlumniCurrent StudentsFacultyFuture StudentsGraduate StudentsInternational StudentsStaffUndergraduate StudentsAcademic Area: ScienceHigh schoolers well-versed in brain knowledge were on campus March 28 as the Faculty of Science hosted its fifth annual Windsor Brain Bee competition.
Twenty-four students competed in the event, battling it out over hot brain topics such as stress, neurotransmitters and brain disease.
Hailing from grades 11 and 12, the top three competitors received entrance scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 to study the program of their choice in the Faculty of Science at the University of Windsor.
Grade 12 student Adalyn Matteis from St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic High School claimed first place for the second year in a row. Sisters Nayanika Ghosh and Shayantika
Ghosh from Riverside Secondary School placed second and third, respectively.
As a regional Brain Bee winner, Matteis will represent the Windsor area in the CIHR Canadian National Brain Bee, held virtually April 25, 2025. The top three competitors from that event will attend the Canadian Neuroscience Meeting in Toronto in May and compete in the final round.
Brain Bee competitions are held globally. UWindsor’s Brain Bee was organized by biomedical sciences professor Jeff Dason and student volunteers Dunya Assaf, Adam Sghaier, Allie St. Louis, Sana Assaf, Gwen Haslam and Marco Oliverio.
Brain BeeFaculty of ScienceStrategic Priority: Teaching and LearningAlumniCurrent StudentsFacultyFuture StudentsGraduate StudentsInternational StudentsStaffUndergraduate StudentsFrom the depths of the oceans to the outer reaches of the sky, a menagerie of species take turns in the limelight in a debut collaborative poetry collection by two UWindsor grads.
Mark Laliberte (BFA 1995) and Jade Wallace (MA 2021) write together under the moniker MA|DE. Their new book ZZOO explores the boundaries between human and animal life in four spheres: land, air, sea, and elsewhere.
Published by the Windsor-based Palimpsest Press with five variant covers, ZZOO will enjoy a free public launch at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Biblioasis Bookshop, 1520 Wyandotte St. East.
The event promises guest readings by local author Anne Baldo and UWindsor creative writing professors Louis Cabri and Nicole Markotic.
Mark LaliberteJade WallaceLouis CabriNicole MarkotićStrategic Priority: Research and Creative ActivityAlumniAcademic Area: Arts, Humanities and Social SciencesEnglishThe Alumni Awards of Excellence, celebrated at a reception April 10 in the CAW Student Centre, offer proof that achievement doesn't end at graduation — it begins there, says Kelly Gosselin, director of advancement and alumni relations.
“We come together at this event to recognize and applaud some remarkable individuals who have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also contributed significantly to our community and beyond,” she says. “It is a matter of pride for the University to celebrate their accomplishments and inspire each other to reach new heights of achievement.”
Bukola Salami (BScN 2004), a professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary, received the Alumni Award of Merit. She expresses gratitude for the support she received as an undergraduate from faculty members, colleagues, and the community.
“I feel very honored to receive the award, especially in the presence of faculty members who taught me 20 years ago and my family,” Dr. Salami says. “I would have never thought this was possible 20 years ago. I remember coming to the University of Windsor with the goal of surviving and realized my potential to thrive.”
Odyssey award recipient Mathew Zaia (BA 2016, MA 2018), a Toronto-based lawyer, calls the recognition “a profound honour.”
“Receiving this award is a profound honour and a testament to my mentors and loved ones who generously offered their guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support,” he says. “Their belief in me gave me the courage to keep learning, growing, and stepping outside my comfort zone.”
Lisa Williams (BA 1991), recently retired after 38 years as a host in morning news and talk radio, says recognition with the Alumni Ambassador Award validates the connection she formed with listeners across Windsor-Essex.
“It was incredible to share the evening with other alumni and award recipients who have all made their mark by accomplishing such wonderful things both in and outside of our community,” she says. “Thank you to the University of Windsor Alumni Association.”
Rounding out the honorees were Alumni Award of Merit recipient Irene Moore Davis (BA 1993), Alumni Ambassador Lisa Voakes (BHK 1999, B.Ed 2000), and Odyssey Award winner Jordan Goure (BA 2014).
Learn more about the Alumni Awards of Excellence, awards categories, and recipients on the event website. Find photos from the reception on the alumni Flickr page.
Lisa VoakesBukola SalamiIrene Moore DavisLisa WilliamsMathew ZaiaJordan GoureKelly GosselinUniversity of Windsor Alumni AssociationAlumni“Art for sanity’s sake” is the motivating ethos behind The Gently Mad Magazine, says UWindsor alumna Serafina Piasentin (BA 2024), one of the founders of the online literary journal.
“Looking around, it is easy to become overwhelmed with the chaos in the world,” Piasentin says. “The Gently Mad Magazine thinks it's important to publish what you created to combat and cope with insanity. Besides, aren’t all artists and authors a little gently mad anyway? It is in clinging to the beauty in the ruin that sustains us.”
After meeting at a creative writing summer course at the University of Edinburgh, Piasentin and co-founder Juliana Allan launched the publication as a platform for established and emerging writers.
“Our goal is to stand out in the literary world by introducing a gently mad persona for each issue,” says Piasentin.
The first issue featured a gently mad navigator who searched for purpose beyond the known path. The second issue, launching May 4, features the gently mad muse, a self-created source of inspiration.
The launch event will serve as a belated celebration of National Poetry Month and is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Biblioasis Bookshop, 1520 Wyandotte St. East. It promises readings and signings by Windsor-based contributors.
The Gently Mad Magazine will open submissions of poetry, prose, photography, and other art forms including digital art for its third issue starting May 5, under the persona of the gently mad giant.
“Send us your poems, stories, and artworks that encapsulate your dreams for greatness,” Piasentin says.
Find more information on submission guidelines, click here to submit work, or email the editors directly at gentlymadmagazine@gmail.com. Submissions will close June 12.
Serafina PiasentinAlumniAcademic Area: Arts, Humanities and Social SciencesEnglishCelebrate spring and the end of the academic year with students, alumni, and friends of the School of Creative Arts.
Join the University Wind Ensemble on Friday, April 4, for its spring concert, including a performance by a massed ensemble featuring more than 20 alumni under the direction of Mike Seguin, with special guest conductors Nicholas Papador and Trevor Pittman.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets are $20 general admission with a student rate of $10, available at the door or in advance on the Capitol website.
On Sunday, April 6, experience 200 singers performing Carl Orff’s famous Carmina Burana, accompanied by two grand pianos and seven percussionists at 2:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre.
This SoCA Alumni Choir concert features the University Singers and Chamber Choir, choir alumni and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra Chorus, all conducted by Bruce J.G. Kotowich, director of choral activities for the School of Creative Arts. They are joined by alumnus David Weaver’s London Singers and the Windsor Essex Youth Choir, all accompanied by pianists Alde Calongcagong and Michael Oddy and percussion students under the direction of Dr. Papador.
The music of Carmina Burana, particularly “O Fortuna,” has been used extensively in movies, often to set a dramatic or epic mood. It was first introduced to mainstream media in the John Boorman film Excalibur (1981). You might also remember its use in The Hunt for Red October (1990), and Lord of the Rings (2001-03).
Listen to Carmina Burana:
“Carmina Burana is all about celebrating spring and finding love,” says Dr. Kotowich. “You’ll hear over 210 musicians perform in celebration!”
Tickets are $20 general admission with a student rate of $10, available at the door or in advance on the Capitol website.
The Capitol Theatre is located at 121 University Ave.West. Street parking is free at meters in downtown Windsor after 6 p.m. on Fridays and all day on Sundays.
Bruce KotowichNicholas PapadorTrevor PittmanStrategic Priority: Research and Creative ActivityTeaching and LearningAlumniAcademic Area: Arts, Humanities and Social SciencesCreative Arts
