Jen FergusonUWindsor creative writing grad Jen Ferguson won a Governor General’s Literary Award for her young adult novel, “The Summer of Bitter and Sweet.”

Creative writing alumna wins Governor General’s Literary Award

University of Windsor alumna Jen Ferguson (MA 2010) won the Governor General’s Literary Award in Young People’s Literature – Text for her latest novel The Summer of Bitter and Sweet, published by Heartdrum imprint of HarperCollins.

The award’s peer assessment committee — Michael Hutchinson, Sharon Jennings, and Wesley King — described Ferguson’s work as a timely novel that flows from the author’s Métis and Canadian roots.

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet features vibrant prose, real family conflict, and a raw and evocative commentary on the struggles of being different in a small-town, prairie setting. Touching on subjects that speak to today’s challenges for 2SLGBTQI+ youth, the complex story delivers an emotional impact,” the committee wrote. “The recipe notes about ice cream add a scoop of sweetness to level out Lou’s sometimes bitter realities.”

The award winners are deemed the 14 best books published in Canada in 2022 by selection committees that chose them from among 70 finalists in seven categories, in both English and French.

The awards were announced on Nov. 16 by the Canada Council for the Arts.

—Susan McKee

poetry booksThe English department will host a launch of works by poets Danielle LaFrance, Gustave Morin, and Anahita Jamali Rad on Friday, Nov. 25.

Party packs a triple punch of poetry

Poets Danielle LaFrance, Gustave Morin, and Anahita Jamali Rad will launch collections of their works at an event hosted by the Department of English and Creative Writing on Friday, Nov. 25, at the Chapter Two Brewing Company.

The event will feature a display of rare and used volumes of poetry from Juniper Books and treats provided by the publishers Talonbooks and New Star Books and is free and open to the public.

LaFrance’s fourth poetry project, #postdildo, thinks and writes through the limitlessness and limitations of sexuality, communication, and desire.

In Gongo Dodan, Morin illustrates how an amalgamation of a knowledge of the arts, applied to the art of writing artfully, comes to inhabit one word when pushed beyond its own inevitable plasticity: poetry.

Jamali Rad’s collection Still proposes an alternative to action, a way to be the wrench in the cogs of the machine, a way to jam the signal by refusing receptivity. The text-forward artist will also present during two events today — Tuesday, Nov. 22 — a reading from 2 to 2:45 p.m. and a talk entitled “The Subject of Negation” from 3 to 3:50 p.m., both in room 364, Dillon Hall.

Friday’s launch party begins at 7 p.m. at the Chapter Two Brewing Company, located at 2345 Edna Street, just off Walker Road south of Wyandotte Street.

athletes in Toldo Lancer CntreThe Faculty of Human Kinetics launches its speaker series Dec. 5 with a look into the mental, physical, and practical aspects of being a competitive athlete.

Event to offer glimpse into high-performance sport

Curious about what goes into being a competitive athlete? The Faculty of Human Kinetics is hosting a free community speaker series event Dec. 5 entitled “Inside High-Performance Sport.”

Todd Loughead, co-director of the Sport Psychology and Physical Activity Research Collaborative; Chad Sutherland, director of the Centre for Human Performance and Health; and Chantal Vallée, head coach of the Lancer women’s basketball team will discuss the mental, physical, and practical aspects of getting your game to the next level.

“We expect this event to be of interest to athletes, students, coaches, teachers, and parents in Windsor and Essex County and beyond,” said Linda Rohr, dean of the Faculty of Human Kinetics. “We look forward to the community joining us for this first installment of our new speaker series.”

The event will take place at 7 p.m. in the Human Kinetics Building. Free parking will be available in Lot H on College Avenue and light refreshments will be served. To attend or for more information, email hk@uwindsor.ca.

—Sarah Sacheli
twinkling lights "May your holidays be merry and bright"An e-greeting card designed by public affairs means one less thing to worry about during the most wonderful time of the year.

Free service to supply seasonal salutations

The Office of Public Affairs and Communications can help individuals and departments cross one item off their holiday to-do lists: sending greetings to colleagues and friends.

Graphic designer Renée Bombardier has created a selection of seasonal imagery and text greetings for use as e-cards. They feature a choice of winter scenes along with suggested verses — or the option for clients to provide individual customized messages.

And they won’t bust anyone’s budget, because the service is free for UWindsor faculty and staff. Order by Dec. 9 to ensure completion for delivery before the holiday break, via the online Holiday Cards Order Request form.

Scholarship applicationA Nov. 28 workshop will offer advice to graduate students applying for scholarships.

Workshop to advise grad students on applying for funding

In a workshop Monday, Nov. 28, English professor Stephen Pender will offer advice on producing one of the most important documents in the career of a graduate student: the program of study or statement of purpose that accompanies applications for scholarships and fellowships.

“Students will learn how to present their research clearly, emphatically, and as part of ongoing scholarly conversations in their applications for funding,” Dr. Pender promises.

“Scholarship Applications: Why’s and How’s” is set for 4 p.m. Nov. 28 in the Oak Room, Vanier Hall. Attendance is free; RSVP to judyj@uwindsor.ca.

12 Days of Giving & Kindness Challenge hand dropping heart-shaped card into boxThe 12 Days of Giving & Kindness Challenge will help keep shelves stocked in the Campus Food Pantry.

Wellness committee issues giving challenge

The 12 Days of Giving & Kindness Challenge, designed to keep shelves in the Campus Food Pantry stocked over the holidays, will benefit University of Windsor students as well as employees.

The Workplace Wellness Committee is calling on staff and faculty to participate. From Dec. 1 to 12, departmental teams will collect donations of non-perishable food items, hygiene products, and warm clothing accessories, drawn from a list of daily suggestions that includes acts of kindness on the weekends.

The gathered items will go to the food pantry maintained by the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance.

Participating departments will be entered into a draw for one of two gift packages: a team fitness package sponsored by Athletics Recreational Services, and a team coffee break sponsored by the Department of Human Resources.

Find more details on the challenge website.

Engineering professor Jill Urbanic welcomes visitors to the maker space in the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation.Engineering professor Jill Urbanic welcomes visitors to the maker space in the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation.

Open house welcomes prospective students

Faculty, staff, and students welcomed more than 2,000 prospective students and their guests to campus for the UWindsor Fall Open House on Saturday, Nov. 5.

The day’s activities included tours of facilities and sessions offering information on awards and other supports available to ensure student success, student life, and academic programs.

In engineering, dean Bill Van Heyst and associate dean of student affairs Jen Johrendt greeted visitors and encouraged them to visit displays located throughout the Centre for Engineering Innovation highlighting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“It was great to meet so many enthusiastic potential students interested in engineering. The Sustainable Development Goals were a big hit and showcased our outstanding faculty, facilities, and staff,” said Dr. Van Heyst. “This wouldn’t be a successful event without the team effort by everyone.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Chris Busch, associate vice-president for enrolment management.

“I am so grateful to the faculty, staff, and outstanding students who spent their Saturday sharing what it means to be Windsor Proud with our prospective students,” he said. “This event could not happen without the campus community’s collective efforts.”

Electrical engineering professor Bala Balasingam posed a stumper to visitors touring his Battery Management Systems lab — asking them to determine how many batteries are needed to power a vehicle a certain distance, given its parameters and capabilities.

“Watching their enthusiasm and hard work to solving them made it totally worth the effort,” he said.

—Naomi Pelkey