Ross Romano, Robert GordonOntario minister of colleges and universities Ross Romano met with UWindsor president Robert Gordon during a March 2 reception at Queen’s Park.

Reception raises UWindsor’s provincial profile

The University of Windsor — led by President Robert Gordon and Chancellor Mary Jo Haddad (BScN 1984, LLD 2005) — hosted a reception at Queen’s Park, seat of the provincial legislature, on Monday, March 2, to champion the University’s role as key player in the future of the Windsor-Essex region and Ontario.

Among the nearly 100 elected officials and legislative staff attending were Ross Romano (LLB 2004), the minister of colleges and universities; Michael Tibollo (LLB 1985), associate minister of mental health and addictions; and Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria (JD 2015), associate minister of small business and red tape reduction. All three are UWindsor law grads.

Dr. Gordon, in an address to the gathering, said the University is dealing with challenges related to the Great Lakes and to our national borders, helping ensure safe, vibrant and healthy communities, and promoting sustainable manufacturing.

“We are building on a commitment to overall excellence as well as ground-breaking academic research at our incredible institution. All of this is possible through our exceptional students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners,” Gordon said.

“We are all working very hard to make the Windsor region and Ontario a better place to live and work. And we are making a difference. That’s why we are anxious for you to know as much about us as possible.”

Local MPPs attending included Rick Nicholls (Chatham-Kent—Leamington); Windsor-Tecumseh’s Percy Hatfield (BA 1987); Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West) and Taras Natyshak (Essex).

Joining Gordon as part of the University delegation were K.W. Michael Siu, vice-president of research and innovation; Chris Houser, dean of the Faculty of Science; and Lisa Porter, professor of biomedical sciences and executive director of the WE-Spark Health Institute.