client riding horseUWindsor alumni Mike Stasko and Theodore Bezaire have produced a film on the work of the Windsor Essex Therapeutic Riding Association.

Filmmakers share horse-riding therapy program with national audience

A rehabilitation program that uses horses to help children and adults with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities is the subject of a documentary film by two UWindsor alumni airing this weekend on CBC television.

Mike Stasko and Theodore Bezaire — both 2002 graduates of the communications program — produced Therapeutic Riding, focusing on the work of the Windsor Essex Therapeutic Riding Association. The charity provides therapy to almost 200 people each week.

“WETRA has created something very special in Essex County,” says Stasko, who teaches in the UWindsor Department of Communications, Media, and Film. “We’re excited to share their story with the entire country.”

The CBC will broadcast Therapeutic Riding at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, April 14, on its program Land and Sea.

“It’s an honour to be able to produce a film for a show like Land and Sea,” Bezaire says. “It has been airing for over 50 years. It’s a Canadian institution.”

Watch a trailer promoting Therapeutic Riding:

Ben KuoPsychology prpofessor Ben Kuo will receive the faculty association’s Mary Lou Dietz Equity Leadership Award on Tuesday, May 7.

Faculty association to honour psych prof for contributions to equity

A May 7 reception will honour psychology professor Ben C.H. Kuo as the 2019 recipient of the Mary Lou Dietz Equity Leadership Award.

The Windsor University Faculty Association’s Status of Women, Diversity, and Equity Action Committee bestows the award to honour individuals who demonstrate leadership through their contributions to creating an equity culture on campus. The award is named after Mary Lou Dietz, a late UWindsor faculty member and head of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology, in recognition of her contributions to the advancement of women in Canadian universities and colleges.

Dr. Kuo has distinguished himself as a scholar, educator, and public advocate in the areas of cross-cultural and multicultural psychology. As a scholar, he has committed himself to the promotion and advancement of cultural diversity, multiculturalism, inclusivity, and social justice.

His service activities include multiple advisory committees, including the Ontario Multicultural Health Applied Research Network, and most recently the Syrian Refugee Mental Health Working Group, as well as campus search and appointments committees.

Read more in a brief citation on the association’s website.

The award presentation will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, in McPherson Lounge, Alumni Hall, with a reception to follow. RSVP by May 1, by e-mail wufa@uwindsor.ca or phone 519-253-3000, ext. 3365.

Domenic Panetta, Nuha Aljammas, Ryan KenneyDomenic Panetta and Ryan Kenney congratulate Nuha Aljammas, recipient of the IT Services Scholarship in Computer Science.

Scholarship recipient looks forward to returning support

People underestimate the importance of having a supportive community, says second-year computer science student Nuha Aljammas.

A recipient of the IT Services Scholarship in Computer Science, she says she hopes to return the favour when she begins her professional career.

“Receiving the scholarship has had a big influence on the success I enjoy today,” says Aljammas. “I am inspired to support other students when I graduate and have the same effect on them.”

The scholarship is funded by contributions to the Annual Giving Program by employees of Information Technology Services. Executive director Ryan Kenney says his staff is quick to respond to the call for donations.

“It provides an opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of our students through a variety programs, services, and other support resources that ultimately serve to enhance their overall experience at the University of Windsor,” says Kenney, co-chair of the annual giving campaign.

Database administrator Domenic Panetta, a graduate of the University himself, calls it “an honour” to assist students following behind.

“Our students are driven and ambitious to become integral contributors to their communities,” says Panetta. “With the proper support their talents will be maximized, the more successful they will be, and the better our communities will be.”

The Annual Giving Program encourages employees and retirees to give to their favourite campus causes. A donation to the campaign by April 18 offers a chance for one of the incentives listed below:

  • an extra vacation day;
  • Beats headphones;
  • Apple AirPods;
  • Google Home smart speakers;
  • a pair of University Players season passes;
  • Lancer all-sports pass;
  • $100 UwinCASH card;
  • two tickets to see the Detroit Tigers host the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 11;
  • two tickets to the Carrie Underwood concert June 9 at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena;
  • two tickets to the Who concert June 1 at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.

To make a tax-deductible donation online — including by convenient payroll deduction — visit the UWindsor donations page.

image from flyer advertising [This space reserved]Graduating visual arts students welcome the public to a closing reception for their exhibition [This space reserved] Friday in the SoCA Gallery.

Public reception to celebrate art grad exhibition

A free public reception Friday in the SoCA Gallery will mark the closing of an exhibition celebrating the achievements of graduating students in the BFA Visual Arts program.

[This space reserved] features works in many different styles and media by Cassia Baert, Troy Biskey, Harley Crow, Madison Espie, Cassie Hillman, Brodie MacPhail, Czarina Mendoza, John Mysak, and Becky Young.

The April 12 reception begins at 6 p.m. in the gallery, located in the SoCA Armouries at 37 University Ave. E. It promises refreshments as well as a chance to meet the participating artists.