Video messages usher almost 3,800 individuals from students to alumni, as the University of Windsor celebrates Convocation in absentia this week for the first time in the institution’s history.

President Rob Gordon, chancellor Mary Jo Haddad, and alumni association president Beth Ann Prince recorded personal greetings to honour the achievements of the Class of 2020.

They have been collected, along with a digital copy of the official Convocation program listing every graduand, here.

Since her first day in the kinesiology program, Olivia Sanders has taken advantage of nearly every opportunity available to students at the University of Windsor including, but not limited to, research, recruitment, mentorship, overseas exchange, student government, all while maintaining an academic average over 90 per cent.

Her pursuit of a well-rounded education earned Sanders the President’s Medal, awarded to a graduating student who has made an outstanding contribution to campus activities while maintaining a superior academic record.

Sanders served as president of the Human Kinetics Society, worked as a research assistant for professor Cheri McGowan in the Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Research lab, volunteered with the Kin-One undergraduate student mentorship program, and studied on exchange at Bangor University in Wales.

In a letter nominating her for this recognition, kinesiology department head Jess Dixon said: “Olivia’s pleasant and collegial disposition, coupled with her extraordinary work ethic and leadership, made her a valuable asset to the Department of Kinesiology, and we will miss her dearly when she is gone.”

The medal carries with it a $1,000 scholarship, which Sanders will apply to her graduate studies starting this fall at the University of Ottawa.

Also honoured was nursing grad Jennifer Judith Hamel, recipient of the Governor General’s Silver Medal for the most outstanding undergraduate academic record in the class of 2020. Hamel had earned a BSc in health and biomedical sciences before entering the nursing program, and reached the Dean’s List and President’s Honour Roll throughout both degree careers.

In their nomination materials, her professors describe Hamel as inquisitive with a passion for knowledge and a strong work ethic. She exceeded expectations for clinical reasoning and excelled at mentoring others to develop their critical thinking skills.

Kaitlyn Drury was a licensed paralegal before making the decision to go to law school. Imad Alame helped Syrian refugees adapt to life in Canada, as he did immigrating from Lebanon five years before beginning his legal studies. Now the two finish atop their class, among the grads honoured with the Board of Governors Medals during the University of Windsor’s 113th Convocation.

The medals are awarded to the graduating student with the highest academic standing in each program:

• Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences general program – Arts, Maria Jose
• Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences general program – Social Science, Peter Marval
• Interdisciplinary Arts and Science, Isabelle Hinch
• Integrative Biology, Amina Ibrahim
• Biomedical Sciences, Darcy James Marsden Wear
• Business Administration, Andrew Spencer Wilson
• Chemistry and Biochemistry, Melanie Nelly Semaan
• Communication, Media and Film, Jazmeen Elisa Zanier
• Computer Science, David Ryan Collins
• Dramatic Art, Emma Nicole Robert
• Environmental Science and Studies, Deanna Marie Crawford
• Economics, Devan Patrick Rawlings
• Education, Leonardo Anthony Pisciuneri
• English Language, Literature and Creative Writing, Kristeen Rodregus
• General Program – Science, Yuxi Wang
• History, Alex Cramer
• Kinesiology, Bogdan Cristian Suciu
• Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Cameron Peter Beggs
• Law – J.D., Imad Alame
• Law – Dual J.D., Kaitlyn Danielle Drury
• Mathematics and Statistics, Jordan James Kiss
• Music, Lillian Marie Korkontzelos
• Nursing, Jennifer Judith Hamel
• Physics, Tristhal Parasram
• Political Science, Devan Patrick Rawlings
• Psychology, Jenessa Louise Shaw
• Social Work, Erica Angela Bassakos
• Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology, Danielle Shaelyn Quimby
• Visual Arts, Maryanne Bakos
• Women’s and Gender Studies, Kayla Nicole Fiala
• Forensic Science, Victoria Grandi

The honorees have been invited to attend Fall Convocation to receive their medals, but may opt to receive them by delivery.

Read more about Drury and Alame on the Windsor Law website.

Students, alumni, and instructors from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences were among 13 local artists, supporters, and organizations honoured Friday, May 22, in a virtual ceremony for the 2020 recipients of the Windsor Mayor’s Arts Awards and grants from the Windsor Endowment for the Arts.

Alumna Kristina Bradt (BFA Visual Arts 2017) received WEA’s $3,000 Lois Smedick Emerging Artist in Visual Arts Grant. Her project will use field recordings collected from spaces and environments in the Windsor-Essex community. These clips will be rendered into three-dimensional images and used in an final installation as a way of interpreting the sonic identity of the region.

“I will be collaborating with my brother, emerging sound designer Andrew Bradt, to work with the patch software and microphone set up,” said Bradt, who also works as a preparator for the Art Gallery of Windsor. “I hope to have the finished work installed and shown locally in 2021.”

The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions have caused Bradt to adjust her shooting and recording plan.

“We will be taking social distance recordings in public spaces and focusing on the absence of sound in a space and how that changes its livelihood or purpose,” she explained. “I think empty streets without excessive traffic, empty parks and beaches, or Friday night walks downtown with no people, are spaces that will still have unique sounds but so much different from the norm.”

The installation will be triggered by the people moving in the gallery space, so once pandemic restrictions lift, it will juxtapose a room full of people affecting the projection of sounds captured in a lot of very empty spaces.

English and creative writing students Iovan Stefanov and Nick Hildenbrand received the $3,000 Literary Arts Infrastructure Grant towards their collaborative work of poetry, Marshwood Songs.

“It will include 30 poems and feature illustrations from local visual artists that celebrate the culture and natural environment of Southwestern Ontario,” said Stephanie Barnhard, president, Windsor Endowment for the Arts, announcing the grant.

Hildenbrand and Stefanov expressed their “deep appreciation” for the mentorship of English and Creative Writing faculty Tom Dilworth, Andre Narbonne, Marty Gervais, and Lorenzo Buj.

Nicholas Papador, associate professor in the School of Creative Arts was awarded WEA’s $2,000 Elizabeth Havelock Grant in the Arts for a recording project featuring music of Jordan Nobles, a Vancouver-based Canadian composer who specializes in creating spatial music and open instrumentation compositions.

“The music to be included on the recording ranges from rhythmic and colorfully kaleidoscopic to completely ambient and serene with a beautiful and longing harmonic language,” said Dr. Papador. “Because of the flexibility of the scores, the interpretation of the pieces on the recording will be unique and personal both for me and the Windsor Percussion Ensemble students.”

The project will feature SoCA students and alumni as performers and in production. While formal recording sessions may be pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pre-production for the recording is well underway with click tracks and demos being digitally distributed so all the participants can begin their preparations from home.

Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens said the awards show appreciation and value attached to creative endeavour.

“Art changes lives, and it does not exist without the artists, arts organizations, volunteers, and teams of people working every day,” he said. “The arts are vital to our quality of life, our sense of identity, and our understanding of our stories and of the people and places that make our community come alive.”

Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Science alumni awarded grants also included:

• Arts Organization Award of $1,000 to the Arts Collective Theatre (ACT), Chris Rabideau (BA 2008, B.Ed 2009) and Moya McAlister.
• Arts Volunteer Award of $500 to Rod Turton (BA 2011, B.Ed 2012) for his work with Windsor Light Music Theatre
• The $3,000 Emerging Artist in Community Arts Grant to David Bergeron (BMus 2015, MFA 2018)
• The $3,000 Emerging Artist in Literary Arts Grant to Samantha Badaoa (BA 2018). Current City of Windsor Youth Poet Laureate 2019-2020
• The $3,000 Community Arts Infrastructure Grant to Arts Can Teach, April Morris (BFA 2013, B.Ed 2014, MFA 2018)

Read more about each of the honorees on the City of Windsor website.

—Susan McKee

Chris Houser will begin a second five-year term as dean of the Faculty of Science on July 1, 2021, provost Douglas Kneale announced Thursday.

“In the four years that he has served our Faculty of Science, Chris has demonstrated effective leadership in many areas, including student recruitment, curriculum development, and community outreach,” said Dr. Kneale. “He has brought students to science, and he has taken science to the community.”

Kneale noted success in fundraising, collaboration with regional partners through extension initiatives, and the promotion of innovative research as broadening the faculty’s profile and providing new opportunities for students and professors.

Dr. Houser said he is proud to continue in the position.

“Working alongside an amazing group of faculty and staff, my focus will be to build on our ongoing success in enrolment and research, while continuing to enhance the student experience to ensure that we remain the Destination Science program,” he said.

After serving for nine years as dean of the Faculty of Human Kinetics, Michael Khan is moving on to become the next provost and vice-president academic at Trent University. The announcement was made Thursday by Trent president and vice-chancellor Leo Groarke.

Provost Douglas Kneale says he is delighted for Dr. Khan, but will miss his many contributions to the academic life of the University of Windsor.

“Michael has done an excellent job of leading the HK family — overseeing both Kinesiology and Athletics and Recreational Services — for nearly a decade,” Dr. Kneale said. “Trent is lucky to get him, and I look forward to seeing Michael at the provincial and national provosts’ tables.”

Khan’s second term as dean was due to finish in June 2021. He joined UWindsor in 2011, coming from the University of Bangor, Wales, where he was head of the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences.

Khan said the success of UWindsor students has always been his top priority and he is extremely proud to be part of the rich history of the University’s HK family.

“While the move to Trent University is extremely exciting, we will miss the Blue and Gold spirit at the University of Windsor,” he said.

“I have had the pleasure of working alongside tremendous colleagues, students, and alumni. Of course, the realization of the Lancer Sport and Recreation Center will be highly cherished, but just as important is the investment we have made in hiring outstanding faculty, coaches, and staff.”

Four types of cheese plus a crispy topping makes for a delicious dish, says Marnie Robillard.

A graphic designer in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications, she swears by her version of a recipe by model Chrissy Teigen.

“It’s just so good I had to share it,” Robillard says.

Macaroni and cheese à la Chrissy Teigen

Ingredients

For the crumb topping:

• 8 slices white sandwich bread (torn into pieces)
• 6 cloves garlic (minced)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 5 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

For the pasta:

• 1 pound pasta shells (I used medium size shells)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 5 cups whole milk
• 12 ounces cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 12 ounces Swiss or Gruyere cheese (shredded)
• 12 ounces American cheese (diced small)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter.
2. In a food processor, process the bread until it forms fine crumbs (you should have about 4 cups).
3. In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium-low heat. When it foams, add the garlic and cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the bread crumbs, increase the heat to medium, and cook, stirring frequently, until toasty and browned, 7 to 9 minutes.
4. Stir in the salt and pepper, remove from the heat, and transfer to a large plate to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
5. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta to al dente. Drain, rinse, and toss with the vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
6. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the butter over medium-high heat until melted. Add the flour and cook, constantly whisking, until it turns a light and toasty brown color, 3 to 6 minutes.
7. Gradually add the milk while whisking, then increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, whisking, until it thickens, 4 to 5 minutes.
8. Add the cheeses, a few handfuls at a time, and whisk the sauce until smooth. Whisk in the salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
9. Stir in the cooked pasta, and season to taste with more salt and pepper.
10. Pour the mixture into the buttered baking dish and spread the bread crumbs evenly over the top.
11. Bake until the topping is browned and crisp and the cheese is bubbling, about 8 minutes to 10 minutes.

Robillard notes that leftovers can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to four days.

“The original recipe calls for 3/4 teaspoon or more of cayenne pepper, but since I would be serving this to the boys, I just used a small amount,” she notes. “If you like spicy, ramp it up!”

Find more recipes — as well as a place to submit your own — on the Healthy Eating website.