The University Players’ 65th season promises to be the stage company’s biggest and most exciting yet, says Kristen Siapas, marketing and public relations co-ordinator.

“The theme of the 2023-24 season is Let’s Celebrate!, reflected in a program of classics and side-splitting comedy that audiences will love,” she says. “University Players has been a pillar of the arts community in Windsor Essex for 65 years, and this season represents the best of what we offer to students, to the campus, and to the community at large.”

Four productions will grace the Essex Hall Theatre:

Mac Beth, Sept. 22 to Oct. 1

• A group of high school age girls gathers in an abandoned area to stage an amateur version of Macbeth, but the lines between fiction and reality are blurred as the ruthlessness of adolescence emerges. Playwright Erica Schmidt’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy is at once an empowering story of womanhood, and the gruesome and fatal effects of underlying resentment, anger, and competition told within the space of two hours.

The Play That Goes Wrong, Nov. 24 to Dec. 3

• After years of casting and budgetary challenges, the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society is finally able to put on a spectacular full-scale production of The Murder at Haversham Manor, but little do they know the true challenges lie ahead. Between unconscious actors and broken elevators, lost dogs and missed lines, watch as this madcap team attempts to solve a murder mystery while the play literally falls to pieces around them.

The Glass Menagerie, Jan. 19 to 28

• Tennessee Williams’ famous “memory play” traces the lives of Tom Wingfield, his mother Amanda, and his sister Laura, as they prepare for and host a gentleman caller, Jim O’Connor, in 1937 in St. Louis. Layered with ghosts and echoes of the past, the play explores the heartbreak and frustration that the Wingfield characters experience as they define who they are, who they ought be, and what they really wish for.

Little Women, March 15 to 24

• Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, Marian de Forest’s adaptation of Little Women introduces audiences to the March women as their lives are impacted by the Civil War, young love, and the tragedy of death. Follow the responsible Meg, quick-tongued Jo, virtuous Beth, and artistic Amy in the timeless coming-of-age story.

Season renewals will be available starting March 24, and tickets will go on sale to the general public June 1.

The Celebration of Nations campus cultural festival is set for noon to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, at the Toldo Lancer Centre.

The event brings the world to your doorstep with musical and dance performances, games, and displays reflecting the cultural diversity of the University community. Volunteers will parade carrying flags of many countries, leaving from the Leddy Library at noon.

A shuttle service sponsored by the Organization of Part-time University Students will provide transportation — leaving the CAW Student Centre and the SoCA Armouries from 11:15 a.m. to noon and returning from the Toldo Lancer Centre beginning at 3 p.m.

Find more details at uwindsor.ca/nations.

Thomas Kennedy is the first Lancer in the history of its men’s basketball program to claim the Mike Moser Memorial Trophy as the national player of the year.

Head coach Chris Cheng called the U Sports award a testament to Kennedy’s hard work and dedication: “It has been such an honour and privilege to coach such a phenomenal individual and talented player.”

In leading Windsor to a first-place finish in the Ontario University Athletics west division, Kennedy finished first in the country in both offensive and defensive rebounding, and in the top 10 in most major statistical categories. This season, he became the highest Lancer in career points, with 1,479 in only 83 games.

See the full story at goLancers.ca.

If you are an instructor or a student who presents to a class, or if your job requires presentation skills, then a session Tuesday, March 14, is for you.

The half-hour online workshop “Accessible presentations: in-person and online” will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the Microsoft Teams platform. Following accessible practices will make your presentation and delivery more accessible to your entire audience. Information will cover tips for both in-person and online methods of delivery with practical steps you can begin implementing right away. Register here to attend.

Presented by the Office of Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility, Accessibility Awareness Days continue every Tuesday in March:

• March 21, “Quick tips for making your Brightspace site more accessible,” 11:30 a.m. MS Teams – registration.
• March 28, “Celebrating disability rights: A conversation with Dr. Laverne Jacobs,” 11 a.m. Alumni Auditorium, CAW Student Centre, and live-streamed on YouTube – registration.

Visit the AAD website for more information and to register for the events or email aad@uwindsor.ca.

The Student Awards and Financial Aid office invites nominations for the 2023 President’s Medal.

One medal and a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the Office of Student Experience will be awarded to a graduating student who has made an outstanding contribution to campus activities while maintaining a superior academic record.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to recognize a deserving graduand by completing the President’s Medal nomination form by April 6. For more information, contact Student Awards.

Biomedical sciences major Teodora Taleski took time out of her busy student schedule to organize a charity fashion show on March 3 in honour of International Women’s Day.

The second-year undergraduate was lead organizer, as well as a model and singer, for an evening of modelling, singing, and eating at the St. Nicholas Macedonian Centre. She says most of the other models were also University of Windsor students.

The annual fashion show raises funds for the community each year. This year’s recipient is the WE-Spark Health Institute, which spans areas of research from fundamental to clinical, technology and innovation, and risk factors, prevention, and outcomes.

Taleski said she was inspired by everything the institute does for health research, especially cancer research.

“Being in biomedical sciences I’m interested in science and how to help, I also volunteer at the hospital,” she says.

“Also cancer research is a great idea because a lot of our friends and family members have unfortunately passed away and been affected by cancer.”

Lisa Porter, biomedical science professor and WE-Spark executive director, was the evening’s guest speaker.

“Research provides solutions for our toughest health problems, and that research simply can’t happen without funding,” says Dr. Porter.

“I’m so proud and grateful that Teodora, and the other students and organizers, would dedicate their talents to support local health research. It was truly an amazing event.”

The University has declared fitness equipment for sale by bid as Disposal File 1084.

Among the items on offer are three elliptical machines, three stationary bikes, two treadmills, and a tire flipping machine, in varying states of repair and price. Click here for details.