UWindsor alumnus Jim Weese (BHK 1980, MHK 1983) has been a hockey player, a leadership expert, a guest speaker, a university professor, and a senior academic leader.

The birth of his granddaughter Rylee seven months ago inspired him to add another title to his CV: children’s author.

Dr. Weese, former dean of the UWindsor Faculty of Human Kinetics, has recently released The Grandpa Rules: Essential Lessons for Success in Life and Leadership. It’s an illustrated storybook written to inspire children to set goals and to persevere to overcome hardships. It’s a tapestry of what he teaches in his leadership courses and what he has learned through his 65 years of living life.

“Rylee was the impetus for this book,” he said. “I thought, what would I want her to know.”

Weese is a professor of leadership and sport management at the University of Western Ontario. His first book, The 5C Leader: Exceptional Leadership Practices for Extraordinary Times, is used in leadership courses. His second textbook, The Leadership Lifecycle: How to Prepare, How to Excel, and When (and How) to Effectively Exit, will hit bookstands in a few days.

“Writing a children’s book was a different experience,” Weese said.

He said he turned to his friend Paulette Bourgeois, creator of Franklin the Turtle and author of the Franklin series of children’s books, for guidance on how to write from a child’s point of view. UWindsor alum Duncan Lam (MBA 2020), who has authored several children’s books himself, also provided helpful advice.

In his book, Weese reflects on his own childhood, growing up in Dresden, Ont., and the close relationship he had with his Grandpa Smith. He drew inspiration from his wife, Sherri (BA 1981, MA 1984, B.Ed 1989), his mother, and in-laws and the impact they’ve had on his two children’s lives.

In the book’s acknowledgments, Weese gives a nod to UWindsor kinesiology professor and friend Wayne Marino, whose mantra, “Do your best, be a good sport, and have fun,” influenced Weese’s philosophy.

“I have always used this mantra in working with children in youth sports and summer camps, and I also incorporated it into the lessons that Grandpa Sherwood offers in this book.”

The book offers children 10 rules for success in life and is informed by the latest thinking in leadership. There are blank pages at the back titled, “Other rules” that grandparents, parents, or even children themselves can use to personalize the book.

The book’s illustrator is Western student Kayla MacInnes. While the grandpa in the book looks uncannily like Weese, the children depicted come from diverse cultures.

Weese is directing proceeds from The Grandpa Rules to four charities: Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, the YMCA’s Strong Kids program, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

He said he hopes the book raises lots of money and helps launch MacInnes’ career.

But foremost, he hopes his book inspires children: “I hope it inspires them to dream big.”

Weese is planning a reading in Windsor; watch for details from the University of Windsor Alumni Association as arrangements are finalized.

—Sarah Sacheli

A new course in electric vehicle powertrain systems from Continuing Education promises to provide training in high-demand skills to the community. The course engages learners through case studies and examples from commercially available EVs, offering the opportunity to utilize software tools such as Microsoft Excel, Matlab/Simulink, and Ansys Motor-CAD to understand the design and operation of electric vehicle powertrain systems.

The course is divided into two parts. In the first, participants will grasp the fundamentals of vehicle architectures and dynamics, study different drive cycles, and learn to size a powertrain based on these parameters, ensuring optimal performance on the road. Moreover, participants will acquire knowledge in both asynchronous and synchronous machine fundamentals, which are essential for understanding and designing electric motors that are part of the powertrain system.

Part two of the course continues to delve into EV powertrain systems. Learners will gain an understanding of the power electronic architecture and control of state-of-the-art motor drives, as well as explore the design variations in commercially available EV motor drives. Other topics include the fundamentals of energy storage, management, charging, and finally, the testing and validation of the EV powertrain.

Lakshmi Varaha Iyer, a senior member of IEEE, serves as the course instructor. Currently, he holds the position of senior manager, advanced powertrain and chassis, with Magna International's corporate research and development division. Dr. Iyer is also an adjunct professor in the UWindsor Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His recognition of the growing demand for this course aligns with the expanding EV market.

“Electrification of automobiles is enabling engineers to improve and change existing designs of various subsystems and systems of vehicles for additional benefits,” says Dr. Iyer. “Students in this course will be able to enhance their knowledge on electric vehicles, apply the knowledge to design various traditional subsystems and parts of the vehicle differently, and electrify different components in the vehicle.”

This course is ideal for professionals and students, offering a unique opportunity to gain a competitive advantage through enhanced knowledge in this rapidly growing field.

Visit the Continuing Education website for more information on course fees and up-to-date schedules.

UWindsor alumni, staff, students, and Hire UWindsor Partners are eligible for a discount. Email continue@uwindsor.ca for details.

Take a musical journey through songs featured on Broadway and the silver screen with the Broadway Bunch, a group filled with UWindsor grads.

Among the alumni participating are host David Burrows, singers Sara Fontaine, Kaitlyn Karns, Florine Ndimubandi, and Justin Raisbeck, and instrumentalists Nicholas Morvay on piano, Vanessa Harnish on percussion, Austin Di Pietro on horns, and Sebastian Bachmeier on reeds.

The show, supported by a grant from the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture, and Heritage Fund, will take place Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29 and 30, at the Meteor lounge, 138 University Ave., West. Showtime is 8 p.m.

Tickets are available online or by emailing broadwaybunch.windsor@gmail.com.

Associate professor Kathryn Pfaff (BScN 1988, MScN 2008) began a five-year appointment effective July 1 as associate dean, graduate programs and research, in the Faculty of Nursing.

Dr. Pfaff’s nursing career spans over 35 years in acute care, community care, and academics. Born in Edmonton, Pfaff moved with her family to Windsor in the early 1970s. After earning undergraduate and master’s degrees in nursing at the University of Windsor, she completed a doctorate at McMaster University.

Pfaff’s work has prioritized the implementation of interprofessional and compassionate models of healthcare delivery. As a champion of “Compassionate Communities” (CC), Pfaff co-developed Ontario’s CC framework and is a founding member of Ontario’s CC Research Leadership team.

She believes that as members of society, it is everyone’s responsibility to advocate for, support, and empower others to provide physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and practical support for people navigating precarious health and life situations.

“People should not have to go it alone,” says Pfaff.

As she settles into her new role, this same philosophy of collaboration resonates in her vision for the graduate program.

“As a collaborative leader, I recognize that no one person has all the solutions,” says Pfaff. “It is my role to empower our team’s collective wisdom in redefining and carrying out the vision of the Faculty of Nursing’s graduate programs and research especially in such a rapidly evolving world. Nurses and nursing scholarship positively influence nursing practice, health care systems, and the health of persons, families, communities, and populations.”

Pfaff expresses gratitude for the continued support of associate professor Jody Ralph, who completed her term as acting associate dean prior to Pfaff’s appointment.

It’s time to RSVP for a reception Tuesday, Oct. 3, celebrating the retirement of Canterbury College principal Gordon Drake after 15 years in the role.

Canterbury is the Anglican college affiliated to the University; it offers student residences, chaplaincy services, courses in theology, and lifelong learning through ElderCollege and public lectures.

Next week’s reception is open to all wanting to convey best wishes to Dr. Drake. It is slated for 4 p.m. Oct. 3 in the college administration building at 2500 University Ave. West. RSVP by Sept. 27 your intention to attend at canter@uwindsor.ca.