sign promoting Togetherfest outside Lancer CentreThe Toldo Lancer Centre will host #YQG Togetherfest on Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10.

Weekend event to weave community tapestry

The Toldo Lancer Centre will kick off March Break for elementary and secondary schools by hosting a family-focused event celebrating Windsor-Essex and its diverse tapestry.

Organized by the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association and the Rotary Club of Windsor-Wide, #YQG Togetherfest is billed as a one-stop shop of more than 60 vendors and 17 entertainers.

Cultural and community groups promise accessible opportunities for all ages: diverse entertainment, crafts, artisans, traditional foods, educational and health care supports, a games zone, and other activities.

“TogetherFest is an excellent event that will embrace members and families of our multicultural community and celebrate our individual distinct beauty,” says Kelly Gosselin, interim director of UWindsor Alumni and Donor Communications and president of the BANA board of directors.

“This community event will directly support the high-impact work of BANA in areas such as eating disorders, food insecurity, health promotion and body acceptance. We are deeply grateful to the University for its outstanding partnership and support.”

The University presence will be bolstered by information booths staffed by Lancer Recreation, Lancer Camps, the University of Windsor Alumni Association, the WE-Spark Health Institute, and the Centre for Human Performance and Health.

The event will run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10. Admission is $5, free for those 5 and under. Attendees are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable goods for the Student Food Bank.

girls' soccer teamEvents March 12 and 13 will promote safety in sport.

Advocates addressing abuse in Canadian athletics

Safe sport advocates affiliated to kinesiology at the University of Windsor — Krista Loughead, Margery Holman, Vicky Paraschak — and St. Clair College — Alex Wiseman — are hosting two events targeting safe sport in Canada.

The first, Tuesday, March 12, at the St. Clair Centre of the Arts, is geared to the community, addressing the impact of various forms of abuses within Canadian sport through five panelists who have all experienced these issues:

  • former Canadian national gymnasts Abby Spadafora and Melanie Hunt,
  • former hockey player Mark McGuire,
  • University of Manitoba expert on hazing Jay Johnson, and
  • Windsor swim parent Ginny Rychman.

Windsor West MP Brian Masse sponsored the petition last year calling for an independent inquiry into abuse in Canadian sport He will start the evening by addressing the Future of Sport in Canada Commission.

The event, 6 to 8 p.m. in the centre’s Skyline Room A, will welcome university faculty, staff, students, local coaches, parents, athletes, sport administrators, and media to a conversation about how to holistically change toxicity in sport at all levels of competition.

Admission is free but registration in advance is encouraged.

The second event, a conversation with Spadafora and Hunt, will be held Wednesday, March 13, from 8:30 to 9:50 a.m. in room 140, Human Kinetics Building. It is open to interested members of the University, college, and broader communities.

The discussion will inform first-year human kinetics students and other attendees about the ramifications of abuse faced by athletes. It will also explore how to prevent and recognize abuse in addition to what can be done when abuse has occurred, reinforcing the significance of ethical principles and moral conduct in relation to sport and physical activity. No registration required.

Kennedy Wonnacott drinking from mugKennedy Wonnacott, marketing and events project co-ordinator in the Office of Enrolment Management, demonstrates environmental awareness by drinking from a reusable mug.

Campaign to recognize individual action on environment

A campaign to spread awareness of green acts and recognize individual actions will highlight the collective efforts of the University community towards a more sustainable campus, says UWindsor sustainability officer Nadia Harduar.

She invites students, faculty, and staff to snap and share a photo of themselves or a colleague engaging in sustainability activities: cycling, sorting waste, using a reusable mug or bottle, gardening, upcycling materials, or any other action showing compassion for the planet or people.

“Capture those moments that demonstrate responsible stewardship of our campus,” says Harduar. “Whether it’s composting or choosing to take the stairs, they’re worth celebrating.”

The #CaughtGreenHanded campaign will run through Sustainability Month, with a prize draw for entries from UWindsor students, staff, or faculty members.

To participate:

  • upload your photo or story to Instagram,
  • use the hashtags #CaughtGreenHanded and #uwindsor, and
  • tag @ScienceUWindsor.

Those without social media accounts may submit a photo through the #CaughtGreenHanded Google form.

Abbie Dewhirst and Vivian Tang with HackyMcHackFaceLead organizers Abbie Dewhirst (left) and Vivian Tang (right) congratulate members of the top-finishing team at WinHacks 2024, HackyMcHackFace, who shared a $400 prize.

Hackathon features computer skills and networking

WinHacks 2024, Feb. 17 and 18 in the Centre for Engineering Innovation, brought together more than 130 participants, volunteers, and sponsors from the Windsor-Essex tech community.

A weekend of collaboration, skill development workshops, and networking with $2,000 in prizes up for grabs, it was the first time the event has been held in person since its debut in 2020.

“Bringing WinHacks in-person for the first time is a milestone for the Windsor-Essex tech community. Hackathons provide opportunities for tech enthusiasts to collaborate, innovate, and solve real-world problems,” says Vivian Tang, fourth-year computer science student and co-lead WinHacks 2024 organizer.

“It’s important we continue investing in local tech talent to ensure WinHacks’ continued success in the years ahead.”

She and her co-lead Abbie Dewhirst are both fourth-year computer science students.

“WinHacks could not have been possible without the organizing team, volunteers, speakers, sponsors, and judges who helped make WinHacks a success,” Dewhirst says. “We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from hackers saying they’re already looking forward to next year’s hackathon.”  

More information on WinHacks, and photos from the weekend, can be found here.

Lisa PorterBiomedical sciences professor Lisa Porter is taking up a position at St. Joseph’s Health Care London.

Professor to head hospital research efforts

Distinguished Professor, Dr. Lisa Porter, is expanding her research reach with an exciting new leadership role. The Biomedical Sciences professor became Vice President, Research and Scientific Director at St. Joseph’s Health Care London in late February.

“We are excited to congratulate Dr. Porter on her new position,” says Interim Dean of the Faculty of Science, Dr. Dora Cavallo-Medved. “Moreover, we are proud and grateful for Dr. Porter’s amazing and dedicated leadership in advancing health research in Windsor-Essex.”

“As the founding director of WE-SPARK Health Institute, She led and engaged actively with the core partners to create and champion a strong collaborative and inclusive health research ecosystem that supports multidisciplinary teams, increases opportunities for trainees and actively engages our community.”

Established in 2019, WE-SPARK Health Institute brings together health research strengths across the University of Windsor, Windsor Regional Hospital, St. Clair College, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and Erie Shores HealthCare with a mission to enhance the health, well-being and care of people through transformative research and knowledge translation. 

Over these last 5 years, Dr. Porter has led a grassroots movement bringing health researchers together to form a thriving research environment that drives advancements in health in Windsor-Essex. Her new role in London will increase her ability to continue making a difference in health research. She will remain an active faculty member at the University of Windsor.

In light of new leadership role Dr. Porter has taken on, she will be stepping down as director of WE-SPARK Health Institute. In the interim, WE-SPARK will be overseen by Dr. Dora Cavallo-Medved, the Dean of Science, with support from Assistant Director, Karen Metcalfe, and the WE-SPARK staff.  Through collaborative efforts, WE-SPARK will continue to build a thriving and impactful health research ecosystem alongside our core regional partners.