Alumni Association president Dorothy Leung presented Tanya Leegstra with a ceremonial cheque. (PHOTO BY JOHN-PAUL BONADONNA/University of Windsor)
By John-Paul Bonadonna
Tanya Leegstra was still processing the news Thursday after her name was announced as the grand prize winner at the University of Windsor’s Welcoming Celebration.
The first-year nursing student from Brantford was awarded $4,000 toward tuition during Welcome Week festivities at the Toldo Lancer Centre.
“I’m shocked. I really didn’t think I was going to get that at all,” said Leegstra, who was all smiles after receiving the news.
“It’s amazing and it’s definitely going to help a lot.”
— Published on Sep 10th, 2026
Community leaders, including Mayor Drew Dilkens, MP Harb Gill, Mayor Hilda MacDonald and Dr. John Hartig with cyclists at the morning kickoff celebration of the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure at the University of Windsor, Ont. on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2026. (Lindsay Charlton/ University of Windsor)
Lindsay Charlton
If you build it, they will come.
And so they did.
More than 100 cyclists from across Canada and the United States met at the University of Windsor last month to experience the newest addition to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
— Published on Sep 9th, 2026
University of Windsor’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation Shanthi Johnson. (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)
Canada’s relationship with India is the focus of a recent opinion piece by University of Windsor’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation Shanthi Johnson, in The Hill Times.
Johnson outlines the need for a stronger, more strategic approach to the relationship that recognizes the connections among education, skilled talent, research, entrepreneurship and innovation.
— Published on Sep 8th, 2026
University of Windsor professors emeriti Iain Baxter& and Karl Jirgens have built a friendship rooted in art, writing and collaboration. Their creative partnership continues through projects, conversations and activities supported by the Windsor University Retirees' Association. (KYLE ARCHIBALD /University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
It’s a Thursday afternoon at Sunset House. Conversations shift from art and literature to technology, politics and the changing landscape of higher education.
Ideas are exchanged, stories and perspectives shared and a steady rhythm of curiosity fills the meeting room.
For members of the Windsor University Retirees’ Association (WURA), retirement is not an ending. It signals the start of something new.
— Published on Sep 9th, 2026
University of Windsor alumnus Michael Ruffolo, head of creator and influencer partnerships at Shopify, credits his experience on the Odette Debate Team with shaping the partnership-focused approach that has guided his career. (SUZIE REECER/Tiger's Eye/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
Some of life's most valuable lessons happen outside the classroom.
For University of Windsor alumnus Michael Ruffolo, travelling across North America as a member of the Odette Debate Team offered more than an opportunity to compete.
It provided a foundation in collaboration, persuasion and critical thinking that would shape his career at the forefront of the creator economy.
— Published on Sep 4th, 2026
Electrical engineering co-op student Luke Laforest received a Rising Star Award for his contributions during a work term at Ford Motor Company's Windsor Engine Plant. Through projects focused on predictive planning, assembly-line optimization and continuous improvement, he delivered solutions that helped improve efficiency, reduce costs and support frontline workers. (LUKE LAFOREST/University of Windsor)
At a modern engine plant, even a brief disruption can have significant consequences.
— Published on Sep 1st, 2026
Ashley Deslippe, a University of Windsor Odette School of Business alumna and human resources coordinator at AAR, says co-op placements, international learning experiences and campus leadership opportunities helped prepare her for a career in human resources. (SUBMITTED BY ASHLEY DESLIPPE/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
A co-op placement is often viewed as a bridge between the classroom and the workplace.
For some students, it can also become the first step toward a long-term career.
The opportunity to gain practical experience, build professional relationships and apply classroom knowledge can open doors well beyond graduation.
That was the case for Ashley Deslippe (BComm ’25).
— Published on Aug 21st, 2026
The University of Windsor's newly renamed Co-op, Career & Experiential Education unit brings career development, experiential learning and co-operative education services together under one banner to support student success. (FILES/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
The University of Windsor’s Career Centre and co-operative education office are now operating under a single name: Co-op, Career & Experiential Education.
The new name reflects the integration of the Office of Experiential Learning, Co-op & Workplace Partnerships and Career Development & Experiential Learning, also known as the Career Centre.
— Published on Aug 21st, 2026
Master of Science in Computer Science student Nishant Gowthaman received a Rising Star Award for his contributions during a co-op placement with CenterLine (Windsor) Limited. During his work term, he developed a machine learning-powered system that transformed years of estimating data into a searchable resource, supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. (SHIVANGI ROY/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
When Nishant Gowthaman arrived at CenterLine (Windsor) Limited for his co-op placement, he was presented with a challenge that extended far beyond writing code.
The company had years of estimating data stored across thousands of spreadsheets, containing valuable knowledge that engineers often struggled to find and reuse.
— Published on Aug 17th, 2026
Master of Applied Computing graduate Harshkumar Nayanbhai Patel earned a Rising Star Award for outstanding work during a Winter 2026 co-op placement at RBC, where he developed AI-powered solutions that improved efficiency and delivered business value. (SUBMITTED BY HARSHKUMAR NAYANBHAI PATEL/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
For Harshkumar Nayanbhai Patel (MAC '26), a co-op placement at RBC became more than a learning opportunity. By the end of his work term, he had helped develop AI-powered solutions that were saving thousands of engineering hours annually and earned a full-time software engineering position with the company.
— Published on Aug 17th, 2026
Alumni Association president Dorothy Leung presented Tanya Leegstra with a ceremonial cheque. (PHOTO BY JOHN-PAUL BONADONNA/University of Windsor)
