On our campus, it’s always uplifting to watch today’s students—tomorrow’s alumni—forge their individual pathways to a fulfilling future. It is equally rewarding to hear both students and alumni recognize the impact they can have on the institution that helped them shape successful lives. It’s something that resonates in the spring issue of VIEW.
You’ll meet Melanie Grondin, who spent a good part of high school in the laboratory of University of Windsor cancer researcher Dr. Lisa Porter. Today, Melanie is still a researcher working with Dr. Porter and a dedicated student in the third year of the University’s Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience program.
Melanie is not only a first-class academic, but a campus volunteer emergency services team captain and hockey coach. She is committed to her goal of attending medical school and becoming a doctor.
Then there is the inspiring story of Stephen and Vicki Adams who grew up in Windsor and have a long association with the University. Stephen graduated with a BA Honours in 1969 and MA in Political Science in 1970. More than 30 members of Stephen and Vicki’s families have attended Assumption University or the University of Windsor.
Last fall, to mark their exceptional philanthropic contributions to the University, we officially opened The Stephen and Vicki Adams Welcome Centre that serves as a gateway to the main campus.
This edition of VIEW also features a look at the importance of the Liberal Arts, something I’ve talked a great deal about during the past year. A degree in the Liberal Arts, with a focus on learning and scholarship across the broad intellectual, creative, cultural, and societal spectrum of human endeavour, has never been needed more.
As you’ll read, the Liberals Arts have served Jim Murphy BA ’86 well. He’s now the global chief customer officer for Mars Global Chocolate business, and he is a great believer in the value of a Liberal Arts education.
The reality is that there are many paths that lead both to and from the University of Windsor. The opportunities that lay ahead for today’s students and tomorrow’s alumni will be wide-ranging, and require knowledge, flexible skills and an ability to adapt to the kind of challenges that our ever more integrated and connected world presents. As has always been, it is the goal of the University of Windsor to provide students with the foundation that can be built upon for life.
Alan Wildeman
President and Vice-Chancellor