December 17, 2004

Norman (Norm) Buckley has accepted an appointment as chair, Department of Anesthesia, effective since July 1, 2004. Buckley is an associate professor in the Department of Anesthesia of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University and is the founder and director of the Pain Management Centre for Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University.

December 16, 2004

One word describes Terry Greenlay  outstanding. It's a word that appears in all categories of his annual performance reviews. Greenlay was presented the Faculty of Engineering's fourth annual Veronika Czerneda Staff Award for Outstanding Service yesterday at a year-end recognition reception. "Terry is constantly doing more than is expected without ever a word to draw attention to this fact," said Barbara McKenna, business manager, Faculty of Engineering and chair of this year's selection committee.

December 15, 2004

In just six months after graduation, 94.6 per cent of McMaster students are employed, according to a recent provincial survey. In two years, that number rises to 96.1. As well, fewer McMaster students are defaulting on their loans and more who embark on a degree, graduate with one. "I'm not surprised by these results," says McMaster President Peter George, in response to the survey sponsored by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Council of Ontario Universities. "McMaster has always graduated high-quality students who have the knowledge, skills and experience that employers require."

December 15, 2004

McMaster Marauder running back Jesse Lumsden will suit up in the 80th edition of the East-West Shrine Game on January 15, 2005 at SBC Park in San Francisco, California. Lumsden, and defensive tackle Nick Johansson, from the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, were selected as the 40th and 41st Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) representatives since 1985 to be invited to the annual all-star showcase. The game will feature more than 80 of the top United States college players. Every year since 1925, the Shrine Game has been played to benefit children who receive free medical care at 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout the U.S. To date, the game has raised more than $14 million for Shriners Hospitals.

December 14, 2004

It's a unique tracking system that allows scientists to follow the course of cancerous cells throughout the body of a live animal in real time. The technology is in use at the Juravinski Cancer Centre (JCC) and Gurmit Singh, professor of pathology and molecular medicine and director of research at the JCC, will discuss the research that might one day lead to new ways to control, treat, cure or even prevent diseases such as cancer, at tonight's Science in the City lecture.

December 13, 2004

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to start a fitness regimen, you might want to seek professional help. A study by McMaster University's Department of Kinesiology has found that people who are new to an exercise activity perform better when their goals are set by a fitness professional rather than by themselves.

December 13, 2004

Olympic gold medallist and McMaster student Adam van Koeverden celebrated another victory today after being named Canada's outstanding athlete by the Toronto Star. The kayaker was named the 2004 winner of the Lou Marsh Award, beating out some of Canada's top athletes, including wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc, basketball player Steve Nash and gymnast Kyle Shewfelt.

December 10, 2004

Despite a shortage of nursing staff, new Ontario nursing graduates can't find full-time work, a McMaster University study says. In a province-wide survey of this year's graduates, researchers in McMaster's Nursing Health Services Research Unit (NHSRU) established that, among new nurses who found employment, 37 per cent had full-time jobs, 61 per cent had part-time or casual work and the others took on multiple jobs. In contrast, most new nurses (79 per cent) say they want full-time work.

December 10, 2004

Hamilton health scientists are turning the "gender lens" on the different ways women and men are affected by cardiovascular disease. A team of clinician-investigators jointly affiliated with McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences has formed the GRACE or Gender Research and Cardiovascular Evaluation Network. The goal of the network is to perform high quality gender-based research in cardiovascular disease, train new researchers and ensure the research results are widely available and accessible to the Canadian public.

December 9, 2004

In 1979, on the cusp of a new era, 91 employees began a McMaster journey. Over the last 25 years they saw McMaster grow, not only in size, but in accolades and trademarks. Last night, inducted into McMaster's Quarter Century Club for 25 years of cumulative or consecutive service, they reflected on their journey.

December 8, 2004

Three McMaster University students traveled to Tokyo, Japan as members of the Canadian team that competed at the 2004 World University Equestrian Championships (WUEC) that took place Dec. 3-5. Allison Zlepnig, Courtney Piperking and Katie Clark each traveled to Japan as members of Team Canada.

December 8, 2004

McMaster has announced a partnership with Bell Canada to undertake research in areas such as telerobotic surgery and telemedicine. Bell University Laboratories will contribute $450,000 over three years to McMaster to support the creation of an integrated systems laboratory, part of the proposed McMaster School of BioMedical Engineering.

December 7, 2004

It's that time of year again -- exam time -- and students across campus are gearing up for the many exams that will be written between Dec. 7 and 21. The anticipation of exams can be a stressful time for students. From first year to upper year, they can bring a lot of worries and concerns.

December 7, 2004

The McMaster cheerleading team won the 20th Annual University & Open National Cheerleading Championships Sunday, Dec. 5 at Copps Coliseum. They competed in the collegiate small coed/all girl division against teams from Laurier, McGill, Brock, Memorial, Carelton, Ryerson and Regina.

December 6, 2004

At McMaster's 15th annual commemoration service for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, candles will be lit in memory of 14 women murdered 15 years ago at Ecole Polytechnique, four McMaster women whose lives were ended by violence and 500 Aboriginal women who have gone missing or murdered in Canada over the last 20 years. "Fifteen years ago, on Dec. 6, the thin wall that separates life and death was pierced by a young man who chose violence as a path," says Carol Wood, ecumenical chaplain from Divinity College. "It was clearly an act of violence against women, as Mark Lepine separated women from men and shot them. This senseless act of gender violence has mobilized both women and men in the effort to remember the 14 women who died and to advocate on behalf of all victims of gender violence." Today's service begins at 5:30 p.m. in Gilmour Hall, Council Chambers, Rm. 111.

December 3, 2004

Early in the New Year, the McMaster campus will see construction begin on two projects. The first project is the expansion of the Ivor Wynne Centre  the University's athletics and recreation complex. The development will include a new multi-use sports hall, indoor running track, enlarged fitness centre, new locker rooms and an expanded sports medicine clinic. The Athletic and Recreation Complex is a $30-million project scheduled to open in the fall of 2006. It also includes a $13-million one-tier, multipurpose stadium that will enhance the existing Les Prince Field. The second project is the construction of a new student residence. The location of the new building will be on the north end of central campus near Hedden Hall. It will be constructed to accommodate approximately 400 students on campus in time for the fall 2006 school term.

December 3, 2004

More than 350 high school geography students will get a special hands-on look at cutting edge geographic information system (GIS) technology at the sixth annual GIS Day Monday, Dec. 6, 2004 at McMaster University. Hosted by the School of Geography & Geology and the Centre for Spatial Analysis, this event fulfills part of the Ontario geography curriculum for Grade 9, 11 and 12 students. Eleven high schools from Hamilton and Burlington have registered for the daylong workshop.

December 3, 2004

An update on McMaster's budget process to the McMaster community has been prepared by Ken Norrie, provost, and Karen Belaire, vice-president administration. Following is the update sent out today: Dear colleagues, The preparation of the University's budget always begins in the fall and the process for the 2005/06 budget year is now underway. Our goal is to ensure that the University community is kept informed as the budget is developed.

December 3, 2004

The Core Competencies Steering Committee has prepared a report to update the McMaster community on the competency-based system for managers and academic leaders. Written by members of the Core Competencies Steering Committee, the report provides an overview of several initiatives being implemented this December and in 2005 to help integrate McMaster's six core competencies into key human resources practices across the University. These include: position descriptions, recruiting, interviewing/selecting, training and development, and performance management.

December 2, 2004

Photographers have demonstrated that McMaster is a campus of many colours in the Campus Colours photography contest for Picture McMaster. The contest, organized by the Office of Public Relations, challenged photographers to "picture McMaster" in unique, innovative, and colourful ways, and people across campus obliged.