Daily News

May 20, 2005

Award-winning author Charlotte Gray, Giller Prize winner Austin Clarke and national archivist Ian Wilson will visit McMaster next week for an international conference exploring archives and Canadian literature. The conference, entitled "Turning the Knobs on Writers' Closets: Archives and Canadian Literature", takes place May 24-26.

May 19, 2005

The largest ever group of doctors will graduate from McMaster University's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine on Friday, May 20. A total of 135 MD degrees will be conferred at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony at Hamilton Place. They are among the 263 health sciences graduates which will also include: Doctor of Philosophy (nine), Master of Science (18), Bachelor of Health Sciences (62), and Midwifery (16).

May 19, 2005

Alex Ferenczy, a McGill University professor and researcher, will be one of the speakers at the McMaster University Cervical Screening Day on May 25 at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Ferenczy is an investigator on a clinical trial with a vaccine that will be effective against the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is responsible for most cases of cervical cancer, a disease that affects thousands of women every year.

May 18, 2005

Operations are resuming back to normal following a fire that damaged the third floor of Gilmour Hall on the weekend. The Research Services office suffered the most damage, and as a result, staff are temporarily housed in the Humanities Computing Centre in Togo Salmon Hall. The best way to contact research staff is through their regular email addresses.

May 18, 2005

When Revenge of the Sith hits theatres around the world on May 19, it will be the long-awaited final installment in the Star Wars saga. But as the trademark gold letters scroll off into the distance, more than anticipation will be keeping eager fans on the edge of their seats. Once again, the familiar fanfare of composer John Williams will echo in the audience's ears as they watch the film.

May 18, 2005

A McMaster University professor who studies the effects of environmental toxicants and dietary chemicals on women's reproductive health has received a career award. Warren Foster, PhD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, is one of two recipients of new career awards from the Ontario Women's Health Council (OWHC).

May 17, 2005

Months shy of his 40th birthday, McMaster biologist Jianping Xu has received a Robert Haynes Young Scientist Award from the Genetics Society of Canada. Receiving the award is not surprising, considering the length of his achievements is greater than his age.

May 17, 2005

Kenneth Taylor Hall's employee lounge has been given a facelift. "This lounge looks absolutely wonderful," said Susan Elliott, dean of social sciences, at the grand opening of the lounge this week. "This is a great place for employees to hang out."

May 17, 2005

Forty-three degrees and diplomas will be conferred on graduands of Divinity College at its annual Spring Convocation ceremony today (Tuesday, May 17). The ceremony will be held at 8 p.m. in Convocation Hall. Degrees to be conferred are: Doctor of Ministry, Master of Theology, Master of Divinity, Master of Religious Education, Master of Theological Studies and Master of Arts -- Christian Studies. Certificates to be awarded are: Diploma in Ministry, Certificate of Christian Studies and Certificate in Parish Nurse Ministry.

May 16, 2005

The fire that damaged the third floor of Gilmour Hall yesterday has been ruled accidental. The exact cause is still to be determined. The Research Services office suffered the most damage. Human Resources Services, the School of Graduate Studies and Career and Employment Services suffered from smoke and water damage. Clean up crews are working to re-open areas as quickly as possible. In the meantime, temporary arrangements are being made to accommodate staff.

May 16, 2005

More than $1 million in new research funding from the Canadian Cancer Society has been awarded to two McMaster researchers. Andrew Rainbow and Marko Simunovic were awarded funding to support their leading-edge research into the prevention and treatment of human cancers.

May 16, 2005

Second-year McMaster wrestler Stefanie Howorun qualified for the 2005 Summer World University Games winning the 67 weight class at the Canadian FISU wrestling trials held in Renfrew ON this past weekend. The trials were held in conjunction with the 2005 Wresting Canada Canadian Senior National Championships. Howorun placed third in the 67 kg weight class in the National Championship competition held on Saturday.

May 16, 2005

More than 230 delegates from across Canada are expected to visit McMaster this week for the 23rd annual meeting of the Microscopical Society of Canada. Participates will discover the latest developments in microscopy methods, including x-ray, electron microscopy, acoustic, light and scanning probe microscopy methods.

May 15, 2005

The third floor of Gilmour Hall has been closed after a fire Sunday evening. The blaze started in the Research Services area and the smoke also caused some damage to Human Resources Services offices. No one was injured and the cause remains under investigation. The amount and extent of damage was still being assessed Sunday night. All employees in Gilmour Hall are to report to work as usual on Monday.

May 13, 2005

The Faculty of Science is hosting its third annual Accelerated Students Workshop today on campus. Grade 11 students from secondary schools in Hamilton-Wentworth, Halton, and Niagara districts have chosen activities offered by departments in Science. Approximately 120 participants are attending activities this morning in: computer science, psychology, medical physics, biology, chemistry, physics and astronomy, mathematics and statistics, and geology and geography.

May 13, 2005

McMaster is hosting a two-day meeting of the brains and minds behind The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR's) Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA). Researchers are gathering for CIHR's Institute Advisory Board meeting today and tomorrow at McMaster. The board meets several times a year, either in person or via conference call. McMaster decided to host the event to highlight research at the University and other Ontario universities related to INMHA's mandate. The event is also intended to bring together board members from across Canada to discuss new and potential collaborations.

May 13, 2005

Mike Lukas, a second-year mathematics and statistics student at McMaster, is off to the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall thanks to a Killam Fellowship Award. The $10,000 US award provides exceptional students from select universities in Canada and the US the opportunity to attend university in the other country for one semester or one year of their undergraduate career.

May 13, 2005

An exhibit featuring linoleum prints illustrating scenes from the Exodus and the Passover Seder is on display in the Togo Salmon Gallery of the McMaster Museum of Art. Created by New York-based Jewish artist Ben Simon, the exhibit, entitled "Haggadah", runs May 10 to 29.

May 11, 2005

Roger Trull has been reappointed vice-president university advancement, effective July 1, 2005. "Mr. Trull has worked tirelessly in his commitment to advancement and alumni development, and to McMaster University," said President Peter George. "He has become an innovative leader in his profession, a strong liaison with the community and an important member of the senior management team at the University."

May 11, 2005

Human Rights and Equity Services, in partnership with OPIRG and MSU- Diversity Services, is showing two remarkable films in May (Asian Heritage Month) to draw . . .