Daily News

May 11, 2005

"The province has sent a clear signal that higher education is the cornerstone of Ontario's future growth and prosperity," said Peter George, president of McMaster University following Wednesday's budget speech. The budget included a 35 per cent increase in annual operating grants for postsecondary education beginning with a $683-million increase in 2005/06, and reaching $1.2-billion by 2009/10. In addition, there is a doubling of funding for student assistance, and additional graduate student support, and funding for capital improvement.

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 . . .

May 11, 2005

McMaster is providing the building blocks to a healthy environment through a new Sustainable Building Policy. "We want to ensure McMaster is on the leading edge of sustainable building development," says Tony Cupido, director of physical plant. "We've developed a policy that will provide a sustainable framework so that when we're designing and operating our buildings we're keeping the future and the environment in mind."

May 10, 2005

For a change, Tommy Piribauer stands in front of the camera, not behind it. He displays a broad grin as he leans against a sign in front of the McMaster University Student Centre. After all, he just finished talking about his new role as president of the McMaster Students Union (MSU). His smile disappears momentarily, while reminiscing about his days as a photographer. Leading a student body of 17,691 will not leave much time for his favourite hobby.

May 9, 2005

Three current members of the McMaster men's rugby team were recently named to the National Team that will compete in the Super Powers Cup in Japan. Dan Pletch will go on this tour hoping to add to the six caps he won in 2004. Pletch has bulked up to 260 lbs while also improving his speed and agility.

May 9, 2005

Over the past few years, Pungi Dorasamy has expanded his view of end-of-life care to include a more holistic approach. An internal medicine and respirology specialist at McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences and attending physician at Hamilton Health Sciences, Dorasamy says that it has become obvious that physicians are being trained in curative medicine, and their view of palliative or end-of-life care is centred on the physical aspects of patients' well-being.

May 9, 2005

H-2-0 - or dihydrogen-monoxide - is really one of the more fascinating little molecules on our planet. It's the foundation of life, a mode of travel, a healing force, the reason Earth is called the Blue Planet. So, what's up with water? Why is it so cool (literally and figuratively)? Why do fish hang out at the bottom of lakes? Why do we look to bacteria to help clean up dirty water? Why is the search for life on other planets always about the search for water?

May 9, 2005

The creation of a new Security and Parking Services unit is one of the recommendations in a new report that reviewed both McMaster operations. "Parking and security are both critical services for the University. But campus growth and the need to provide the highest level of service meant it was time to assess how to best meet the needs of students, staff, faculty and the University," says Karen Belaire, vice-president administration. "Bringing both units together makes it possible to have a more co-ordinated approach, improved communications and facilities for employees, greater flexibility to respond to emerging needs, and opportunities to address increasing costs through efficiency measures."

May 6, 2005

McMaster's Board of Governors met on Thursday, April 28 in the Council Room of Gilmour Hall. The following are some of the items addressed at this meeting. Sustainable Building Policy The Board of Governors approved a Sustainable Building Policy, ensuring the University is on the leading edge of sustainable building development throughout Ontario universities.

May 6, 2005

Dofasco recently announced a $1 million community-building gift to establish Canada's first Centre for Engineering and Public Policy at McMaster University. President and CEO Don Pether, McMaster University president and vice-chancellor Peter George and Mo Elbestawi, dean of the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University, announced the partnership during Dofasco's annual general meeting.

May 6, 2005

Canada's Research University of the Year has just been awarded another $17 million in research grants. The new funds for McMaster University come from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and will support the work of more than 100 McMaster investigators. Projects range from environmental to health to materials and manufacturing related research. "Our success in this NSERC competition is outstanding and confirms that McMaster is home to some of the brightest researchers in the country," says Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president of research and international affairs.

May 6, 2005

Amid the tranquility of McMaster's libraries is a dynamo librarian. Her name is Liz Bayley. Bayley, head of systems & curriculum integration in the Health Sciences Library, was recognized Thursday by the McMaster University Faculty Association (MUFA).

May 6, 2005

McMaster's Emergency First Response Team (EFRT) received an Award for Contribution to Health and Safety at a recognition lunch held Thursday. "We selected EFRT because they play an integral part in the first aid program at McMaster," said Nancy Wilk, manager, Environmental & Occupational Health Support Services. "They are almost always first on the scene. And in responding to severe situations, they demonstrate confidence, professionalism and even finesse."

May 5, 2005

Rural doctors have given McMaster University's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine a prestigious award as the medical school that best selects and trains physicians who choose to practice in rural communities. The Keith Award is bestowed by the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC).

May 5, 2005

A skull believed to be that of the infamous pirate Klaus Stortebeker who terrorized the Baltic and North seas in the late 14th century, has arrived at McMaster University for DNA testing. Stortebeker was known as the Robin Hood of the North Sea. Initially, his piracy was confined to Danish ships that blockaded Germany during a political struggle. Stortebeker plundered the Danish ships of ammunition and food, and turned the goods over to his countrymen. Stortebeker's pillaging became so rampant that the Danes and the Germans were forced to make peace.

May 5, 2005

Third-year kinesiology student Shawna Druchok was presented the 2005 Power of Inclusion Volunteer Award this week by the Ontario branch of the Active Living Alliance (ALA) for Canadians with a Disability. This province-wide award was introduced to recognize the efforts of an individual who volunteers their time to promote and provide opportunities for Ontarians with a disability to be physically active.

May 5, 2005

Following a national search, John Capone has been appointed McMaster's new dean of science. "John is an outstanding leader," says provost Ken Norrie. "He brings to the position a strong research and teaching background, experience in the development and administration of the University, and the vision and enthusiasm that will be important components of the Faculty's future success."

May 5, 2005

Children who have been abused are at risk of recurrence and effective prevention strategies are urgently needed, say the authors of a randomized trial published online today by The Lancet. Recurrence of child maltreatment is a major problem. In a study involving 163 Canadian families with confirmed child physical abuse or neglect, Harriet MacMillan, professor of psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences at McMaster University, and colleagues tested whether regular home visits by public-health nurses prevented recurrence of abuse when compared to standard services from child protection agencies (CPA).

May 5, 2005

The McMaster football program has announced the early football recruiting class based on first round offers made by the University. McMaster has secured 18 players including six from the Greater Hamilton Area, three from Oakville, three from British Columbia and one from each of Brantford, Guelph, Fort Erie, Kingston, Tottenham and Windsor.