June 4, 2004

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Brandon-Crichton.jpg” caption=”Brandon Crichton”]Brandon Crichton is down on smog. The 19-year-old, who cycles with the Canadian National team and was awarded the Ontario Road . . .

June 3, 2004

She has the highest grade point average of any student graduating from McMaster this week. For earning a cumulative average of 11.9 out of a possible 12 points, McMaster science student Lydia Zanon will receive the 2004 Governor General's Academic Medal, a prize awarded to a graduating student who achieves the highest academic standing in his/her undergraduate degree program. Zanon is graduating with an honours bachelor of science in kinesiology, with a minor in psychology. Zanon says her four years at McMaster were extremely rewarding, from the stimulating classes and beautiful campus, to the great people, including students, administrative staff and especially the professors, who she says are not only excellent teachers, but funny and helpful as well. "Mac is definitely the place to be and has been the ultimate experience," she adds. She has applied for a master's degree in both physical and occupational therapy and is awaiting an offer of admission into either of these programs. A career in physical or occupational therapy she says would enable her to actively work with people and to improve their quality of life. To gain experience in this field, she has volunteered at a sports injuries clinic observing and assisting clients with their rehabilitation programs.

June 3, 2004

Five years ago, McMaster's class of '54 had a dream. They wanted to build an oasis on campus that would become a meeting place for all the McMaster community. On Saturday, June 5, while celebrating its 50th anniversary, the class of '54 will celebrate that dream with the opening of the Class of '54 Oasis Garden, located between Hamilton Hall and Alumni Memorial Hall. "At the 45th anniversary five years ago, Doug Coleman, (chemistry '54), suggested that the Class of '54 give "something green" to McMaster on their 50th anniversary," says alumnus John Hansuld, (geology '54). "That caught the imagination of everyone there...We wanted something green, with rocks and exotic flowers and trees. Something you could go and sit and meditate at, or hold hands or propose to your sweetheart," he says.

June 2, 2004

More than 500 members of the McMaster community have pledged to participate in the 2004 Commuter Challenge. The annual event, taking place May 31 to June 5, is a friendly competition between local organizations and communities from coast-to-coast to determine which is doing the most to improve air quality and physical fitness through the transportation choices of its members and citizens. "It's not too late to join in," says Jennifer Dawson, Alternative Commuting & Transportation (ACT) co-ordinator. "Simply make a commitment to participate -- try a different mode of transportation, continue with your usual air-friendly mode, or take a step in the right direction by using your vehicle more efficiently, such as properly inflating your car tires or filling up with premium gasoline." To fill out the on-line pledge card click here.

June 2, 2004

This weekend, new buildings and faces will greet alumni coming back to McMaster for Alumni Weekend. But, there will be many things unchanged, such as the old charm of its buildings, wide-open green spaces and the strong sense of world-class academics and research. Alumni will get a taste of the old and new when they come to campus June 4-6. Alumni Weekend will feature tours of campus, garden parties, an annual general meeting, class reunions and an awards ceremony. "We're all looking forward to Alumni Weekend 2004. It's a real highlight for our alumni and for the University," says Rod Morrison, director of alumni advancement. "We know everyone will have a wonderful time reconnecting with old friends at reunions and the President's Luncheon; celebrating the achievements of our Alumni Gallery inductees and our Arch Award recipients; recognizing the outstanding work of our Alumni Association volunteers; and having a look at the University's newest facilities. It promises to be a great weekend for the whole McMaster community."

June 2, 2004

The Directors College and NATIONAL Investor Relations today announced the signing of a program sponsorship agreement. Under the agreement, NATIONAL will provide exclusive content for . . .

June 1, 2004

Canada's first School for Engineering Practice could be coming to McMaster. Senate approved the proposed school and two associated centres last week, with recommendation to . . .

June 1, 2004

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/payetteopt.jpg” caption=”Julie Payette”]Curious about what it's like to work and live in space? Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette will share her first-hand . . .

May 31, 2004

The McMaster solar car team rolled back to Canada recently after three days of intense competition at the 2004 Formula Sun Grand Prix in Topeka, Kansas. Last year, the team put their second generation solar vehicle, Fireball II, through its paces at the American Solar Car (ASC) Challenge, a 10-day race from Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles, California. The Formula Sun Grand Prix is a shorter race than the ASC Challenge, lasting only three days. The event challenges full-size solar powered, photovoltaic (PV) cars  similar to those built to compete in national cross-country races  on a 2.1-mile road course. McMaster's team overcame a disappointing showing at the 2003 American Solar Challenge to finish as the top Canadian school and fifth overall at the Grand Prix.

May 31, 2004

Canadian musical icons Daniel Lanois and Jeff Healey, former federal cabinet minister The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, and astronaut Julie Payette, the first Canadian to board the International Space Station, are among the distinguished recipients who will be given honorary degrees at McMaster University's Spring Convocation ceremonies. These prominent Canadians will share words of wisdom, and music, with members of McMaster's 2004 graduating class of more than 3,000 students during convocation ceremonies to take place June 2 to 4 at the Great Hall, Hamilton Place. The honorary degree recipients are honoured for their contributions in areas such as public service, education and scholarship, creative and performing arts and the McMaster community.

May 31, 2004

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Mactavish_Cioran_Rockwell.jpg” caption=”Mactavish, Cioran, Rockwell”]A recent celebration of three phases of Humanities computing at McMaster brought together the founding, current and soon-to-be directors of . . .

May 28, 2004

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/krywionek2.jpg” caption=”Josh Krywionek “]McMaster University pitcher Josh Krywionek has been selected to the Canadian Student National Baseball Team that will compete at the . . .

May 28, 2004

Rick LeGrand, a recent graduate of McMaster Psychology's PhD program, received the prestigious Brain Star Award for his work on the development of face processing. . . .

May 28, 2004

The community is invited to a town hall meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) on Refining Directions, McMaster's strategic plan that will guide the growth and development of the University over the next five to 10 years. The meeting will take place Tuesday, June 1 at St. Mary's High School (200 Whitney Ave. Hamilton) from 7 to 9 p.m. The meeting will provide an overview of Refining Directions and its implementation process. A panel of community representatives will participate in the program and help respond to inquiries. "A continued commitment to a planning culture has helped McMaster advance its stature as one of Canada's premier universities," says Ken Norrie, provost and vice-president academic at McMaster. "I look forward to sharing this information with you, discussing the important relationships between the University and the surrounding community and welcoming your questions, comments and input to this important process." Copies of Refining Directions will be available at the meeting. The document is also available online at http://www.mcmaster.ca/pres/refining/.

May 28, 2004

McMaster University and St. Joseph's Healthcare announced Thursday the creation of two endowed chairs and a professorship that will have a significant impact on surgical innovation and research. These appointments will serve to benefit patients, community and healthcare in Canada. Mortgage Intelligence/GMAC Residential Funding of Canada, and Johnson & Johnson Medical Products, a division of Johnson and Johnson, Inc., through the St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation, have each directed $1 million towards the creation of the two endowed chairs, the first in Thoracic Surgery, and the second in Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Innovation. McMaster University is also matching $1 million toward each endowed chair. Additionally, a donation of $1 million from Margaret and Charles Juravinski will set up the Juravinski Surgical Professorship, which will include a specialty focus in thoracic oncology surgery.

May 27, 2004

Peter George, President of McMaster University, today announced that Henry Giroux, an internationally-renowned educator from Pennsylvania's Penn State University has accepted the Global Television Network Chair in Communications in the Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University. He will begin lecturing this fall in the Communication Studies Program and the Department of English. Giroux was named in 2002 as one of the 20th century's top contributors in Fifty Modern Thinkers on Education. He ends a 12-year term at Pennsylvania State University as the Waterbury Chair in the College of Education. He has written more than 300 articles and 40 books and had his work translated into languages around the world. "McMaster's community is extremely pleased to welcome Henry Giroux as Global Television Chair," the McMaster president said. "We have a culture of innovation at our University which is second to none in the country. Henry Giroux is renowned for breaking down barriers in cultural and education studies and we look forward to the explosion of ideas we know he will generate on campus."

May 27, 2004

Five graduating McMaster students are leadership exemplified. For their outstanding scholarship and service to the community, students Gregory Athaide, Sean Park, Dan Freeman, Candy Hui and Sarah Roger, were selected by McMaster President Peter George as recipients of this year's distinguished President's Award of Excellence in Student Leadership. Established in 1993, the award recognizes students who have demonstrated a commitment to the University's belief in excellence in its student body. The students will receive their awards at next week's Spring Convocation.

May 27, 2004

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/LuLu_Bursztyn_opt.jpg” caption=”LuLu Bursztyn”]McMaster wrestler Lulu Bursztyn has been selected as one of eight Academic All-Canadians by Ontario University Athletics. Bursztyn will be honoured . . .

May 26, 2004

At a special celebration, Hamilton philanthropists Margaret and Charles Juravinski have installed a time capsule at the new Margaret & Charles Juravinski Education, Research & Development Centre, located in the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, which is under construction at McMaster University. The stainless steel time capsule, to be opened in 2054, is filled with memorabilia that highlights Charles Juravinski's entrepreneurial business career, including an original photograph of him as a young man, as well as the tie he is wearing in the photo. Juravinski's professional career began at a construction company and then went on to ownership of a series of businesses, including a gas station, a development company and Flamboro Downs racetrack. "Charles Juravinski has learned much during his long life as an entrepreneur," said John Kelton, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences. "This time capsule will be like time-release medicine. It will do good for our descendents to learn his lessons when it is opened in 2054."

May 25, 2004

McMaster's Faculty of Engineering has appointed Peter Mascher its new associate dean of engineering for research and external relations. In this new position, Mascher will act as a spokesperson and advocate for the Faculty outside of the University. Internally, he is a liaison with the Office of the Vice-President Research and International Affairs and will work with other faculties to identify and initiate large, multi-faculty initiatives to enhance McMaster's research capabilities and reputation. "The creation of this position signals the Faculty's commitment to maintaining and further enhancing its status as one of the most research-intensive engineering schools in the country," Mascher says. "It will allow us to aggressively pursue new opportunities and partnerships, both in the academic environment and with industry. Among the most notable are initiatives in the areas of biomedical engineering, micro- and nanosystems, engineering design, energy systems, and environmental engineering and public policy."