Daily News

November 24, 2004

McMaster University's Chirif Matta has been recognized for his pioneering research in theoretical chemistry with a John Charles Polanyi Prize. The Province of Ontario established the prestigious awards to support outstanding researchers in the early stages of their careers.

November 23, 2004

A new Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) structure has been implemented at McMaster. The JHSCs have been reorganized to ensure all staff are represented on these committees and all buildings and facilities are routinely inspected. In addition to the Central JHSC, which deals mainly with campus wide issues, there are now 15 McMaster University JHSCs that focus on distinct areas. These include: Physical Plant; Science; Engineering; Arts Quad; Administration; Hospitality; Libraries and Museum; Ivor Wynn Centre; Business; Downtown Centre; McIARS; Commons; Health Sciences; Frid Street and Henderson Research.

November 23, 2004

In a remote village in southwestern Italy, Kostalena Michelaki stands over an open flame firing pots as would have been done more than seven thousand years ago. By looking even deeper into the clay shards, the McMaster archaeologist will begin to understand the way Neolithic people lived, and in the process will dispel the myths and stereotypes surrounding ancient societies.

November 22, 2004

Kirsten Burgomaster hopes that the work she does each day in her lab at McMaster University will one day help promote health and underscore the importance of physical activity as a means of counteracting health problems associated with sedentary lifestyles.

November 18, 2004

The Right Honorable Ellen Fairclough, Canada's first female federal cabinet minister, made significant contributions to Canadian political life and to women's equality of opportunity. Fairclough, who passed away Nov. 14, will be remembered at McMaster University with the establishment of The Ellen Louks Fairclough Memorial Scholarship in Political Science.

November 18, 2004

McMaster has submitted its report to the Bob Rae Postsecondary Education Review. Provost Ken Norrie led the creation of the McMaster submission which was developed following discussions with Senate, the University Planning Committee, the Board of Governors and others across campus. "What we heard from people throughout the University was remarkably consistent," says Norrie. "We heard loud and clear that funding shortfalls are putting at risk our ability to maintain quality programs, services and facilities for students. The particular needs of a research-intensive university like McMaster were also a major consideration."

November 18, 2004

The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and Scotiabank awarded McMaster with a Scotiabank-AUCC Award for Excellence in Internationalization today. McMaster is being applauded for its Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition (IGHC) which spans the three university functions of teaching, research and community service, reaching out into the community through partnerships with NGOs.

November 18, 2004

McMaster students are not just studying history -- they're making it. Myra Valley, Tenyia Miller and Kate Young are among 10 selected for the British Council's British Studies Essay Contest for Canadian undergraduate students, a feat almost unprecedented in the history of this prize, says their professor Jim Alsop. "It is highly praiseworthy that three of the 10 awards go this year to McMaster students, all in history," he says. "It is a great personal pleasure that all three were awarded the prize for the research essays which they wrote in one course, History 4AA6 in 2003-04."

November 17, 2004

Flu season is on its way to homes across Canada. But the question of why influenza epidemics take place in the few cold months of winter remains unanswered. Is it the change in the weather? The return to school? Or increased viral production under winter conditions?

November 16, 2004

Two McMaster authors have been shortlisted for the Harold Adams Innis Prize, from the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences. McMaster historians Nancy Bouchier and John Weaver were selected for their books, For the Love of the Game, Amateur Sport in Small-Town Ontario, 1838-1895 and The Great Land Rush and the Making of the Modern World, 1650-1900, respectively.

November 15, 2004

A toothbrush, a stuffed toy, a hairbrush  sometimes taken for granted, these small donations can make a big difference to those in need. This week, students from various faith groups across campus are collecting toiletries, toys and money for battered women's and children's shelters during the second annual Bathtub Project, launching today (Monday, Nov. 15) in the McMaster University Student Centre.

November 15, 2004

Hopes for a five-time Yates Cup celebration were dashed Saturday when the McMaster Marauders were defeated 31-19 by the Laurier Golden Hawks. Laurier will advance to face the Laval Rouge et Or in the Uteck Bowl next Saturday, after the Quebec University defeated Montreal 30-12.

November 15, 2004

Comments on the review of Ontario's postsecondary education system, final undergraduate and graduate enrolment and an update on Refining Directions, McMaster's strategic plan, were some of the highlights from recent Senate and the Board of Governors meetings.

November 12, 2004

The impact of gender on health and health care will be examined in four educational projects funded by the new Gender in Health Sciences Education Initiative in the Faculty of Health Sciences. The Faculty has long demonstrated leadership in the incorporation of gender into health sciences education. The Women's Health Office, founded in 1992, was the first of its kind in the provision of educational resources to faculty, students and staff concerning women's health issues.

November 12, 2004

Moving students out of line to online, eliminating boundaries and taking technology risks are some of the goals of a new technology strategy for McMaster. A draft McMaster University Technology Strategy is currently being circulated for review and comments. "This is the first University technology strategy and marks great new beginnings," says Debbie Barrett, chief information officer for McMaster. "It supports the University's strategy, Refining Directions, and will allow us to transform the landscape at McMaster to achieve international distinction for creativity, innovation and excellence' enabled by technology."

November 12, 2004

From Japan to Belgium and Australia to the U.K., McMaster's eight new Canada Research Chairs are some of the world's best and brightest. With an announcement today in Vancouver, McMaster now has 54 chairholders dedicated to advancing technology and improving the health of Canadians. Prime Minister Paul Martin, along with industry minister David Emerson, made the announcement.

November 12, 2004

TRIUMF, Canada's national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics research, and MDS Nordion, the world's leading supplier of medical isotopes, recently won a 2004 Synergy Award for Innovation from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

November 12, 2004

McMaster Marauders will travel to Waterloo tomorrow (Saturday) to take on the Laurier Golden Hawks in the 107th Yates Cup championship game. The game begins at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live on the Score Television Network.

November 12, 2004

McMaster hosted a special celebration yesterday in honor of Elizabeth Walker's tricolour accomplishments at the 2004 Paraolympic Games in Athens. Elisabeth Walker, a 27-year-old occupational therapy student, won both a bronze and silver medal in the swimming competitions. She received bronze in the 50-meter butterfly, and silver in the 4 x 100 medley relay.

November 11, 2004

Canadian broadcaster Jay Ingram will join other noted educators at McMaster University's fall convocation ceremonies Friday, Nov. 12 at Hamilton Place. Almost 900 students will receive degrees at morning and afternoon ceremonies.