Daily News

June 9, 2004

McMaster University generated $670 million of provincial economic activity, and $455 million of economic activity in Hamilton, says a report released today by the University. The report, prepared for the University by PriceWaterhouseCoopers based on data from 2001, shows that with operating expenditures more than $477 million, McMaster was responsible for creating 14,500 person-years of employment province-wide, with 11,600 person-years in Hamilton. The operating budget created $670 million of provincial economic activity, $455 million in Hamilton. McMaster is Hamilton's sixth largest employer with approximately 3,500 full-time equivalent academic and support staff. Annual operations generate government revenues in excess of $201 million, with almost $139 million of that accruing from within the Hamilton economy. "Hamilton and McMaster are like two parts of the same ecosystem," Peter George, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University, told a luncheon hosted by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Business Development Committee today (Wednesday). "We sustain each other without ever getting together and acknowledging the depth and power of our symbiotic partnership."

June 9, 2004

A sound and sensory exhibit and geometrical interpretations of nature are the focus of two new exhibits opening at the McMaster Museum of Art. The Museum presents Flotilla, by artist Erika James, and My Mother Tongue, by Lee MyungSook, from June 13 to Aug. 22. There will be a public reception for both exhibits on June 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. Flotilla is the first in a series of exhibitions by contemporary artists who submitted proposals to the Museum's call for submissions last fall. Curated by Alexandra Pierce, acting director of the museum, the exhibit presents a sound and sensory experience with objects that shape an "unnatural" environment or landscape. With an installation of floating, breathing, murmuring organic sculptures that pulse with light, James challenges traditional perceptions of landscape in art.

June 8, 2004

Before throwing that pop can or newspaper in the garbage, think about how much it's costing. A recent audit on McMaster's waste stream revealed 40 per cent of garbage on campus consists of recyclable materials. By reducing that, the University has the potential to save tens of thousands of dollars a year. "If we take recyclables out of our waste stream, there is the potential the University could save up to $100,000 a year," says University planner Linda Axford, explaining a reduction in waste equates to less disposal costs. On April 8, Waste Services Inc. (WSI) conducted an audit on campus to identify the composition of the University's waste. In the audit, conducted in accordance with provincial regulation, WSI collected waste and inspected it at the WSI transfer station in Hamilton. Bags of waste were opened and divided into six categories: waste, metal, papers, mixed recyclables, cardboard and pizza boxes. The audit revealed that of 5,230 kilograms of garbage collected, 3,190 kg was waste, 510 kg was metal, 450 kg was paper, 450 kg was mixed recyclables, 360 kg was cardboard and 270 kg was pizza boxes. "We really need to reduce waste and increase recyclables, but it will take the will of everyone on campus to make this happen," Axford says, adding education on how to accomplish this is key.

June 8, 2004

Teamwork has once again paid off as McMaster University has been awarded three medals at the Prix D'Excellence, the prestigious annual awards program of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE). The CCAE recognizes outstanding achievement in alumni affairs, public affairs, development, student recruitment, and overall institutional advancement. Teamwork showed up in a big way in the first place entry in the Best Print Ad or Ad Campaign. Anne Plessl, Library Development Advisory Group, teamed up with the Department of Athletics & Recration and photographer Scott Gardner to develop the @ your library posters for McMaster University libraries. This innovative marketing campaign for used varsity athletes to help make fellow students more aware of the resources available at their library of choice.

June 7, 2004

McMaster presented the Marauder Scholar Awards to the top McMaster scholar-athletes at the eighth annual Marauder Scholar Brunch Sunday. The Marauder Scholar Award is presented on an annual basis to student-athletes who have achieved a minimal sessional average of 9.5 (80 per cent) over 24 units while competing for a varsity or club team during the school year. The recipient of the Dr. Mary Keyes award for the Top Female Marauder Scholar was Lulu Bursztyn, a fourth-year chemical engineering student and member of the McMaster women's wrestling team. The winner of the Dr. Jack Kennedy award for the Top Male Marauder Scholar was Jonathan Little, a third-year kinesiology student and co-captain of the McMaster cross country and middle distance track team.

June 4, 2004

Julie Payette knows she has a cool job. As an astronaut, she's one of a select group of people who get to see earth from space. And to her, that's one of the greatest things about space exploration. "As far as I'm concerned, the greatest privilege we get from working in space is we are able to bring back pictures of earth," she says. Payette offered a first-hand account of her experiences with the Canadian Space Agency and on the Space Shuttle Discovery mission, during a talk hosted by the Faculty of Engineering Thursday. She displayed several images of earth from space, including the Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, forest fires, land clearings and New York during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "If everyone could go up and see the earth from up there, I think we would treat the planet a little better."

June 4, 2004

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Hutchison.jpg” caption=”Brian Hutchison”]Brian Hutchison, director of the McMaster Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis (CHEPA), has been chosen as the recipient of . . .

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

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/.