McMaster Archive

August 6, 2003

Posted on Aug. 6: Corporate Governance leaders support new college for directors

Three leading advocates of corporate director education announced their support for The Directors College, Canada's only accredited professional development program for directors. The Ontario Municipal . . .

August 6, 2003

Posted on Aug. 6: McMaster set to aid ‘double cohort’ strugglers

Some McMaster professors think this year's Ontario Grade 12 graduates — the younger members of the infamous double cohort — won't be as well prepared . . .

August 5, 2003

Posted on Aug. 5: New hope for paralysed

McMaster University researchers have passed a significant milestone along the long road to unravelling the mystery of how to get patients with spinal cord injuries . . .

August 5, 2003

Posted on Aug. 5: Welcome Day a window on McMaster

It will be a taste of university life for approximately 1,500 new students and parents who will come to campus Friday, Aug. 8 for Welcome Day @ Mac 2003. Welcome Day is an opportunity for the University to welcome first-year students and their families to the McMaster community. The program is designed to provide students and parents with valuable information before classes begin in September. Visitors have a wide variety of events to choose from including tours and information sessions. As well, department, Faculty Society, MSU services and clubs displays will be set up in McMaster University Student Centre. Visitors will park in Zones 6 and 7 and will take a shuttle bus to the centre of campus, where most activities will take place. A large tent will be set up in the courtyard, where visitors can purchase Welcome Week MacPacs and pick up a barbeque lunch for $3.25. For a full schedule of events, click here

August 1, 2003

Posted on Aug. 1: Mirrors can make women feel worse about working out

Mirrored walls are a regular feature of gym dicor, but new research suggests that the reflections may make some women feel worse after their workouts. A study published in Health Psychology found that sedentary women who exercised in front of a mirror for 20 minutes felt less energized, less relaxed and less positive and upbeat than women who performed their workout without a mirror. Women who exercised without the mirror also reported that they were less physically exhausted at the end of their workout, while those with a mirror reported no change in their exhaustion level. The findings could have implications for encouraging physical activity among sedentary women, especially since the standard guidelines for exercise promotion suggest that workout rooms have mirrors on at least two of four walls. "As such, the recommended practice of placing mirrors in exercise centers may need to be reconsidered, especially in centers that are trying to attract exercise initiates," say Kathleen Martin Ginis, associate professor of kinesiology at McMaster, and colleagues. "Certainly if a woman leaves the gym feeling even worse than when she arrived, she will not be particularly motivated to continue exercising in the future," Martin Ginis adds.

July 31, 2003

Posted on July 31: McMaster to host CIS men’s volleyball championship

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Mac_Volleyball.jpg” caption=”Volleyball team”]McMaster has won the right to host the CIS Men's Volleyball Championship in 2006 and 2007. The CIS Volleyball Championship has . . .

July 31, 2003

Posted on July 31: Commonwealth Games bid nears final stretch

It's the last leg of the race. The finish line is in sight and thousands are waiting anxiously to see who the winner will be. Hamilton? New Delhi? Supporters at today's 2010 Commonwealth Games news conference have their money on Hamilton. "We believe that the Hamilton bid is strong on all fronts, but especially on the technical merits that are the subject of the Commission's specific attention," said David Adames, general manager of the Hamilton 2010 Commonwealth Games Bid Corporation. "In fact, we welcome their scrutiny. We know that they have discovered our bid's unparalleled public support, the precision of our plans, the readiness of our people and venues, the technical skill of our sport communities, and perhaps most importantly, the enthusiasm our city has for the Commonwealth Games." Welcomed by about 250 cheering children taking part in McMaster's summer camp program, members of the Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation Commission (CGF) arrived by bus at McMaster Thursday for the only news conference by the Commonwealth Games evaluation commission. Others in attendance included athletes, representatives from local, provincial and national sports organizations, sports enthusiasts and local and national media.

July 30, 2003

Posted on July 30: You’re invited

Today, support is key. When members of the Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation Commission (CGF) attend the one and only news conference for Hamilton's 2010 Commonwealth Games bid at McMaster, it will be the city's time to shine. It's the final visit to Hamilton by the CGF commission. Next, it's off to New Delhi, India, to assess Hamilton's only competitor. A decision on a host city will be announced in November. The news conference begins at 1 p.m. in the McMaster University Student Centre lobby and is hosted by the CGF Evaluation Commission, comprised of six international members of the Commonwealth Games Federation. Delegates are in the Hamilton area for a four-day visit to assess the technical components of the corporation's bid for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

July 29, 2003

Posted on July 29: McMaster appoints new Board of Governors’ chair

Edward Buffett has taken the seat of Board of Govenors' chair. The president and CEO of Buffett Taylor & Associates Ltd. was elected by McMaster's Board of Governors to succeed Edward Minich, who served as chair since 2001. As chair of McMaster's highest governing body, Buffett will lead the Board on matters pertaining to the administrative governance of the University. Buffett also is chairman of Wellness Councils of Canada, past chair of the Whitby General Hospital and Durham Community Foundation. Donald M. Green, who for the past 35 years has been president & CEO Tridon Ltd., was appointed vice-chair of the Board. He is currently chairman and CEO Greenfleet Ltd., a private investment company, deputy chairman CGU Group Canada Ltd. and chairman Avista Software Corporation. Minich is president and CEO of Otis Canada. He served as Board chair at McMaster University for the past two years. Minich was inducted to the McMaster Alumni Gallery in 2000 and became the Wayne C. Fox Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient in 2002. He continues to serve on the Board as an Alumni representative. The one-year appointments took effect on July 1, 2003.

July 28, 2003

Posted on July 28: Daily News retrofit integrates new, innovative features

One day, when you come into work and click on your internet browser, the Daily News home page is going to look quite a bit different. McMaster's top news and information will still be there, but it will be cleaner and easier to navigate. New features will be added, and old features will be gone. But before that day comes, McMaster's Office of Public Relations is seeking input from both the McMaster and external community on how to best recreate the Daily News. Launched in 2000, McMaster's award-winning Daily News Web site has become a regular source of news and information for the McMaster community. Some of the new features being considered include an online subscription to a weekly news list; an audio/visual page; an interactive online photo gallery; regular spotlights on faculty, staff and students; and a section devoted to media relations. The new site, which will be incorporated into the University's new Web templates, will be launched this fall. To provide your two cents into the Daily News redesign, click here or visit http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/ and click on Daily News Survey on the left side of the page.

July 28, 2003

Posted on July 28: Back to school for directors

McMaster University is sending Canadian business leaders back to school. Up to 30 corporate directors are expected in class when the first directors' college session . . .

July 28, 2003

Posted on July 28: McMaster to train nurse-scientists

McMaster University is the first university in North America to develop a program to train cardiovascular nurses as researchers. Heather Arthur, a professor in McMaster's . . .

July 25, 2003

Posted on July 25: Inquiry and small-group learning are hallmarks of health sciences program

McMaster enjoys a tradition of innovation across the University. In the Faculty of Health Sciences, they're demonstrating some of their innovative approaches to education through the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) Program. Currently one of McMaster's most popular and premier programs, the honours program has grown to 300 students since it was first offered in September 2000. The program continues to enjoy much success, with more than 3,000 prospective students applying this year. The growth in this program is one reason McMaster needs additional space. The University is building a new Centre for Learning & Discovery which will provide these and other health sciences students with specialized space to conduct classes in inquiry and small-group learning, hallmarks of this new program. Students who are admitted to the program hold high averages in studies such as English, biology, chemistry and calculus, are involved in extracurricular activities and are interested in health issues. They are also well-rounded in their studies because the BHSc Program uses a unique interdisciplinary approach to the study of health. Students gain an understanding of health from biological, behavioural, and population-based perspectives. McMaster's internationally known expertise in problem-based, self-directed learning is a big feature of the program. This approach provides students with skills that will facilitate learning now and later in their careers. The program's assistant dean, professor of pathology and molecular medicine Del Harnish, states that the heavy emphasis on inquiry classes is the most unique and valuable aspect of the program. "Inquiry will be very valuable to these students in the long term. It will enable them to develop critical thinking skills and to take an active role in their own educations."

July 25, 2003

Posted on July 25: Ernst & Young join Directors College

The Conference Board of Canada and the Michael G. DeGroote School of Business at McMaster announce that Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional . . .

July 25, 2003

Posted on July 25: Down to the wire for Hamilton bid as Commonwealth Games evaluation commission holds news conference

Hamilton's Commonwealth Games bid is down to the final strokes as the Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation Commission comes to the city next week. The CGF Evaluation Commission will hold its only public news conference about the Canadian bid on Thursday, July 31 at McMaster University at 1 p.m. in the student centre lobby. Then the CGF commission will depart for India to assess the New Delhi bid, Hamilton's only other competitor. The CGF Evaluation Commission, comprised of six international members of the Commonwealth Games Federation, is in the Hamilton area for a four-day visit to assess the technical components of the corporation's bid for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

July 24, 2003

Posted on July 24: Museum of Art welcomes new acting director and curator

She brings a familiarity of Canadian institutional art collection, a strong understanding of modern art and is skilled in research, display and dissemination. Alexandria Pierce started her first day on the job Monday as the new acting director and curator of the McMaster Museum of Art. "I am really excited about being part of such an extraordinary facility that is renowned for its collection and state-of-the-art exhibitions," said Pierce. "The art museum is the jewel in the crown of a knowledge-based, research-oriented university. Our role is to guide and teach in the cultural sphere." Pierce comes from Montreal where she recently obtained her Ph.D (History in Art). Her past experience includes assistant curator at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and curator at the Gallery III (University of Manitoba). She also has a strong background in research and teaching at the university level.

July 24, 2003

Posted on July 24: Arrangements made for students to re-write exams

Thirty-four students who wrote deferred exams last Thursday will need to be re-examined after a thief stole finished exam papers. Just over 50 students from . . .

July 23, 2003

Posted on July 23: Trish Chant named director of games at Commonwealth Games Canada

McMaster's Trish Chant has been named director of games at Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC). The position takes effect in mid-October. Chant has been part of the McMaster University Advancement and Athletics & Recreation team as an advancement officer for the past five years. Her responsibilities include managing annual fundraising programs, generating private and public support and strengthening alumni affinity and commitment to the University and the department. She has also served as the co-ordinator of communications and media relations for the department. Director of Athletics and Recreation, Therese Quigley says, "Trish has contributed tremendously to our athletic and recreation program and we will miss her immensely. She is a dear friend to so many of us and we wish her continued success and happiness as she takes on new adventures with Commonwealth Games Canada and married life in Ottawa." As a member of the Hamilton Bid Corporation for the 2010 bid to host the Commonwealth Games, Chant has been intricately involved in all aspects of the bid process from the preparation of the bid documents and hosting of international delegations, to behind the scenes operational and logistical tasks over the past 10 months.

July 23, 2003

Posted on July 23: Temporary generators installed on campus

Starting this week, three temporary generators installed on the northwest corner of campus will supply up to 80 per cent of the peak energy demand at McMaster. The low-sound, natural gas fired generators will produce 23.7 megawatts of power to all of campus. The generators will operate between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Monday to Friday for a maximum of four hours a day. McMaster will use all of the power in the summer months, while in the cooler months, the excess power will be fed into the Hydro One grid, with cost savings from this going to McMaster. The Ontario government awarded Ontario Energy Management (OEM) a contract through the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation to provide three 7.9 megawatt generators (a total of 23.7 megawatts) of firm peaking capacity and energy located at the NF91 substation over the next seven to nine months.

July 22, 2003

Posted on July 22: Biophysicist uses laser optics to study the dynamics of cells

The Swiss and French Alps are what physics professor Cecile Fradin misses the most since coming to McMaster 20 months ago. Hamilton's infamous mountain just isn't the kind of rugged terrain Fradin, a native of France, considers a challenge. Instead, Fradin's new challenges are found in a newly renovated research lab in the Arthur Bourns Building where she is conducting research into cellular dynamics. Her field of study, biophysics, is an amalgamation of biology and physics. Fradin, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Molecular Biophysics, was always drawn to the area of optics in her studies that have taken her from the heart of Paris, to Pisa, Italy, New York and Israel. "I've always liked experiments that involved optics," she says. "I like to be able to see things with my own eyes instead of reconstructing them."