Daily News

March 31, 2004

Outstanding McMaster students and alumni were recognized for their contributions to the University community during this week's 24th annual Student Recognition Night. McMaster students Candy Hui and Sam Minniti were honoured with the Honour M Award, the highest award presented by the McMaster Students Union. This Award is presented to students who show commitment to extra curricular activities both within the McMaster community and have rendered outstanding and valuable service to the Hamilton community and/or the McMaster community by any or all of the following: university government, student government, residence government, departments, clubs, societies, and/or university athletics. "The Honour M Award in one of the most esteemed award programs hosted by McMaster University," said McMaster provost Ken Norrie. "It is reserved for those who are recognized as clearly going above and beyond the norm in terms of their extracurricular service and student leadership."

March 30, 2004

McMaster has signed a key strategic alliance with Toronto-based biotechnology company CELLutions Biosystems, Inc. Through this partnership, CELLutions will acquire the exclusive rights to market and distribute selected novel cell lines and other innovative biological reagents developed by researchers at McMaster. CELLutions focuses on the commercialization, marketing, and distribution of innovative cell lines and other research tools for use in basic science, drug discovery, and therapeutic development. "We are very excited about the potential benefits that this strategic partnership will bring to our institution and its researchers," says Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president of research at McMaster University. "We are looking forward to developing this relationship and working together with CELLutions to identify promising scientists and research projects whose work has, or will develop unique cell lines, as well as other research tools that have innate value to the biopharmaceutical industry."

March 29, 2004

McMaster's Committee for Recommending a President hopes broad-based feedback will help it select the best candidate to fill the Universities' top job over the next five years. The Board of Governors and University Senate recently appointed members to the committee. It will examine the academic mission and vision, strategic leadership, fiscal management, external relationship building and strengthening of the McMaster community. McMaster President Peter George's current term concludes June 30, 2005 and he is eligible for reappointment for a third five-year term. The process of selecting a University president is critical, says Edward Buffett, chair of the committee. "There are incredible opportunities on the horizon for the institution and as we move forward in the global economy, leadership will be a critical element in the institution's success," he says. "McMaster must be well led to attract the best and the brightest in terms of students, research dollars and its educators."

March 26, 2004

Researchers and graduate students at McMaster will have a chance to speak first-hand with the man who is leading the transformation of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Marc Renaud, president of the SSHRC, will be at McMaster Tuesday, April 6. Renaud is travelling across the country during March and April visiting academic institutions and meeting with university stakeholders as part of SSHRC's transformation process. The federal body, which funds research in the humanities and social sciences at universities across the country, is engaging key stakeholders in discussions to develop a new blueprint for the organization and to increase and improve dialogue between the council and its stakeholders. The council aims to expand and improve its current programs and adopt new structures to better serve the research community over the next 25 years.

March 25, 2004

McMaster health physics student Lindsay Churchley has great insight into her future thanks to her co-operative placement that garnered her an impressive recognition from the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE). Selected from among 74,000 post-secondary co-op students at 85 member institutions across Canada, the fourth-year student received one of four honorable mentions from the CAFCE Co-op Student of the Year Award (2003), based primarily on a job placement at Ontario Power Generation. "One of the best things that co-op has done for me, is it has given me the chance to try a variety of fields so that I can figure out which direction I would like to go in after graduation," says Churchley. "I now know I want to be a health physicist." Churchley's nomination included an impressive academic grade point record of 10.3, contribution to extra-curricular activities at school and in the community, volunteering with the McMaster Children's Hospital, participation in student governance, and involvement in the McMaster jazz choir and McMaster Ultimate Frisbee league.

March 25, 2004

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/kunisadoweb.jpg” caption=”Isaac Applebaums”]Collectors and donors of the McMaster art collection will be honoured today (Thursday) in conjunction with the opening of two new . . .

March 24, 2004

The federal government's commitment in its budget to boosting financial support for students is welcome news, McMaster University President Peter George says. "The government's commitment to improving access to post-secondary education mirrors a fundamental tenet that we follow at McMaster  fostering a passion for lifelong learning," said President George. "We wholeheartedly support efforts to ensure students who are qualified and have the desire can access post-secondary education. Achievement in university will mean Canada has a highly skilled, educated workforce that will foster a robust and dynamic economy. "Improving access and helping reduce student debt loads will undoubtedly spur an increase in demand for post-secondary education. The challenge continues to be to ensure that students receive a quality education in an environment where tuition fees - a major source of University operating funds to hire faculty and provide student services  are frozen by the provincial government and operating grants lag well behind the Canadian average. "We are looking forward to the provincial government acting to ensure that Ontario students truly benefit from these federal initiatives by increasing provincial operating support and providing full compensation for the announced tuition freeze."

March 23, 2004

McMaster's communication studies program is hosting a guest lecture by TVOntario chair Isabel Bassett on Wednesday, March 24. Bassett, who is chair and CEO of TVOntario, has an extensive background in broadcast journalism, teaching and public service. She was first appointed to her position at TVOntario in 1999 and reappointed for another three-year term in 2002. Her career includes more than 20 years in journalism, including seven years as host reporter for CFTO's Hourlong. She was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in June 1995 and in 1997 was appointed minister of citizenship, culture and recreation. She will be giving a lecture entitled TVOntario: Providing Education through Communications to students in the Developments in Human Communication: Past and Present course, taught by Laurence Mussio. Her presentation will include an overview of the history of educational broadcasting and the impact of technology on education.

March 23, 2004

The 2003/2004 Celebrity Concert Series sponsored by McMaster University School of the Arts, continues with early music group Anonymus on March 26 at 8 p.m. . . .

March 23, 2004

Like other Ontario universities, McMaster is preparing to face some significant fiscal challenges in the next three years. The University has always taken a prudent approach to budget planning and forecasting which traditionally serves us well for short and long term fiscal planning. Although there are challenges to be addressed, our goal is to continue to be prudent and to maintain our focus on the University's strategic goals as established in Refining Directions. The Budget Committee (a sub-committee of the University Planning Committee charged with advising the President on the annual operating budget for approval by the Board of Governors) believes that it is important to share the nature and extent of the challenge with members of the McMaster community at this early stage of the budget process. To this end, we have scheduled two public information sessions as follows: Wednesday, March 31, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Council Room, Gilmour Hall-111 Monday, April 5, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Council Room, Gilmour Hall-111 To set the context for the information sessions, our best estimate at this time is that aggregate revenue in 2004/05 will be a minimum of $4 million less than the amount that would be necessary to sustain operations at current levels. As a result, budget managers have been asked to prepare 2004/05 budgets based on funding allocations that will fall short of their expected increases in costs. Further, unless circumstances change markedly, the revenue shortfall is likely to be substantially greater in 2005/06 and 2006/07.

March 23, 2004

McMaster's Department of Athletics and Recreation announced the award winners for 2003/2004 at the annual athletic awards presentation and celebration Monday. The Ivor Wynne Award for the Male Athlete of the Year was shared between McMaster basketball all-Canadian Adam Guiney and McMaster football all-Canadian Jesse Lumsden. The Female Athlete of the Year Award was presented to CIS gold medal winning wrestler Pam Wilson. The Dr. Ray Johnson trophy for the graduating player that demonstrates leadership on and off the field while exhibiting the "Spirit of McMaster" was awarded to OUA all around men's rugby player of the year Harry Cheung. The Dr. Edna Guest Award for the graduating player that participated in varsity sports each year at McMaster that displays outstanding athletic ability and the "Spirit of McMaster" is co-president of the McMaster Athletic Council, and women's volleyball player Deborah VanBolderen.

March 23, 2004

The McMaster Gospel Choir will be holding its first ever gospel concert at McMaster University on Saturday, March 27 in Chester New Hall, Rm. 104. . . .

March 22, 2004

Unprecedented change in the 20th century has cost human health a great deal, according to epidemiologist John Last, who will present a lecture this week. Hosted by the McMaster Institute of Environment and Health and the Hamilton Industrial Environmental Association, the lecture, entitled, "Human Health in a Changing World," will take place Wednesday, March 24 at 7 p.m., with a reception at 6 p.m. It will be held at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, 555 Bay St. North, Hamilton. Last is emeritus professor of epidemiology at the University of Ottawa. He is Australian born and educated and is the author or editor of 15 books, many peer-reviewed articles, official reports and other publications on a range of topics in epidemiology and public health, including recent review articles on the health impacts of global ecosystem changes and on environmental or ecological ethics. He has been an expert advisor for the Government of Canada, the US National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization on many occasions over the past 35 to 40 years. All are welcome to attend this free event.

March 22, 2004

Preliminary plans for a new "front door" into McMaster University will be on display Tuesday in the McMaster University Student Centre Donaldson Family Marketplace. Hosted by the McMaster University Front Entrance Steering Committee, the public meeting will share proposed designs for the campus entrance from Main Street opposite Emerson Street. It will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. Representatives from the project consulting firm Marshall Macklin Monaghan and the project steering committee will be present to discuss the plans and answer questions. The entrance, known as the University Gate, will be the "front door" for campus, although the main entrance to campus from Sterling Street will be maintained. Four options for the new entrance will be displayed, with a conceptual drawing of the preferred "option 1". The drawings will include information about pedestrian, cycling, transit and vehicular access.

March 22, 2004

Andrew Parker brims with the enthusiasm of a campus freshman as he guides a group of parents and students through the Michael G. DeGroote School . . .

March 19, 2004

In celebration of a recent $1-million gift from Canadian business executive Lynton Ronald (Red) Wilson, McMaster's annual history colloquium reflects on Canada's past. Entitled, "The Future of the Canadian Past: Reflections on Canadian History in the 21st Century", the colloquium honours the McMaster alumnus whose gift established the L.R. Wilson Professor in Canadian History at McMaster University. The professorship will bring together Canadianists from all faculties to establish an advisory board for Canadian studies at McMaster, which will develop seminars, conferences, lectureships, and an annual book competition. The colloquium began Friday afternoon with a reception in McMaster's Council Chambers in Gilmour Hall. McMaster kinesiology professor Nancy Bouchier facilitated a presentation called, "Historical Practice beyond the University: History and its Publics", by curatorial assistant Melissa Zielke, from the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre and McMaster alumna and writer Cheryl MacDonald, from Heronwood Enterprises.

March 18, 2004

Whether helping students gain more fluency in English, ensuring students with physical challenges have access to class notes, providing guidance on time management techniques or assisting with resume writing and job interview skills, McMaster's peer helpers are making a difference in students' lives. "You help remove roadblocks that might otherwise stand in their way," said President Peter George, at a reception Wednesday honoring McMaster's peer helpers. "Whether you have the benefit of seeing that immediate impact or not, please let me assure you, your commitment helps build better futures and happier lives." Seventy-one students were honoured for the roles they play as peers, ranging from ambassadors, disability volunteer co-ordinators, English as a Second Language peers and teaching assistants. Peers are involved with volunteer activities across campus, through such venues as the Centre for Student Development, Career Planning & Employment Centre and Disability Services. "I am proud of the work you've done on behalf of the McMaster community," said George, "and I hope you are aware of the impact your commitment has made, because you have helped to make this campus a better place."

March 18, 2004

When Katrina Cox thinks about her day, she sort outs how she's going to fit in classes, studying, friends and a part-time job. It's a busy life for the McMaster women's swim team athlete, who must also squeeze in two practices a day. Then she thinks about the cancer survivors she helped raise money for through the Athletics Council Student Outreach Program. Suddenly her day isn't so tough. The co-ordinator of the outreach program has been given a new outlook on life due to her involvement with the initiative that reaches into the community to help others. It aims to have the involvement of every McMaster varsity team in a community project of their choice through a designated "outreach day." It's just one way McMaster students are helping others. A number of student clubs are dedicated to student outreach, including Shinerama, Smiling Over Sickness, War Child Canada @ McMaster and McMaster Students for Literacy. There are more than 400 volunteers that help with student services offered through Career Planning and Employment Centre (CPEC) and Centre for Student Development (CSD) and there are a number of student outreach initiatives within faculties, such as Engineers Without Borders and the School of Nursing's M.A.C. Door, a program that helps homeless youth leave the streets.

March 18, 2004

Here's some food for thought: how much food can fit into a school bus? Ask the four McMaster students who are organizing the Feed The Bus "foodraiser" for the answer, give or take a few thousand calories. From March 22 to 26, a school bus donated by Laidlaw and McMaster Parking and Transit Services will be parked in front of historic Hamilton Hall on McMaster's campus to collect non-perishable food items. According to Erin Smith, a co-organiser of Feed The Bus, "the goal is to fill the bus as much as possible with food that will go towards addressing the very real and growing problem of hunger in the Hamilton community via Mission Services, Good Shepherd Centres, and Neighbour to Neighbour."

March 17, 2004

At 90 voices strong, the McMaster University Choir is already the professional choir of choice for a number of musical performances, including concerts with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. This Saturday, they'll present a rarely attempted piece of choral orchestral music, Franz Schubert's Mass #6 in E flat, in the most ambitious performance the choir has ever initiated. Maestro Philip Sarabura says the growth and improvement he's seen in the choir since he joined as its music director and conductor 15 years ago has given it a newfound reputation for quality within the classical music community. "The choir has grown and matured in terms of mindset and confidence, particularly over the last several years," he says. "This is not a community choir'. This group could sing with any major orchestra in the country." Of the 90 choir members, only a small number  about 10 per cent  are pursuing degrees in music. The rest hail from all facets of the McMaster community, including undergraduate and graduate students studying a variety of disciplines, as well as staff, faculty and alumni. Sarabura says members go through an audition process that's become much more selective over the past few years.