November 6, 2002

These awards are made to McMaster alumni who have distinguished themselves through outstanding scholarship, research, creative contributions to the arts or sciences, or service to society. Martin Green Martin Green is Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia, and research director of Pacific Solar Pty. Ltd, a firm established to commercialize the university's polycrystalline silicon thin-film solar cell technology. An expert in the area of photovoltaics and the utilization of solar energy, Green received his doctorate in electrical engineering from McMaster University in 1974. His bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering were obtained from the University of Queensland in 1970 and 1971. The process whereby sunlight is converted to electricity using solar cells is called photovoltaics. His fundamental work in this field identified the factors that limit silicon solar cell performance. Since then, the work of his research group has improved the performance of silicon solar cells by over 50 per cent. Green has invented or co-invented (with former student Stuart Wenham), seven distinct cell technologies over the past 15 years and these solar cells have held the world efficiency record for converting sunlight into electricity for more than a decade. He is the author of a popular textbook on solar cells and founding director of the Photovoltaics Special Research Centre. Green's work has been recognized internationally with the 1990 William R. Cherry Award, the 1995 J.J. Ebers Award and the 1999 Australia Prize. The World Renewable Energy Network Congress awarded him the 2000 Millennium Award for outstanding scientist in his field. Last year Green received the Humboldt Foundation Research Award for his lifetime achievements in science. Kevin Lynch During his more than 20-year career with Canada's public service, Kevin Lynch has worked in a number of key economic departments and agencies, most notably and recently as deputy minister of the Department of Finance. Born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Lynch received his BA in economics from Mount Allison University, his master's degree from the University of Manchester and his PhD in economics from McMaster University. He began his career in 1976 with the Bank of Canada and joined the finance department within five years, becoming the youngest director in the history of the department. Before being named federal deputy minister of finance in 2000, Lynch held such senior positions as assistant deputy minister, international trade and finance; assistant deputy minister, fiscal policy; and senior assistant deputy minister of finance. He is former deputy minister of industry (1995-2000) and in this capacity also served as director of the Business Development Bank of Canada. He is a former secretary to the Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Science and Technology. Earlier this year, Maclean's magazine named Lynch among its 50 "most influential Canadians." He is credited with shifting the department's focus from fundamentals to new departures. Lynch leads the civil service in tackling such major economic issues as an aging population and coping with growing income inequality. He has shown both an ability to make bold decisions and a balanced approach.

November 6, 2002

The McMaster University Student Centre was a popular place today (Wednesday, Nov. 6) with the launch of McMaster's United Way campaign and the distribution of Noam Chomsky tickets. McMaster's United Way campaign, which runs until Nov. 29, aims to raise $165,000 for charities such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, Halton Multicultural Council, Sexual Assault Centre and YMCA. Pictured at the launch, from left, are McMaster's United Way campaign co-chairs Dorothy Pawluch, professor of sociology and Mary Lynn Taylor, administrative secretary in Human Resources, Health Sciences; Winston Tinglin, CEO of United Way of Burlington, Hamilton-Wentworth; Janyce Robinson, acting campaign director of United Way of Burlington, Hamilton-Wentworth; Peter George, McMaster President; Tina Horton, McMaster United Way Organizing Committee and program co-ordinator in the Registrar's Office; and Yosh Kitamura, lead hand in the sciences and engineering machine shop. Faculty, staff and students also were lined up for tickets at the Compass Information Centre to see Noam Chomsky, who will speak at McMaster on Nov. 12, as a Hooker Distinguished Visiting Professor. This lecture is sponsored by the Centre for Peace Studies, the Department of Labour Studies and the Russell Centre, McMaster University. The lecture will be at 8:30 p.m. in the Burridge Gymnasium, Ivor Wynne Centre, McMaster University. Click here for a profile on the lecture.

November 5, 2002

McMaster's new Theatre & Film Studies program presents John Mighton's Possible Worlds, a science fiction/murder mystery about a killer who steals his victims' brains. The McMaster alumnus' play involves 45 McMaster students, including 30 students who are earning academic credit for their work on the show. The team is guided by professionals including director Paul Rivers, lighting and set designer Taras Cymbalisty, costume designer Jane Mallory and sound designer Ranil Sonnadara. Click here for a recent story about the production in The Hamilton Spectator. Mighton completed a Master's degree in Philosophy at McMaster University and is currently completing a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Toronto. He also wrote the screenplay for a recent film adaptation of Possible Worlds and won Governor General's Literary Award for Drama in 1992, for the Playwrights Canada Press publication of Possible Worlds. Mighton consulted on the mathematical models for Good Will Hunting, in which he acted a small role as a graduate student in mathematics. The play will take place in Robinson Memorial Theatre, Chester New Hall, Room 103. Performances will be held Nov. 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m., with a special 7 p.m. performance and panel discussion on Nov. 19. The special performance will be followed by a round table panel discussion featuring distinguished academics from across campus. The panel will address various philosophical and ethical issues raised by the play, including the role that theatre can play in providing a forum for such topics. The audience will be invited to ask questions and join in the discussion. Tickets for the show are $15 for adults and $10 for students/seniors and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 905-525-9140 ext. 27056. Click here for a recent story in The Hamilton Spectator.

November 5, 2002

Highlights from the Oct. 31 Board of Governors meeting Health Sciences budget increases $10.5M Design changes to McMaster's Health Sciences expansion will require an additional $10.5 million, bringing the project to $71 million. Approved by McMaster's Board of Governors, the changes will accommodate additional classroom seating on the first and third level of the building to meet projected increased student numbers. As a result, level one will now accommodate 1,700 seats, instead of 800 planned in the initial project design. There is also an expansion to the classrooms on level three for the health sciences educational programs. Funding sources will include $4 million in SuperBuild funds, $16.6 million in research funding, $8.7 million from the Hamilton Health Sciences Hospital contribution and $41.7 from the University. The five-storey building will be constructed on the north of the existing east wing of the McMaster University Medical Centre and east of the Life Sciences Building. The building will house lecture theatres, hospital space, educational program space and research space and laboratories. Parking structure on hold McMaster's Board of Governors has put the brakes on plans for a parking garage. But the project will be put back into drive once the Planning and Building Committee examines other options for the structure planned for Zone 3 by Cootes Paradise. In May, the committee considered changes to the proposed five-level parking structure in order to make it less obtrusive. As a result, the cost for the structure has risen to $11.5 million from $9 million. These changes included a realignment of the structure into a lazy l' shape to follow the curve of Cootes Drive. The addition of a curtain wall consisting of glazing to improve the exterior appearance and improvements to the site landscaping to minimize the exposure along Cootes Drive were also approved. Commonwealth Games site visit McMaster is a key partner in a bid by Hamilton to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games. If successful, the games, scheduled for July 15 to 25, 2010, would bring new facilities to the University, including a new aquatic centre, stadium and multi-sportsplex. McMaster would also host the Athletes Village. The Commonwealth Games Federation will make a site visit to McMaster on Dec. 14, and will announce its decision on Dec. 16. If Hamilton is chosen as the Canadian site, it will go up against international bidders in New Delhi and Singapore, says President George. The next Games will be held in Melbourne, Australia in 2006. The Commonwealth Games Foundation's selection of the host country for the Games will be announced Nov. 3, 2003.

November 5, 2002

A caring hand outstretched. A rainbow representing hope for a brighter tomorrow. And at the heart of it, a universal symbol of humankind. "For me, the United Way symbol says it all," says Dorothy Pawluch, professor of sociology and McMaster's United Way campaign co-chair. "It's all about being there for each other, caring for each other. We all benefit from living in a world where that happens." McMaster's 2002 United Way campaign kicks off Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 12 to 1 p.m. in the atrium of the MUSC. McMaster President Peter George, United Way representatives, this year's co-chairs and others involved in the campaign will attend. "It is our way of thanking the McMaster community for their many years of support for the United Way and also a celebration of the United Way's 75th anniversary," says Pawluch. The campaign will run November 4 to 29 and the goal of the campaign is $165,000.

November 5, 2002

A perfect 10 makes McMaster No. 1. The Marauders top the national poll for the first time following the football team's victory last weekend to climb to 10-0 this season. "It's nice to know some of the hard work and things we have accomplished have been recognized," said Mac head coach Greg Marshall. "I know the players will get a kick out of it. But we have to put it in perspective. This weekend we have to put it on the line." There's little time for celebration. McMaster hosts second ranked Queen's for the Yates Cup at Les Prince Field on Saturday. For the complete story in today's Hamilton Spectator click here

November 4, 2002

It's coming. Sniffles and coughs. Aches and pains. The dreaded flu season is just around the corner, but McMaster's Campus Health Centre is armed and ready to battle this loathsome bug. Free flu vaccination clinics will take place this week for all employees and students. Annual vaccination against the influenza virus is recommended for adults and children over the age of six months. "We're trying to increase the health of employees because healthier employees means happier and more productive employees," says Debra Earl, employee health education nurse. "We're trying to create a better workplace environment." Clinics will be held in Room 309 of the McMaster University Student Centre from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 5, 6, 13, 14 and 15. An additional clinic will be held at the Downtown Centre on Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

November 4, 2002

McMaster will honour 220 long-term employees at its annual Service Regognition Awards luncheon today (Monday, Nov. 4). Employees who have dedicated 15, 20, 30, 35 and 40 years of service to the University will be honoured at a luncheon in the CIBC Banquet Hall in the McMaster University Student Centre. Click here for a complete list of the award honorees.

November 4, 2002

Noam Chomsky is coming to Hamilton in November. Those words tend to have one of two effects on people; either they are scrambling to find tickets, or they are saying "Noam who?" How is it that someone can be simultaneously so popular and so unknown? Chomsky has lectured all over the world, and has written more than 30 books on U.S. foreign policy, democracy, globalization and the thought control role of mass media. He first became known as a political dissident in the movement against the Vietnam War in the 60s. He has not traditionally received much coverage from mass media, which is a major reason why he is unknown to many. But more than ever since the events of Sept. 11, 2001, many people in North America are looking for answers to questions that Chomsky had been talking about for years. Chomsky's book 9-11 is a collection of interviews, which took place after Sept. 11. In the book, the professor from MIT states that "I have had considerably more access even to mainstream media in the U.S. than ever before, and others report the same experience." Chomsky will speak at McMaster on Nov. 12, as a Hooker Distinguished Visiting Professor on the topic: "Is there Intelligent Life on Earth? The Role of the Intellectual Culture and Institutions". This lecture is sponsored by the Centre for Peace Studies, the Department of Labour Studies and the Russell Centre, McMaster University. The lecture will be at 8:30 p.m. in the Burridge Gymnasium, Ivor Wynne Centre, McMaster University. Tickets will be distributed by the Compass Information Centre in the McMaster University Student Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 6, in three blocks. Block 1 (350 tickets) available from 9:30 a.m.; Block 2 (350 tickets) available from 12:30 p.m.; and Block 3 (400 tickets) available from 6:30 p.m. There is a limit of two tickets per person, and no holds or reservations. Please do not telephone the Compass Information Centre. For information contact chomskyhamilton@yahoo.ca or 905-525-9140 ext 26119.

November 4, 2002

It is less than a year until the official "double cohort" arrives. But the challenges the University will face extend well beyond 2003/04, says McMaster President Peter George. "We need to look at the long-range issues," he said to the Board of Governors Thursday. An increase in faculty retirement rates, higher student participation rates, increased graduate enrolment and enrolling a mix of international, Ontario and out-of-province students, are some of the issues McMaster will face, not just during the double cohort years, he says, but for years to come. "There are a lot of issues here that are long-reaching," he says. "The double cohort is just a lightning rod that is distracting attention away from the longer-term issues."

November 1, 2002

Italian Princess Elletra Marconi is visiting McMaster today. The daughter of Guglielmo Marconi, known as the inventor of the first practical system of wireless telegraphy, is visiting with students, touring labs and facilities and participating in an interview with CFMU News. With support from the Ministry of Canadian Heritage, and as a guest of the Congress of Italian-Canadians, Hamilton-District, the princess is in Hamilton this week to participate in the Guglielmo Marconi Tribute. This tribute honors the wisdom of Marconi and highlights his story and Canada's place in the history of wireless technology. In conjunction with this event, Canada Post issued a stamp in Marconi's honour. Photo caption: Princess Elletra Marconi poses with Deborah Messina, fourth-year computer engineering student and chair of the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineering. Messina presented the princess with a scarf, which has the Faculty of Engineering's colours.

November 1, 2002

The undefeated McMaster Marauders got another touchdown, only this time, off the football field. Eight Marauder football players were named all-stars by Ontario University Athletics (OUA), as voted by the ten OUA football head coaches. McMaster's all-stars include star running back Kyle Pyear who led the OUA and CIS in rushing for most of the season. The two-time all-star also broke an OUA record for most rushing attempts in a game with 39 at McMaster's Homecoming game against Laurier on Sept 28. Other McMaster all-stars include: Dave Forde on the offensive line; linebacker Ray Mariuz; Colin Shanahan, on the defensive line; defensive-half Brandon Little; placekicker Michael Ray; linemate Fabio Filic; and cornerback Kwame Aidoo. The road to the Yates Cup continues this weekend as the defending champions McMaster Marauders will host the York Yeomen Saturday at 1 p.m. The Western Mustangs travel to Kingston to meet the Queen's Golden Gaels. The winners of each game will meet in the 104th Yates Cup Championship Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m.

October 31, 2002

Strange things happen at the Auchmar estate on Hamilton's mountain brow. For one thing, mayflies bite people and age them a lot faster than humanly possible. McMaster's Marvin Gunderman can be held partly accountable for the creepy things that take place at the 150-year-old Gothic-style estate. After all, it's this entomologist that put the insects there in the first place. The technical co-ordinator, curator of entomology and insect taxonomist in McMaster's Department of Biology, supplied the set of Discovery Channel's new program Strange Days at Blake Holsey High with the mayflies that were digitized for use in episode 5. In this episode, a student catches a mayfly, known for its short lifespan, and when the bug bites him, his genetic code is altered and he ages rapidly. "A special crew took digital images of the insects spread on a Petrie plate and they manipulated those images to make a prototype creature," Gunderman explains. "What they wanted to get across was that aging and life spans are both relative." The show will air Nov. 23 on Discovery Kids on NBC Saturday mornings. The half-hour action series is filmed on location in Hamilton at the Auchmar estate, once a monastery. The show is set at a boarding school called Blake Holsey High, nicknamed Black Hole High because of the bizarre occurrences that take place there. The episode probably won't spook Gunderman. "As a kid I loved insects," he says. "I always had spider collections and all of my science projects in high school were on insects."

October 30, 2002

The City of Hamilton launched its bid today to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games, naming McMaster University as one of its partners. Click here to visit the City of Hamilton's Commonwealth Games site. "This is an exciting chance not only to work closely with the City to bring the very best to Hamilton, but also to create a legacy for McMaster," says McMaster President Peter George. "The opportunity to transform our athletics facilities would greatly enhance our ability to attract the best students and faculty, and to provide world-class athletic centres for students, faculty, staff and the community." The University of Calgary and University of Manitoba are examples of other universities that have greatly benefited from hosting international sporting events, he says. "I firmly believe that a University that has ambitions to be a national and international leader must look beyond its own borders to find the opportunities that will help propel it to new heights of success. The Commonwealth Games are one such opportunity for McMaster." Hamilton is not alone in the race for the 2010 games. Halifax also plans to make a bid. The first step in the lengthy process is Hamilton's official entry, which happened today. Early in the new year the winner of the Canadian competition will be chosen, and that municipality will then proceed to the international round of competition.

October 30, 2002

Eight out of every 10 students that visit a career counselor in the Career Planning and Employment Centre (CPEC) are looking to further their education beyond McMaster, according to CPEC stats. That's one reason Heather Hines, CPEC events and marketing co-ordinator, feels today's Continuing Your Education Fair is so valuable. "The Continuing Your Education Fair offers students the chance to speak with admissions and liaison personnel about the programs they have to offer," says Hines. "A great number of McMaster students are interested in further studies after their first degree, so the fair brings some of the possibilities right to their doorstep." More than 50 schools will participate in the fair on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the atrium of the McMaster University Student Centre, including a school from the United Kingdom. For a list of the participating organizations visit http://careers.mcmaster.ca/cont_ed_fair_2002/students.htm CPEC's newest publication Staying in school a little longer... The Ultimate Ontario Guide to Continuing Your Education, is also being launched today. "The book is a comprehensive resource detailing more than 300 programs in Ontario that students can enroll in upon completion of a degree," says Hines. The book will be for sale at the fair and is available to students for $3.

October 30, 2002

McMaster University has made a dramatic move up on two national top 10 lists that rank research income and intensity at Canadian universities. Sponsored research at the University grew significantly in 2001, moving from $106.9 million in 2000 to $184.4 million. The increase moved the University from tenth to seventh position in a national ranking of universities with more than $100 million in research income. The University also moved into third place from seventh position on the top 10 list ranking universities by research intensity, defined as research dollars per full-time faculty position. In 2001, McMaster averaged $197,000 per faculty position, up from $117,600 in the previous year. The rankings are part of the Top 50 Research Universities report that was published Tuesday by Research Infosource Inc. from data collected by Statistics Canada. Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president research & international affairs, said that this significant increase in income is directly related to McMaster's outstanding faculty and their aggressive approach to research.

October 30, 2002

Hamilton mayor Bob Wade delivered his second annual State of the City address at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Tuesday. In his address, he cites McMaster as a key element in the future growth of Hamilton and downtown. In biotechnology, he says, the City's economic development department, in conjunction with McMaster, has formed a steering committee to oversee plans for a biotechnology incubator and a biotech strategy for the city. "We want to greatly ramp up our partnership with McMaster. They will be a key catalyst to the future of this city," he says. "McMaster and our other academic institutions are as important as the airport and the harbour in the future direction of the city." Click here for the full address.

October 28, 2002

Two outstanding teams of teachers are the inaugural recipients of the Imperial Oil Departmental Learning Innovation grants. Carolyn Eyles and Susan Vajoczki from the School of Geography & Geology and Margaret Denton, Christopher Justice and Anju Joshi from the Undergraduate Degree Studies in Gerontology Program were awarded the grants for projects that will change the way undergraduate education is delivered in their departments. The awards are for three years and are worth about $100,000. Dale Roy, executive director of the Centre for Leadership in Learning, said the projects that were chosen for the first awards clearly demonstrated how they would change the way students are taught their disciplines in their departments. "We tend to do course development individually," said Roy. "This is a different way of approaching courses, how they're designed, delivered, collaborated on within a department." One of the goals of the initiative is to "build a culture of collaboration," Roy added.

October 28, 2002

McMaster chair of Biology Turlough Finan has received the 2002 Tourism Hamilton Convention Ambassador Award. The award recognizes Finan for helping organize "The International Congress on Nitrogen Fixation" conference held at the Hamilton Convention Center July 2 to 7, 2001. "I am honored to receive this recognition from Tourism Hamilton," Finan says. "It's nice to be recognized for something that helps boost Hamilton's image. The folks and facilities at the Hamilton Convention Center were excellent." Attended by 300 scientists from 44 countries, the five-day conference discussed biological and chemical aspects of nitrogen fixation -- the process in which ammonia is formed from the gas nitrogen. Sponsored by About Town Event and Meeting Planner, the award is given to a local individual who played a significant and active role in securing and co-ordinating a conference, meeting or related event that is generally held in a different city each year. The individual, who demonstrated a concerted effort to promote Hamilton's image, did not receive personal financial gain and the activity was not job-related. Earlier this year, Finan received a $3-million Genome Canada award with biology professor Brian Golding to support their research into Genomic Analyses of Soil Microorganisms. Click here for more information about the award. Wendy Read, conference co-ordinator of McMaster's Housing and Conference Services, was nominated for a Tourism Hamilton Behind the Scenes Award. Sponsored by the Stoney Creek Chamber of Commerce, the award recognizes an individual who typically works behind the scenes ensuring that complete customer satisfaction is obtained through the effective and efficient delivery of his or her responsibilities.

October 25, 2002

Sitting on a bench in front of a new Steinway piano in Convocation Hall, Hugh Hartwell plays a couple of lines of Billy Boy. In his head, he sings a few lines, hums softly. His fingers bounce off the piano keys like raindrops and the jazz resonates throughout the stained glass hall. "When I play, what I'm doing is singing to myself. In the end, everything is melody and melody comes from inside of you," he says. Born in Hamilton, McMaster's former director of Art, Drama and Music, has been playing the piano since he was six. Music has had a tremendous impact on his life since then. He began his professional career as a musician at 13, traveling with rock and roll bands and playing in festivals and competitions. At 16, he was a guest soloist with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He played with a trio band on a ferry that toured the islands of Montreal and when he was 18, he ventured to London, England to tone his technique in classical piano. There, he practiced eight hours a day, seven days a week and took lessons once a week. At night he played in jazz clubs in Soho. Later, Hartwell taught music at Hamilton College in upstate New York, studied music at McGill University and did his graduate work at Pennsylvania State before joining McMaster's music faculty in 1976. But among his musical experiences, his fondest is what he is doing now. The associate professor of jazz music, 20th-century concert music and music theory plays in the Hugh Hartwell Trio Band that will perform in the School of the Arts' annual McMaster Concert Series for 2002-03. His trio band, which includes music studio instructor Kevin Dempsey on drums and Marek Semeniuk on bass, performs Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. in Convocation Hall. Click here for a listing of the McMaster Concert Series.