Daily News

June 20, 2001

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Staffawards.01.final.jpg”]They are shining examples of leadership and collegiality. And yesterday the seven recipients of the 2000 President's Awards for Outstanding Service were hailed . . .

June 18, 2001

Mechanical engineering professor Mo Elbestawi has been named dean of engineering. He begins his five-year term on July 1. Elbestawi arrived at McMaster 15 years ago and since that time has consolidated his reputation as a leading researcher, teacher and administrator. A graduate of Alexandria University, Elbestawi earned his M. Eng and PhD degrees in mechanical engineering at McMaster. He then worked for several years in industrial research and development before returning to the University in 1986 as an associate professor. He recently completed two terms as chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His industrial experience has proven invaluable in his ability to mobilize resources to support research. Founder of the Intelligent Machines and Manufacturing Research Centre, he has most recently devoted his time to the establishment of the newly created McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute where he serves as director. As well, he holds the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Precision Machining and the Braley-Orlick Chair in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering. "I am confident that under Mo's leadership the Faculty of Engineering will continue to build its reputation as one of the country's premier engineering schools," said McMaster President Peter George. (End of story)

June 18, 2001

All members of the University community are invited to attend a reception today to honour this year's recipients of the 2000 President's Awards for Outstanding Service. The award winners are individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the McMaster community in the previous year. The seven staff members were nominated by co-workers, colleagues and supervisors for the annual awards. Human Resources, on behalf of University President Peter George, is hosting the reception today (June 19) from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Great Hall, University Club. The Merit Award Recipients are: Steven Beierl, Career Planning & Employment Centre Marvin Gunderman, Department of Biology Doris Hutchison, Departments of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Medicine and Pediatrics Diane Kerss, School of Graduate Studies Liza Thong, Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics The Special Award Recipients are: Susan Birnie, School of Rehabilitation Science Deane Maynard, School of Geography & Geology. Please see the previous Daily News story, Seven staff honoured with President's Awards for Outstanding Service, for more coverage of the award winners. (End of story)

June 15, 2001

Parts of McMaster's University Advancement department and Business Management Services are moving to the courthouse campus. Staff from Advancement Services, Development and the Office of Public Relations, which are under the University Advancement umbrella, will begin moving out of Alumni Memorial Hall and Gilmour Hall in early August. They will occupy part of the first floor of the five-storey courthouse building. Alumni Advancement will move from Gilmour Hall to Alumni Memorial Hall and parts of the Public Relations office will move to Chester New Hall. Staff from Business Management Services' Analysis & Budgeting, Investments, Internal Audit and Human Resources Benefits are moving from the third floor of Gilmour Hall onto the fifth floor of the courthouse building after Sept. 1. In addition, staff with the Foundation for Medical Practice Education from the Faculty of Health Sciences will move into the courthouse's lower level in early July. The newest groups moving to the downtown campus will join Purchasing Resources and Financial Resources staff who began work in the building on Monday, June 4. Continuing Education staff and Human Resources staff training personnel are moving onto the second floor of the courthouse building -- an area that now contains four large courtrooms -- once a design firm has completed a plan for classrooms, computer labs and breakout rooms. The University has leased the former Wentworth County courthouse from the city for 10 years in a bid to ease the space shortage on the main campus. Student-centred services are being housed in buildings that are close to the new McMaster University Student Centre that is due to open in January. University planner Linda Axford said establishing the courthouse campus in the downtown core also helps McMaster bolster its links with the local community. (End of story)

June 13, 2001

The stages are set and the actors are ready to present two very different comedies, marking the tenth anniversary of the McMaster Summer Drama Festival. This year's productions begin tonight (June 13) when the student-run theatre company presents William Shakespeare's romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing in the Faculty Hollow beginning at 7:30 p.m. Later this week, the contemporary play Bag Babies, by Toronto playwright Allan Stratton, will be staged in Robinson Memorial Theatre. (Complete times and dates appear at the end of this story). The plays were chosen to appeal to the community, says Megha Uttangi, who chairs the festival and directs Much Ado About Nothing. "This company is all about McMaster students giving back to the community." The plays are appropriate for all ages, says Uttangi, and she encourages people to bring blankets and a picnic when they come to the Faculty Hollow for the Shakespearean comedy. The Faculty Hollow is outside, beside the Alumni Memorial Hall. "Doing Shakespeare outside is wonderful in the summer," says Uttangi. If it rains, the play will continue in the Robinson Memorial Theatre. The company is made up of students from different Faculties. "The festival gives students who were too busy during the academic year the chance to do theatre," says Uttangi. Alana McCord and A.J. Haygarth star as the sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. Krista MacIsaac directs Bag Babies, a fast-paced farce starring Len Cain as George, a certifiable con-artist in search of his fortune. The festival is non-profit and the students are all volunteers. Local theatres have helped provide the sets and costumes, says Uttangi. Much Ado About Nothing Where: Outside in the Faculty Hollow Curtain time: 7:30 p.m. Dates: June 13, 15, 21 and 23. Bag Babies Where: Robinson Memorial Theatre Curtain time: 7:30 p.m. Dates: June 16, 20, 22 Admission: Pay what you can. (Photo: School of the Arts Web site)

June 12, 2001

A total of 157 people at McMaster registered their commitment to keeping our air clean by participating in the National Commuter Challenge held in Hamilton and across Canada on Wednesday, June 6. That's almost four times the number of McMaster staff, students and faculty who participated in the Clean Air Day last year. The participants elected to travel to and from campus using their feet, their bicycles and public transportation in a bid to help reduce the smog in Hamilton and raise awareness about what can be done to keep our air clean. Based on the registrations submitted, the most popular methods of transportation for McMaster commuters were biking (57) and walking (54). Thirty-one people elected to take the bus, eight chose to carpool(two or more people), six strapped on inline skates and one jogged the distance. "Bicycling to work was the most popular mode of transportation chosen by faculty, staff and students at McMaster who signed up for the event," says Sarah Robinson, who helped to co-ordinate the event at McMaster. Robinson, a fourth-year kinesiology student, is working as a summer student in the office of the University Planner and is conducting research on environmental policy and issues at McMaster. McMaster's total will be combined with others in Hamilton who registered online with the city and who participated in team challenges across the city. Jennifer Dawson, air quality project co-ordinator, Green Venture, reports some 55 organizations in Hamilton registered to participate in the event, part of National Environment Week (June 3-9). The total number of participants in the Hamilton Commuter Challenge is still being tallied. "McMaster's participation rate quadrupled this year," Dawson reported, "which will give a big boost to our bid for the National Commuter Challenge crown. Thanks Mac!" (End of story)

June 12, 2001

McMaster's fitness gym, the Pulse, wants you to get active. In collaboration with Active Ontario, the gym is offering free services this week in a bid to introduce staff and faculty to the facilities.

June 8, 2001

It's all over but the waiting. Negotiators for the University and the McMaster University Staff Association (MUSA) have completed three days of scheduled talks with mediator/arbitrator George Adams and are now awaiting his decision on a final award. "The arbitration process is completed and (Mr.) George Adams has reserved judgment and that's about all we know," says MUSA president Barry Diacon. "We have completed the mediation and arbitration phases and Mr. Adams is now aware of all the issues and thoughts of the parties. He will be working on an award which we expect will be issued no later than July 31," says Mark Haley, assistant vice-president human resources. The parties began meeting at 10 a.m. Monday (June 4) and concluded at 3 a.m. this morning (Thursday, June 7), breaking for only a total of nine hours.

June 8, 2001

McMaster professor Richard Butler will receive an Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations' (OCUFA) Teaching Award for his "tireless passion for teaching and for teaching about learning" at an awards ceremony today (June 8) in Toronto. A professor in the Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Butler teaches medical, nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy and science students. "His enthusiasm for and considerable knowledge about the inter-relationships between the disciplines of anatomy and physiology is an integral part of what makes him an excellent teacher," says the OCUFA citation. "Professor Butler's teaching philosophy stresses the students' need to learn how to think, how to think critically, and how to communicate ideas," says OCUFA. "We are proud to honour Professor Richard Butler with a well-deserved OCUFA Teaching Award." Butler has already received four MSU Teaching Awards for the Faculty of Science and was the overall MSU winner for the University in 1990. In 2000 he received the Teaching Excellence Award from the Faculty of Health Sciences and the President's Award for Excellence in Instruction. The OCUFA citation quotes McMaster students who say: "Dr. Butler does not lecture, he makes you think. . .I had no idea that in my fourth year of university, that such a drastic improvement could be made to the way I process thought. Dr. Butler gave us ownership over our education." Another student is quoted as saying: "His time and efforts were well invested He helped develop us into self-thinkers, problem solvers not fearful of unanswered questions but rather excited and intrigued by them. . .the result will have a profound impact on whatever realm of society or science we should choose to apply it to." OCUFA president Henry Jacek, a professor of political science at McMaster, said "The recipients of the teaching awards are people who make a difference both to their profession, and in the lives of their students by ensuring the best in course development, instruction, and research." OCUFA represents 11,000 university professors and academic librarians from across Ontario. (End of story)

June 6, 2001

Today is an historic occasion for the University of Sharjah as it holds its first graduation ceremonies, due in part to the teaching and guidance . . .

June 6, 2001

Construction workers struck copper at Gilmour Hall recently when they took down the building's brick fagade. They found a time capsule lodged behind the date stone that marks the dedication of the building in 1959. It turns out that this particular time capsule -- a 30.5 centimetre- (12 inches) long tarnished copper tube that is soldered shut at both ends -- was actually discovered about seven years ago when the building's date stone was moved farther north on the wall when the wheelchair elevator was installed. Physical plant associate director John Farrell, who is overseeing construction of the new McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC), said because of the previous discovery, construction workers working on MUSC and work associated with that were on the lookout for the copper tube. "I was surprised when we pulled it out of the wall seven years ago when we were moving the date stone," he said. "We had no idea it was there. There is no organized way of recording where there are time capsules. One of the things we should be doing is establishing procedures for time capsules." The workers who found the tube called Kim Davison, MUSC administrative director, so it could be safely stored while the building's fagade is refurbished. She was intrigued by the discovery. "It's an interesting mystery," said Davison. The Daily News has made several inquiries to determine the history behind the Gilmour Hall time capsule. So far, no one, including retired history professor Charles Johnston who has written two books about the University's history, knows how the time capsule originally ended up behind the building's date stone. What do you think should happen to the Gilmour Hall time capsule? Send an e-mail to the daily@mcmaster.ca and tell us what should happen. We'll publish a report on your feedback in the coming days. McMaster Memories: Kim Davison, administrative director of the McMaster University Student Centre, holds the copper time capsule recovered behind the Gilmour Hall date stone. Photo: Shelly Easton

June 6, 2001

The Board of Governors is holding an online election to fill three teaching staff positions on the University Planning Committee. The online election began June 6 and continues until 4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 14. Two teaching staff members will serve three-year terms from July 1 until June 30, 2004. One will serve from July 1 until June 30, 2002 to complete the term of a member who is resigning in order to go on research leave. The nominated members are: Virginia Aksan, Department of History David Andrews, Department of Biochemistry A. Leslie Robb, Department of Economics Eric Sawyer, Department of Mathematics & Statistics The two candidates who garner the most votes will fill the three-year terms and the third-place candidate will take over the term vacated by the Board member going on research leave. The risumis, prepared by the candidates, may be viewed at the Board of Governors election Web site at http://www.mcmaster.ca/bog/elections. Voters can choose one of two options to cast their votes: If you have a personal identification number issued by the Human Resources department, you may use it for election purposes. This is the same PIN you use on the Web for viewing/updating your address information and gaining access to the CIS Software Depot. If you do not have a PIN, send an e-mail to pinreset@mcmaster.ca: be sure to include your employee ID number, surname, given names, birth date (month, day, year). If you do not have access to e-mail, you may go to the Department of Human Resources (Room 304, Gilmour Hall). Please note: it may take you a few days to receive a PIN, depending upon the number of requests being processed by the Human Resources department. You will be able to cast a ballot simply by entering the following information at the time of the election: your McMaster employee number, your surname and your date of birth. Eligible voters who do not have access to the Web site may come to the Board of Governors office (Room 115, University Hall), between 9 a.m. and 12 noon and between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., during the election period. (End of story)

June 5, 2001

The National Commuter Challenge is in Hamilton today and McMaster commuters are being encouraged to bicycle, walk, run, or skate to work. "Leave your car at home and take up the commuter challenge" is the message from Green Venture during National Environment Week, June 3-9. Why does Green Venture want you to leave your car at home? The answer is a four-letter word: smog. The City of Hamilton and several organizations in the region are participating in the national initiative aimed at keeping our air clean. And McMaster is being asked to do the same. The challenge provides McMaster faculty, staff and students with a chance to demonstrate their concern for the environment. To register for the challenge, click here. While commuters are encouraged to cycle, paddle, carpool, walk or run to work for the duration of Environment Week, the focus for McMaster will be on getting as many people as possible to participate, Wednesday, June 6, the day of the Canadian Commuter Challenge, a larger, country-wide competition held each year on Clean Air Day Canada. (End of story)

June 5, 2001

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/PalmerandRideout.jpg” caption=”Liz Rideout and David Palmer in Sharjah”]Two members of the McMaster community, David Palmer and Liz Rideout are spending a year at . . .

June 4, 2001

Negotiators for the University and the McMaster University Staff Association resume mediation talks today (Monday, June 4). The parties are also scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 5 and Wednesday, June 6. The talks are being held in Burlington with mediator George Adams, a retired judge and a former chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board. When the groups met with Adams in May a structure and detailed process was developed for dealing with issues that are still outstanding. The parties are expected to discuss representation and dispute resolution, staffing, hours of work and money. (End of story)

June 3, 2001

Eleven alumni became the newest members of McMaster's Alumni Gallery Saturday. The induction ceremony was held in Convocation Hall, University Hall 213. The new members . . .

June 1, 2001

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/alumni(f).jpg”]The focal point at McMaster this weekend (June 1-3) will be under the blue-and-white marquee in the centre of campus. Old friends will . . .

June 1, 2001

The University will confer Bachelor of Engineering degrees today on 21 students who are the first graduates of McMaster's new and innovative software engineering program. The milestone is one that Paul Taylor, chair of the Department of Computing & Software, will celebrate for a variety of reasons. "We started this new degree program from scratch and have also maintained our strength in computer science. The graduation of these students is a defining moment for both the department and the Faculty. We've been able to demonstrate a synergy between the two disciplines and we're also setting the tone for the engineering profession and the computer science community in terms of how to bring these two sides - computer science, on the one hand, and software engineering, on the other - together." The goal of the McMaster program is to develop engineers who produce software with a warranty and not a disclaimer. "This is a program that prepares engineers with a specialty in safety-critical and mission-critical software," says Taylor. Chad McIntyre, one of the students graduating from the program, enjoyed his four years at McMaster. "It was definitely the right choice for me." McIntyre will begin working for IBM after graduation. Down the road, he sees himself starting his own software business and designing systems to help people with different computer needs. Sean Burak is also graduating today (June 1). "When I started at Mac, I wasn't sure what I wanted to specialize in so I took engineering. I looked at the course catalogue and the software program courses seemed to be custom designed for the Software Engineering Program. I'd done some programming in high school so I decided to do the software program and I'm glad I did."

June 1, 2001

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Brash.John.jpg” caption=”John Brash”]Chemical engineering professor John Brash has earned an international reputation for his work in the field of biomaterials. He is being . . .

June 1, 2001

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Weiker.jpg”]”University for me was one little adventure after another,” says Phillip Weicker, an electrical engineering graduand and Governor General's Academic Medal winner. “It's . . .