Daily News

October 16, 2000

For hundreds of years, physicists have been searching for a unified theory or "master equation" that would provide a framework for describing nature's forces and all matter. In his talk, "The Quest for the Unified Theory," Brian Greene, professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University, will follow the history of that search since the time of Isaac Newton to the present. Greene, this year's Redman lecturer, will be speaking on campus in the evenings of Oct. 18 and 19. His second talk, "Space and Time Since Einstein," will provide insights into the nature of both, from the development of the theory of relativity to the present-day string theory. Both lectures are at 8 p.m. in HSC-1A1.

October 12, 2000

"Now that the Olympics are over in Australia, we want a crack at it," enthuses Bob Loree, director of Level I engineering. Vying for McMaster entrance awards, a coveted trophy and bragging rights, more than 400 students from over 26 high schools from across Ontario will compete in a "mental track meet" as they race against the clock in battles of logic, strategy and mental endurance. Throughout the day tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 13) participants will engage in a smorgasbord of events at McMaster which are designed to whet their appetite for engineering.

October 12, 2000

The first United Way cookbook arrived as the Gilmour Hall Cookbook in 1996 and completely sold out that year at the Marketplace fundraiser. This year, . . .

October 12, 2000

Friday the 13th will prove to be a lucky day for the more than 150 certificate and diploma students who will celebrate their graduation at Convocation Hall this evening during the 1999-2000 Certificate & Diploma Graduation and Awards Ceremony. A wonderful mix of tradition and spontaneous celebration, the ceremony will host family and friends of the students, cheering them on as they graduate from programs they have completed, often in addition to full-time employment demands and family commitments. This year will mark the third year that the Centre for Continuing Education and the McMaster Association of Part-time Students (MAPS) have held a traditional graduation ceremony, minus the caps and gowns.

October 11, 2000

October is Health Sciences Library month and members of the University community are invited to vist the Library virtually. The Library now provides full access . . .

October 11, 2000

Each year, more than 40 per cent of McMaster graduates in many programs continue their education beyond a first degree. The Career Planning and Employment . . .

October 11, 2000

Noted music critic Tamara Bernstein is bringing her expertise and experience to McMaster, to assist MA students in the School of Art, Drama & Music's . . .

October 11, 2000

You can't blame the internet for everything. An article published in the Globe and Mail this summer says the internet has imposed a predominately anglo-centric format upon the wired world and, as a result, the study of foreign languages is in decline. However Gabriele Erasmi, chair of the modern languages department, notes that English has become the accepted language in international relations, trade and finance. "It's not surprising that the internet is English-based," he says. Daniel Woolf, dean of humanities, would agree. "I don't think that the predominance of English on the internet is the cause of a decline in the study of foreign languages. But I do believe it will accelerate that decline."

October 6, 2000

Teacher, broadcaster and the first woman to hold the position of Lieutenant Governor in the province of Quebec, The Honorable Lise Thibault knows from experience what it is like to cope with a disability. Although confined to a wheelchair since she was a teen, she has lived an active life, not only as a wife and mother, but also as an adult education teacher during the 1970s and later, as a researcher/broadcaster on the TJlJ-MJtropole and Radio-Canada networks. Since January 1997, Thibault has been performing the administrative and protocol duties required of her as Quebec's 27th Lieutenant Governor.

October 5, 2000

What did the ancient Greeks and Romans not give us? Their fingerprints can be found globally, including the Olympic games, democracy and architecture to name . . .

October 5, 2000

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/greatromantics.gif”]Music and romance join forces in the Great Romantics Festival – a four-day celebration beginning today. Sponsored by the City of Hamilton, The . . .

October 5, 2000

2000 Whidden Lecturer Bruce Meyer addresses audience in University's Great Hall of Alumni Memorial Hall last night. The Canadian author and McMaster alumnus presented the first of two lectures on Canadian Literature and the Western Tradition. His second talk, at the same venue, is this evening, Thursday, Oct. 5, at 8 p.m. Photo: Ron Scheffler

October 5, 2000

Hamilton, Oct. 4, 2000 - Maria Minna, Canada's minister for international co-operation, and Stan Keyes, member of Parliament for Hamilton West, today announced that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will provide $750,000 to a project with McMaster University to help reduce maternal mortality in Haiti. "Women losing lives while giving birth is a tragedy that must be addressed forcefully," said minister Minna. "Unfortunately, in many developing countries, this tragedy is still a common occurrence. By supporting this McMaster University project, CIDA is once again reaffirming its commitment to promote better health care services in the developing world." "Today's announcement links McMaster University with the State University of Haiti in addressing this pressing health issue," said Keyes. "With this CIDA-supported project, experts from McMaster University will be able to help health professionals in Haiti work towards reducing maternal mortality." The multidisciplinary team from McMaster University, led by Henry Muggah, professor of obstetrics & gynecology, along with their colleagues from Haiti, will work with a Haitian non-governmental organization, International Child Care, that operates community-based clinics throughout the country.

October 4, 2000

This year's Whidden Lecture features Canadian author and poet Bruce Meyer. Meyer, who earned a PhD from McMaster, will speak on Canadian Literature and the . . .

October 4, 2000

The issue between the Hamilton Fire Department and the University over the blue bin recycling initiative has been resolved. The University will install non-combustible containers that will be fixed into position in their selected locations in foyers and open areas. "We will probably move to metal containers," says Ron Angus, acting director, risk management services. However, he says there will likely not be as many locations as before. And none of the bins will be located in narrow corridors.

October 3, 2000

What did Pierre Elliott Trudeau mean to you? How will he be remembered? What is his legacy for Canada? Editorial staff of the Daily News felt it would be fitting on this day to invite the University community to send in stories, tributes, anecdotes, and personal reflections and remembrances of the former Prime Minister. How did he touch your life? Write to us at daily@mcmaster.ca We'll do our best to get your submissions posted quickly. Contributions will be edited for length and good taste. To read Your Remembrances of Trudeau, click here.

October 3, 2000

Editorial staff of the Daily News felt it would be fitting on this day to invite the University community to send in stories, tributes, anecdotes, and personal reflections and remembrances of the former Prime Minister. What did he mean to you? How did he touch your life? What is his legacy for Canada? Write to us at daily@mcmaster.ca ***** While I was not and am not a supporter or admirer of Mr. Trudeau's politics or policies, he was nevertheless a compelling personality, a great father, and an ardent Canadian. Would that today's politicians speak as openly and frankly on the issues of the day. He will be missed. --Dennis Venerus I became involved as a volunteer for the Liberal Party during the 1979 federal election campaign. It was Pierre Trudeau who inspired me to get involved. I believed in his vision of Canada as a just society, inspiring all Canadians to care about one another, to share what we had with others. To share with people from other countries poorer than our great Canada, people that could not always take care of themselves, like the physically and mentally challenged, the underpriviledged. I believed in his vision that all Canadians should have the opportunity for good education and good health care, whether rich or poor. I believed in his vision of a strong national government supporting the have-not provinces and accepting and participating in the cultural differences evident in other provinces. He never waivered from his vision. That year, I campaigned with him. My children were young; they campaigned, too, helping with signs, knocking on doors with me. They understood the importance at a young age of being politically aware and the importance of believing in something and working towards those beliefs and goals. Ever since, politics has played a major role in my life and the life of my family. We will never regret being involved. I thank Pierre Trudeau for that. His vision is why Canada is now known as the best country in the world in which to live. Let's all strive to keep his vision alive and make sure that Canada continues to be the best country in the world in which to live. That is how we can best keep his legacy alive. I feel so honoured and privileged to have known him and met him. Pierre, we will love you forever. --Myra Leffler I remember Trudeau as such a great man. He was larger than life with passion, class, intelligence, and no fear. But the story I love hearing most is the one my husband tells of the day he became a citizen of Canada: My husband and his parents had excitedly made the decision to become Canadian citizens and in preparation for the event, my mother-in-law, who was unable to speak a word of English, was worried she would not be able to handle the questions asked of her. She studied and memorized as hard as she could. Unfortunately, as the day approached, my father-in-law was hospitalized and his wife did not want to leave his side. But he insisted. He was very determined his family would be Canadians! My mother-in-law and her two youngest sons, (my husband and his brother)hurried to their citizenship hearing. The two young men had no trouble with the questions. My mother-in-law was not so lucky; she was worried about her husband and most of what she had studied seemed to vanish! As luck would have it, the person asking the questions was very sympathetic and asked her one final question, "Who is the Prime Minister of Canada?" My mother-in-law's eyes lit up and(as my husband remembers), without hesitation, she spoke loudly and clearly, "Pierre Trudeau!" With that answer, my mother-in-law became a very proud Canadian citizen! --Silvana Berlingieri Pierre Trudeau inspired a hope that there could be something better for Canada and that there was a role for all of us to play if we wanted to. He left us with his vision of a just society, a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and a Constitution of our own. The outpouring of respect and admiration Canada has given him shows that there is still a place in our hearts for vision and inspiration in a world even tougher than it was in 1968. On a lighter note, I had the privilege of shaking his hand twice, once at a political meeting before the 1968 election, and as a tourist on Parliament Hill the same year. He recalled that we had met before, and after a moment's thought, mentioned the political meeting in Granby. I remember being so impressed by his memory and charm. I still am. Goodbye and thank you, Mr. Trudeau. --Gwen Crossan The Right Honorable Pierre Elliott Trudeau was truly a citizen of the world, who valued individual human rights over parochial, insular collectives. He had the remarkable capacity to talk over the heads of the elite to his people, who believed in his vision of a just society. Irrespective of culture, country of origin and language spoken, Mr. Trudeau had the courage to defend the intrinsic values that unite humanity. I came to Canada just after the first Quebec referendum in 1980, and I distinctly recall reading in international newspapers the immense impact his speech at the Paul Sauve arena in Montreal had in bringing home the message of inclusiveness to all Canadians, Quebecers and others. This is his greatest legacy, articulated for all Canadians to enjoy, in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - for the citizens of a country which the UN calls the best place on earth to live, and to all others who aspire to become one. Merci, Mr. Trudeau. --Ibrahim Inayatali I was eight years old when Trudeau came to power, and I recall waving to his motorcade when he eventually made his way to B.C. a short while after he became Prime Minister. I still remember vividly the excitement and optimism of that time. He was PM during my "growing-up" years. His values, passion and his hopes and dreams for Canada inspired me then, and they continue to inspire me now. He was a great Canadian who showed us what being Canadian was all about. We may yet see another Canadian politician who will re-ignite similar passions and once again awaken Canadian emotions (I certainly hope so), but there will never be another Pierre Elliott Trudeau. --Marge Marriott PET: Canada's most charismatic leader. A leader on the world's stage. A man of conviction and principle. Politicians before and since pale in comparison. Canada could use a leader with even a fraction of what Mr. Trudeau brought to the table. --Stuart M.Phillips A gentleman to the end, he taught me how to respect and love others who are not like me. What a wonderful country where the world is right at our doorstep if only we will take the time to explore and enjoy it. Best of all, I always chuckle when I think of how he did not kowtow to anyone, not even the U.S.! Great man, the greatest Canadian. --Aloma Munian When I was about six or seven, I shook hands with PET at a Toronto mall. All that I remember is being on my father's shoulders and my father telling me to shake the man's hand. I remember thinking that I wanted to be a Liberal, even though I did not know what that meant at the time. He brought so much vigor to everything he did, even a seven year old could see it. --Olga Cenic

October 3, 2000

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/communitycampaign.jpg” caption=”President George launches Community Campaign”] One hundred and fifty members of the University community showed their support for the University's annual fundraising . . .

October 2, 2000

Art is a cerebral loop. Scientifically it begins with brain cells and neurochemicals, and somehow ends magically with imagination and creativity. Eminent McMaster neuroscientist Sandra . . .

October 2, 2000

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/haleyweb.jpg” caption=”Mark Haley”]In his final year of university some 20 years ago, Mark Haley helped Acadia win the national football championship. The former . . .