Another winter has taken hold of McMaster’s campus. The cold and snowy season has us wondering, where are you finding warmth?

Here are some of the sources of light, warmth and joy at McMaster as we gather as a community on campus once again.

Wishing you warm winter wishes, Marauders!

Our furry friends can teach us a lot about joy and warmth.

The dogs of the PAWSS Project, a Faculty of Social Sciences program that brings therapy dogs on campus, share their unconditional love with students adjusting to university life.

As we head back to campus, why not PAWSS for a moment and soak up the warmth of some puppy love?

It’s the season to curl up under a blanket and get cozy by the fire — even if it’s a virtual one, thanks to our friends at the McMaster University Library.

Check out the McMaster Library website for current hours, events, resources and services.

DeGroote School of Business students Matt Milne, Casey Rogan and Matt Carter are working to spread warmth in our community through their business, Toques from the Heart.

They repurpose hockey socks into toques. For every toque sold, they give a toque to someone experiencing homelessness.

The trio is dedicated to reaching their goal of giving out 35,000 toques — the same number of Canadians experiencing homelessness on any given night.

Music and singing will once again be heard on campus. And the artists and performers within the Faculty of Humanities will return to the stage.

Almost 250 McMaster Students perform in the School of the Arts music ensembles every year. Learn more about the Women’s Choir, pictured above, and other music ensembles at McMaster here.

Returning to campus means seeing familiar faces.

Many people at McMaster have taken care of our campus over the last two years. And they will be here to welcome us as we return.

Like Terri, who works at the Tim Hortons in the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC). She says seeing “her lovely students” every morning makes her feel warm inside.

Did you know that cold air makes for clearer nights, and so winter is the best time for stargazing?  Our friends at McMaster’s Planetarium in the Faculty of Science can help make sense of the wondrous beauty that is our night sky. 

The William J. McCallion Planetarium at McMaster was the first planetarium in Ontario which offered shows to the public. Today, the planetarium allows experts to educate others and  and show a visual demonstration of the formation, evolution, structure and nature of the Solar System and the Universe. 

Note: Shows are currently suspended, but stay tuned via the Planetarium website for more details.

Our labs, classrooms and lecture halls play host to students and researchers as they discover the spark of innovation.

Their work helps our world progress and their success benefits us all.

A return to campus brings with it excitement for new experiences and the introduction of new people who will shape our lives.

There is a place for you at McMaster, and people willing to support you on your journey.

Our warm winter wish is that you reach out and get involved in campus life and experience the warmth of all that university has to offer. Learn more about McMaster Student Union (MSU) clubs here.

From caring for community members in hospital to lending a hand with mass vaccination clinics, McMaster nursing students are a part of a vital front-line community.