Daily News

Posted on March 19: Colloquium celebrates gift to Canadian history

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.

Posted on March 19: Peer helpers honoured for making a difference

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."

Posted on March 19: Students reach out and open their hearts

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.

Posted on March 18: Hamilton area foodbanks benefit from McMaster community

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."