Daily News

Posted on Dec. 17: Furniture standardization program a first in Ontario

McMaster has once again assumed the role pioneer'. The University is the first in Ontario to administer a furniture standardization program, where all furniture purchased for McMaster will be dealt with through one central dealer. All furniture - such as seating, lab items, desks, but excluding classroom seating will be purchased through Lordly Jones, a local dealer that will purchase furniture from manufacturers in Canada and deliver items to McMaster at a reduced cost. "The University has grown significantly over the past number of years and will continue to grow," says Terry Galan, director of Purchasing Resources. One of the new buildings that will require furniture is the Centre for Learning and Discovery.

Posted on Dec. 17: McMaster University receives Canada’s largest cash gift

Canadian businessman and philanthropist Michael G. DeGroote has given $105 million to McMaster University in an unprecedented display of generosity. McMaster's medical school will be the beneficiary of the largest single cash gift in Canadian history. In tribute, the School of Medicine will now be known as the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University, the first Canadian medical school to bear the name of a benefactor. DeGroote, formerly of the Hamilton area but now residing in Bermuda, said that his nearly 20-year friendship with the University reflects his belief in and support of McMaster's vision and its commitment to quality education and outstanding research. Earlier gifts have benefited the business school, the McMaster Museum of Art, epilepsy research, literary criticism and the new student centre. "This gift is intended to support health care research and education," said DeGroote. "Health and health care are clearly the most prominent concerns for Canadians. I am investing in new discoveries in health care and in the delivery of health care. The dividends of that investment will not only impact our community, but others around the world. I am confident of McMaster's ability to maximize the impact of this gift so that its net effect will have far-reaching benefits." A noted entrepreneur, DeGroote purchased and grew Laidlaw Transport Ltd., a company that became the largest school bus operator and third largest waste management company in North America before it was sold in 1988. DeGroote's business ventures have included U.S. companies such as Republic Industries, AutoNation Inc., Century Business Services, Capital Environmental Resource Inc., and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. McMaster University President Peter George said he is honoured by DeGroote's endorsement and support for the University. "This is an historic gift," he said. "It is not only a landmark for McMaster and the Hamilton community, but for all of Canada. I am profoundly grateful for this magnificent investment in our work and vision. Be assured that we at McMaster take seriously the great responsibility to ensure that we continue to advance our standard of excellence in education, research and innovation." John Kelton, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences, said the gift allows the University to take immediate steps in furthering a bold and ground-breaking vision for the School of Medicine. "The DeGroote family will be proud of the impact this gift will have and will know that they will make many critically important initiatives possible," he said. He said the $105 million donation will be divided between a $64 million endowment fund, supporting education, health care and medical research in perpetuity and a $41 million capital fund directed to construction and outfitting of laboratories and hospital units.

Posted on Dec. 15: The delicate art of dancing with porcupines

Developing closer relationships with decision makers can be a balancing act for researchers who need to maintain their ability to conduct independent, rigorous and critical analysis, according to health economist Steve Morgan. By improving the exchange of knowledge between researchers and decision makers, he says this will contribute to better, more relevant research. Morgan will explore pharmaceutical policy issues, by looking at British Columbia's new PharmaCare Policy, at a seminar at McMaster University. The talk, entitled "The Delicate Art of Dancing with Porcupines: Learning to Appreciate the Finer Points of BC PharmaCare Policy", will take place Wednesday, Dec. 17 in the Health Sciences Centre, Rm. 3N5B from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.