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Posted on Nov. 6: Distinguished McMaster alumni honoured at Fall Convocation

These awards are made to McMaster alumni who have distinguished themselves through outstanding scholarship, research, creative contributions to the arts or sciences, or service to society. Martin Green Martin Green is Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia, and research director of Pacific Solar Pty. Ltd, a firm established to commercialize the university's polycrystalline silicon thin-film solar cell technology. An expert in the area of photovoltaics and the utilization of solar energy, Green received his doctorate in electrical engineering from McMaster University in 1974. His bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering were obtained from the University of Queensland in 1970 and 1971. The process whereby sunlight is converted to electricity using solar cells is called photovoltaics. His fundamental work in this field identified the factors that limit silicon solar cell performance. Since then, the work of his research group has improved the performance of silicon solar cells by over 50 per cent. Green has invented or co-invented (with former student Stuart Wenham), seven distinct cell technologies over the past 15 years and these solar cells have held the world efficiency record for converting sunlight into electricity for more than a decade. He is the author of a popular textbook on solar cells and founding director of the Photovoltaics Special Research Centre. Green's work has been recognized internationally with the 1990 William R. Cherry Award, the 1995 J.J. Ebers Award and the 1999 Australia Prize. The World Renewable Energy Network Congress awarded him the 2000 Millennium Award for outstanding scientist in his field. Last year Green received the Humboldt Foundation Research Award for his lifetime achievements in science. Kevin Lynch During his more than 20-year career with Canada's public service, Kevin Lynch has worked in a number of key economic departments and agencies, most notably and recently as deputy minister of the Department of Finance. Born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Lynch received his BA in economics from Mount Allison University, his master's degree from the University of Manchester and his PhD in economics from McMaster University. He began his career in 1976 with the Bank of Canada and joined the finance department within five years, becoming the youngest director in the history of the department. Before being named federal deputy minister of finance in 2000, Lynch held such senior positions as assistant deputy minister, international trade and finance; assistant deputy minister, fiscal policy; and senior assistant deputy minister of finance. He is former deputy minister of industry (1995-2000) and in this capacity also served as director of the Business Development Bank of Canada. He is a former secretary to the Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Science and Technology. Earlier this year, Maclean's magazine named Lynch among its 50 "most influential Canadians." He is credited with shifting the department's focus from fundamentals to new departures. Lynch leads the civil service in tackling such major economic issues as an aging population and coping with growing income inequality. He has shown both an ability to make bold decisions and a balanced approach.

Posted on Nov. 6: McMaster launches United Way campaign

The McMaster University Student Centre was a popular place today (Wednesday, Nov. 6) with the launch of McMaster's United Way campaign and the distribution of Noam Chomsky tickets. McMaster's United Way campaign, which runs until Nov. 29, aims to raise $165,000 for charities such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, Halton Multicultural Council, Sexual Assault Centre and YMCA. Pictured at the launch, from left, are McMaster's United Way campaign co-chairs Dorothy Pawluch, professor of sociology and Mary Lynn Taylor, administrative secretary in Human Resources, Health Sciences; Winston Tinglin, CEO of United Way of Burlington, Hamilton-Wentworth; Janyce Robinson, acting campaign director of United Way of Burlington, Hamilton-Wentworth; Peter George, McMaster President; Tina Horton, McMaster United Way Organizing Committee and program co-ordinator in the Registrar's Office; and Yosh Kitamura, lead hand in the sciences and engineering machine shop. Faculty, staff and students also were lined up for tickets at the Compass Information Centre to see Noam Chomsky, who will speak at McMaster on Nov. 12, as a Hooker Distinguished Visiting Professor. This lecture is sponsored by the Centre for Peace Studies, the Department of Labour Studies and the Russell Centre, McMaster University. The lecture will be at 8:30 p.m. in the Burridge Gymnasium, Ivor Wynne Centre, McMaster University. Click here for a profile on the lecture.

Posted on Nov. 5: Theatre & Film Studies presents John Mighton’s Possible Worlds

McMaster's new Theatre & Film Studies program presents John Mighton's Possible Worlds, a science fiction/murder mystery about a killer who steals his victims' brains. The McMaster alumnus' play involves 45 McMaster students, including 30 students who are earning academic credit for their work on the show. The team is guided by professionals including director Paul Rivers, lighting and set designer Taras Cymbalisty, costume designer Jane Mallory and sound designer Ranil Sonnadara. Click here for a recent story about the production in The Hamilton Spectator. Mighton completed a Master's degree in Philosophy at McMaster University and is currently completing a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Toronto. He also wrote the screenplay for a recent film adaptation of Possible Worlds and won Governor General's Literary Award for Drama in 1992, for the Playwrights Canada Press publication of Possible Worlds. Mighton consulted on the mathematical models for Good Will Hunting, in which he acted a small role as a graduate student in mathematics. The play will take place in Robinson Memorial Theatre, Chester New Hall, Room 103. Performances will be held Nov. 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m., with a special 7 p.m. performance and panel discussion on Nov. 19. The special performance will be followed by a round table panel discussion featuring distinguished academics from across campus. The panel will address various philosophical and ethical issues raised by the play, including the role that theatre can play in providing a forum for such topics. The audience will be invited to ask questions and join in the discussion. Tickets for the show are $15 for adults and $10 for students/seniors and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 905-525-9140 ext. 27056. Click here for a recent story in The Hamilton Spectator.

Posted on Nov. 5: Board of Governors meeting highlights

Highlights from the Oct. 31 Board of Governors meeting Health Sciences budget increases $10.5M Design changes to McMaster's Health Sciences expansion will require an additional $10.5 million, bringing the project to $71 million. Approved by McMaster's Board of Governors, the changes will accommodate additional classroom seating on the first and third level of the building to meet projected increased student numbers. As a result, level one will now accommodate 1,700 seats, instead of 800 planned in the initial project design. There is also an expansion to the classrooms on level three for the health sciences educational programs. Funding sources will include $4 million in SuperBuild funds, $16.6 million in research funding, $8.7 million from the Hamilton Health Sciences Hospital contribution and $41.7 from the University. The five-storey building will be constructed on the north of the existing east wing of the McMaster University Medical Centre and east of the Life Sciences Building. The building will house lecture theatres, hospital space, educational program space and research space and laboratories. Parking structure on hold McMaster's Board of Governors has put the brakes on plans for a parking garage. But the project will be put back into drive once the Planning and Building Committee examines other options for the structure planned for Zone 3 by Cootes Paradise. In May, the committee considered changes to the proposed five-level parking structure in order to make it less obtrusive. As a result, the cost for the structure has risen to $11.5 million from $9 million. These changes included a realignment of the structure into a lazy l' shape to follow the curve of Cootes Drive. The addition of a curtain wall consisting of glazing to improve the exterior appearance and improvements to the site landscaping to minimize the exposure along Cootes Drive were also approved. Commonwealth Games site visit McMaster is a key partner in a bid by Hamilton to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games. If successful, the games, scheduled for July 15 to 25, 2010, would bring new facilities to the University, including a new aquatic centre, stadium and multi-sportsplex. McMaster would also host the Athletes Village. The Commonwealth Games Federation will make a site visit to McMaster on Dec. 14, and will announce its decision on Dec. 16. If Hamilton is chosen as the Canadian site, it will go up against international bidders in New Delhi and Singapore, says President George. The next Games will be held in Melbourne, Australia in 2006. The Commonwealth Games Foundation's selection of the host country for the Games will be announced Nov. 3, 2003.

Posted on Nov. 5: United Way symbol says it all

A caring hand outstretched. A rainbow representing hope for a brighter tomorrow. And at the heart of it, a universal symbol of humankind. "For me, the United Way symbol says it all," says Dorothy Pawluch, professor of sociology and McMaster's United Way campaign co-chair. "It's all about being there for each other, caring for each other. We all benefit from living in a world where that happens." McMaster's 2002 United Way campaign kicks off Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 12 to 1 p.m. in the atrium of the MUSC. McMaster President Peter George, United Way representatives, this year's co-chairs and others involved in the campaign will attend. "It is our way of thanking the McMaster community for their many years of support for the United Way and also a celebration of the United Way's 75th anniversary," says Pawluch. The campaign will run November 4 to 29 and the goal of the campaign is $165,000.

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Posted on Nov. 6: Distinguished McMaster alumni honoured at Fall Convocation

Posted on Nov. 6: McMaster launches United Way campaign

Posted on Nov. 5: Theatre & Film Studies presents John Mighton’s Possible Worlds

Posted on Nov. 5: Board of Governors meeting highlights

Posted on Nov. 5: United Way symbol says it all

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