Daily News

Posted on Oct. 4: Daniel Manrique’s new mural sends a message to all

Mexican muralist Daniel Manrique's message to the world is now on view in the new McMaster University Student Centre. The painting will be officially unveiled today (Oct. 4) at a reception. "There is something idealistic, utopian and romantic about this image," Manrique explains (assisted by translator and McMaster professor emeritus of modern languages John Browning). His message? The natural world is the responsibility of human beings. Just as a mother protects her child, so must we protect the Earth. The artist has been at McMaster for the last three weeks working on a newly commissioned diptych, painted in acrylic, that replaces a painting he created for the University 20 years ago. His new work, titled El Mundo (La Naturaleza) Es Responsabilidad de los Humanos (The Natural World is the Responsibility of Humankind), is displayed on a wall outside the Bookstore where the University Centre and the Bookstore meet.

Posted on Oct. 3: Scholarship offers year-long study in Japan

McMaster's School of Graduate Studies, in conjunction with the Department of Religious Studies, celebrated the establishment of the Buddha Dharma Kyokai Scholarship Fund at a recent event on campus. Established by the Buddha Dharma Kyokai Foundation of Canada, the fund will support Buddhist Studies in Canada, which will enable advanced graduate students at McMaster and other universities to study Buddhism for one year at a university in Japan. The funds for this scholarship will be set up under the auspices of the School of Graduate Studies at McMaster and administered by a committee of scholars from across Canada. "The study of East Asian Buddhism, and in particular Buddhism in Japan, has been a core component since the Department of Religious Studies was established in the 1960s, and one of the founding departments in the discipline in Canada and indeed in North America," said Eileen Schuller, chair of the Department of Religious Studies at McMaster. "One of the distinctive features of our department has been, and is, the commitment to strength in the study of the religions of the East and West within a context of academic research, respect for all religious traditions, and cross-cultural and interdisciplinary study." Photo caption:Pictured at the announcement, in back row, left to right: Neil McMullin, University of Toronto; Yasuo Honjo, director of BDK Canada; Brian Nagata, president BDK USA; Fred L. Hall, dean of Graduate Studies at McMaster; John Scime, Graduate Registrar and Secretary at McMaster; Koichi Shinohard, professor in McMaster's Department of Religious Studies; Jinhua Chen, University of British Columbia. Front row, left to right: Ken Maruyama, former director of BDK Canada; Victor Hori, McGill University; Eileen Schuller, chair, Department of Religious Studies at McMaster; Leslie Kawamura, University of Calgary and Roy Sato, president BDK Canada.

Posted on Oct. 3: Serving the community right

It may only be a day, but it could be the experience of a lifetime. The Experiential Education Initiative within the Faculty of Social Sciences at McMaster University, in partnership with Volunteer Hamilton and supported by the United Way, is organizing an event that can help students make a difference in their community. Mac Serve will offer students the opportunity to spend half a day volunteering in a local community organization and connect this to their academic and personal life. "By participating in Mac Serve, we hope students will learn more about the urgent and pressing needs that exist in the community and will be inspired to get more involved and make a difference," said Kris McCrady, leadership co-ordinator with Experiential Education.

Posted on Oct. 2: John Polkinghorne presents science and theology lectures

A mathematical physicist and Anglican priest renowned for his treatment of theology as a natural science presents two public lectures on campus this week. John Polkinghorne is a Hooker Distinguished Visiting Professor invited by the Faculty of Science to lecture on his studies about the complicated relationship between science and theology. The first lecture is entitled "Belief in God in an age of science" and will be presented Thursday, Oct. 3 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The second lecture, presented in conjunction with the Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation, is called "How will it all end?" and will be presented Friday, Oct. 4 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Both lectures will be held in HSC-1A1 and are open to the public.

Posted on Oct. 2: ‘MESS’ brings together faculty, staff

McMaster isn't messing' around in its effort to bring together faculty and staff. The McMaster Employee Spirit Society (MESS) is offering free tickets to the Oct. 12 Marauders football game to faculty, staff and their families. "The purpose of this is to bring McMaster employees and their families together to the football game, in a way of building "working at McMaster" team spirit and to recognize and thank employees and have fun with colleagues and families," says Anthony Celani, Human Resources officer. The Marauders will take on the University of Toronto Varsity Blues at Les Prince Field at 2 p.m. The initiative includes free refreshments in a tent from 1 to 2 p.m., end-zone patio seating, child-monitoring services and children's programs from 1 to 5 p.m. for ages four and up. Half-time activities include a 60-piece marching band from New Jersey, a 50-50 draw and door prizes. A limited number of complimentary tickets are available. To get game tickets and information sent by mail, you must register by Oct. 4. Employees who register after that date will be able to pick up their tickets and information at the Ivor Wynne Centre Locker Rooms Service Desk. Tickets are limited to a maximum of two adults and two children per family. Registration must identify is minding/activities for children over four years old are needed during the game and if a child has special needs. For more information, or to register online, visit http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/life/index.html or email celania@mcmaster.ca.