Daily News

Posted on Sept. 11: McMaster remembers Sept. 11

As the world reflects today on the terrorist attacks on the United States, so will McMaster. A commemorative service, called "Roses Among the Stones" brought together faculty, staff and students on the steps of Gilmour Hall today. The service, which celebrates non-violence, is a garden ceremony held annually for Anti-Violence Month. This year, McMaster's Anti-Violence Network (AVN) chose to hold the event on the anniversary of Sept. 11, says Carol Wood, ecumenical chaplain in McMaster's Chaplaincy Centre. "The non-violence service has been happening for a number of years but this year we wanted to do something special for Sept. 11, but also remember that non-violence is an issue that people face every year," she says. "Following Sept. 11, the media bombarded us with images and many of them were quite shocking. We need a place where we can acknowledge that collective grief." The fifth annual garden ceremony began on the steps of Gilmour Hall at 12:30 p.m. and moved to the garden in front of University Hall. Speakers included McMaster President Peter George, Evan Mackintosh, president of McMaster's students union, and Priscilla de Villiers, the mother of murdered McMaster student Nina de Villiers.

Posted on Sept. 10: McMaster gets a taste of Spain

'Toledan Exchange', an international exhibition now on in the completely refurbished New Space (Togo Salmon Hall 114) brings a taste of Spain to Hamilton, featuring work by School of the Arts professors Judy Major-Girardin and Graham Todd, fellow Canadian Lorraine Samuel, and Spanish artisits Pablo Sanguino and Ma Deva Sufi. Spain's important ceramic tradition is at the heart of the show. The artists have introduced new shapes, outside influences (like Japanase raku), and the latest technology to create a vibrant visual experience. "Commercial ceramic factories in Spain have a long history of allowing artists to use their facilities," says Todd, who created many of his own pieces in one such factory just outside Toledo. His work, along with that of Samuel, Sanguino and Sufi, was the basis of the original exhibition which showed at major ceramic museums in Toledo and Talavera de la Reina late last year. At McMaster, they are joined by Judy Major-Girardin, who travelled to Spain this spring and found inspiration for her exhilarating mixed media works in the geometric patterns of the Arab mosaics of Cordoba, Toledo, and Malaga. Toledan Exchange' can seen at the New Space (TSH 114), Tuesday to Friday, 12 to 4 p.m. Photo caption: Graham Todd and Judy Major-Girardin with their ceramic work.

Posted on Sept. 10: McMaster

Members of the Bay Area Leadership will be hosted at McMaster today (Sept. 10) for a day-long workshop designed to focus on Positioning the Community'. The Bay Area Leadership program involves approximately 30 representatives of private and public sector organizations from Burlington and Hamilton. It's an innovative initiative to inform, motivate and mentor its participants in developing leadership skills. A number of community organizations have helped host monthly workshop to discuss issues and share various areas of expertise in an effort to develop and encourage leadership and a stronger community. This month it's McMaster's turn.

Posted on Sept. 9: Pat Quinn kicks off alumni luncheon series

Pat Quinn, head coach of Canada's gold medal winning men's ice hockey for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, and general manager and head coach of The Toronto Maple Leafs, will open McMaster's fall luncheon series Thursday. McMaster alumni are invited to go one-on-one with Quinn as he talks on his career, his Olympic memories and the drive to bring the Stanley Cup back to Toronto. Steve Milton, sports writer for the Hamilton Spectator will facilitate the interview session with Quinn. The event will be held at the Hamilton Convention Centre, Chedoke Room and begins at 12:15 p.m. with a reception, followed by a lunch at 12:45 p.m. Suggested questions for the Pat Quinn luncheon should be forwarded to alumni@mcmaster.ca and indicate in the subject line Pat Quinn Luncheon Questions or fax to 905-524-1733. The MAC (McMaster Alumni Community) Committee will review the submissions. The MAC Luncheon Series has developed into one of the McMaster Alumni Association's marquee events, attracting business and community leaders as well as alumni and friends of the University with its attention to topical issues presented by high calibre speakers. The committee is expanding the series to include a dinner event to be held at the University. In addition to the Pat Quinn luncheon, the series fall line-up includes: Oct. 2 -- Ajon Moriyama, partner, Moriyama & Teshima Architects and designer of the McMaster University Student Centre, discussing the process behind designing a building that will become the focal point of an already developed campus. Oct. 22 -- Paul E. Kenyon, co-chair, Commercial Production Association of Toronto and president, Absolute Location Support Services discusses Hollywood North: Fact or Fiction. Nov. 7 -- Kevin Smith, president and chief executive officer, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton will take a look into the future of healthcare as he discusses new technologies, disease trends, the impact of gene research as well as other important issues. For more information on the series, to suggest a future speaker or for ticket information call 905-525-9140 ext. 23900, alumni@mcmaster.ca or visit www.mcmaster.ca/ua

Posted on Sept. 9: Researchers research resources, results

Those seeking information on research funding should make a point of stopping by the new University Student Centre Tuesday. McMaster's Office of Research Services is hosting a Research, Resources and Results Fair on Sept. 10 in the student centre market place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thirteen research sponsors, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Ontario Centres of Excellence -- Centre for Research in Earth and Space Technology and Ontario Innovation Trust will be on hand to answer questions and provide students and faculty with research material and information. "Faculty can expose themselves to potential funding opportunities at the research fair," says Emmi Morwald, director of research services. "Students can also talk to sponsors who might have opportunities for them when they graduate." The fair will expose faculty to potential funding opportunities they may not otherwise have pursued, adds Donna Burns, assistant director of grants, in the Office of Research Servives. "It will also provide a forum for them to obtain information about funding opportunities, guidelines for applications and meet representatives of the sponsoring agencies." The fair also benefits sponsors, she adds. "It gives sponsors an opportunity to advertise their funding programs and network directly with faculty and the University's administrators," she says.