Daily News

posted May 22: Working at McMaster

More than 200 members of the University gathered in the foyer of the University Centre on Tuesday to celebrate the ways in which the University and staff are improving the workplace at McMaster. The Working at McMaster Achievement Fair was sponsored and organized by staff, mentors and facilitators who have been involved in implementing many of the recommendations that resulted from a staff survey and follow-up project. The event provided an opportunity for all involved in the process over the last two years to share and celebrate their experiences and inform other members of the community, including representatives from campus employee groups, supervisors and senior administrators, of the progress on the recommendations made by staff following the 1998 survey. In 2000, the University took up the challenge of responding to the survey by instituting the Staff Survey Follow-up Project, a plan to develop and implement recommendations flowing from the study results. In 2001, the concept of Working at McMaster was developed by an employee team as a vehicle to carry forward the spirit of the staff survey, for the long term. At the Achievement Fair, five active Working at McMaster task teams informed the community of what the follow-up has accomplished. Along with a general information table entitled "Staff Survey: Progress", displays set up featured specific projects that are under way as a result of the survey: employee lounges, Perspectives (an electronic, by employees-for-employees newsletter), career planning and development, and core competencies for McMaster's managers and leaders. The main feature of the Achievement Fair was the launch of the Working At McMaster Web site. The brainchild of the career planning and development task team, the site is service-driven and employee-oriented. Team members include Tina Horton (chair), Grazyna Ziolkowski, Delia Hutchinson, Barb MacDonald, Janet Walsh, Marvin Gunderman, David Lawson, and Cate Walker-Hammond.

posted on May 17: Celebrating 30 years of innovation in the health sciences

First Convocation and then an anniversary. There is much to appreciate in the Faculty of Health Sciences in the month of May. The 30th anniversary of the Health Sciences Centre, which opened in May 1972, provides an opportunity for us to celebrate both the innovation in the design of this facility and the innovative spirit and workings within it. When it opened its doors in 1972, McMaster's Health Sciences Centre "reduced architects' offices everywhere to a hush of awed admiration," noted Canadian Architect last year. Thirty years later, its design and architecture persist as the hallmark of the centre's education and health care. The "hush of awed admiration" lives on today in the successes and achievements of the many talented and accomplished individuals who have studied and worked in this building over the past three decades. The Health Sciences Centre has been the home of many firsts, reflective of innovative trends and advances in our approach towards learning and the provision of health care. The opening of the building in May 1972 occurred simultaneously with the creation of our medical school and its new curriculum, a curriculum without lectures and exams. Our first health sciences dean, John Evans, willingly undertook the development of a new system of education and his efforts resulted in an entire faculty devoted to the principles of problem-based and self-directed learning which other universities, such as Harvard, have followed. Some highlights since the building's opening: 7 In 1985, Guy Martel, the head of prosthetics and orthotics at Chedoke-McMaster, followed through on Terry Fox's idea of creating an artificial leg which allowed running with a normal gait. 7 Fraser Mustard, the second dean and another innovator, discovered through medical research that aspirin can prevent heart attacks. He updated the medical school to serve as a model to other universities and to stimulate further advancement in PBL. 7 Jack Hirsh's research achievements include pioneering work in investigating the problems associated with thrombosis and vascular disease and improving the safety of oral anticoagulant therapy. 7 James Orbinski, a 1989 of McMaster's medical school, became a founding member of Midecins Sans Frontihres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Canada with fellow McMaster graduate Dr. Richard Heinzl. In 1999, Orbinski accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of MSF. These brief snapshots represent a small sampling of the long list of accomplished people associated with the Health Sciences Centre's education, research and health care services. Many contribute to the innovative building of our centre, each adding to our image as a resourceful, imaginative, creative and inventive institution, building the reputation of innovator. Thirty years of innovative building celebrates the people of the Health Sciences Centre, past, present and future, as well as the structure. Note: An exhibit is on view in the Health Sciences Centre lobby (Main St. entrance) until the end of May. To view a related story on the 30th anniversary of the Health Sciences Library click here

posted on May 17: Health Sciences graduates honoured this afternoon

Graduands, honorary degree recipients and two winners of this year's President's awards will be recognized this afternoon at the Faculty of Health Sciences Convocation at the Great Hall, Hamilton Place. The commitment and hard work of 298 health sciences students will be recognized with the awarding of the following degrees and diplomas: doctor of philosophy (2), master of science (18), doctor of medicine (101), bachelor of health sciences midwifery (16), bachelor of science nursing (129), graduate diploma in advanced neonatal nursing (1), diploma in occupational health and safety (15), diploma in child life studies (9), diploma in environmental health (7). Health sciences professors emeritii Susan French (nursing) and Arnold Johnson(CE&B) will receive honorary doctor of science degrees for their contributions to health sciences education. French will give the Convocation address. And two women in the Faculty, nursing student Mary-Melinda Gillies and professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences Priyanthy Weerasekera will be recognized with President's awards. Gillies will receive an award for student leadership while Weerasekera will receive an award for excellence in course or resources design. The valedictory address will be given by Michelle Violette. For biographical information about the award winners and honorary degree recipients select "read more."

posted on May 17: Pianists vie for prestigious award

This Saturday 12 fine young performers will have the chance to try out the University's new world-class Steinway grand piano in Convocation Hall. They will be competing for the Reginald Bedford Award for Excellence in Piano Playing, one of the School of the Arts' most prestigious awards. The Reginald Bedford Awards have been made possible by a generous bequest from Mrs. Evelyn Bedford in memory of her late husband. It was felt that this was the most appropriate way to honour the career of one whose entire professional life was bound up with the piano, both as a teacher and as a performer. The competition is open to both in-course and incoming students, and in addition to a medal, the winner receives up to $2500. This amount can be divided between two competitors. Last year's winners were Eva Ng (first place winner, $1500), then in Level III Music, and John Kirstein (second-place winner, $1000) who entered Level I Music in September. This year the competition has attracted a remarkable field of 12 competitors, twice the usual number of participants, and the public is cordially invited to attend what promises to be a wonderful feast of music. The Reginald Bedford Award for Excellence in Piano Playing 2002 takes place 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, in Convocation Hall. (End of story)

posted on May 21: McMaster’s McWork Program blooms

In just five short years, McMaster's McWork Program has more than quadrupled the number of students that it helps to find summer jobs on campus. The summer work-study program for qualified students was created in 1997 through a partnership between the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and McMaster University. Today it is one of the largest summer work-study programs in Ontario. "At the start, there weren't very many jobs on campus for students. There were about 80. It was very limited," states Jill Davren, a financial aid adviser with the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships and the program's co-ordinator. Students must demonstrate financial need in order to be considered for the program. In 2001, 601 students applied to the program and 488 were approved -- an 81 per cent approval rate. This summer, there are 378 McWork jobs on campus and 90 per cent are full-time. Students are employed on campus throughout the summer. Davren explains the large volume of summer jobs for students. "We felt the best way to spend our money is in the summer. During the year, we have Ontario Work Study and other programs to assist students." While the Library, athletics & recreation, and physical plant are the biggest employers, jobs range from office duties to lawn care to research assistants.