Daily News

posted on Nov. 6: Grade 9 students visit McMaster Nov. 7 – Take A Child To Work Day

Number-crunching and spreedsheets may figure into 13-year-old Alex Paskevicius' schedule on Wednesday. That's when his father, Al, who manages McMaster's utilities services for physical plant, will be wrapping up his budget for the next year. "I've got to complete my budgets on Wednesday so he may get a crack at using Excel. He's taught me a few things when it comes to computers," chuckles the elder Paskevicius. A tour of McMaster's boiler room and accompanying dad to meetings about the central utilities expansion plans are also planned for young Alex. A Grade 9 student at St. Mary's high school, Alex will be among the 50 such students from area schools who'll be accompanying their parents to work at McMaster on Wednesday as participants in the annual "Take A Child To Work" program. A number of activities are being planned to make the students' visits memorable: A welcome reception/luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to noon in the mezzanine of the Ivor Wynne Centre. Pizza and pop will be provided. University President Peter George will address the group at 11:15 a.m. The students will also have an opportunity to find out more about McMaster and to participate in a short fitness activity at 11:30 a.m.

Shigeaki Hinohara, Doctor of Science

An internist and educator, Shigeaki Hinohara has devoted more than 60 years to medicine and medical science in his home country of Japan and internationally. He has developed and maintained a lifelong affiliation with St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, both as a former president and as the current chair of the board. Hinohara received his MD degree from Kyoto University Medical School in 1938. He earned his PhD for his study on the atrial heart sounds detected through the esophagus by using a tiny microphone. He joined the medical staff at St. Luke's International Hospital in 1941. In 1951, he became chief physician of the department of internal medicine, a position he held for 25 years. During this period in his career, Hinohara's medical interests were in the fields of cardiology, psychosomatic medicine, electrolyte metabolism, and preventive medicine. Hinohara has written extensively about the life and works of Sir William Osler. He is the president of the Japan Osler Society and an honorary member of both the American Osler Society and the Osler Club of London. Hinohara has visited McMaster University on several occasions, lecturing and leading discussions on various topics. Honorary degrees are awarded to persons who are distinguished scholars or who have made outstanding contributions to the creative or performing arts; to persons who have distinguished reputations in the area of public service or who have had long and distinguished careers; or to persons who have made noteworthy contributions to McMaster and/or the local community.

Walter Gretzky, Doctor of Laws

Walter Gretzky grew up in Canning, Ontario, near Paris. After completing high school, he began working with Bell Canada, where he worked for 34 years before retiring. Gretzky is active with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, raising funds for them and for the Wayne & Walter Scholarship Fund for first-year university students who are visually impaired. He is also a founder of SCORE (Summer Computer Opportunities in Recreation and Education), a summer camp that teaches visually impaired young people how to work with the latest technology. A stroke survivor, Gretzky is a spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Gretzky has received many honours, including Brantford's Citizen of the Year in 1996 and the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada. He was also inducted into Brantford's "Walk of Fame." He has also published two successful books: From the Backyard Rink to the Stanley Cup and Walter Gretzky: On Family, Hockey and Healing. Honorary degrees are awarded to persons who are distinguished scholars or who have made outstanding contributions to the creative or performing arts; to persons who have distinguished reputations in the area of public service or who have had long and distinguished careers; or to persons who have made noteworthy contributions to McMaster and/or the local community.