Sixty University of Windsor biology students set a biodiversity record during a class field expedition on Saturday, September 29.

Students in professor Dan Mennill’s ornithology class observed 64 different species of birds on their day-long trip to Point Pelee National Park and Holiday Beach Conservation Area.

“This is the eighth year that I’ve taught this course,” explained Dr. Mennill, “and we’ve seen anywhere from 38 to 59 species during a full day of birdwatching. But we’ve never broken the barrier of 60 species.”

He suggested that the day’s big count could be attributed to a highly observant group of students and to cooperative weather: “The low clouds and fog on Friday night held a lot of migrating birds back, and these eagle-eyed students were ready to spot them.”

Mennill called Essex County “a biodiversity hotspot.”

“It is so exciting to see this many species of birds during a day-long field trip, and for the students to learn migration biology and field skills close to campus,” he said.

One of the great sights of the day was a juvenile green heron spotted by the students in the marsh at Point Pelee.

“I thought the coolest bird we saw was the green heron,” said Amanda Mamo, a fourth-year biology student. “It was so well camouflaged in its environment.”

Her classmate Angela Demarse was excited to see a little gull, a species observed at Point Pelee only once or twice each year.

“We caught a glimpse of a rare species, the little gull,” she said. “This is the smallest species of gull on Earth!”

After a morning of watching migratory birds in Point Pelee National Park, the ornithologists moved to the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory, learning about hawk and songbird census techniques.

Third-year biology student Matt Watson said he was interested to learn the procedure used for the fall hawk migration count.

And Mamo added: “I thought it was really interesting to see how they caught raptors with mist nets.”

See photos of the students in action on Mennill’s Web page.

Eyes on the skies: UWindsor biology students set a birdwatching record during a field expedition to local migration hotspots on Saturday. Click on image for full-size photo.

Her brother Kevin survived cancer but was ultimately killed by side effects of its treatment, says Kate Couvillon. That’s why she welcomes research into alternatives to chemotherapy, like the work on dandelion root extract conducted in the lab of UWindsor professor Siyaram Pandey.

“I think it’s good that people reach out in support of efforts like this,” she said September 20, as the Pajama Angels made a $10,000 donation to the Kevin Couvillon Research Project.

The charity’s co-founder, Darlene Szecsei-Albano, said the funds were raised by the Yoga 4 Hope event, August 25 at LaSalle’s Vollmer Complex. She and her sister Judith Szecsei-Beale started the Pajama Angels in the hopes of making a difference for people with cancer or chronic diseases.

“We wanted to focus on integrative health initiatives,” said Szecsei-Albano. “So dandelion root extract just sang to us. The idea of bringing this treatment to the mainstream is really intriguing.”

At the September 20 cheque presentation, dean of science Marlys Koschinsky said partnerships with community organizations help to propel research.

“It takes everyone working together,” she said. “We must use all the talents we have to make a difference in the community and to the world we live in.”

Learn more about the Pajama Angels organization.

UWindsor students are enjoying a better user experience with the new UWinGmail service, commending the accessibility and storage capabilities of their new e-mail accounts.

“I was excited to change over to Gmail,” says Roxanne Adekunle-Wright, a third-year communication studies major. “It is more advanced and I have better accessibility on my iPhone.”

The move to this Internet service, referred to as cloud computing, means cost savings in a number of areas, including hardware to offer the service, licensing costs for the application and virus protection, and deferred costs for disk space.

“Merging with Gmail has allowed us to expand and offer more efficient services at a lower cost,” says Emily John, student employee at the IT Client Support HelpDesk. “Students gain access to more storage and services such as calendaring, Google talk and Google Drive.”

The migration to UWinGmail, which began this July, involves a three-step process. Students receive and respond to an “Invitation to Migrate” in their UWindsor inbox. IT Services then activates the account, helping with phone configuration as data migration is in progress. Once the migration is complete, students are notified to ensure that all files are intact. The old account is removed 21 days after the process is completed.

The deadline for student account migration is October 5. To learn more about the migration process, visit its page on the IT Services Web site.

— article and photo by Chantelle Myers

Suzanne Anker, chair of the Fine Arts Department at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, will discuss the interweaving of traditional and experimental media in her free public lecture, “Between Awe and Artifice: Welcome to Wonderland,” on Thursday, October 4, at 7 p.m. in Assumption University’s Freed Orman Centre.

Anker is a visual artist and theorist working in a variety of media, including digital sculpture, installation, large-scale photography and plants grown by LED lights. Her books include The Molecular Gaze: Art in the Genetic Age and Visual Culture and Bioscience.

The Humanities Research Group presents the lecture as part of its Distinguished Speakers Series and will sponsor a reception to follow.

A free public reception Friday will celebrate the Art + Life student exhibition on view now in the SoVA Projects Gallery, LeBel Building.

The participating artists include Kacie Auffrett, Bryce Clark, Lauren Divito, Erica Douglas, Cole Fortier, Jessica Howick, Amanda Laflamme, Brandon Lemire, Natalie Nadeau, Tina Suntres and Amanda White.

The closing reception will give patrons a chance to meet with the artists and starts at 2 p.m. Friday, October 5.

The University of Windsor will be well-represented at BookFest Windsor, October 25 to 27 at the Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre.

Members of the UWindsor faculty will join a number of alumni for the event, a celebration of the literary arts that will feature workshops and discussion, readings of poetry and prose, book signings and socials.

Among the professors—both past and present—who have committed to appear are Marty Gervais, Susan Gold, Karl Jirgens, Martha Lee, Nicole Markotić, Eugene McNamara and Stephen Pender.

Find a full schedule of events, a complete list of attending authors, and details on ticket purchase on the festival’s Web site.

Sean Moriarty, acting executive director of Information Technology Services, is the featured speaker at a session for part-time students on Wednesday, October 10.

Moriarty will discuss the transfer of student e-mail to the UWin Gmail system, the MyUWindsor portal, the CLEW learning management system and will answer questions.

The event, sponsored by the Organization of Part-time University Students, also promises free food and drinks, as well as a cash draw. It will begin at 5 p.m. in the OPUS Lounge, room 172, CAW Student Centre. RSVP by Friday, October 5, to opus@uwindsor.ca or 519-971-3603.

Learn more on the organization’s Web site.

Tom Wright, director of Canadian operations for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, will discuss what it takes to build a global sports brand and business during the next instalment of the Odette School of Business Breakfast with Champions speaker series, Thursday, October 11.

In his work developing the sport across Canada, Wright focuses on relations with all levels of government and building broadcast and sponsorship opportunities. Since opening its office in 2010, Wright and his team have succeeded in securing the sanctioning of the sport of mixed martial arts in Ontario, while also establishing long-term broadcast agreements with Rogers Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

The October 11 event is set for the Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue at Tecumseh Road. It will begin with a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m., follow with the presentation and discussion at 8 a.m., and conclude by 9 a.m.

The Breakfast with Champions speaker series is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. RSVP by October 10 on a first-come, first-served basis to Barbara Barone at 519-971-3678 or e-mail bbarone@uwindsor.ca.

The Women’s Campus Safety Grant Committee is seeking applications for funding for initiatives to promote safety for women on campus.

A presidential standing committee established to address women’s safety issues on campus, it invites creative, innovative proposals from members of the university community, including individuals or groups, faculty, staff and students. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has funded the grant since 1991.

Submissions are required to support one of the following broad categories/objectives:

• facilities and equipment (lighting, mirrors, security cameras)
• public education (workshops, flyers)
• activity support (T-shirts or jackets for campus-walk programs, resource materials, programs)

Applications for funding requests are available at the Office of Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility at www.uwindsor.ca/ohrea/ohreaforms, via e-mail at ohrea@uwindsor.ca or by phone at 519-253-3000, ext. 2056. The deadlines for submissions are October 31 and January 31.

Campus flags will be lowered Wednesday, October 3, in memory of retired biology professor Leslie Sabina, who died September 28. Dr. Sabina joined the UWindsor faculty in 1965 and retired in 1994.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 4. See his obituary for details.