Lancers step up to the plate to encourage healthy eating

What’s blue and gold and encourages UWindsor students to eat healthy during exams? Lancer varsity athletes!

When nutritionist Chris Wellington wanted to promote healthy diet choices on video screens at Food Services outlets across campus, she knew just where to turn.

“What sends a better message about eating right than images of our Lancers?” she asked. “They are the embodiment of the healthy balance we hope all our students will strive for.”

Student athletes representing every sport agreed to be the public faces of an educational campaign aimed at encouraging students to replace empty calories with wholesome foods. They posed in uniform with nutritious items from Food Services.

The resulting photos were coupled with Wellington’s messages—promoting proper portion sizes, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy dairy products—and posted to the video displays located right where students will make their purchase decisions.

Food Services department head Dave McEwen says it was great to team up with the Lancers in the effort to help his patrons make better choices at mealtime.

“A healthy diet is part of a healthy lifestyle and we want our students to be in the best possible shape to succeed in their exams,” he says. “I feel this is one of the best marketing pieces to come out of our department, and I really appreciate the work that Christine put into it and the contributions of our Lancer athletes and the public affairs office.”

Very merry awards celebrate service and teaching in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Jennifer Rocheleau, secretary to then history department, made a most deserving recipient of an award recognizing staff service in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, professor Miriam Wright told attendees at the faculty’s end-of-year celebration, Wednesday in Vanier Hall.

“Jennifer has given department heads valued advice and assistance in navigating the sometimes baffling world of university administration,” said Dr. Wright. “She patiently and cheerfully helps faculty members with their research and teaching needs. She offers students a sympathetic ear and practical guidance.”

Wright said Rocheleau’s exemplary service has helped to make the history department a welcoming place for all.

Rocheleau’s award was one of four made Wednesday at the annual event, hosted by acting dean Bob Orr.

The Meritorious Service Award for Full-Time Faculty was presented to Veronika Mogyorody, School of Creative Innovation, in recognition of her contributions to well-designed learning spaces.

The Meritorious Service Award for Part-Time Faculty was given to Simon du Toit, School of Dramatic Art and Department of Communication, Media & Film, acknowledging his reputation as a tireless advocate for students.

Psychology professor Jill Jackson-Singleton received the Kathleen E. McCrone Teaching Award; Dr. McCrone cited her impact in the classroom and her leadership in promoting learning-outcomes based practice.

The event concluded with a reading by associate dean Lionel Walsh of a comic, Newfoundland ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.

— by Autumn Tousignant

Auto industry researchers share economic expertise with Toyota suppliers

An invitation to address a forum for suppliers to the world’s leading automotive assembler points to recognition of the expertise developed at the Odette School of Business in the 12 years since professor Tony Faria created its Office of Automotive and Vehicle Research, says a colleague.

Pete Mateja is co-director of the office with Dr. Faria. The two made a presentation entitled “The Canadian Auto Industry - Economic Outlook” at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada supplier forum, November 30 in Cambridge.

“It is a special occasion to get invited by this wholly owned subsidiary of the world’s largest automaker to present our outlook on the Canadian automotive industry and the economy,” Mateja said. “It means that the Office of Automotive and Vehicle Research has established credibility within the automotive community.”

He said the event gave both professors a chance to meet and speak with representatives of many companies in a full range of manufacturing industries.

“It is also a special recognition of the efforts of Dr. Faria, who created and developed this research centre,” he said.

Changes at the Faculty of Education at the University of Windsor

The University of Windsor announced today that Dr. Clinton Beckford has commenced an administrative Leave and unpaid suspension from his position as Dean of the Faculty of Education.

This will be in effect until June 30, 2014, and is in recognition of an academic integrity breach involving plagiarism.

An acting dean will be appointed in the weeks to come.

Federal government invests in future innovators

Minister Joe Oliver, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced Friday the Canadian government's investment in Carleton University to create internship opportunities and fellowships for graduates and graduate students in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. This investment will also benefit businesses across southern Ontario.

“Our government is committed to achieving continued growth in the science, technology, engineering and math sectors to help grow our economy,” Oliver said. “This investment will help graduates gain the real world experience and business skills they need to become the modern entrepreneurs and industry leaders that take ideas from the drawing board to the marketplace.”

Carleton University is receiving up to $1,430,000 through FedDev Ontario’s Graduate Enterprise Internship initiative, which will be used to place 100 recent graduates and graduate students in small- and medium-sized enterprises and start-up businesses within STEM sectors.

Another contribution of up to $945,000 through FedDev Ontario’s Scientists and Engineers in Business initiative will allow Carleton to partner with the University of Windsor and award commercialization fellowships to STEM graduates and graduate students across southern Ontario. Of the 30 commercialization fellowships to be granted, up to five will go to graduates and graduate students at the University of Windsor.

“We are very grateful to FedDev Ontario for this important investment in education and economic development,” said Carleton University president Roseann O’Reilly Runte. “This funding will contribute to southern Ontario’s economic growth through the support of local enterprises and provide global opportunities for both local business and our students.”

UWindsor president Alan Wildeman also expressed gratitude for the investment.

“We’re pleased to join in this partnership with Carleton and FedDev Ontario to support the prosperity of our economy through our talented students and graduates,” he said.

Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region’s strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The agency has launched a number of initiatives designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region’s businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified.

Organizers issue call for participation in Accessibility Awareness Day

Organizers of Accessibility Awareness Day, March 5 on the University of Windsor campus, have issued a call for proposals inviting presenters to share their expertise and experiences on the theme “Building an Accessible Community.”

The interactive day will provide an opportunity for members of the University community as well as members of the broader Windsor-Essex community to come together to learn about and discuss accessibility initiatives.

Topics to be discussed include:

  • the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and regulations;
  • innovations in assistive technologies;
  • accessible education and Universal Instructional Design;
  • accessible employment practices;
  • web accessibility; and
  • building partnerships in accessibility—both internal and external to organizations.

Learn more on the event’s website.

Faculty association status of women committee collecting for local shelter

The Status of Women, Diversity and Equity Action Committee of the Windsor University Faculty Association is collecting donations for the Well-Come Centre for Human Potential, a shelter for low-income women and their children.

The centre currently needs the following materials:

  • toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, cosmetics, combs, hair ties, etc.);
  • bus tickets, stamps, gift cards (grocery stores, Tim Horton’s, Shoppers, etc.);
  • cleaning supplies, laundry soap, diapers;
  • canned and dry goods for the food bank.

See a wish list on its website. The centre also accepts donations of cash or cheques payable to “Well-Come Centre for Human Potential.”

Materials may be dropped off until December 17 at the faculty association offices at 366 Sunset Avenue.