Nothing captures memories like a photograph, and UWindsor staff have been documenting a celebration worth remembering—the University’s 2016 Spring Convocation. View a photo album on the University’s Facebook page with images of celebrants, honourees, family and guests. More images will be added in the days to come.

The live webcast of the ceremonies produced by Information Technology Services is available on the Convocation website.

Convocation service offers onsite diploma framing

Volunteers from the University of Windsor Alumni Association are welcoming new graduates to the fold during this week’s Convocation ceremonies by framing diplomas—for a fee—before and after each session at the St. Denis Centre.

The association’s booth, located at the north end of the fieldhouse, provides while-you-wait framing service. Graduates not able to attend Convocation can purchase a frame throughout the year using the online form on the alumni website.

Fedela Falkner and Sherry Ketterer of the alumni office show off one of the variety of diploma frames available during Convocation.

Working with clients at Legal Assistance of Windsor has been one of the formative experiences in her education, says Emilia Coto.

“What I really enjoyed was my exposure to clients,” says Coto, who will receive her law degree during Convocation ceremonies Friday. “It’s a unique opportunity because you’re working with people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to legal services.”

She says that presenting in front of tribunals dealing with landlord and tenant disputes, compensation for crime victims, and social assistance, has given her valuable experience that will be applicable in her professional career.

Her work with LAW earned her the $1,000 Avril A. Farlam Advocacy Award from the Women’s Law Association of Ontario. The award recognizes outstanding participation in the legal clinic program of an Ontario law school. Coto received the honour at the association’s annual gala June 8 in Toronto.

She is especially pleased that the award is sponsored by a Windsor-based lawyer. Farlam is a commercial litigator with the firm of Barat Farlam Katzman and deputy judge of the small claims court.

“I will be able to stay in touch with her as a mentor,” Coto says. “One of the benefits of this award is it helps you meet people and make professional contacts.”

Coto, a native of London, plans to practice in the area of corporate law and remain in the Windsor area.

“I love the fact that it’s a border town,” she says. “It just opens up so many opportunities.”

Faculty, staff and retirees of the University of Windsor who donated to fundraising efforts are the guests of honour for an event on campus June 21.

The Gateway to Student Success donor recognition reception is set for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the courtyard between Erie Hall and the Welcome Centre.

“I sincerely hope we see a good turnout for next week’s celebration,” says Shae Kavanaugh, co-ordinator of the Annual Giving Program. “It gives us an opportunity to thank these contributors for their generous support.”

In addition to brief remarks, the event will feature refreshments and a draw for door prizes. Guests who have not yet responded to their invitations are reminded to RSVP online.

A portion of an $85.8 million grant given to FCA Canada by the Ontario government will enhance innovative research at the University of Windsor - Fiat Chrysler Canada Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC).

Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement on June 15 during a celebration of the 20-year partnership between UWindsor and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Canada. The automotive industry and academia partnership led to the inception of the ARDC in May 1996, marking the first of its kind in Canada.

“Collaboration between academia and industry is at the heart of innovative clusters around the world,” said Alan Wildeman, president of the University of Windsor. “The University of Windsor is proud of its 20-year partnership with FCA Canada in ARDC, the country’s largest automotive research centre. As at every university and college in Ontario, we have researchers and creative minds that want to bring solutions to the challenges and opportunities that our province’s industries are navigating. We are very grateful to the many ways in which the province is supporting that goal.”

Wynne said the grant comes from the Jobs and Prosperity Fund. Nearly $17 million will support research and development at the ARDC while $69 million will fund advanced training for the workforce at the Windsor Assembly Plant and technology enhancements related to the production of the new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid—a vehicle that includes advance powertrain and light-weighting technologies designed in part by UWindsor students.

“This partnership with Chrysler ensures that we are building the vehicles of tomorrow,” Wynne said.

The ARDC has a direct role in the product design and engineering of nearly every product in FCA’s portfolio. The facility conducts a wide range of research, including extreme weather testing, corrosion control, precision night-time headlight testing and rigorous testing that involves millions of kilometres of road test simulation.

“We started with a $30 million investment and today we are investing over $1 billion at the ARDC,” said Reid Bigland, president of FCA Canada. “Today, this is Canada’s most sophisticated R&D facility integrated with design, innovation and manufacturing.”

The ARDC employs 180 people and nurtures a highly skilled labour pool of student engineers.

More than 500 students have been trained at the facility, many of whom have become employees of the facility, like UWindsor graduate André Levesque.

Levesque was first exposed to the hands-on industrial experience at ARDC during a UWindsor co-op placement. He was hired as a multi-body dynamics analyst in 2012, the same year he completed his masters in mechanical engineering.

“Having that connection with the automotive sector was great,” said Levesque, who moved from Sault Ste. Marie to take advantage of UWindsor’s automotive program. “I initially thought I’d have to work in the states. However, having this opportunity and being able to work in Canada has just been great.”

Jean-Paul Martins, another UWindsor graduate, was offered a position as a 1D system simulation engineer before he completed his graduate studies in mechanical engineering.

“There’s a lot of collaboration between groups which is really nice,” Martins said. “It’s great to be able to take my theoretical knowledge and apply it and know that it’s making a difference in making cars better and safer.”

To view photos from the event, visit the Windsor Engineering Facebook page. For more information about the ARDC, visit the UWindsor engineering website.

UWindsor’s most enduring student and supporter, Bernarda Camello-Doctor, has once again stepped up to help students get the most out of their education.

Camello-Doctor recently made a $50,000 donation to name the Professor Antonio P., Bernarda C. Doctor and Family Group Learning Suite in the Medical Education Building, adding to the dozens of contributions she has made during her long association with the University.

A UWindsor student for 55 years as well as a former member of faculty and a proud alumna (MEd 1984, Spec Ed D 1986, CRS 1999), Camello-Doctor has been an active member of the campus community and is presently a vice-president of the Organization of Part-time University Students, a sponsor for Syrian refugees, and a mentor to international students, among other positions.

She came to Windsor from her native Philippines in 1959 to teach nursing at Hotel Dieu Hospital, joined later joined by her husband, Antonio Doctor, a professor of visual arts in the UWindsor program until his retirement in 1996.

Camello-Doctor is a familiar face on campus—whether providing cookie therapy to students during exam time or her extensive involvement with the Organization of Part-time University Students, the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance, the International Students Society and the Alumni Association—she has been recognized consistently for her dedication to education.

She founded the KidsCare Philippines Education Service Centre in 2003 to provide at-risk children in Manila with assistance to pursue schooling, including health and hygiene needs, food and clothing, and has volunteered with such organizations as the St. Anne’s Parish Youth Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul International, the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, and the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society.

The lifelong learner and teacher was recognized in 2012 with a Going the Extra Mile (GEM) award from the student affairs office for her efforts to mentor international students, and in 2013 with the Caring Canadian Award from Governor General David Johnston.

The Prof. Antonio P., Bernarda C. Doctor and Family Group Learning Suite is located in room 1111 of the Medical Education Building.

What do you buy for the man who has everything, including a grateful child? The Campus Bookstore is highlighting a broad range of gifts appropriate for Father’s Day.

Dad-friendly books, gear like backpacks and electronics, and apparel from socks to sweatshirts to ties—all are great ways to show appreciation and affection for your paterfamilias.

Check out the selection in the store, located on the lower level of the CAW Student Centre.

A stroke happens when blood stops flowing to any part of the brain, causing irreparable damage—but it is one of the most preventable life-threatening health problems.

The June edition of Workplace Wellness E-Digest, published by the Department of Human Resources’ Office of Employee Engagement and Development, offers information on the causes of stroke and ways to lower your risk of suffering one.

The newsletter also provides suggestions for adding more physical activity into your routine and tips and techniques for safer cycling. Read the Workplace Wellness E-Digest.

The Organization of Part-time University Students (OPUS) will host a Spring Open House to bring attention to ways that busy people can make a university education part of their lives. The event will take place in the CAW Student Centre’s Ambassador Auditorium on Tuesday and Thursday, June 21 and 23, from 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 6 p.m. each day.

Organizers say many people don’t realize that classes can be taken online or in the evening, that employers may pay for all or part of their education, and that they are eligible for health and dental benefits even as part-time students.

Admissions and Registrar’s office staff as well as a panel of part-time students will be on hand to answer questions, and visitors will have a chance to win a $500 bursary. Learn more on the OPUS website.

Friends and colleagues of John Gibbs, employee relations manager in the Department of Human Resources, are invited to an open house reception to celebrate his retirement from the University of Windsor on Wednesday, June 29.

Gibbs joined the University’s staff in 1977 as a position analyst, becoming a personnel officer - classifications and employment in 1981 and employment manager in 1987, before taking on his current role in 1998.

The June 29 event promises fellowship and refreshments and will run 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in room 4107, Leddy Library. Organizers request that well-wishers planning to attend RSVP no later than June 21 by registering online at www.uwindsor.ca/hr/rsvp.

Preventive maintenance will require an outage of electrical and steam services to campus on the weekend of June 24, reports Facility Services.

The shutdown will disrupt most campus buildings, with the exceptions of the LeBel Building, Centre for Automotive Research and Education, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, Centre for English Language Development, maintenance and grounds buildings.

The electrical power outage will also disable card access and is scheduled for 12 hours, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 26. Find details in this document: Campus Wide Power Outage Information.

The steam outage will also disable hot water and heating and cooling systems. It is scheduled to begin at noon Friday, June 24, and run through 10 a.m. Monday, June 27. Find details in this document: Campus Wide Steam Outage Information.