Ian Stecher, winner of this year’s Governor General’s Silver Medal for the most outstanding undergraduate academic record in the class of 2019, attributes his achievements to his family and his instructors.

“Definitely my parents provided me with an environment where I could really learn,” he said after crossing the stage during Convocation, Tuesday in the St. Denis Centre. “And my sister pushed me to emulate her own success.”

A double major in business and economics, he published teaching case studies with professor Kent Walker of the Odette School of Business, held a teaching assistantship, and earned top grades. He has accepted a position with Toronto-based consultancy Public Inc., which promotes the social impact of “profit with purpose.”

Stecher will begin graduate studies in global affairs this fall at the University of Toronto.

“I have a passion for international development and using social enterprise,” he said.

Also honoured Tuesday was President’s Medallist Layale Bazzi, recognized for her significant contributions to campus and community activities while maintaining a superior academic record.

As a physics student, Bazzi held a place on the dean’s list while pursuing thesis research in the new magnetic resonance imaging lab.

Her volunteer involvement includes serving as president of the Physics Club; leading activities for the Science Olympiad, Science Academy, and Science Rendezvous outreach events; and representing the Women in Science group at conferences and community events.

Bazzi’s essay on the importance of studying the humanities to provide context to scientific understanding won her a semester’s free tuition in a 2016 competition sponsored by the Humanities Research Group.

In introducing Bazzi to Convocation, acting provost Jeff Berryman said: “She is the welcoming and caring face that the Department of Physics and the Faculty of Science are proud to put forward as a representative of the greatness that can be achieved as a student at the University of Windsor and the compassion that one can exhibit while doing so.”

“I guess all those math tricks and jokes are worthwhile,” Myron Hlynka said Tuesday as he prepared to receive the Alumni Award for Distinguished Contributions to University Teaching during Convocation ceremonies, May 28 in the St. Denis Centre.

Dr. Hlynka, a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, has earned a reputation for teaching with humour and challenging classes to find solutions, alumni board member Jake Rondot said in presenting the award.

“Through his teaching style and dedication to learning, Dr. Hlynka has successfully instilled a love for math and statistics to students who have then passed this passion on in their own careers,” said Rondot.

Hlynka said he was “absolutely flattered” to get the award, which invites nominations from colleagues, alumni, and students to recognize excellence in instruction.

Education professor Christopher Greig received the award at a Friday session of Convocation.

The citation honouring Dr. Greig called him “a passionate, charismatic, and well-researched scholar who is able to seamlessly blend theory and practice from multiple perspectives.”

Letters of support focused on his positive impact on students.

One graduate wrote: “To put it bluntly, Dr. Greig was a blessing in my life, or as some fellow students and I once agreed, he was like a guardian angel.”

The awards, conferred annually since 1987, carry a cash prize of $1,500.

Four Lancer athletes will compete for Canada at the 2019 FISU Summer Universiade, July 3 to 14 in Naples, Italy.

Thrower Sarah Mitton, pole vaulter Rachael Wolfs, and Pierce Johnson and John Moate of men’s volleyball will trade in their blue and gold for red and white. Head coach James Gravelle and athletic therapist Natalie Paladino of Lancer volleyball were previously named to the Team Canada staff.

The full national delegation will total more than 300, including student-athletes, coaches, staff, and medical personnel, joining 9,300 competitors from 128 countries. Read the full story at goLancers.ca.

A colloquium brought together local high school English teachers and UWindsor faculty to discuss issues of common professional concern, on campus May 23.

The “12U to U Colloquium” provides a place for dialogue among representatives of the University’s English department, the Windsor-Essex public and Catholic school boards.

 “The ultimate aim is to forge a more seamless transition from high school to university for our students,” says organizer Katherine Quinsey, a professor of English and creative writing professor.

“Our specific focus was on the perceptions around career prospects in English, and the pivotal role played by high school English teachers in helping students understand that the transferrable skills of an English degree — research, analysis, language, and writing — are directly applicable to many careers, from law to public relations to video game design, and that these skills are needed today more than ever.”

The teachers heard about the journey to their “dream jobs” taken by three guest panellists — two English alumni and a current student.

Tamara Todorovic (BA 2014), now an attorney with the American Automobile Association of Michigan, recalls that her family wasn’t supportive of her decision to study English and creative writing.

“I am part of an immigrant family. My father and sister are engineers; my mother is an accountant,” she says. “Let your students know that an undergrad degree in English can open doors to many different careers. As a lawyer, most of what I do is write briefs. I appreciate the power of the written word.”

Kirthana Sasitharan (BA 2016), a journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, says her education in English enabled her to carve her own path.

“The most important transferrable skills are critical thinking, writing skills, editing skills,” she says. “I know how to extract the main idea, have the ability to analyze information, compare and contrast.”

Doron DuToit gave up an information technology job in South Africa to study writing. He cites three reasons he chose the University of Windsor: “English majors take creative writing courses for three of four years, the in-depth study of British literature, and Marty Gervais’ editing and publishing practicum.”

Following the presentations, the teachers discussed at their tables new developments in their field, including the rise in the number of parents who insist their children focus on STEM subjects, the growth of e-courses, and that the current generation watches screens rather than reading books.

The colloquium was sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Department of English and Creative Writing, along with the Greater Essex County District School Board and the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board.

—Susan McKee

Laverne Jacobs, associate dean of research and graduate studies at the UWindsor Faculty of Law, received recognition for her work to promote a more accessible community at a May 23 awards ceremony at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts.

The Windsor-Essex Accessibility Awards honour individuals, organizations, and businesses who have made a difference in creating a more accessible community for seniors and people with disabilities or acquired brain injuries.

Dr. Jacobs received the Outstanding Individual Award.

“I am extremely honoured to be recognized by the community in this way,” she said. “It’s exciting to learn that my research and collaborative efforts are contributing to building a more inclusive and accessible community in Windsor-Essex County.”

Jacobs joined Windsor’s Faculty of Law in 2007. She directs a research and public policy program called the Law, Disability, and Social Change Project at Windsor Law.

She organized the inaugural Southwestern Ontario Disability Scholars Workshop, which brought to campus scholars from universities in the region to discuss research respecting people with disabilities, held May 23 prior to the ceremony.

Find more information on the Windsor Law website.

—Rachelle Prince

Campus community radio station CJAMfm has launched a fundraising drive to help it replace revenues it fears it will lose now that the provincial government has mandated an opt-out for student levies.

Station manager Brady Holek said its staff and volunteers are trying to avoid shutting down or becoming a shell with a smaller community presence.

“CJAM is going to do all it can to survive so we can continue to provide students and the public opportunities to gain experience and skills that lead to job opportunities in broadcasting, journalism, and the music industry,” he said.

The fundraising drive began Friday and will run through June 7. The station also plans a new advertising and sponsorship package. More information, including donation and sponsorship details, are available on the CJAM website.