A series of film screenings will feature works by graduates of the UWindsor Department of Communication, Media, and Film.

Organized by the Windsor Film Society, the series will open Friday, Jan. 24, with The Birder, directed and co-written by Theodore Bezaire and co-written by Mike Stasko. Filmed in such Essex County venues as Ojibway Park, Malden Park, Mackenzie Hall, Optimist Park, and Villanova High School, the comedy stars Tom Cavanagh, Mark Rendall, and Fred Willard.

“It’s really exciting being a part of this series that shines a light on the University of Windsor film program,” Bezaire says. “I’m a proud CMF alumnus, and wouldn’t be where I am in my career today without what I learned there.”

Each feature film will be preceded by a short made by a recent graduate of the program, and followed by a discussion with the filmmakers, who will be travelling in from across the country.

Friday’s short subject is Rough Love by Gemma Eve, who says she is honoured to be part of the series.

“I share my CMF degree with great friends, talented crew members, inspiring professors, my boyfriend, my twin brother, and my mother,” says Eve. “When you graduate from CMF, you not only receive an education in filmmaking, but you gain a family as well.”

The series will continue:

• Feb. 28, The Rise and Fall of the Grumpy Burger, directed by Matt Gallagher; and Defender, directed by Braunte Petric;
• March 20, Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer, produced by Patrick White; and Obscura, directed by Armend Bajrami.

The screenings will take place in the Performance Hall, SoCA Armouries, 37 University Ave. East. Admission is free. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the films begin at 7:30 p.m.

Will smart surveillance systems make Canada safer? Only if the safety priority is our Amazon packages, says education professor Bonnie Stewart.

She makes her case in an article published Jan. 21 in the Conversation, which shares news and views from the academic and research community.

“People may assume there’s no risk to them, so long as they have nothing to hide,” writes Dr. Stewart, a specialist in online pedagogy. “Regardless, surveillance of this kind still creates risks. The datafication of our personal information ultimately reduces citizens to a collection of data points.”

She says the Amazon Ring video doorbell and its associated social media reporting may lead to the happenstance creation of an integrated police-Ring surveillance network.

“The smart tech promise gets safety backwards,” Stewart writes. “Civil and civic rights matter, and we shouldn’t abandon Canada’s stringent police surveillance regulations for a shiny new version of property security.”

Read the entire piece, “One Ring to rule them all: Surveillance ‘smart’ tech won’t make Canadian cities safer,” in the Conversation.

Stewart will moderate a free public panel discussion on the topic “Safer Communities in a ‘Smart Tech’ World,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the Performance Hall, SoCA Armouries.

Is your son or daughter in Grade 10 or 11? Do you know someone who is?

The University of Windsor will host a Grade 10/11 Info Session on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Toldo Health Education Centre.

This new event will provide prospective students and their families a chance to come to campus, gain insight into course selection for their upper years of high school, and learn about career exploration and opportunities. Students will also tour campus with a current UWindsor student, speak with representatives of supports and services, and attend program-specific and careers info sessions.

Beth Natale, director of student recruitment, notes there is community interest in understanding what awaits at University.

“A similar event was held several years ago and I’m hearing it was standing room only,” she says. “February 1 will allow us to welcome families to the University for some learning and support the work of our secondary school partners and parents initiating career conversations with young people.”

More information, including how to register, is available on the event website: http://learn.uwindsor.ca/grade-10-11-info-session.

UWindsor students can celebrate National Pie Day in the most delicious way Thursday — by eating free pie, courtesy of the CAW Student Centre.

Organizer Sandra Riccio-Muglia says patrons can choose from one of six sweet fillings — apple, blueberry, cherry, chocolate éclair, lemon, and pumpkin.

“Step right up and grab your very own favourite pie, for free,” she says. “Just grab yourself a fork and deliciously dig in!”

She cautions that the giveaway will be limited to one each, and students must be present to claim their pie. It begins at 11 a.m. in the vendor area by the front entrance and will continue while supplies last.

National Pie Day was founded by a Colorado man on his Jan. 23 birthday has been sponsored by the American Pie Council since 1986.

The University of Windsor is made richer by the leadership shown by its faculty and staff, president Robert Gordon said Monday at a reception celebrating recipients of its Employee Recognition Awards.

“Our employees are the hard-working creative engine that keeps our University running,” he told a capacity crowd in the Alumni Auditorium. “It’s your creative commitment to the challenges we face that really does make a difference.”

Jennifer Almeida, part of the Print Shop team honoured with a service excellence award, said on behalf of her co-workers that the acknowledgement made them feel appreciated.

“It feels good,” she said. “A lot of our job is being problem-solvers for our clients. We all find great satisfaction in what we do.”

Chemistry professors Tricia Carmichael and James Gauld won the Impact Award for their work to host Canada’s first conference dedicated to supporting members of the LGBTQ+ communities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines.

Dr. Gauld said he felt impressed by the contributions of all the award winners: “There are so many fantastic people here doing so much.”

Both said the recognition of their project  the University’s commitment to inclusion.

“Recognizing the work we put in the conference is really meaningful,” said Dr. Carmichael. “It’s 2020 – it’s time for us to step up and be leaders.”

Rita LaCivita, vice-president of human resources, thanked the award recipients for their passion and commitment to making the University of Windsor the best place to work, learn, and grow. She read excerpts from their nominations to highlight the outstanding contributions of each honoree:

• Service Excellence Award (Individual) – Michelle Fitzgerald, administrator of international and exchange student services in the International Student Centre, and Beverley Hamilton, academic initiatives officer in the Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic;
• Service Excellence Award (the First Five Years of Employment) – Jessica Hatt, secretary in the Faculty of Law;
• Service Excellence Award (Team) – reprographic operators Almeida and Scott Thorpe, and Luc Quenneville reprographic/WordPro operator in the Print Shop;
• Excellence in Leadership Award – Lisa Porter, executive director, Windsor Health Institute;
• Excellence in Health and Safety Award – Lucy Howe, make lab technician in the School of Creative Arts;
• “U” Make a Difference Award – Andrew Jenner, manager of technical support in the Faculty of Engineering;
• Impact Award – Carmichael and Gauld, co-chairs of the LGBTQ+ in STEM Conference.

Find more photos from the reception on the Human Resources website.

A series of free workshops offer students help in achieving their academic goals.

Skills to Enhance Personal Success (STEPS) sessions cover a variety of topics — from time management to studying smarter, preparing for exams to taking notes, dealing with test anxiety to overcoming procrastination.

The Student Success and Leadership Centre has slated workshops for 1 p.m. Wednesdays, and also offers individual appointments. Find more information, including the workshop schedule and online modules, at uwindsor.ca/steps or email success@uwindsor.ca.