International scholars, researchers, and performers will soon be able to access the works and methods of Michael Chekhov through a new digital archive available through the Leddy Library.

Chekhov is famous in the theatre community for his psychophysical style of performance that favours the actor’s imagination and takes the primacy away from the director to the focus on the actor. The Actor is the Theatre is a collection of manuscript notes by Deirdre Hurst du Prey's documenting the work of the Chekhov Theatre Studio from 1936 to 1942.

In early 2003, du Prey donated one of four carbon copies of the 3,600-page manuscript to the University of Windsor's Archives and Special Collections at the Leddy Library.

Over the course of a decade, the documents were digitized by the Leddy Library under the guidance of drama professor Lionel Walsh and retired archivist Brian Owens. The online exhibition was developed by the library’s Centre for Digital Scholarship.

“Previously, Chekhov scholars who wanted to view this material would require an archive visit, which for many meant international travel,” said special collections librarian Peter Zimmerman. “With the launch of this exhibition, the archive will now be available to anyone, anywhere, any time.”

In addition to the manuscript, the Michael Chekhov Estate, the Michael Chekhov Association, and the family of Nonny Gardner Cangelosi have contributed several archival photographs to visually enhance the collection.

“The completion of this project will allow scholars and practitioners from around the world to access Chekhov’s original notes to help them inform their teaching, directing, and scholarly publications,” said Prof. Walsh. “Having these available digitally ensures that Chekhov’s legacy will be preserved not just to a select few scholars, but to theatre artists and teachers, who can employ his lessons in their practice.”

The techniques developed by Chekhov make up a significant portion of the actor-training in first and second year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting program at the University.

“The digitization will not only benefit our students, but students around the world seeking to research the unpublished material from his teaching,” said Walsh.

The University of Windsor, in conjunction with the Michael Chekhov Association, will launch the freely accessible, digital archive Saturday, Dec. 12 with a virtual celebration from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The event is free and will include the premiere of five short films produced through the international initiative, The Chekhov Community Performs the Archive Project, as well as an introduction to the collection, a demonstration of how to navigate the archive, and a celebratory social half-hour.

All are welcome to join; registration is available online: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMtdemqpz8pE9LB3jmt4TLuFeHnzr4Up9e2.

—Marcie Demmans

How do professors introduce first-year students to university expectations when teaching online? Dora Cavallo-Medved responds to this challenge by doing her best to recreate the in-person experience.

Currently Dr. Cavallo-Medved is teaching cell biology in two different timeslots, each with about 300 students. With this number of students, it is far more difficult to create a sense of what in-person university learning is, and to prepare first-year students for upcoming years at the University of Windsor.

By hosting real-time lectures and encouraging her students to attend them, she tried to stay as close as possible to what her class would normally be. As usual, there are labs every week and though they are less hands-on due to the limitations of creating an online lab environment, they help to create an environment where student connections can continue to be made.

Cavallo-Medved herself met many of her friends in university through the labs that she attended and has worked to create a similar environment for students. Each lab has 10 to 20 participants, allowing for more intensive discussions between students than lectures.

She has also created “Open Learning Sessions” where she covers skills pertinent to student success and creates opportunities for students to review what they have learned. Oftentimes this will include playing games such as Kahoot, having question polls, or having a session on tools for student success. Each cell biology section has one live open learning session and one lecture per week.

Dr. Cavallo-Medved advises students to consider these points to ensure success:

1. Are you up to date?
2. Do you have a plan to continuously self-reflect on your learning?
3. What strategies do you have for taking exams?
4. Ask for help.

—Bridget Heuvel

The student success and support team in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (FAHSS) felt now was a great time to offer first-year students some encouragement to help them make it through the exam period.

It’s been a difficult semester for everyone, but especially for first-year students making the transition from high school to university with classes, events, and connecting with friends all happening virtually, says Tony Vo, student success and support co-ordinator in the Office of the Associate Dean, Academic and Student Success.

“I sent out a call across the faculty for messages of encouragement and support,” he says. “And people responded! I think it’s a nice thing to do for students.”

Professor Jeremy Worth emphasized the patience and diligence shown by students, writing in part: “You have drawn deep on reserves of energy and initiative this semester….  Your professors look forward to seeing you again (albeit online) in January; remember that we are only an email away.”

While staffer Yvonne Zimmerman encouraged persistence: “You are stronger than you think you are.  One step at a time, you got this!!”

Vo compiled all the messages from instructors, support staff, and senior students, created email postcards, and sent one to each of the more than 1,300 first-year students in the faculty.

—Susan McKee

This past year, the world has been brought to its knees in one collective swoop. We are facing challenges that transcend geography, culture, and social status.

We have been isolated in our homes and forced to communicate with others through the blue glow of our screens. We didn’t get to feel the nervous pit in our stomachs as we walked on campus for our first year of university nor the elation as we proudly strolled across the stage to receive our hard-earned diplomas.

We’ve missed celebrating milestones and mourning the loss of loved ones. We’ve lost jobs and businesses and weren’t sure how we were going to make ends meet. Worst of all, we’ve lost mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons — sometimes without being there to hold their hands or kiss them one last time.

We’ve been told to keep our distance and stay away from one another. But we’ve come together in unimaginable ways.

We asked how we can help ensure our frontline workers are protected and safe, how we can produce enough ventilators to save those in critical care, and how communities and businesses can be resilient in the face of a pandemic.

From revolutionizing the COVID-19 testing process to producing face shields for frontline workers, University of Windsor researchers and students, community members, and local industry all had the same question — how can we help combat the spread of the virus?

Find out how they responded in the Faculty of Engineering’s latest issue of WE.

WE is distributed annually to alumni, students, faculty, staff, and industrial and community partners of the faculty. If you would like to receive WE electronically and UWindsor Engineering’s quarterly e-newsletters, join the faculty’s mailing list.

—Kristie Pearce

Just as she began her studies at Windsor Law, Jennie Mercanti (JD 2000) got some bad news. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, she was told that she'd likely be in a wheelchair within a year.

Instead, a change in diet and exercise regimen saw her overcome the illness, giving her a passion for wellness and a drive to help others. Now a corporate and securities attorney, she is advocating against domestic violence against women and children as a candidate for Mrs. Universe.

The international competition is open to women between the ages of 18 and 55 from nations around the world who are married, divorced, or widowed; have a family and career; and are involved in a significant cause.

Mercanti also serves as chair and director of the Charity of Hope, founded by her family to help less fortunate children in Canada.

“I am so pleased to have raised awareness for the Christmas Angels Charity against domestic violence in connection with representing Canada in the Mrs. Universe event,” Mercanti says.

The public is invited to vote — each first vote is free; supporters may cast an additional vote in exchange for a $5 donation to Christmas Angels. Learn more on the Mrs. Canada Universe Facebook page.

In response to incidents this year involving systemic racism, oppression, discrimination, and threats to Black and BIPOC psychological well-being, the Student Counselling Centre has added a new drop-in session called “Racialized Voices Gather Together” as a safe space for students to listen, to support one another, and to begin to heal.

The group is available to all University of Windsor students and will convene online Mondays and Wednesdays, starting today — Dec. 9.

Staff present to facilitate this process will include a Black therapist and another allied therapist from the Student Counselling Centre.

The new drop-in group will add to the existing virtual drop-in support groups offered every week, including “COVID Cares Conversations” on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and an “LGBTQ+ Drop-In Group” every Tuesday and Thursday.

For more information about the drop-in groups, visit the Student Counselling Centre website, uwindsor.ca/SCC.

The Senate Governance Committee on Special Appointments welcomes applications for Distinguished University Professor, Professor Emerita/Emeritus, and Honorary Professor.

Applications for eligible candidates must be submitted to the University Secretariat by Jan. 15, 2021. The criteria and process are available here.

For additional information, contact Danny Anger by email at angerd1@uwindsor.ca.