Dwight Duncan, a highly respected leader locally, provincially, and nationally, has been named the University’s ninth chancellor. A lifelong resident of the Windsor-Essex region, Duncan is an alumnus of the University(BA 1984, MBA 1989, LLD 2013), holding two earned degrees and one honorary doctorate. He will be officially installed during the Spring 2025 Convocation.

“I am delighted to welcome Dwight back to the University of Windsor community in this new capacity,” said president Rob Gordon. “As a highly experienced leader and communicator with a record of accomplishments across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, Dwight will bring a wealth of knowledge to the campus community.”

Duncan is best remembered for his service as a Windsor-area Member of Provincial Parliament. Throughout his 18 years in the Ontario legislature, he served in a variety of capacities including deputy premier, minister of finance, minister of energy, chair of management board, chair of cabinet, government house leader, and house leader of the official opposition.

Currently he serves as senior advisor for Canadian investor relations with the New York-based law firm Bernstein, Litowitz, Berger, and Grossmann. Since retiring from public office in 2013, he has served a variety of organizations in senior capacities. These include McMillan LLP, Travelers Insurance of Canada, OTT Finance, Elevate Finance, the MS Society of Canada, the C.D. Howe Institute, the Global Risk Institute, the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority, and the Odette School of Business as an executive-in-residence.

“What an honour to be appointed chancellor of the University of Windsor,” said Duncan. “My close and ongoing affiliation with the school dates back 46 years. I am humbled knowing that I will be succeeding Mary Jo Haddad, Ed Lumley, Richard Rohmer, and the other outstanding individuals who have filled this role. I look forward to working with our students, faculty, and entire community as we move forward, with confidence, to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.”

As chancellor, Duncan will serve as the titular head of the University and confer all degrees and diplomas on behalf of the Senate. The chancellor also represents the University in an official capacity at external functions. Duncan will serve as a trusted advisor to the entire University of Windsor community.

Duncan’s appointment follows the announcement this past fall that Mary Jo Haddad would be stepping down as chancellor once her term ends May 31, 2025. Since her 2018 appointment as chancellor, Dr. Haddad has presided over 92 Convocation sessions, conferred degrees on 34,000 students, and awarded 20 honorary degrees, 13 distinguished university professorships, 12 alumni teaching awards, and 255 student awards.

Haddad said that she applauds the appointment of Duncan as the next chancellor of the University.

“I am so pleased to pass the baton to a fellow alumnus and champion of the University of Windsor,” she said. “It is an incredible honour to serve our University community.”

Until his spring 2025 installation, Duncan will have the title of chancellor designate.

Improvisational theatre is all about working together to make the show happen, says drama professor Alice Nelson.

She is the coach of the University’s Improv Club, which will present a public performance Thursday, Dec. 5, in the Hatch Studio Theatre, Jackman Dramatic Art Centre.

“We’re trying to instill a culture of good storytelling,” says Prof. Nelson. “What makes it funny is you’re surviving by your wits.”

The club started with six members when it formed in January, but has now grown to an average of 30 attending practice each Thursday — about half of whom are drama students, with the rest representing most disciplines across campus.

“Some of them have never been on stage before,” Nelson says. “We have students from business, engineering, law, all kinds of programs, which is so awesome.”

The show will employ two “tried and true” formats licensed from the International Theatresports Institute. Developed by Keith Johnstone, a founder of the Loose Moose Theatre Company, where Nelson trained in improv, they lend structure to the proceedings.

“Theatresports” sees teams compete for points awarded by a panel of judges for narrative, technique, and entertainment. Players challenge each other to perform scenes reflecting situations or characters.

“You can’t be too hard on yourself because it’s just so random,” Nelson says.

“Maestro” is an elimination format. Players are numbered and drawn at random to cast scenes. The audience scores each scene and as the evening progresses, lower scoring improvisors are eliminated, with the final champion, the Maestro, receiving a coveted $5 cash prize.

“The great thing is everybody can get involved,” says Nelson. “Some players are improvising in the show, others are working lights, sound, judging, scorekeeping, ushering. Improv Club is very much a team making this show happen. And the audience gets to vote on the results.”

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and admission is free, with the timing ideal for students and faculty, says Nelson: “Classes are done but final exams haven’t started yet.”

Anant Singh knows a good deal when he sees it.

A student of business and computer science, he was one of many to enjoy a free cup of hot chocolate and free entertainment during celebrations of Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3 in the CAW Student Centre.

“It’s good,” he said as he sipped his beverage. “As for the music, I love it.”

The classic rock cover band Leave Those Kids Alone performed while volunteers collected donations for the Campus Food Pantry and the Unemployed Help Centre's Coats for Kids campaign.

The impetus for the event went beyond a chance to listen to good tunes and chat with friends, said Annual Giving Program co-ordinator Chris Knack.

“It draws attention to the cause of philanthropy,” he said. “It’s about awareness and letting people know about the need to support students.”

Watch Friday’s DailyNews for details on donation totals.

The University’s 2024 faculty and staff campaign is continuing. Employees who make a donation by Dec. 15, online at uwindsor.ca/supportuwindsor or by returning a completed contribution form, will enter a draw for a free vacation day in 2025.

In the difficult work of decolonization, research and creative activity can offer innovative pathways.

A team from the University of Windsor and Western University engaged in decolonizing music education and performance through a residency with Cree-Dene music educator, music therapist, and doctoral student Sherryl Sewepagaham, hosted in conjunction with the Canadian Chamber Choir on the two campuses.

Team lead Danielle Sirek is a professor of arts education at Western, an adjunct instructor in the UWindsor Faculty of Education, and a member of the choir.

“Our goal is to engage with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action by engaging with, and building the profiles of, Indigenous artists,” she said. “This residency was one of our biggest and most exciting in this long-term work.”

The multi-day residency saw Sewepagaham and the choir not only perform for the public, but also collaborate with local artists and give a platform to Indigenous knowledge keepers and artists to build understanding among music educators, performers, and aficionados.

Faculty of Education graduate student Madeline Doornaert, a lifelong member of choirs in Windsor, helped co-ordinate the project. She said the work is already influencing the music she writes and performs.

“It can be hard for teachers to break out of old routines when selecting the music they will use to teach,” she said. “It’s easy to repeat a curriculum year in and year out, but Sherryl showed the participants how to broaden experiences for their students.”

Learn more in the full article, “Implementing a decolonial mindset in music education,” published in the Research and Innovation in Action report.

Semesters ebb and flow with deadlines, work, and day-to-day responsibilities, says Brianna Valenzuela, group therapy co-ordinator in the Student Counselling Centre, which is why it’s important for students to prioritize their mental health and self-care.

“We want students to be able to continue applying themselves and reaching their goals,” she says. “The Group Wellness Hub is their go-to resource for group-based mental health support, offering a wide range of confidential wellness groups tailored to student needs.”

She says the hub, located in the CAW Student Centre’s Room 240, creates a supportive environment providing students with skills to build resilience and powerful tools to create change.

“As the new year approaches, the Group Wellness Hub invites students to start 2025 with intention and connection, fostering personal growth and well-being,” says Valenzuela. “Start planning your winter academic schedule by visiting our website to find a group that fits your needs.”

She invites anyone with questions or needing help to decide which group is the right fit for you to email her at bvale@uwindsor.ca.

Lancer men’s hockey will face off against the Western Mustangs at 7:30 p.m. tonight — Wednesday, Dec. 4 — at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex in a crucial match for first place in the Ontario University Athletics West Division. This game marks the final contest before the holiday break, with the teams locked in a tight race at the top of the standings.

The Lancers are looking to head into the holidays with the top spot in the division, and this game against the Mustangs is a vital step in that pursuit. This matchup is about positioning: securing a key win to build momentum heading into the second half of the season.

This game about more than the standings — it’s also a chance to celebrate the Lancers’ community spirit. A special pre-game ceremony will honour player efforts in raising funds for the fight against cancer and will include a cheque presentation to the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation.

Fans are encouraged to come out and support the blue and gold in this pivotal game, as the energy from the stands could make the difference.

Tickets are available at goLancers.ca/tickets or at the gate on game day. UWindsor students get in free with a valid student ID.

Do you have a Lancer fan and an avid golfer in your life? Athletics has the perfect thing for them! The Lancers are selling a limited-edition Ping golf bag this holiday season.

With only 20 available at the low price of just $225 (tax included), these will not last long. They will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Email Elisa Mitton at emitton@uwindsor.ca to get yours today.

And don’t forget, the Lancer merchandise pop-up is on today in the Toldo Lancer Centre lobby from noon to 5 p.m., offering a selection of blue and gold swag.

More than 20 student presentations on research and real-time projects by both undergraduate and graduate computer science majors are on offer during the 11th CS Demo Day.

It will run 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Thursday, Dec. 5 — at the School of Computer Science Advanced Computing Hub, located at 300 Ouellette Ave.

The event creates networking opportunities for students, faculty, and industry partners.

Admission is free and open to the public, but registration is recommended.