“What is your why, and how are you mobilizing it?”

That’s the question David Griffiths (BASc 2000) posed to attendees of a think tank, inviting them to reflect as he shared the mission behind his organization, Brothers Who Care.

After transitioning from the auto industry in Windsor/Detroit to telecom in North Carolina to financial services in Toronto, Griffiths went on to found Brothers Who Care in 2019, creating a space for Black men in corporate environments to connect and support each other.

“Throughout my experiences, I often found I was the only person in the room who looked like me,” he says. “The motivation was to start a union of brothers working in the space that could network and provide support to each other, whether that be emotional or mental.”

The next year, when COVID-19 hit and lockdowns and social distancing were in full swing, Brothers Who Care had to pivot to a virtual model, Griffiths explains. From there, the Mental Health Hour talk series was born.

“The mental health hour is a series of conversations that we do virtually or in person, and we just create spaces where people could be vulnerable, could be honest, and it’s really all about creating conversations and losing the stigma around mental health,” Griffiths says.

Griffiths discussed his ‘why’ in founding Brothers Who Care on Feb. 14 at a WE-Spark Think Tank presented in collaboration with the Black Scholars Institute. The virtual event offered an opportunity for researchers, students, health-care professionals, and community organizations to come together and find innovative solutions.

The organization developed four pillars to foster connections and cultivate philanthropic leaders. These pillars include the Mental Health Hour; the I SEE ME Club, which teaches kids in grades 4 to 12 financial literacy, investments, and seeing themselves in careers not commonly pursued in their community; the LEGUP Secure Our Wealth initiative, which empowers BIPOC individuals to break negative cycles to creating generational wealth; and I AM – Care Leadership Development program, which teaches leadership and exposes stories and images of Black men achieving personal and professional success.

“Black men are disproportionately affected by mental health issues, chronic illness, and financial instability. That connection between financial instability and health and overall well-being, some of the systemic barriers and the cultural stigma further amplify, or worsen, these challenges, leaving many without adequate support,” Griffiths explains.

He also notes that men have lower rates of seeking help for mental health concerns due to the stigma, which can in turn impact their physical health.

He stresses the importance of thinking about that interconnectedness when it comes to discussions about health and how it impacts overall well-being, which is what Brothers Who Care is trying to address.

“The goal is really to empower Black men and youth to achieve resilience and holistic health and start to break down some of these systemic barriers,” he says.

Participants in Brothers Who Care have described the experience as enlightening and transformative, providing a rare space for open dialogue and shared learning.

As the organization continues to grow, its impact now reaches beyond Canada, reaching audience in the U.S., Europe, and Africa.

To learn more about Brothers Who Care, visit https://brotherswhocare.com/.

Essex County broke 52 records for local bird sightings in 2024. From a high count of pelicans to a first nesting record for Canada to a rare and endangered owl, Cam Chevalier (BSc 2024) has the goods in his annual summary.

“The American barn owl was a huge one for us. The last estimate was that there were only five to ten pairs that breed in the province,” says the master’s student of integrative biology.

“It was on private property, but I was fortunate enough to be part of a group that was granted access. Most people would consider this a once in a lifetime opportunity in Ontario — it stands out as a true rarity for us.”

Another rare sighting came in the summer, when Essex County hosted the first-ever nesting blue grosbeaks in Canada. Local naturalist and birder Paul Pratt discovered a male on June 23, a female on June 30, and a juvenile on Aug. 12. Chevalier captured the first photographic evidence of the juvenile the following day. Essex had already had an exciting grosbeak earlier in the year in its first ever black-headed grosbeak, found at a private feeder in Kingsville.

Chevalier says he was lucky to find two of the three arctic terns spotted in Essex County last summer. This species performs the longest migratory journey of all animals.

“On June 19, there was a huge school group that came to the tip of Point Pelee when we were there with the arctic tern, and we got to have the kids look at the bird through binoculars. The teachers said they’d use this to teach them about migration and how this bird goes from the far reaches of the Arctic all the way to the Antarctic and yet ended up here,” says Chevalier.

“I get the most out of it when I get to share the birds with people, and in that moment, I got to share the bird with these kids, and they were equally excited.”

Citizen scientists or fellow birders contribute the details of their Essex County sightings on a website called eBird. Chevalier collects this data from the platform and publishes the statistics along with summaries on an Essex Birds website.

“People contribute the interesting sightings of rare birds and breeding species, and then I pull that and reformulate the information,” he says.

This year Essex County had 11 provincial review species. These rarest of the rare sightings must go to a higher board for vetting. He says his goal is to continue to document the data in articles written by himself and his collaborators.

“I hope that over time, those articles will help paint us a picture of the different species.”

A 2024 highlight for him was banding baby American herring gulls in Sandusky, Ohio.

“My friend Jeremy and I noticed we were getting a massive influx of these birds in Essex County. They were coming across the lake in large quantities,” says Chevalier.

“In July, Jeremy and I went and helped band the fledglings, and in November in Essex County we got to see one of the birds we banded.”

Chevalier reviews the data to ensure the sighting is logical and if it is rare, he makes sure it is documented appropriately. The annual summary was compiled and maintained by Alan Wormington for 40 years until his death in 2016. In 2022, Chevalier took it upon himself to start compiling the resource once again.

“I think it is a valuable resource, and I have a deep passion for the birds of Essex County,” says Chevalier.

“I grew up near Ojibway Park and went there a lot as a kid and got connected with birders there and took a lot of camps there. And honestly, birding has the biggest community in nature and anywhere you go in the world there are birds.”

Chevalier is currently working on his master’s degree under the supervision of professor Dan Mennill. His focus is on population trends in Essex County songbirds and raptors over time. He will collect acoustic data and compare it directly to data collected in 2012 by a previous master’s student, Claire Sanders.

“I hope to highlight, with this work and my master’s, that we live in such an important region for biodiversity,” Chevalier says.

Over Reading Week, Feb. 14 to 23, an Odette School of Business class on Enterprise Development Consulting led by professor Francine Schlosser took a study abroad trip to Oxford, U.K.

The course was delivered in tandem with professors Verena Kreichbaumer and Deborah Pearce from the Faculty of Science at Oxford Brookes University (OBU). UWindsor students worked with Oxford bio-scientists to provide consulting on a new venture being incubated at the OBU Bio-Innovation Hub.

The UWindsor students also developed a workshop about the 10 most important business tips for entrepreneurial innovators, which they delivered to OBU bio-science students.

Prior to the pandemic, Drs. Schlosser, Kreichbaumer, and Pearce collaborated on annual study abroad trips to both Oxford and Windsor.

“It’s exciting that the 2025 UWindsor-Oxford Brookes collaboration re-ignited an international, multi-disciplinary teaching collaboration that began 10 years ago,” says Schlosser.

The class had the opportunity to see the sights, including a walking tour, several colleges, a tour of the BMW Mini assembly plant, and exploring the Ashmolean Museum.

Students received scholarships from the University of Windsor’s Go Global STEPs program to participate in this opportunity. Go Global STEPs is a Global Skills Opportunity project funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and jointly administered by Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada. The trip was also sponsored by the Odette School of Business.

Schlosser says the trip would not have been possible without this funding: “We hope to find a private donor to support this exchange in the future.”

In recognition of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Food Services is offering a special menu that features culturally appropriate dinners as well as the option to get reheatable dishes to enjoy after sunset and before sunrise, complying with fasting restrictions.

Meals will feature a combination of:

• Appetizers – dates, fattoush salad, veggie samosas, hummus with naan
• Vegetables – lentil curry, daal tadka, palak paneer, grilled vegetables
• Rice Dishes – chicken biryani, beef biryani, beef pilau
• Entrées – butter chicken, tandoori chicken drumstick, chicken souvlaki

Find these offerings at the Crocodile Grill in Vanier Hall and the Corner in Alumni Hall through the month.

A study abroad trip to Iceland enabled science major Linda Nguyen to apply knowledge from class to real-world environments and gave her the opportunity to immerse herself in another culture.

Now a photo of her examining specimens on Djúpalónssandur Beach, taken by classmate Sona Regonda in 2022, has won top honours in the Go Global photo contest. Previous Go Global scholarship recipients were invited to submit their best travel photos from their study or work abroad experiences and members the campus community voted for their favourite submissions. Nguyen received $500 for her winning entry, “Lava at First Sight.”

“My study abroad experience in Iceland allowed me to visit some geological wonders of the country and understand the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic forces that have altered them,” says Nguyen.

“I'm incredibly grateful to the Go Global program and professors for making this experience possible. Studying abroad pushed me out of my comfort zone, helping me become more independent and adaptable in new environments.”

Go Global co-ordinator Emily Stadder says she was pleased to see the contest drew more than 50 submissions.

“Our students have taken part in some amazing international experiences, and this was a fun opportunity to highlight their travels and what they have gained from these trips,” she says.

The UWindsor Go Global program was made possible by a $1 million grant provided by Global Skills Opportunity, funded by Employment and Social Development Canada. From 2022 to the end of the program in March 2025, more than 290 UWindsor students received scholarships to support study and work abroad opportunities in 13 countries.

The Lancer men’s volleyball team will play host to the Queen’s Gaels on Friday in a historic first: the first time Windsor will host the Forsyth Cup match for the Ontario University Athletics championship.

Windsor, 18-2 in the regular season, is looking for its first-ever provincial title. Queen’s (15-5) has finished atop the OUA nine times, most recently in 2020.

The action will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for seniors and youths, and fans are encouraged to purchase them in advance at goLancers.ca/tickets or at the box office at the south entrance to the Toldo Lancer Centre. Box office hours and more game information can be found here.

In other varsity action, the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse is hosting the U Sports track and field national championship tournament March 6 to 8. Visit golancers.ca/feature/USPORTS2025 for event details and ticket information.

As rates of measles continue to grow across the province, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is cautioning residents to be aware of the symptoms of measles and to take measures to prevent infection.

A viral infection, measles can cause severe complications in children and adults, in some cases leading to swelling of the brain, pneumonia and other respiratory complications, even death.

Measles is very contagious and spreads from person to person by drops of fluid from the nose and throat of someone who has the disease. Symptoms can include a fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, irritability, and red eyes. A red rash appears on the face three to seven days after the start of the above symptoms. The rash then progresses down the body.

If you or a family member are showing signs and symptoms of measles, it is important to:

• Isolate immediately by staying home and avoiding contact with others.
• Call before visiting a clinic or hospital so they can prepare for your arrival and prevent virus spread.
• Wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask when seeking medical assessment.

Your health care provider will assess you for measles and will test you if they suspect you have measles.

The best way to protect against measles is to receive two doses of the measles vaccine from your health care provider. This vaccine is safe and free for people who live, work, and attend school in Ontario.

In addition, these actions protect yourself and others:

• Cover your coughs and sneeze with a tissue.
• Wash your hands often.
• Keep your distance when travelling or attending large group events.
• Stay home when you are sick.

For more information on measles, visit the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit website at Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, 2025: Measles.

Looking for inspiration, along with a fun, free social event?  Come out to the public reception for “Unveiled,” the end-of-the-year exhibition of works by first-year students of Visual Arts and the Built Environment (VABE).

The reception takes place Friday, March 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., in Veterans Hall at the north lobby of the Armouries, while the students’ models and sculptures are exhibited in the adjacent SoCA Gallery.

Participating students include Carter Schell, Lilian Ohia, Ethan Sly, Calvin Trudelle, Audrey Wybenga, Martin Kamensky, Emma Nieuwland, Sawyer Caranci, Rofida Abuelezz, Ruqayah Al-Hilfi, Rayane Karhani, Joe Fawzy, Sam Mirzaee, Alexa Scherer, Marlee Johnson, Mackenzie Sansom, and Sofia Rafaela Corral Campo.

“The name of our exhibition is ‘Unveiled’, which also describes our theme,” says Ohia, one of the organizers. “It also describes our experiences in our journey this year learning architecture. We are showing the world what we've created by unveiling it.”

The exhibition includes the students’ final project models created during the fall semester along with artwork they created in Prof. Lisa Baggio’s course, and sculptures created working with instructors Lucy Howe (wood) and Zeke Moores (metal). Moores is the sculptor who executed artist Teresa Altiman’s design for the Big Turtle sculpture installed in River Commons last September.

“I absolutely adore the program. I learned so much about architecture and spatial dynamics in a first semester. Something about our program that's amazing is we have a lot of hands-on learning experience,” says Ohia. “So, our first year is basically doing models by hand and learning a bit more about different programs like Photoshop and InDesign. It's amazing that we could work first with our hands.”

The Armouries is located at 37 University Ave. East. This event is free and open to the public.

Three events Monday, March 17, will open the fourth annual Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDID) Week, continuing through March 21.

The week invites faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members to come together to create a more equitable community.

The opening day promises:

“Inclusion in Memory Spaces,” a session led by archivist Antoinette Seymour, who will address the paucity of Black archivists in Canada and the ensuing silence in the archives with respect to Caribbean diaspora. It runs 10 a.m. to noon in the Black Scholars Institute lounge on the lower level of the CAW Student Centre. Register here.

The panel discussion “Confronting Antisemitism on Campus and Beyond — Awareness and How it Affects Us All” will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Freed-Orman Centre in Assumption Hall. Sharing personal insights, historical context, and real-life experiences, speakers will examine how antisemitism manifests today: business instructor Ira Cohen, support advisor to Jewish students; rabbi-hazzan Devorah Fick of Congregation Beth El; Marion Zeller, executive director of the Windsor Jewish Federation; and law student Justin Hebert, president of the Jewish Students Association. Register here.

At 4 p.m. in the Freed-Orman Centre, the “Recovery Ally Training Workshop” will increase understanding of addiction, decrease associated stigma and bias, and provide specific tools and language for effective allyship. Participants will gain knowledge of resources available to support vulnerable community members as well as students who use substances or are in recovery from substance use. Register here.

Find a full schedule of events on the EDID Week website.

A March 20 open house reception will honour UWindsor faculty and staff who retired in 2024.

The event will run 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room on the second floor of Assumption Hall. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with fellow 2024 retirees while enjoying refreshments and food stations.

 “It’s a pleasure to welcome back recently retired members of our faculty and staff for this special event,” says Mona Sleiman, outreach, events, and protocol manager. “The open house reception is a wonderful way to acknowledge their service to the institution and its students.”

Retirees who have confirmed their attendance include:

• Ihsan Al-Aasm
• Yash Aneja
• Nancy Barkley
• Lina Beaudry
• Mary Chick
• Sheila Daudlin
• Catherine Dombroski
• Sue Fader
• Dwight Girard
• Daniel Heath
• Michael Houlahan
• Tracy Huff
• Linda Ingram
• Lisa Lewis
• Roman Maev
• Mary Matos-Kuznik
• Nancy McMahon
• David Montgomery
• Garry Moore
• Ronald Mullins
• Reza Nakhaie
• Linda Patrick
• Iain Samson
• Terry Sefton
• Hoda Skaff
• Julie Smit
• Lorna Stolarchuk
• Pauline Strong
• Theresa Whelan
• Cindy Wills
• Iris Xu
• Rosemary Zanutto

Complimentary parking is available in the Assumption visitor parking lot.

Guest tickets are available for $25 each while supplies last. Purchase tickets through this link by Friday, March 14.