Faculty members in the School of Dramatic Art have been working hard to create enriching and engaging learning experiences for students, says director David Court.

“Our first project for the school year will be a works-in-progress class presentation of Jekyll and Hyde in the Hatch Studio Theatre in October,” he says. “It will be presented with minimal technical requirements, offering a unique and immersive experience for performers and the audience.”

The drama school is teaming up with the School of Creative Arts for several projects: enlisting acting students for opportunities in student films, as well as a radio play version of A Christmas Carol for performance in December at Assumption Church.

“This provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain practical performance experience, enhance their skills and confidence, and engage with a classic piece of literature supported by music, choral, and foley work,” Court says.

In the winter semester, the school will mount The Wedding Party as a site-specific theatre project in Mackenzie Hall.

“This ambitious project aims to provide students with an immersive theatrical experience by utilizing the space to host a wedding reception, creating a dynamic and interactive performance environment,” says Court.

In addition, Mackenzie Hall’s outdoor gazebo will host a “Shakespeare in the Park” presentation of The Advanced Shakespeare Works, preparing students for another popular form of theatrical entertainment.

A partnership with the Stratford Festival will offer course credit for experiential learning opportunities in arts administration, design and production, and education and outreach. Students will work under Stratford’s director of education, Lois Adamson, and complete reflective assignments under faculty supervision that may include tours of wardrobe, scenery, or prop shops; shadowing from the stage manager booth; observing meetings and events; and individual consultations with artists to discuss career trajectories.

Court credits drama professor Michelle MacArthur and Adamson with making the pilot program possible. It will encompass 10 placements: four each during the fall and winter reading weeks and two in summer or intersession.

Students selected to participate will have their accommodations covered and will receive an honorarium to offset the cost of meals and travel, with support from the offices of the provost and the dean of arts, humanities, and social sciences, and the School of Dramatic Art.

“We encourage all students across drama programs to apply for this opportunity, however, priority will be extended to third- and fourth-year students,” says Court.

The school has also proposed Theatre for Young Audiences tours enabling students to improve their performance skills while engaging with young audiences in the community.

On Track to Success provided “a ton” of support while he was in high school, says Gede Palar, and the United Way program has continued to contribute to his accomplishments as a student of environmental sciences at the University of Windsor.

“I had a pretty challenging first year and I reached out to my On Track success coach when I was struggling,” Palar recalls. “With their help, I got connected to resources and people at UWindsor who were really supportive… a game changer for me and my study habits.”

He received a paid summer position through the Executive Mentorship Program, being mentored by Anne Marie Albidone, manager of environmental services for the City of Windsor.

“Through her mentorship I gained a deep understanding of how various operations work within the city and received invaluable career advice that has shaped my vision for the future,” says Palar. “I hope to contribute to sustainable solutions, whether through research or by playing a role in recycling initiatives that make a tangible impact.”

Executive Mentorship Program facilitator Kaila DiCecco notes it also provides training in professional conduct, workplace communication, conflict resolution, personal branding, and interview skills.

“What is so unique to EMP is that in addition to providing real-life experiences and applicable skills within a student’s chosen field, we go even further by developing professional competency, confidence, and practical skill development in order to foster long-term career readiness,” DiCecco says.

His part, Palar says: “I’m truly grateful for all of the valuable lessons and insights that were shared with me, as they have shaped my perspective and fuelled my enthusiasm for making a difference.”

Watch a video about his experience:

It’s one of the ways that the United Way is working to implement a cradle-to-career model to eliminating childhood poverty in Windsor-Essex.

The campus campaign for United Way will launch its 2024 fundraising effort with a series of free events this week:

• a pizza luncheon at noon Tuesday, Oct. 8, outside Chrysler Hall Tower;
• the Women United coffee break at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, in Katzman Lounge, Vanier Hall;
• information sessions on “Why Donate to United Way” at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, through MS Teams.

UWindsor employees in attendance at any of these events will have an opportunity to enter a draw for an extra vacation day. The draw is also open to anyone who purchases a United Way T-shirt or ballcap. All employee donors will be entered into a draw for a one-year parking pass, with an additional pass draw for any new donors or current donors who increase their contributions.

Donations must be made by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, to qualify for the draw. Incentive prize winners will be announced at a wrap-up event at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11.

To show your support and raise awareness, find more details on the campaign website and download the virtual background and email signature graphics to use for the week.

Two UWindsor researchers never imagined their research would lead them deep underwater where they could observe Greenland sharks up close in the wild from the comfort of a submarine.

Doctoral student Eric Ste-Marie (MSc 2020), along with his supervisor, integrative biology professor Nigel Hussey, embarked on a two-week journey on a state-of-the-art boat called the OceanXplorer. Ste-Marie and Dr. Hussey benefited from having access to wet labs, dry labs, two submarines, an advanced sonar system, and a gene sequencer, among other high-tech tools, all on board.

“Honestly it was a really amazing team to work with and everyone was super supportive while we were there and leading up to it,” says Ste-Marie.

“Especially considering in 2021 it was something that would have been impossible for us to plan by ourselves — we are super grateful for being a part of that team.”

For the past seven years, Ste-Marie has studied Greenland sharks with Hussey. He’s previously attached sonar tags to sharks in the Canadian arctic; for the OceanXplorer voyage, they worked with sharks off an island called Svalbard, north of Norway.

“But this was unlike any experience I’ve had before, or ever will in the future,” he says.

“This is the most advanced research vessel on the planet right now and it has everything you could ever want or imagine in a science setting — all on one boat.”

The trip was accompanied by a production crew filming every step of the research process. The series was a collaboration with National Geographic, the BBC, and OceanX.

“We were there to do our normal Greenland shark tagging work by putting archival accelerometer tags onto Greenland sharks to study their fine scale behaviours and we were particularly interested in their feeding behaviour.”

He and Hussey both had the opportunity to take a submarine dive to watch the Greenland sharks up-close, feeding in their natural habitat.

“I felt like a kid at Disneyworld, and I was smiling ear to ear when I went down,” he says.

“To start, we’re in the most beautiful fjords in Svalbard with glaciers and mountains and to go down 200 metres to where you hit the twilight zone and then to see the species you’ve studied for years but you’ve never seen in their natural environment because they’re a deep-water species.”

Typically, the UWindsor researchers use a compact action camera to collect remote underwater video to look at feeding and behaviours. But this gives a limited view.

“With their set up we could do a much larger scale experiment and view a much wider area. We also had the ability to move the camera. So if the shark swims out of frame you can still follow it and see that behaviour progress over time.”

It is one thing to have the data collected during field work, says Ste-Marie, but it is another thing to see that ecosystem for yourself.

“And to really get a feel for the situation — it really inspires big science breakthroughs,” he says. “Both the conversations you’re having right then and the being there in the area you’re studying, it definitely helps inspire those thoughts that lead to analyses, that lead to publications, and ultimately to policy that protects the species we’re studying.”

Ste-Marie says this Norwegian quest allowed them to tag the sharks with acceleration biologging packages which also record depth, temperature, and sonar data. They can start to answer behaviour questions such as whether the slow-moving large fish are predominantly predators or scavengers.

The documentary featuring Ste-Marie and Hussey is called OceanXplorers and it is available on the streaming service Disney+. Read more about their research in this DailyNews article.

Before you step into the online world, ask yourself: are you a target?

Safeguard your device by ensuring your browser is up to date, reducing the risk of cyberattacks. When connecting from off-campus or using public Wi-Fi, always secure your connection with the University’s GlobalProtect virtual private network (VPN).

Another useful tip is to streamline your browsing experience by designating specific browsers for work and personal use. Keep your online activities organized by using different browsers for work and personal tasks. This simple step helps contain potential security breaches.

As you browse, be vigilant. Avoid questionable websites and always inspect links before clicking — especially those in emails or promising deals that seem too good to be true. When shopping online, stick to trusted retailers and always look for the padlock symbol in the address bar to confirm the site is secure. After your purchase, always log out.

For added protection, consider using a dedicated credit card for online shopping, making it easier to detect any suspicious charges.

In this digital age, the question isn’t whether you’re a target, but how you will be targeted. Stay prepared and protect yourself online.

Remember, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. By following these practices, you not only safeguard your own online presence but also help protect the Lancer community. In early 2024, the University implemented mandatory cybersecurity training for all faculty, staff, post doctoral fellows, adjunct professors, sessional instructors and student employees. If you have not completed the mandatory training, please do so by Oct. 31.

Find helpful resources at uwindsor.ca/cybersecurity.

Hot apple cider, doughnut bites, and orchard-fresh apples are on offer for UWindsor students Wednesday, courtesy of Local 1393 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents campus trades, technical, and professional staff.

The student appreciation event is set to start at noon outside the east entrance to the CAW Student Centre and will continue while supplies last.

The Office of Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility (OHREA) invites nominations for the 12th annual OHREA Awards recognizing the contributions of individuals and groups to advance human rights, social justice, diversity, inclusivity, employment equity, mental health, and accessibility at the University of Windsor.

There will be a total of five awards, one within each of the following categories:

• Accessibility Award for those who have contributed to accessible education, training and awareness, employment, customer service, built environments, or information and communication within the University of Windsor.
• Employment Equity Award for those who have contributed to the advancement of employment equity at the University.
• Human Rights and Social Justice Award for those who have contributed to embedding a culture of respect for human rights at the University or have worked towards the advancement of social justice at the local and global levels.
• Mental Health Champion Award for those who have worked towards reducing barriers associated with mental illness and towards promoting mental health and well-being.
• OHREA Award for those who have contributed to the advancement of accessibility, employment equity, human rights, culture, diversity, and inclusivity at the University of Windsor.

Nominations may come from staff, faculty, students, alumni, and retirees of the University of Windsor, no later than Thursday, Oct. 31. Fill out the nomation form here and be sure to include specific examples.

The awards will be presented in person on Friday, Dec. 13, at noon; find more details at OHREA Awards.

The next WE-Spark Think Tank will take place Friday, Oct. 25, offering an opportunity for researchers, students, health-care professionals, and community organizations to come together and find solutions. This virtual session on Zoom will run from 1 to 3 p.m. and will feature two exciting projects.

Attendees are encouraged to bring fresh ideas, engage in problem-solving discussions, and build meaningful collaborations to drive these initiatives forward.

1. Improving Social Determinants of Health by Developing Relationships with Nature in the City
   Presented by:

• Anneke Smit, Faculty of Law
• Catherine Febria, the Healthy Headwaters Lab
• Clint Jacobs, Indigenous scholar, Indigenous Knowledge Table

This session, led by the University of Windsor’s National Urban Park Hub, will explore how green spaces within the proposed National Urban Park can improve the mental, physical, and spiritual health of the Windsor-Essex community. Researchers will share their findings on the positive effects of access to nature and seek insights from health-care professionals to support ongoing efforts with Parks Canada and local municipalities. Contributions from organizations such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor Regional Hospital, Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare, Erie Shores Healthcare and the Windsor Essex County Health Unit will be crucial.

2. Exploring Opportunities for the Development and Integration of Survivorship Care for Cancer Patients

Presented by Laura D'Alimonte, regional director, Windsor Regional Hospital Cancer Program

With rising cancer survival rates, this session will discuss the increasing importance of survivorship care. How can the health-care community ensure that cancer patients receive continued care and support after treatment? Professionals in oncology, primary care, mental health, rehabilitation, and community health organizations are invited to contribute ideas that will help design integrated, patient-centered survivorship care programs.

WE-Spark Think Tanks are designed to inspire collaboration and are ideal for anyone passionate about advancing health research and making a real difference in the community.

Click here to register for the event.