It could be said that universities are in the business of constant preparation. Through scholarly work and research activity, we prepare our students to graduate and enjoy successful lives as alumni. We also carefully plan and prepare our campus to meet the ever-changing needs of the broader community.
This summer, our preparation efforts on all fronts are at an all-time high. In June, we celebrated the graduation of 3,161 students and applauded with great pride as they crossed the stage to begin a new chapter in their lives. We have also embarked on our busiest construction and demolition period ever on campus. Preparing our students and our campus for the future is a constant endeavour at the University of Windsor.
The new Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation (CEI), was recently named after our Chancellor at a remarkable fundraising event in Toronto that raised $5.3 million toward this new facility. It will be one of Canada’s finest centres for education, research and industry partnerships when it opens this fall. We look forward to introducing you to this incredible new building in further detail in the next issue of VIEW.
While activity ramps up to complete the CEI, just to the west of this site, construction has begun on the Innovation Centre and parking structure to accommodate up to 1,000 vehicles on seven levels, with a two-storey building to house various campus services and an incubator/accelerator space.
As new construction is going up, other buildings are coming down, including the recently leveled Cody Hall, and the building that formerly housed the drama program. Several former residential buildings along Sunset between Wyandotte and University Avenue will also be demolished to make way for new developments and green space. We continually have our eye on improving the student experience and also on how we can best position our campus to meet the needs of the future.
In the weeks ahead, as we join the rest of the world to recognize the preparation Olympic athletes endured to compete in London, England, we can be proud of the many ways that UWindsor students, coaches and alumni have contributed to this global tradition of excellence.
In this issue, we’ve highlighted a few of these stories, as well as alumni and student profiles that feature other inspiring journeys that have led to personal success.
It’s an exciting time to be a part of the University of Windsor and we’re proud that as alumni, you can help tell the story of our incredible campus transformation.
Alan Wildeman
President and Vice-Chancellor
VIEW Magazine is produced by the University of Windsor Office of Public Affairs in tandem with the Office of Alumni and Donor Communications. Our goal is to connect and inspire the UWindsor community through news and stories that build pride in our alumni, current students, faculty, staff, donors and friends.
