A Brock community magazine
Crawford Lake’s global significance How Brock research is shedding light on humanity’s impact
Winter 2024 Vol. 16, No. 1
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In this issue
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A natural wonder’s new view
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Exploring outdoor play abroad
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Unearthing evidence of a new epoch
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Global insight gained through UN co-op
Keeping work safe in high heat
In every issue 5
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PRESIDENT
SPORTS
ALUMNI UPDATES
THEN & NOW
Global reach grows
A world of experience
Where are they now?
Lessons learned overseas
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Reconnect with your alma mater. As a Brock graduate, you have access to special events, professional development opportunities, financial perks and more. Make the most of your Brock connection today.
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VOL. 16, NO. 1, WINTER 2024
EDITOR Maryanne St. Denis PUBLISHER Matt Terry ART DIRECTOR Jenny Tilbrook DESIGNER Alyssa Gibson PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR Carol McIntosh CONTRIBUTORS Amanda Bishop Kaitlyn Daw Tarryn Landman Stephen Leithwood Cathy Majtenyi Tiffany Mayer Gillian Minaker Maryanne St. Denis Matt Terry Jocelyn Titone
GENERAL INQUIRIES Brock Alumni Relations maintains a database of contact information for each graduate in accordance with all legislative requirements protecting privacy. We do not sell, trade or give away our mailing lists. If you do not wish to receive the magazine, or if you prefer to subscribe to our digital edition of Surgite, please fill out the form at brocku.ca/alumni
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Surgite/sur-gi-tay/Latin for “Push on” The inspiring last words of Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Brock experience gaining steam globally
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was wearing one of my many Brock University shirts on an international flight recently when a fellow passenger came up to tell me they were a proud Brock graduate. This was the first time that I was far from home and encountered a Brock grad — but with more than 119,000 alumni in countries around the world, it likely won’t be the last. For a relatively young institution, Brock has quickly expanded its reach to all parts of the globe. Students and faculty come to Brock from countries on every continent (well, we’re still waiting for our first Antarctic
applicant), Brock research influences decision-making on a global level and alumni hold critical positions in communities both in Canada and abroad. From Niagara to the world, Brock is at the forefront of creating positive change on a global scale, as evidenced by the stories on the following pages. Please enjoy this issue of Surgite, which spotlights Brock’s international reach and demonstrates how the unique Brock experience helps individuals around the planet navigate the complexities of our increasingly interconnected world.
LESLEY RIGG
President and Vice-Chancellor, Brock University
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tips to bring history to life Making the most out of your travel experience BY GILLIAN MINAKER
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rock History Professor and medieval expert Andrew McDonald has a passion for uncovering fascinating stories of the past and sharing them with the world. A historian of the medieval British Isles and specialist in medieval Scotland and the Isle of Man (a small island in the middle of the Irish Sea), McDonald is the author of a new travel guide, A Visitor’s Guide to the Medieval Kingdoms of Man and the Isles, 1055-1275, published by Manx National Heritage. Drawing on years of scholarship and his recent book, McDonald will embark on a study abroad trip in 2024 introducing Brock students to the rich history and impressive landscape of the Isle of Man in a fully immersive academic travel experience. “We often think about history as dates or an event occurring during a specific time, but history also happened in a place,” McDonald says. “Considering the ‘why’ of how physical landmarks came to be — why was that castle built on that site — this helps us understand how history played out.” Over the years, McDonald has worked closely with Manx National Heritage to share the history of the region through his specialized research. He found it exciting to think outside of the strictly academic construct for the travel guide to make the material more approachable. “It was challenging — and nice — to write outside of footnotes,” he says. The book was created for anyone interested in the region and presents three sections: an introductory history and ‘key players,’ discussions of specific sites and translations of historical texts. “We wanted to put together a general introduction for someone who is a visitor to the Isle of Man discovering the history and wanting more, a student looking for more information or even an armchair traveller who wants to get lost in beautiful images of the terrain,” he says. Here, McDonald shares his knowledge and tips for a rich travel experience by fully immersing yourself in the history of the region you’re visiting.
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Do your homework.
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Immerse yourself in the environment and take historical texts with you.
Prepare for your trip in advance by familiarizing yourself with the historical materials (especially true for students embarking on studies abroad). Develop your base knowledge of the region. This will bring the history to life upon arrival.
Go beyond geographical maps and get to know the environment you are in. Ask questions: why is this castle here? What is the significance of where it was built? Seek out travel materials and read them while you are in the place. You will better understand why things unfolded as they did.
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Connect with local heritage and cultural organizations.
This is important for studying abroad, but also for any traveller. Local experts can provide invaluable advice while visiting a region. Get the benefit of the local experts and embrace their perspective. You never know what gems you will discover.
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Go off the beaten path. Don’t be afraid to be “spur of the moment.” If you pass an interesting museum or an old church, walk in. Take advantage of wandering small side streets. The element of curiosity and exploration should win over planning, at least some of the time. Herein lies the magic of travel.
Consider the present through the lens of the past. History often has contemporary relevance and offers a way to consider current events and how cultures and societies are formed. When fully immersed in an environment, invaluable insight may be gained about how the past might shape the present or future.
Andrew McDonald (pictured above), Professor in Brock’s Department of History and Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, has written a travel guide for visitors to the Isle of Man. (Photo above courtesy of the BBC)
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A journey of self-discovery abroad BY JOCELYN TITONE
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trip halfway across the world not only opened Kearson led focused initiatives on topics such as mindfulness, emotional Lovegrove’s eyes to new experiences and cultures, regulation and movement. it also changed the course of her career. Lovegrove taught human anatomy and quickly realized that Lovegrove (BKin ’22, MPK ’23) was one of more educating others about how the body works was something she than two dozen Brock students who travelled to Africa this past could do for the rest of her life. spring to engage in an experiential learning opportunity examining “When I started my graduate degree, I had plans to be a clinician, global issues in health care, education, politics, poverty, power and such as a physician’s assistant or diagnostic imaging tech,” she said. “But after teaching a few lessons in privilege. Namibia, I got more and more excited to For participating Master of Professional Kinesiology (MPK) do it every day. I came out of the trip with a students like Lovegrove, the great sense of direction.” international field course was Brock students also led programs that offered as one of three practicum offered a safe space for youth to discuss health-related questions on topics such placements required as part of the as puberty, sexual health and consent, MPK program. The experience was also a key component of a fourthand introduced a parent-focused initiative year Global Health course for Health aimed at engaging caregivers in their Sciences students. children’s education and health care. Students explored the mountains Lovegrove graduated from the MPK program in October and plans to pursue and beaches of Cape Town and visited Robben Island Prison, where further education to be a human anatomy — Kearson Lovegrove Nelson Mandela was held, to learn lab demonstrator in a college or university setting. about the history of the country’s apartheid. She encourages everyone to consider They also spent two weeks in Namibia collaborating with opportunities for international experiences, even if they’re uncertain community partners in Katutura, primarily working alongside at-risk about it. “At first, I was nervous because I didn’t know anyone else going, youth at an education and rehabilitation centre, an after-school program and early childhood education centres. but I’m so thankful for the opportunity,” she said. “International At Bernard Nordkamp Centre’s after-school program, Brock travel helped me find myself and my passion. There’s so much students encouraged physical activity by teaching children how work that can be done in Canada and abroad to enhance teaching to play sports; helped children with reading, writing and math; and and learning.”
“International travel helped me find myself and my passion. There’s so much work that can be done in Canada and abroad to enhance teaching and learning.”
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Photos clockwise from top left: While in South Africa, students visited Cape of Good Hope, the most southwestern point of the African continent; Kearson Lovegrove uses puzzle play to help build children’s fine-motor skills; fourth-year Political Science student Mark Chrabalowski visits Guemsansa Buddhist temple in Gimje City, South Korea during one of the two international student exchanges he participated in last year; Lovegrove teaches children about the cardiovascular system by having them measure their pulses; while in Namibia, students explored the Sossusvlei salt pan in the Namib Desert; and Lovegrove with a child from the Bernard Nordkamp Centre's after-school program.
TICKET-AIRLINE
International mobility at Brock
Course-integrated international field placements are one example of many international opportunities Brock offers students and faculty in its efforts to integrate a global perspective into teaching, learning and research in Canada and abroad.
International mobility programs include: • International student exchange for one or two academic terms. • Short-term options, including summer programs and international field placements. • International internships, co-operative education and practicum placements. • A Global Scholars program, which welcomes visiting international professors, undergraduate students, graduate students and post-doctoral scholars to Brock to facilitate cross-cultural knowledge sharing and skill development. • Many of Brock’s international mobility programs are eligible for funding support such as scholarships, bursaries and OSAP.
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TUNNEL
VISION Mackenzie Rockbrune (BA ’22), Matthew Scott (BA ’20), Chris Giles (BA ’11), Kaitie Robertson (BA ’12) and Emily Zwart (BA ’20) are among the many Brock University graduates who welcome the world to Niagara Falls as part of the Niagara Parks team. The Tunnel at the Niagara Parks Power Station, offering unparalleled views of both the Horseshoe and American Falls, is among the newest attractions provided by the organization, which aims to preserve and promote the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River corridor.
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Exploring the nature of childhood BY GILLIAN MINAKER
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ike many travellers, Brock researchers returned from a recent trip abroad with souvenirs to mark their time away. But instead of postcards and keychains, they brought back valuable knowledge for the next generation of early childhood educators (ECEs). The team from Brock’s Faculty of Education (FOE) — including Professor Debra Harwood (BA ’89), Associate Professor Sandra Della Porta and Assistant Professor Sally Hooper (MEd ’06) — journeyed to Denmark in September for a Nordic Open Model Education (NOME) study tour. The researchers wanted to experience the Nordic model first-hand and observe the innovative types of nature-based programs offered to Danish children. The experience did not disappoint. They visited four outdoor child-care centres where learning takes place in natural spaces, often with animals the children care for, including chickens, rabbits, goats and cows. They also visited three adventure playgrounds, a Danish architectural concept dating back to the 1930s. Especially intriguing for scholars and ECEs, these spaces relate to philosophies of child agency, adventure, sustainability and imaginative thought. In forest and nature early childhood programs, the guiding principle of mutual trust between children and educators encourages children to assess their own risk within set safety boundaries. This is of particular interest to Della Porta, whose research focuses on the study of social power and how children understand and use it.
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Brock researchers Debra Harwood, Sandra Della Porta and Sally Hooper visit ‘Troll’ by Thomas Dambo, an outdoor public play structure near the Trine neighborhood of Copenhagen.
“I was curious about what the student-educator relationships were like. I found their beliefs around emotional regulation, social engagement and how capable they think children are, greatly benefited the educational experience,” says Della Porta, Director of Brock’s Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) program. What impacted Hooper most was the Danish view of ‘childhood’ and how their culture treasures and protects it. “You could see it everywhere,” she says. “They were simply enjoying their children being little — no pressure for next stages. Social cohesion and happiness were so important.” Collectively, they were struck by the slower tempo and calm rhythm of the day, and intrigued by how the fresh air and adventure play allowed children to use their imagination to develop skills, whether crafting their own toys from sticks and rocks or using wood pallets to build a stage to put on a show. For Harwood, who has toured globally exploring outdoor play models of education and whose teaching and research expertise is focused on early child development, experiencing the Scandinavian roots of forest and nature programs was a dream come true.
In their teaching practices, Harwood, Della Porta and Hooper will continue to focus on the autonomy of children and the benefits of childdirected risk-based play, exploring how these educational models can be operationalized in North America. As Della Porta leads Brock’s BECE program, her experience abroad has deepened her interest in understanding how much control children are allowed to have, and how taking it away impacts their capacity to learn. Moving forward, she will transfer her knowledge into research in Indigenous and community-based education with collaborator Stanley (Bobby) Henry, Indigenous scholar and Assistant Professor in the FOE. “As leaders in experiential education, travel study opportunities help us to be excellent educators and bring invaluable knowledge back to our students. They are the future,” Della Porta says. Hooper agrees, adding “Now that I have been there, I can bring these values to the classroom in an authentic way.” The group plans to collaborate on a research paper centring the belief that children have agency and rights. “How can we use this knowledge to create natural spaces for children? As practitioners, we are all about ‘head, heart and hand,’” Harwood says. “We need to focus on the ‘heart,’ and bring our experiences to our community.”
Left: Debra Harwood (left), Sally Hooper (centre) and Sandra Della Porta (right) at a forest and farm school in Denmark. Right: The researchers interacted with a variety of animals on their study tour, a key aspect of the Nordic model of nature-based learning.
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As leaders in experiential education, travel study opportunities help us to be excellent educators and bring invaluable knowledge back to our students.” — Sandra Della Porta
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How Brock research at is changing
Crawford Lake the world
BY CATHY MAJTENYI
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n the surface, it’s a serene and scenic site that has been a favourite spot for hikers, history buffs and nature lovers
for decades. But in the depths of Crawford Lake lies clear evidence of how humans have fundamentally changed the planet. The small but deep body of water nestled in the heart of Halton region, became the centre of global attention this summer as the findings of a Brock University-led research team came to light. On July 11, an international expert group announced Crawford Lake contains the clearest evidence on Earth that byproducts of human activity have significantly altered the planet after the Second World War. Francine McCarthy had mixed emotions on that day. Relief that the research she and her multi-institutional team had been conducting at Crawford Lake for almost five
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years had come to fruition, but also a sense of urgency that people understand the implications of what the lake has revealed. The Brock University Professor of Earth Sciences and her team’s findings are part of a proposal to add a new epoch, the Anthropocene, to the geologic time scale. Earth’s current epoch, the Holocene, began 11,700 years ago. “It’s important for everyone to know that the Earth is a different place than it was before 1950,” she says. “We actually reached a tipping point, so that the way the atmosphere, the oceans and all the systems of the Earth interact is different than it used to be.” Crawford Lake was chosen out of 12 sites around the globe that illustrate this new reality as the best location for the ‘golden spike’ to define the Anthropocene as an interval of geologic time.
We actually reached a tipping point, so that the way the atmosphere, the oceans and all the systems of the Earth interact is different than it used to be.” — Francine McCarthy Members of Team Crawford approach a platform from which they collect sediment from the bottom of Crawford Lake.
A hollow metal tube called a “freeze core” is lowered to the bottom of Crawford Lake to collect sediment.
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TELLING THE STORY Crawford Lake is an exceptionally deep, ‘meromictic’ lake, meaning there’s no mixing of warm- and cold-water layers that occurs in freshwater lakes. These placid waters enable sediment to form into layers called ‘varves,’ which resemble tree rings. “Crawford Lake’s unique varving patterns lead to the exceptional, wonderful preservation of all of the things in it without being disturbed,” says McCarthy. “So, we can sample every year and tell you what was going on in the water, the atmosphere and the watershed.” During multiple site visits, McCarthy’s team dropped a series of hollow tubes filled with dry ice and ethanol into the lake’s muddy floor, allowing sediment layers to freeze to their exterior. Back on land, the team removed the sediment from the tubes and sent the slabs for analysis. Researchers found deposits of plutonium-239, fertilizers and fly ash, among other human-made materials associated with the “Great Acceleration,” a marked upturn in indicators of population growth, industrialization and globalization following the Second World War.
HINTS OF SOMETHING BIGGER McCarthy has been researching Crawford Lake since 2011. Initially, she focused on advancing earlier studies focused on the impacts of Indigenous and subsequent colonial activity around the lake conducted by her one-time mentor John “Jock” McAndrews, then-Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Toronto and Crawford Lake expert. But it was a conversation with fellow Brock geologist Martin Head that was to turn the direction of the research around. The Professor of Geology was returning from a meeting of the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG), of which he’s a member. The AWG was searching for a specific location that contains the clearest geologic evidence of the impacts of human activity as part of the proposal for a new epoch. “When we looked at what was published about Crawford Lake, there were hints that there probably was something that happened in the mid-20th century, but we didn’t have enough data to support that,” says McCarthy, who eventually joined the AWG.
Left: Researchers from the multiinstitutional Team Crawford, including (from left) Krysten Lafond, Tim Patterson, Paul Hamilton and Maxim Ralchenko, carry the freeze core pulled from the bottom of Crawford Lake. Centre: Carleton University students Emily Shi (left) and Anne Nguyen (right bottom) pry layers from the freeze core, while Lafond (right top) removes dry ice from the hollow freeze core. Right: Brock University Earth Sciences Professor Francine McCarthy (right) inspects a freeze core being held by Lafond.
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A CLOSER LOOK
Left: The distinctive annually deposited layers seen in this freeze core from April 2023 are comprised of two components: a lightcoloured lamination that forms when calcite precipitates out of the water column when water is warm in summer; and a darker lamination that primarily forms when phytoplankton begin to die off as water temperatures cool in fall. The warmer and dryer the summer, the thicker the calcite layer. (Photo by the Patterson Lab, Carleton University) Right: With Team Crawford, Brock University Earth Sciences Professor Francine McCarthy has unlocked secrets trapped in the lake’s bottom that could lead to the addition of a new epoch, the Anthropocene, to the geologic time scale.
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I’m convinced we can make intelligent choices to minimize the impacts. We need to do so for future generations.” — Francine McCarthy
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
THE LONG ROAD
In 2018, McCarthy created “Team Crawford,” the leadership of which includes Head and Carleton University Professor of Earth Sciences Professor Tim Patterson, with participants from various Canadian and European institutions. Patterson and his students have expertise in collecting freeze cores and conducting core analysis. The team presented its findings to the AWG, which examined the evidence from Crawford Lake and 11 other sites, choosing the lake to be the reference point for the proposed Anthropocene. The next step is for the International Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy to either accept or reject the AWG’s Crawford Lake proposal for a ‘Crawfordian Age’ that could be part of the current Holocene Epoch or hopefully, the first age of an Anthropocene epoch. Then the International Commission on Stratigraphy will then vote on the subcommission’s decision, with the International Union for Geological Sciences having the final say.
It was 1985 when McCarthy first encountered Crawford Lake on a class trip during her University of Toronto graduate student days. McCarthy had initially focused on an environmental design arts career but switched over to geology while attending Dalhousie University. On the lake’s shores, the artistic and scientific sides of McCarthy came together instantly. “If you were to distill all of the things I find fascinating, it’s all right here,” she says of her personal connection to the lake, a protected area managed by Conservation Halton. McCarthy earned her PhD at Dalhousie University, specializing in ocean research. After joining Brock in 1991, McCarthy’s work focused on finding evidence to reconstruct changes in climate and water quality over time in North American lakes. This latest research had McCarthy feeling “overwhelmed. It’s hard not to feel fatalistic,” she says of the secrets the team unlocked at Crawford Lake. “The worse thing to think is, ‘oh well, just party like it’s 1999 and it doesn’t matter, we’ll just go out with a bang,’ but I’m convinced we can make intelligent choices to minimize the impacts,” she says. “We need to do so for future generations.”
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International student-athletes find a second home at Brock BY STEPHEN LEITHWOOD
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or many Brock student-athletes, teammates quickly become family and campus quickly becomes home. This sentiment is especially true for international learners who travel abroad to study at the University while also pursuing their passion for sport. While all Brock teams welcome international student-athletes, the University’s varsity men’s and women’s fencing teams include a mosaic of people from around the world. Among the program’s athletes is Nicholas Gutierrez-Sarabia, a second-year Critical Criminology student who is more than 7,000-kilometres away from his home country of Hungary. Gutierrez-Sarabia has hit his stride in fencing since arriving in Canada, thanks in part to the support he’s received from the Brock community. “It’s great to be a part of this team. Since Day 1, my teammates helped me with some difficulties I had in my first months at Brock,” he says. “I’ve never seen a group of fencers like this who want to learn and put in the work to get better every day. Many
factors give us an edge at Brock, such as sport psychology and instructed exercises with post-workout recovery devices. Our coaches deliver great fencing lessons, and it shows in my performance.” Gutierrez-Sarabia immediately made his impact on and off the fencing strips. In his first season, he was awarded the George Tully Trophy at the conclusion of the Ontario University Athletics Men’s Fencing Championship. The trophy is presented to a men’s fencer who is most proficient in skill, style and sportsmanship as determined by a panel of judges. Gutierrez-Sarabia also earned a provincial silver medal during the individual men’s épée final, including a bronze medal in the men’s épée relay team. He has achieved a growing resumé of individual success on the Canadian university fencing circuit; however, he credits his teammates for his achievements.
Nicholas Gutierrez-Sarabia, a student-athlete from Hungary, has found a home away from home with the Brock men’s fencing team.
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Brock University takes pride in the diverse talents and dynamic energy brought by its international student-athletes.” — Melissa Krist Nicholas Gutierrez-Sarabia (left) of the Brock Badgers captured a pair of provincial medals and was awarded the George Tully Trophy for sportsmanship during the Ontario University Athletics Fencing Championships in February 2023.
And his teammates are just as quick to sing his praises. “Nicholas has been a catalyst to the ever-rising success of our varsity fencing program. His fencing is sharp and surgical, and his presence is magnetic,” says teammate Aryan Jhaveri, an international student from India. “Most of all, he’s humble, kind and empathetic. You would never know about his championship accomplishments unless you look his results up online. I have great appreciation for Nico as a friend, and unwavering respect for him as a teammate.” Brock international studentathletes currently compete in sports such as basketball, wrestling, rowing, rugby, tennis and volleyball. Their diverse contributions enhance competitiveness and foster crosscultural exchange within the Brock Sports community, enriching the overall sporting experience for the Badgers, says Melissa
Krist, Executive Director, Brock Sports and Recreation. “Brock University takes pride in the diverse talents and dynamic energy brought by its international studentathletes, who not only excel in their athletic pursuits but also serve as catalysts for cultural creativity,” Krist says. “In essence, these exceptional individuals emerge not just as student-athletes, but as invaluable contributors to higher education worldwide.” Brock’s fencing program currently has more international student-athletes than any other varsity team: Gutierrez-Sarabia, Jhaveri, Dhairya Shah of India, Lara Sulzer of Germany and Sara Fellman and Samuel Dalbayrak of the United States. Gutierrez-Sarabia loves his country, but summer vacations to Canada drew him to seek a post-secondary education in Ontario.
“Brock University stood out to me when I was looking for Ontario universities that offered the right combination of the Criminology program I was looking for and the level of épée fencing I wanted,” he says. “My experience here has convinced me to live here after my studies.” As a fellow international student, Jhaveri echoed Gutierrez-Sarabia’s sentiments about Brock, fencing and living in Canada. “I am lucky to be associated with Nicholas and my amazing teammates, coaches and Brock community,” says the third-year Biochemistry student from Ahmedabad, India. “They have consistently supported me, accepted me and pushed me to become a better person, athlete and student. Brock University is home, and the varsity fencing program is family.”
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Stepping up for the planet during UN co-op BY TIFFANY MAYER
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ryan Tiwari had a world of choice when he applied to university. After graduating from high school in Kuwait in 2019, though, he homed in on Brock’s Goodman School of Business. Tiwari was drawn to Goodman’s co-op program and the University’s location within a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. But Brock’s partnership with the United Nations Association – Canada (UNA-Canada), specifically, which allows students to work in any country with a UN agency for an eight-month economic development work term, helped him make his decision. Tiwari had participated in Model UN and Harvard World Model UN throughout school. Coming to Goodman meant a chance at applying himself to the real thing. That became a self-fulfilling prophecy last May when, after an intensive interview process, Tiwari boarded a plane for Geneva,
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Switzerland, to work as a migration, environment, climate change and risk reduction intern for the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM). It’s a dream come true but an exercise in humility, too. “For anyone in university, getting a placement like this is huge,” said Tiwari, who was also chosen as the recipient of the Goodman UN Internship Award. “I was aware of that, but I wasn’t really aware until I got it and people around me started telling me that and congratulating me.” Tiwari hasn’t been resting on any laurels, though. Although the focus of his studies at Goodman is on marketing, Tiwari is minoring in environmental sustainability. That diversity in his academic background made him a standout for his hiring director, who needed help with the newly added climate change and environmental
🌎 “For anyone in university, getting a placement like this is huge.” — Aryan Tiwari
components of the IOM’s work related to migration and displacement. In his role, he has worked with people from all over the world, doing everything from the usual intern tasks, including taking detailed meeting minutes, to making ambitious requests to attend events at UN headquarters where he, quite literally, sees how the world works. He’s also been lending his efforts to two soon-to-be published policy papers related to human mobility in the context of climate change, disasters and environmental degradation in the African Union. In addition, Tiwari wrote a case study to be submitted to Global Stocktake, which looks at the progress the world has made on climate change since the Paris Agreement in 2015, in advance of COP28, the UN’s Climate Change Conference happening in Dubai this fall. “It’s gotten me out of my comfort zone,” he said. “I studied science in high school, and now business, but I’ve not studied policy. “You can always say no (to the work), but you only have a few months here so how you want to use it is completely up to you,” he added. “I’m trying to push myself.” Those around him notice. Tiwari won the Choquette Family Scholarship from the UNA-Canada in October, a $1,500-prize based partly on his overall work performance. Tiwari’s not alone in taking on this important work. In September, Goodman student Nithini Perera started a work term with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Cambodia to help track the impact of the UNDP’s interventions there on the livelihoods, rights and access to services of targeted populations, particularly women, youth and persons with disabilities. Meanwhile, Goodman Accounting and Governance Professor Samir Trabelsi is recognized internationally for his expertise in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting. This fall, he contributed his knowledge to the United Nations’ ‘Beyond GDP Sprint’ series. His presentation focused on the innovative idea of adjusting GDP for the ESG risks. This integration aims to comprehensively account for the impact of climate change and provide a holistic perspective on a nation’s long-term economic sustainability.
Left: Goodman co-op student Aryan Tiwari stands outside the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland, where he presented to business students from the University of Geneva. Top: Goodman co-op student Aryan Tiwari with fellow interns at the UN Entities fair (top) and the International Dialogue for Migration (middle), as well as in the high-level meeting rooms of the UN Headquarters in Geneva (bottom).
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Creating a sustainable impact beyond campus BY TARRYN LANDMAN
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rom international research projects to on-campus environmental initiatives, Brock scholars, staff and students are helping to create a more sustainable, prosperous and equitable world. The connection between communities, organizations and ecological systems is central to the work of Liette Vasseur, UNESCO Chair on Community Sustainability: from Local to Global. A Professor of Biological Sciences, a member of Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre and a Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute Fellow, Vasseur has held the UNESCO Chair since 2014. The role exists through a partnership between Brock and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Her mandate is to strengthen sustainable agriculture and community-based natural resource management initiatives in rural and coastal communities. Vasseur’s transdisciplinary projects in Canada, China, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Vietnam, Cambodia, Panama, Brazil and Ecuador examine topics such as community-based ecosystem management, climate change adaptation and sustainable agriculture. Closer to home, she has created a field course focused on biodiversity in the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve, giving students insight into the importance of preserving biodiversity in sustainable development efforts. Brock is one of just a few Canadian universities to be located within a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve. This unique location makes sustainability a priority in all areas of campus life. In recognition of sustainability initiatives implemented on campus, the University received a Silver rating in 2021 for its inaugural Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) assessment.
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Brock University is one of only a few Canadian universities located within a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve.
Administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, STARS is a self-reporting framework used by post-secondary institutions worldwide to measure sustainability performance in five areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. In 2022 and 2023, the University was also ranked in the Top 300 post-secondary institutions worldwide by the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for its work toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to achieve a better and more sustainable world by 2030. The rankings examine the impact institutions can have in responding to global challenges such as poverty, inequality and climate change. Brock’s submissions outlined its SDG-related initiatives, such as Good Health and Well-being; Quality Education; Gender Equality; Affordable and Clean Energy; Decent Work and Economic Growth; Climate Action; and Sustainable Cities and Communities. One way in which Brock students have the opportunity to engage with the SDGs and other global issues is by participating in the Brock Model United Nations and competing in the annual National Model United Nations conference in New York City. Supported by a faculty advisor, the student-run team spends months honing their research, public speaking, communication and collaboration skills before joining thousands of their peers from around the world to participate in simulated UN committees tackling real-world problems. Brock’s team was named a Distinguished Delegation in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023, in addition to receiving its highest recognition yet as an Outstanding Delegation in 2022.
Start 2024 off with a fun and engaging way to learn about wine. Use coupon code ‘BROCKALUMNI’ to receive 10% off any course listed below until April 1, 2024. Learn to make wine: · Foundations in Winemaking (online)
Wine appreciation and certification courses: · Certification in Ontario Wine (online) · Explore the Wine Regions of the World (in-person)
To register, visit brocku.ca/ccovi/continuing-education Questions? Email ccovi@brocku.ca
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Brock grad champions worker safety across the globe BY JOCELYN TITONE
Left: Andreas Flouris previously collaborated with Greece’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to assess the heat exposure for workers of a coal power plant. Right: Antarctica was chosen as an ideal remote location to test the Functional Architecture of Mammals in their Environment Lab's new smartphone applications that deliver information to users about their environment and suggest actions they can take to reduce health risks.
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ndreas Flouris (MSc ’04) has long dedicated his time to protecting workers around the world from the impacts of excessive heat. His passion, research and advocacy recently saw the environmental physiologist and Brock University graduate placed on Time magazine’s TIME100 Next list, which recognizes rising leaders in health, climate, business, sports, the arts and more. A Professor with the University of Thessaly in Greece and an Adjunct Professor in Environmental Medicine at the University of Ottawa, Flouris is the founder and Director of the Functional Architecture of Mammals in their Environment (FAME) Laboratory at the University of Thessaly. He oversees 16 researchers who investigate the effects of environmental factors on human health, productivity and performance. Over the past decade, Flouris and his team have focused their research on the impacts of excessive heat on workers’ health and productivity. They have published more than 150 papers on the subject globally, including some in collaboration with Brock Kinesiology Professor Stephen Cheung, who supervised Flouris’ PhD research in thermal physiology at Dalhousie University. Lately, much of Flouris’ time is dedicated to lobbying international organizations and governments to develop preventative measures and establish health and safety policies for workers in high-heat conditions. “For people who are physically active, it doesn’t need to be too hot to experience risks,” he says. “Our research shows that health risks and productivity issues appear in environments as cool as 15 degrees Celsius. Countries we thought were immune to this, like Canada, are not.” Flouris explains that when the body is working to complete physical tasks, blood flows to the muscles. When working in a hot environment, cardiovascular stress increases. Blood from deeper parts of the body moves outward to blood vessels in the skin to help expel heat, and sweat is released on the skin, which
Andreas Flouris consults with construction workers in Qatar as part of a heat exposure assessment conducted in July 2019 in co-operation with the International Labour Organization and Qatar’s Ministry of Labour.
evaporates and cools the body. This water loss results in the blood becoming thicker, which can damage kidneys as they work hard to filter blood. “In places like Mesoamerica, Nicaragua and Mexico, it’s becoming an epidemic,” Flouris says. “Thousands of people are dying because of kidney disease, which is caused by chronic dehydration because of working in the heat. We’re talking about people in the most productive years of their lives, between 25 and 40 years of age.” The rest and rehydration policies Flouris proposes consider preventative actions at specific heat thresholds. Measures range from organizations proactively educating employees, adding breaks and encouraging workers to wear protective clothing, to mandating that workers carry water bottles, offering medical checkups and implementing longer-term changes, such as increasing shade and upgrading equipment with technology that produces less heat. His advocacy efforts are making an impact globally. This past July, which scientists deemed Earth’s hottest month on record, Greece’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs piloted legislation regulating working in high-heat conditions. Flouris and
his team will be analyzing data and making recommendations for improvement, with hopes the legislation will be formally adopted by the spring. He is also writing reports for the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization that address the health effects of climate change and the need for organizational and governmental regulation to protect workers from heat stress and other environmental factors. At the European level, Flouris is supporting the continent’s largest labour union to investigate the issue. Representing millions of workers, the European Trade Union Confederation will call upon the European Commission and European Parliament to adopt continent-wide legislation within the next three to four years. “The evidence collected in the last decade is so convincing that I am confident we will see more and more countries adopting legislation in the coming years,” he says. “It’s a no-brainer if countries need to protect their workforce and stay competitive in terms of productivity. I look forward to seeing relevant updates in Canada.”
Distinguished grad puts health at the forefront BY KAITLYN DAW
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arah Viehbeck (BA ’02) has dedicated her life to bettering the health of Canadians and making an impact in science through public service. The Brock graduate and Chief Science Officer for the Public Health Agency of Canada has turned her passion for community health into a fulfilling career. Viehbeck’s contributions saw her honoured among several outstanding graduates as part of the University’s alumni awards program at Brock’s annual Homecoming celebrations in September. It was the interdisciplinary nature of the Community Health Science program and its strong community connections that initially drew Viehbeck to Brock, but it was the engaging teaching and sense of community that kept her at the University. She has since dedicated her career to exploring the intersection of science and decision-making, and harnessing opportunities to positively shape the environments and systems where science is funded, conducted and used. At the Public Health Agency of Canada, she plays an integral role in providing strategic leadership and oversight of the agency’s science and research agenda and science support infrastructure.
Sarah Viehbeck (BA ’02) received the 2023 Brock University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of her significant contributions to community health and research.
Before her time as Chief Science Officer, Viehbeck worked in several roles with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). She has served as a board member for the National Collaborating Centre for Public Health and numerous Government of Canada committees, including the Scientific Advisory Committee on Global Health, whose mandate is to provide independent and objective scientific advice and guidance on global health issues. Throughout her career, Viehbeck has been a champion for creating a more equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible science base for Canada. “As someone who has dedicated my life and career to public service, I am humbled to have my contributions and career path recognized as an area worthy of distinction,” she says. “I am privileged to be recognized among this year’s alumni award recipients and all those who have come before us.” Nominations for the 2024 alumni awards are open until Jan. 31. Visit brocku.ca/alumni/awards for more information.
2023 Brock University Alumni Award recipients Distinguished Alumni Award Sarah Viehbeck (BA ’02) A strategic leader with commitment to science excellence contributing significantly to the advancement of public health. — Outstanding Young Alumni Award Jason Ribeiro (MEd ’15) A dedicated supporter of bridging communities through sport and entertainment, and an inspiration to young professionals across Canada. — Community Engagement Award Adam Carter (BPhEd ’97) An extraordinary volunteer and leader in public service.
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David S. Betzner Award Vince Anania (BA ’85, BEd ’86) A dedicated volunteer since 1987 supporting a wide range of initiatives at Brock. — Alumni Co-op Employer Award Rachel Song (MAcc ’11) An outstanding contributor to Brock’s co-op program as a mentor and champion within her company. — Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Distinguished Graduate Award Mahoganie Hines (BScN ’16) A dedicated leader in the nursing field, making significant contributions to palliative care and equitable access to health-care services.
Faculty of Education Distinguished Graduate Award Jane Omollo (MEd ’07) A passionate community leader with experience working in cross-cultural environments to champion inclusion for equitydeserving groups. — Faculty of Humanities Distinguished Graduate Award Tom Pennachetti (BA ’86) A key contributor in establishing the Niagara Peninsula as a globally recognized, premier cool-climate viticultural region and tourism destination.
Faculty of Mathematics and Science Distinguished Graduate Award Mitchell McCurdy (BSc ’18) An accomplished winemaker and entrepreneur who has been instrumental in supporting small-batch producers. — Faculty of Social Sciences Distinguished Graduate Award Tefari Bailey (BA ’19) A business professional known for his commitment to innovation and making a difference in the finance industry. — Goodman School of Business Distinguished Graduate Award Alia Lee (BBA ’06, MBA ’07) A finance and technology leader with a strong corporate governance mindset and a passion for nurturing future business leaders.
Geography graduate on track with GIS BY AMANDA BISHOP
Ontario Northland Geographical Information Systems Specialist Vincent Konadu (MA ’23) operates a drone to assist environmental and geotechnical scientists during an environmental sampling project in Rouyn-Noranda, Que.
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hen Vincent Konadu (MA ’23) was hired for a newly created position with Ontario Northland last winter, he was undaunted about moving 520 kilometres north. After all, he had already travelled more than 8,600 kilometres from Ghana to complete his master’s degree in Geography at Brock. Since March 2023, Konadu has worked as a geographical information systems (GIS) specialist on Ontario Northland’s Rail Infrastructure team developing a web-based, interactive map of assets and facilities. He uses remote-sensing technology, such as drones and light detection and ranging (LiDAR), to collect digital field data on the status of railway tracks and assess the impact of everything from washouts to the wildfires that raged across northern forests last summer. Konadu arrived at Brock well versed in GIS thanks to his work and studies in Ghana, so as a grad student, he focused on theories and how to apply them. He says his coursework and research
experience helped him learn to think critically about maps and spatial-temporal analysis, greatly enhancing his skill set. “Every map tells a story, and it is up to GIS professionals and enthusiasts to decide what kind of stories maps tell, how well the maps communicate these stories and how we can use these stories to make informed and efficient decisions,” he says. “GIS is salient in every industry, in every sector of our economy.” Konadu is enjoying small-town life, where he says local friendliness and hospitality reminds him of home. He coached youth soccer last summer in an undefeated season, and will continue volunteering through the winter. He credits his time at Brock, where he volunteered with the Graduate Students’ Association, student engagement programs and the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, with his willingness to get involved. “I’m more able to connect with people thanks to how Brock prepared me,” he says. “I’m so happy to get more and more involved with the community here.”
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Where are they now? Alumni updates from the past few months: Class of 1970s
Class of 1990s
Class of 2010s
Brock Music graduate Erika Janzen (BA ’78) celebrated 50 years as a violinist with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra.
A teacher for the District School Board of Niagara for 27 years, Mark Gunning (BA ’91) recently started writing children’s books for reluctant readers.
Derek Brochu (BBA ’12) has been named Executive Vice-President of Growth and Development for direct health-care company Premise Health.
Class of 2000s
The Regulatory Authority of Bermuda has appointed Donn Foggo (BA ’12) as its new Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement.
Class of 1980s Paul Cappa (BA ’86) was recognized with the 2023 William J. Simpson Distinguished Paralegal Award from the Law Society of Ontario. Retired educator Deb Crawford (BEd ’83, MEd ’97) was named Chair of the Board of Directors for Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. Neil Lathangue (BA ’89) was appointed as President of DCS Global, a company dedicated to advising building owners, operators and property managers on cleaning performance and RFP support.
Matthew Bennett (BSM ’04) was recently named Vice-President, Corporate Partnerships and Ticketing for Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group. At its Spring Convocation, Brock University presented an honorary degree to Kyle Dubas (BSM ’07), who had just taken the helm as the Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations. Jenna Sudds (BA ’01), who majored in Economics, was appointed Minister of Families, Children and Social Development for the Government of Canada in the last cabinet shuffle.
If you’re a Brock graduate with an update to share with the University community, please email details to alumni@brocku.ca
Contribute to leading-edge research. Come back to Brock to start your next chapter with a master’s or PhD program.
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Professor Stephen Cheung and his research team worked with Toronto Fire Services to enhance the safety and performance of firefighters through innovative improvements in protective workplace clothing and equipment.
Brock University students have been exploring the world as part of their studies for decades. From Biology and Earth Sciences students diving in to learn more about the underwater geology of Trinidad and Tobago in 1975 to more recent trips that saw Geography and Tourism Studies students taking in the landscapes of New Zealand, including Fiordland National Park in 2023, the University has long valued the lessons that come with travelling abroad.
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The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex home and auto insurance program is underwritten by Security National Insurance Company and distributed in Quebec by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc., Damage Insurance Agency, and in the rest of Canada by TD Insurance Direct Agency Inc. Our address: 50 Place Crémazie, 12th Floor, Montréal, Québec H2P 1B6. Due to provincial legislation, this car and recreational insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. All trade-marks are the property of their respective owners. � The TD logo and other TD trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.