GAZETTE
July 17, 2013 Volume 45 Number 17
Publication Mail Registration No. 40062527
A M E M O R I A L U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W F O U N D L A N D P U B L I C AT I O N
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ENGAGEMENT AT WORK
GOAL SETTING
TOXIC LEGACIES History faculty member receives
Pharmacy students dribble, shoot and spike their way through demanding academics and athletics.
major SSHRC grant to study arsenic pollution in Northwest Territories.
CHRIS HAMMOND PHOTO
How Memorial is helping the growing immigrant population in Labrador West adjust to the Big Land.
Kent Decker, vice-president (administration and finance), in front of the location for Memorial’s core sciences infrastructure project. Mr. Decker is the chair of the core sciences building steering committee.
‘Synergies among disciplines’ Memorial advances core sciences infrastructure project By Dave Sorensen
MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY
“The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is
reviewed. One preliminary concept has already been
currently in the second year of its eight-year growth
presented to the core sciences building steering com-
has decided on the
plan for the doubling of our academic and research
mittee for discussion. That committee is being chaired
location of planned core sciences infrastructure on its
capacities,” said Dr. Greg Naterer, dean, Faculty of
by Kent Decker, vice-president (administration and
St. John’s campus.
Engineering and Applied Science. “The new building
finance).
While there was some discussion to situate the new
will allow for additional engineering space to meet the
“The committee has looked at the basic concept for
facilities on two different campus locations, the uni-
province’s need to expand engineering undergraduate,
the combination of efficiency of design, both in terms
versity will move forward with the single-site option.
graduate and research activities, particularly in strate-
of mechanical systems for the building as well as the lay-
The new building, which will be located on the north
gic areas of ocean technology, offshore petroleum and
out to make the best use of our most valuable resource,
side of campus, on what is now lot 16/16A, will house
Arctic resources.”
the people inside the building,” said Dr. Abrahams.
various units within Memorial’s faculties of Science and Engineering and Applied Science. “The single-site option was chosen primarily because of the cost of construction,” said Dean of Science Mark
In late 2012, Memorial retained the consultant team
Once approval for architectural planning has been
of Stantec Architecture in association with Resource
granted, it will take at least another year for that process
Planning Group Inc. (RPG) to conduct a functional
to take place, with an additional four-year build time.
space planning study of the core sciences project.
“Simply opening this building is not the end of the
Abrahams. “Lot 16/16A next to the University Centre
Their project tasks included defining the type of work
project,” said Dr. Abrahams. “It has a domino effect
was the only green-field we considered that could rea-
to be conducted in the building, the space necessary to
on the entire campus. As that building opens, we will
sonably accommodate the entire facility.”
accommodate these functions including a facility pro-
decant units into the building, which frees up space that
gram, a potential building design and an order-of-mag-
will then trigger renovations within existing building.
The single large building will promote consolidation and complementarities among the different types of science research as the university moves towards a more interdisciplinary model.
nitude project cost estimate. Memorial officials received the final draft of the functional space planning study in May and it is now being
See SYNERGIES on page 5
#
Project update
SUBMITTED PHOTO
YOUR NEXT PROJECT Dr. Delores Mullings of the School of Social Work.
By Amy Tucker
in services for immigrants that need to be explored, espe-
Interested in learning about other project opportunities? Amy Tucker,
Special to the Gazette
cially outside of urban centres,” she said.
co-ordinator of knowledge mobilization at the Harris Centre, would
The Harris Centre then contacted other workshop parYaffle.ca is Memorial’s online connecting tool. One of its most
ticipants, including Inspector Paula M. Walsh, a Royal
significant jobs is to provide a way for people from outside Memorial to
Newfoundland Constabulary officer working in Labrador
ask for research help. With the help of Yaffle and a previous Gazette
West. Due to the growing Filipino population in Labrador
story, we’ve connected community partners with the resources at
West, the Harris Centre also engaged Hazel Ouano
Memorial, here’s how…
Alpuerto, consulate of the Philippines in the province.
love to tell you more. Call her at 709-864-6115 or email her at amy. tucker@mun.ca.
VISIT US ONLINE
“The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary values the
AT A HARRIS
Centre Regional Workshop in March
opportunity to be approachable, accessible and of service
2013, local participants expressed their worries that
to every individual in the community,” said Insp. Walsh.
although there has been a sizeable increase in the
“Fostering relationships with multi-cultural groups is
immigrant population in Labrador City and Wabush,
another way to create positive, safer communities for all.”
the needs and aspirations of the newcomers are often not being met. “I feel by them not being integrated into our community that we are missing out on some of their great
This group has become the initial research team for Canadians living in Labrador West to be part of their team.
A M E M O R I A L U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W F O U N D L A N D P U B L I C AT I O N
“They will help shape the research questions and pro-
Labrador West Status of Women Council. “Also, I feel that
cess to try and make the research project valuable to
if they were better integrated into the community they
those in the region who could be affected by it,” said Ms.
would feel a sense of belonging and will stay for the long
Careen. ”They may also help the rest of the research team
term. Many express concerns of lack of extended family.”
communicate and network with those in the immigrant
Participants also agreed that the needs of these new
populations, as we are trying to get diversity amongst the
Canadians have not been well documented or addressed.
team with respect to country of origin, age, religion, type
As immigrants are often sponsored to the province by
of employment, and so on.”
their employers in the service industry, they may be afraid
Dr. Mullings will be including the community in the
that speaking out could cause them to lose their current
entire research process. When they finalize the remain-
employment or living arrangements.
ing members of the research team, community consulta-
After the workshop, the Harris Centre followed up with
tions will take place in the fall if funding is available. Dr.
Ms. Careen in order to create a Gazette article profiling the
Mullings will report back to the people in Labrador West
issue for the April 24 edition. The article prompted Dr.
on her findings; she also plans to submit her work for aca-
Delores Mullings of Memorial’s School of Social Work to
demic publication.
get involved, given her interest and research background
“As a result of this project, we are hoping that eventu-
in settlement, employment and integration experiences of
ally the new Canadians will form their own community
new immigrants.
where they can receive support from each other, as well
“There has been an increase in immigrants in the
as receive supports from others in Labrador West and the province.”
how to help them settle. There appear to be many gaps
Bonne Bay Marine Station names artist-in-residence
VISUAL ARTS student Virginia Mitford was awarded the second annual Grenfell Campus AVPA, AVPR Bonne Bay Marine Station Residency, valued at $2,000. student attending, or recently graduated from, Grenfell Campus. The award is sponsored by the associate vice-president (academic) and the associate vice-president (research) at Grenfell Campus, who select the recipient from a ranking provided by the head of the respective division in
SUBMITTED PHOTO
consultation with division members. The Division of Fine Arts is contributing a $250 materials stipend. Ms. Mitford will be conducting workshops throughout the summer. Visit www.bonnebay.mun.ca for more
Gazette | Wednesday, July 17, 2013
EDITOR GRAPHICS Mandy Cook Jacqui Baggs
Regular Contributors
Courtenay Alcock Laura Barron Jennifer Batten Rebecca Cohoe Melanie Callahan Nora Daly Paula Dyke Kelly Foss Pamela Gill Sharon Gray Janet Harron Jill Hunt Jackey Locke
Peter Morris Cathy Newhook Shannon O’Dea Dawson Naomi Osborne Michelle Osmond David Penney Marcia Porter Kristine Power Dave Sorensen Meaghan Whelan Susan White-MacPherson Laura Woodford
Classified Advertising Photography Kelly Hickey Chris Hammond Advertising Mandy Cook Telephone: 709-864-2142 Email: mandyc@mun.ca Next Gazette deadline July 31 for Aug. 7 publication.
By Melanie Callahan
This residency is awarded in a divisional rotation to a
Virginia Mitford
GAZETTE
the project, and they are now looking to engage four new
skill sets,” said Noreen Careen, executive director of the
province; however, we don’t know about their needs and
WWW.MUN.CA/GAZETTE
information.
2
The Gazette is published 17 times annually by the Division of Marketing and Communications at Memorial University. Material in the Gazette may be reprinted or broadcast without permission, excepting materials for which the Gazette does not hold exclusive copyright. Gazette, Room A 1024 Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7 Telephone: 709 864 2142 Fax: 709 864 8699 Email: mandyc@mun.ca ISSN 0228-88 77 With the exception of advertisements from Memorial University, ads carried in the Gazette do not imply recommendation by the university for the service or product.
www.mun.ca/gazette
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Dr. Richard Marceau, vice-president (research) on North West River beach, near the site of the Labrador Institute’s new research station.
Opportunity abounds Labrador Expo 2013 eye-opening experience for Memorial’s new vice-president (research) By Meaghan Whelan
THE ANNUAL
Labrador Expo conference and
Labrador, the lack of a critical mass of people creates a
They have done a fantastic job of building our research
challenge for the university as it develops its presence
presence. Dr. Chaulk and I are already exploring highly
there.
creative and innovative strategies for strengthening the
trade show in Happy Valley-Goose Bay proved to be an
One key way to address this challenge is to expand
excellent opportunity to acquaint a new senior leader
the university’s footprint in the region through the
with Memorial University’s activities in Labrador.
Labrador Institute.
Labrador Institute’s activities in the near future.” Dr. Chaulk, director of the Labrador Institute, said the success of the institute is attributable to teamwork.
Labrador Expo was the first opportunity for Dr.
“Memorial University is committed to supporting the
“We have an excellent and committed group of peo-
Richard Marceau, who began his term as vice-president
work of the Labrador Institute and working with indus-
ple from a variety of disciplines working on behalf of
(research) on June 1, to visit the Big Land. Thanks to the
try, government and community partners to ensure
Memorial and we are excited about our future. Leaders
conference, meetings with government, industry and
strong, sustainable development that benefits the
like Drs. Kachanoski, Wardlaw and Marceau, who are
community partners, and tours of developments in the
region, the province as a whole, and the entire country,”
committed to supporting the Labrador Institute, are
region, Dr. Marceau said the trip opened his eyes to the
said Dr. Marceau.
making our jobs easier.”
opportunities available in Labrador.
At the 2012 Labrador Expo, a $4.4-million joint
Expo Labrador 2013 is a conference and trade show
“The growth and development of Labrador will
federal-provincial investment was announced to build
that showcases accomplishments and activity in
help build Newfoundland and Labrador as a province,
Memorial’s research and development capacity in
Labrador. As a proud sponsor, Memorial was involved in
strengthen our collective economy and create opportu-
Labrador. The effects of that investment are already
all aspects of Expo Labrador. Dr. Ron Sparkes moderated
nities for people from all parts of the province,” he said.
being felt, with increased research capacity at the
the Expo conference sessions; Memorial’s activities in
“Memorial University has an important role to play in
Labrador Institute and a variety of new projects that are
Labrador were highlighted at a trade show booth; and
this development, and the Labrador Institute is the pri-
particularly relevant to Labrador.
Dr. Marceau provided opening remarks for a keynote
mary means by which we engage in that region.” Dr. Marceau says that with so much opportunity in
The working student
“I’d like to commend Dr. Keith Chaulk and the
session. In addition, Dr. John Thistle, research associate
Labrador Institute team for their exceptional work.
with the Labrador Institute, presented at the conference.
to pay for tuition and books, fill a cupboard with cheap
STUDENTVIEW Joshua Duff
I WAS STANDING in a lineup waiting to purchase
date so we can stay in touch with family and ensure them everything is fine and make rent before the landlord calls asking for it. At the end of the day we know
gas at a local convenience store. I recognized the store clerk standing behind the counter from one of my
and easy-to-make meals, pay a phone bill before the due
the struggle is only temporary. Juggling work, school Ah, the life of the working student.
and bills proves our capability to work under stress,
classes. Showing a slight agitation in his crooked smile,
For those of us who need to work while attending
he was tending to an angry customer, who was pointing
school, the jobs that offer guaranteed, steady hours that
a finger and jerking their arm back and forth in a
are flexible and work with our class schedule are the ones
Many student jobs are available throughout St. John’s.
scolding manner. Judging by the student’s expression
we take. Many of the jobs occupied by students include
It is less stressful to find and secure a job now rather
and movements he was calm and not willing to fight
servers, line cooks, grocery store clerks, cashiers, retail
than searching during the first week of university when
back, but he definitely wanted that crusty-custy out of
sales clerks and fast-food counter attendants. Employers
you are adjusting to campus life. It will not be easy to
the store without worsening the scene. Tension could
have expectations that can sometimes be challenging to
balance work and school. By being optimistic through-
be felt among the stranded lineup, as their eyes became
meet. However, the money is needed to secure our edu-
out your career as a working student, you can turn a
fixed on the clerk. I felt bad for him. So many options
cation and in the end we benefit from the experience. I
negative into a positive and make the most out of your
were probably running through his mind as to how to
know that taking a full course load while working can
part-time job.
deal with the situation. Do I tell him where to go, kick him
be frustrating, stressful and, at times, when things are
out of the store and risk losing my job? Or suffer more of
not going well at work or school, heartbreaking.
this humiliation for a few more minutes? It was tough, but
We constantly struggle to cover our expenses, we
he kept his cool and handled everything professionally.
have to pay the interest on a credit card that was used
Gazette | Wednesday, July 17, 2013
3
multi-task, and practise effective time-management, of which employers will take note.
Joshua Duff is a fourth-year student majoring in political science and English language and literature at Memorial University. He can be reached at jrd218@mun.ca .
www.mun.ca/gazette
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Trevor Ford examining the Colonial Office files at the National Archives in London, England.
‘Invaluable’ support Federal support for graduate scholarships in social sciences and humanities By Meaghan Whelan
THE
SOCIAL
SCIENCES
and
Humanities
Research Council (SSHRC) has awarded $572,500 in scholarships to 27 Memorial students.
Memorial in a favourable position as we prepare for the
Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral
new SSHRC guideline changes at the master’s level next
Scholarship, said the award is invaluable. He also
year.”
credited his supervisor Dr. Mark Humphries and the
Trevor Ford is a doctoral candidate in the Department of History studying the history of domestic intelligence
The scholarships were awarded under the JosephArmand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships for master’s and doctoral students, and the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship program.
and surveillance in Canada, before, during and after the First World War.
Department of History for their support and encouragement throughout the application process. “The SSHRC will have two direct effects on me, one, it allows me to focus on my studies without worrying
“The Military Intelligence Branch (MIB) of the
about funding issues, and two, it will enable me to
Department of Militia and Defence played the key role
travel to Washington, D.C., London, England, and of
They are meant to help students develop research
in monitoring the activities of Canadians, infiltrating
course Ottawa over the next couple years to continue
skills and to assist in the training of highly qualified
organizations targeted as problematic and assessing
the research for my thesis. All three cities hold national
personnel. They are awarded to students in the social
the threat they posed to state interests,” he explained.
archives for their respective countries and all three
sciences and humanities who demonstrate a high stan-
“Despite the importance of this military intelligence
countries were connected via the intelligence commu-
dard of achievement in undergraduate and early gradu-
organization, we know almost nothing about its opera-
nity, operating as allies during the period in question.”
ate studies.
tions—largely because it has long been thought that
SSHRC is the federal research funding agency that
“We are extremely pleased with the results of this
its records were destroyed. It is my hope that my study
promotes and supports post-secondary based research
year’s competition,” said Dr. Noreen Golfman, dean
of MIB, using newly discovered military intelligence
and training in the humanities and social sciences.
of the School of Graduate Studies. “Our PhD winners
records at Library and Archives Canada, will make the
See a full list of Memorial scholarship winners by visiting
have increased by 25 per cent over last year’s compe-
first systematic examination of this organization and
http://today.mun.ca/news.php?id=8528.
tition with representation from eight different disci-
its relationship to both Canadian society and other
plines. This is a testament to the efforts of Memorial for
Canadian domestic intelligence services between 1866
recruiting high-level doctoral candidates. Our master’s
and 1922.”
level results were on par with last year and will align
Mr. Ford, a recipient of the SSHRC Joseph-Armand
NOTABLE
PAPERS
&PRESENTATIONS
DR. TOM GORDON of the School
Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Que.,
DR.
of Music was recently honoured at
and OCAD University in Toronto, Ont.
Faculty of Medicine, gave an invited lecture
COOKE-HUBLEY
the annual meeting of the Canadian
titled Regulation of Bone Metabolism
(based on a project done in Dr. Kovacs’
University Music Society / Société de
NATA SH A BE L A NGE RW ILLOUGHBY, a neuroscience
during Pregnancy, Lactation, and Post-
laboratory) titled Circulating FGF23 Is
musique des universities canadiennes
graduate student in the Faculty of
weaning. The lecture was given in Kobe,
Regulated by PTH and Calcitriol during
in Victoria, B.C., with an Honorary
Medicine, won the Oral Presentation
Japan, at the second joint meeting of the
Fetal Development but Low FGF23 Does
Lifetime Membership, a title bestowed
Prize at 2013 Canadian NeuroMetabolic
International Bone and Mineral Society and
Not Significantly Alter Fetal Phosphorus
by the society on individuals who
Club meeting in Toronto, Ont., on May
the Japanese Society for Bone and Mineral
Metabolism. Ms. Cooke-Hubley received a
have rendered distinguished service
20. Her presentation, titled Western
Research, held in May. He also chaired two
Young Investigator Travel Award for that
to university music in Canada. Dr.
Diet Impairs Thermosensing in Orexin
scientific sessions at this conference. At the
presentation.
Gordon
executive
Neurons, showed that the Western-
of the Canadian University Music
style, high fat, high sugar diet attenuates
Society for eight years, including
the response of neurons in the brain
two as its president. From 2000-10
that signal satiety in a rat model. This
he was director of Memorial’s School
finding may explain how palatable the
of
Western-style diet induces overeating
served
Music.
Dr.
on
the
Gordon’s
previous
administrative appointments include
Gazette | Wednesday, July 17, 2013
CHRISTOPHER
KOVACS,
same meeting, medical student SANDRA presented a poster
and subsequent weight gain.
4
www.mun.ca/gazette
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Hundreds of Atlantic puffins and murres are killed annually in gill nets.
Fishing gear devastating to seabird population “Using the population and fishing effort data, we could do some comparisons of
By Kelly Foss
the overall trends,” said Mr. Regular. “For example, herring gull populations were
THE IMAGE IS
shocking and sad – lines of dead Atlantic puffins and murres
increasing before the moratorium and their population was doing great. Afterwards
bundled together in a tarp, a small representation of the hundreds of birds ensnared
they were decreasing.
and drowned each year in gill nets.
“Diving bird populations, on the other hand, were stable or increasing pre-mora-
A new paper published recently by PhD candidate Paul Regular along with Drs. Bill
torium, and now they are really taking off, so we think their population growth was
Montevecchi and April Hedd, Department of Psychology, and Drs. Gregory Robertson
really stunted by bycatch mortality.”
and Sabina Wilhelm of Environment Canada, is providing evidence to support the
Mr. Regular says incidents of seabird mortality are greatest when fishers and birds
long-held belief that fishing gear has had a devastating impact on the numbers of
are in the same place at the same time.
Atlantic puffins, common murres, razorbills and northern gannets.
“In areas where there are a lot of forage fish, like capelin, they attract a lot of cod
“When the cod fishery collapsed and the moratorium began, loads of gill nets were
and diving seabirds, particularly the common murre. So the fish go to the hotspots,
removed from the water, creating a large unnatural and unprecedented experiment,”
the birds go to the hotspots, and the fishers go to the hot spots and set their nets. This
said Mr. Regular. “Those nets were known to inflict huge mortality on diving seabirds,
results in a culmination of interactions that generates hundreds of dead seabirds as
so the release from that mortality allowed their populations to increase.”
bycatch.”
However, findings indicate the same was not true for surface birds like herring gulls
The researchers are hoping their findings will lend support to recommendations to
and black-backed gulls.
protect seabird populations, such as the implementation of marine protected areas
“Surface-feeding birds had less discards to rely on inshore, close to their breeding
at known hot spots, and the use of cod pots, a selective type of gear known to catch
colonies,” he explained. “There were fewer fishers tossing cod offal into the water, and
fewer birds and higher quality fishes.
seagulls were known to rely on that heavily.
The paper has been garnering lots of attention since its release in Biology Letters and
“When that largely disappeared, they had a harder time raising their chicks, and it
has been picked up by Nature magazine and Scientific American.
looks like their populations are going down as a consequence of that.”
“The timing of our paper coming out worked out quite well. It was published a week
The research team used information collected by Environment Canada during their
after a global review that showed that around 400,000 seabirds are by-caught annu-
standard census of seabird colonies and Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s fishing effort
ally in gill nets. Those are big numbers. Yet it’s an area that has received less attention
data to support their theories. In some cases they were able to directly compare the
than bycatch from longlining. However, these studies are certainly creating more calls
negative relationship between common murre numbers and how many fishing nets
for management action and change.”
were in the water at a particular point in time.
cont’d from SYNERGIES on page 1 “Those buildings for the most part are still in good shape. They just don’t work as lab
renewable energy and marine testing facilities, among others, are planned for the new
buildings anymore. They can’t carry the heat load and we have difficulty with ventila-
building,” said Dr. Naterer. “We are now assessing which disciplines will take up space
tion systems. But if those demands are no longer placed on the buildings, they can still
in the new building.
function as office space, dry lab space, etc.”
“Our goal is to make the transition as streamlined and cost-effective as possible and
While existing laboratories for the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science will
to base our decision on what makes the most sense financially while retaining impor-
remain in the S.J. Carew Building and the Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation,
tant synergies among disciplines.”
the new core sciences facility will create additional engineering office, design proj-
The issue of adversity presented by aging infrastructure has presented the university
ect studio and laboratory space to accommodate a portion of the overall engineering
with an opportunity to make improvements and to rethink how people come together
expansion.
to share information and resources, said Dr. Abrahams. Those issues have been a part
“New large full-scale ice mechanics, offshore petroleum and drilling, Arctic ocean,
Gazette | Wednesday, July 17, 2013
of this planning process.
5
www.mun.ca/gazette
Top of your game
CHRIS HAMMOND PHOTO
Sea-Hawks at the School of Pharmacy don red jerseys, white coats to achieve success
From left are Robyn O’Rielly, Matthew ‘Chewy’ Hamlyn and Adrienne Penney at the Field House. “It was very rewarding to know that we succeeded after putting in so much time, and
By David Penney
it reinforces the fact that hard work pays off in everything you do. I feel very fortunate to
IT’S A SPECIAL student who can balance a heavy academic program like pharmacy
have these opportunities, to compete at such a high level and do something academically
with the rigorous schedule of varsity athletics. Robyn O’Rielly, Adrienne Penney and
and professionally that I enjoy.”
Matthew Hamlyn are pharmacy students who have represented Memorial in basketball,
A shooting guard with the women’s basketball team for her full five years of eligibility,
volleyball and soccer respectively. All have achieved success despite the demands of
Robyn O’Rielly concluded a successful playing career in March 2012, one that culminated
juggling athletics and academics.
with an induction into the Athletic Honour Society at Memorial. It is the highest athletic
Matthew Hamlyn just completed his first year of pharmacy school and his third year
award a student can receive, and one whose criteria also includes good academic standing.
as a Sea-Hawk. The centre midfielder with the men’s soccer team feels that academics and
“We had a lot of great moments. On the competition side, the ones that stand out are
athletics complement each other in a way that improves his performance in both areas.
winning the AUS banner during my rookie season and hosting the AUS playoffs in my
“Playing on a sports team teaches you a lot of things that translate well to working
fourth season. I think what I’m most proud of is being inducted into the Athletic Honor
within a pharmacy team,” he said. “You learn to be a leader while still being able to fill
Society. It recognizes those that have made an outstanding contribution to the athletic
your own individual role. The desire to compete and set goals, to strive for something
program and I was very honoured to receive it.”
better – those are all things that make you a better student and athlete.”
One thing that the three student-athletes all agree on is a lesson they’ve learned in time
Adrienne Penney plays middle with the women’s volleyball team and has competed
management. Ms. Penney sums it up as a matter of balance.
for three years. She is entering her fourth year of pharmacy studies. The memorable
“It’s all about learning how to do the best you can in all aspects of your life. All three
quarter-final game against Moncton during this year’s Atlantic University Sport (AUS)
of us also have different volunteer commitments and want to spend time with family and
playoffs stands out as a highlight of her athletic career. The experience also served as extra
friends, too. It comes down to using your time wisely. It definitely keeps you on top of
motivation for all those long hours on the court and in the classroom.
your game.”
MI on ice
Marine environmental student embraces adventure of a lifetime By Naomi Osborne
“MI is proud to have a student participate in the Students
said. “I plan to be able to take what I learn and apply it in
on Ice Arctic Youth Expedition again this year,” said Carey
future endeavours. In addition to this, I also hope to be
old adventurist, traveller,
Bonnell, head, School of Fisheries (MI). “This voyage
able to tell my story of the Arctic so that others may benefit
rock climber, hiker, swimmer and soccer player Tiffany
allows students to broaden their global perspectives on the
from my experience.”
Martin is always up for an adventure.
planet and its future challenges. Each of our past student
Having recently completed her second year in the
participants have developed skills and knowledge which
Marine Institute’s (MI) marine environmental technology
have helped shape them into environmentally responsible
program, Ms. Martin was ecstatic when she was selected
citizens.”
as a 2013 recipient of the Students on Ice Arctic Youth Expedition $10,000 scholarship.
Despite her already busy schedule, Ms. Martin is also a Rona Eco representative for Newfoundland and Labrador.
“I’m an advocate for sustainability,” she said. “The
Currently on a work term with the Eastern Canada Response
Arctic is the most untouched place in the world and it’s
Corporation, she is an area response plan co-ordinator for
our responsibility to make sure that we preserve those
oil spills. The company allowed Ms. Martin to take a break
resources. Everything I’ve learned in my degree so far has
in her work term to participate in the expedition.
led me to this point.” Ms. Martin’s ship- and land-based journey to the eastern Canadian Arctic and western Greenland began July 14 and
Ms. Martin is passionate about the Arctic and her main interests lie in hydrology, climate dynamics, sustainability and preservation.
runs until July 28. She is representing MI as an ambassador
“I am very excited to use this once-in-a-lifetime
among 70 international high school students, a team of
opportunity to not only apply what I have learned
35 world-class scientists, historians, artists, explorers,
in hydrology, climate dynamics, sustainability and
educators, innovators and polar experts and 30 public and
preservation, but to also learn more about the Arctic and
private sector leaders.
the challenges of creating a sustainable environment,” she
Gazette | Wednesday, July 17, 2013
SUBMITTED PHOTO
TWENTY-ONE-YEAR
6
Tiffany Martin
www.mun.ca/gazette
From the ecosystem to the biosphere Mathematical ecology lecture delivered by Princeton University professor indeed, global change has pushed that mandate well
By Kelly Foss
beyond the ecosystem to the level of the biosphere,” he will play host to
said.
the 2013 Atlantic Association for Research in the
Similarly, the study of collective phenomena, from
Mathematical Sciences (AARMS) Mathematical Biology
the formation of biofilms to the dynamics of verte-
Workshop from July 27-29.
brate flocks and schools to collective decision-making
As part of the conference, which will bring researchers
in human populations, poses important and exciting
to Memorial from Canada, the United States and around
opportunities for mathematicians and physicists to shed
the world, the university will offer a public lecture with
light.
Dr. Simon Levin of Princeton University. His lecture will take place Sunday, July 28, at 4:30 p.m. in the Arts and Administration building, room A-1043.
“From behavioural and evolutionary perspectives, these collectives display conflict of purpose or fitness across levels, leading to game-theoretic problems in
Titled Challenges in Mathematical Ecology: Scaling
understanding how co-operation emerges in nature, and
and Collective Phenomena, Dr. Levin will discuss the
how it might be realized in dealing with problems of the
subject of mathematical ecology, one of the oldest in
global commons.”
mathematical biology. “It has its formal roots a century ago in the work of the great mathematician Vito Volterra, with links, some long before, to demography, epidemiology and genetics,” he said.
Dr. Levin’s lecture will weave these topics together, survey recent work and offer challenges for how mathematics can contribute to open problems. Dr. Levin is the George M. Moffett Professor of Biology with the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary
Dr. Levin will discuss a classical challenge, which has
Biology at Princeton University. A founding director of
been in understanding how to use our knowledge of
the Princeton Environmental Institute, he holds many
processes operating at small scales to answer big picture
major international prizes, such as the A.H. Heineken
questions. In recent years, the scope of interdisciplin-
Price for Environmental Sciences from the Royal
ary research that integrates a broad array of scales has
Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Kyoto
increased dramatically.
Prize in Basic Sciences from the Inamori Foundation and
“Metagenomic studies have provided vast stores of
the Margalef Prize from the Government of Caledonia. He is also a member of a number of honourary societ-
methods to allow scaling to the macroscopic level of eco-
ies, including being a fellow of the American Academy of
systems, and for understanding biogeochemical cycles
Arts and Sciences and a member of the National Academy
and broad ecosystem patterns as emergent phenomena;
of Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.
Dr. Simon Levin
BOJAN FURST PHOTO
information on the microscopic level, which cry out for
SUBMITTED PHOTO
MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY
From left, John Duff, Jennifer Adams Warburton and Lisa Charlong are currently working on changes to Memorial’s online connecting tool.
Yaffle redevelopment project attracting interest By Rebecca Cohoe
to share their expertise and research ideas,” explained
web technologies,” said Ms. Charlong. “We suspected
Jen Adams Warburton, Yaffle lead. “We’re also working
that it could be a useful back-end system for the new
SINCE ITS LAUNCH in 2009, Yaffle has provided
with both the College of the North Atlantic and the
Yaffle project, so we got in touch. “
Memorial University with a public engagement tool
University of New Brunswick to establish Yaffle at their
unlike any other. However, a new redevelopment project
institutions.”
is aiming to take Yaffle from unique to ubiquitous. Along with enhancing the tool’s functionality and user-experience, improvements to Yaffle’s ability to sup-
After learning more about Yaffle, VIVO’s contributors, including representatives from a number of American
She also added that a number of other Canadian uni-
universities such as Cornell and Johns Hopkins, agreed
versities have expressed interest in learning more about
to form a working group to model the intersections
adopting Yaffle, once the pilot phase is completed.
between the university’s research and the public.
port collaboration and partnerships between Memorial
The focus on building bridges and making connec-
“The VIVO group was particularly impressed by how
and the public, including other educational institutions,
tions has also extended to the development process
proactively Memorial pursues university-community
are central to the redevelopment. The project is funded
itself. This May, Lisa Charlong, project manager of the
collaborations,” Ms. Charlong said.
by Memorial and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities
redevelopment project, was invited to participate in the
Agency.
VIVO Implementation Fest in Boulder, Colo.
“One of the most significant developments will be an
“VIVO is open source software that models university
increased level of opportunity for users from the public
collaboration networks, based on open source semantic
Gazette | Wednesday, July 17, 2013
7
The new and improved Yaffle has now been set up in a Memorial University development environment and is being tested. The Yaffle team hopes to make it available soon.
www.mun.ca/gazette
Dean of graduate studies reappointed Afiara String Quartet
Gryphon Trio
Marc-André Hamelin
Duo Concertante
James Campbell
Yariv Aloni
Dinuk Wijeratne
Vernon Regehr
Susan Waterbury
A U G U S T
5 – 1 8 ,
2 0 1 3
Join us to celebrate another season with brilliant artists such as Marc-André Hamelin, the Afiara String Quartet, the Gryphon Trio, and James Campbell. Monday, august 5th 8 pM Marc-andré haMelin, D. F. Cook Recital Hall Wednesday, august 7th 8 pM the afiara string Quartet, St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, “The Kirk”
thursday, august 8th 10 pM dinuk Wijeratne and friends, doWntoWn late night prograM, The Rocket Room, 272 Water St. friday, august 9th 8 pM genius and genesis, DF Cook Recital Hall The Afiara String Quartet, Bill Brennan, Duo Concertante, Dinuk Wijeratne & Vernon Regehr saturday, august 10th 7 pM – young coMposers, Suncor Energy Hall Come hear our young composers music 8 pM – young artists at play, Petro Canada Hall Young Artists play chamber music & solo repertoire saturday, august 10th 7:30 pM afiara string Quartet, Old Church Admiral’s Cove thursday, august 15th 8 pM gryphon trio: Music for the end of tiMe, DF Cook Recital Hall friday, august 16th 8 pM jaMes caMpbell & friends, DF Cook Recital Hall Tuckamore faculty artists, Susan Waterbury and Yariv Aloni, join James Campbell. sunday, august 19th 8:00 pM festival finale! With young artists, DF Cook Recital Hall Plus FREE lunch hour recitals, children’s concert, workshops, masterclasses, open rehearsals, Brigus concert and more! Tickets and passes available at 1-888-311-9090 (Ticketpro) or www.ticketpro.ca or www.tuckamorefestival.ca.
Dr. Noreen Golfman By Jennifer Batten
THE REVIEW
enthusiasm for her work will continue to serve the uni-
Humanities, a national education advocacy group. She
versity well.”
is currently president of both the Canadian Association
committee on the reappointment
Under Dr. Golfman’s leadership, the School of
of Graduate Studies and the Northeastern Association of
of Dr. Noreen Golfman as dean of the School of
Graduate Studies has recently experienced tremendous
Graduate Schools, and a member of the advisory com-
Graduate Studies has recommended to the provost that
growth. Enrolment was up again by more than six per
mittee to the Canadian Studies program at the Hebrew
she be renewed for a second term. Dr. David Wardlaw
cent this year, and during the past 10 years, there has
University of Jerusalem.
subsequently recommended renewal to the president
been a doubling of the number of graduate students to
Active in Canadian cultural issues and experienced
and Dr. Golfman’s reappointment for a five-year term,
a total of just under 3,400 graduate students. Several
with the media, Dr. Golfman is the founding director
effective June 1, 2013, was approved by the Board of
new programs have been created during her first term
and chair of the St. John’s International Women’s Film
Regents at its meeting on July 4.
as dean, including five new doctoral programs and eight
Festival, vice-chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador
new master’s programs.
Film Development Corporation and chair of the board
“Dr. Golfman has a consistent track record of accomplishment and of strong, effective leadership with the
Dr. Golfman has served as dean of graduate studies and
of the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting. In addition to
School of Graduate Studies,” said Dr. Wardlaw, provost
professor of English at Memorial since her appointment
publications in scholarly journals, Dr. Golfman writes
and vice-president (academic). “An outstanding member
June 1, 2008. She holds a PhD from the University of
on the arts and culture in popular venues, and she has
of the community, both inside and outside Memorial, I
Western Ontario. She recently served two terms as presi-
worked as a commentator, reviewer/performer for CBC
am confident that her commitment to the school and
dent of the Canadian Federation of Social Sciences and
radio and television.
Gazette | Wednesday, July 17, 2013
8
www.mun.ca/gazette
KAREN ROCHE PHOTO
From left are Brian Hurley, Patrick O’Callaghan and Dr. Wilfred Zerbe.
Action required Alumni award-winner challenges grads to engage with alma mater working with business and engineering students,
Coast Catering in St. John’s. He began his career in
which eventually led to the founding of Verafin Inc.,
the hotel industry in the 1960s after emigrating from
ALUMNI OF THE year winner David Kelly issued a
an anti-money laundering detection software business
Ireland at the age of 23. In 1984, he started East Coast
call to action to his fellow business graduates recently.
in St. John’s that has flourished in both Canada and the
Catering to meet the rising demand for catering services
United States.
in the offshore oil industry. Today it services markets in
By Susan White-MacPherson
“We as alumni are an untapped wealth of knowledge and experience, and we need to step up to the plate,” Mr.
“I hope you’ll … reach out to the faculty, not in the fall
Kelly said at the Faculty of Business Administration’s
but do it now, get it started,” he said. “Tell them of your
“What a huge honour it is to receive this award from
Partners celebration on June 27 at the Johnson GEO
willingness to give back to the university. I’ve enjoyed a
Memorial,” Mr. O’Callaghan said. “The 2013 Gardiner
CENTRE. “We need to become engaged in order to give
very remarkable success [with] a small nudge that I gave
Centre award is, in my mind, a testament to 40 years of
our graduates a competitive edge in this global market.”
to some students, and it’s been extremely satisfying. I
hard work [and] some hard times but mostly a wonderful
would ask that you pick up on that challenge.”
life in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Partners is the Faculty of Business Administration’s annual celebration of the business community, students
Mr. Kelly financed and framed the money laundering
and alumni. It pays tribute to those who have achieved
detection issue that led to the creation of Verafin
excellence in business while using their skills and
following a 35-year career in the Canadian technology
expertise to contribute to their peers and communities.
industry.
Mr. Kelly, a graduate of the commerce class of 1968,
Partners
Dr. Wilfred Zerbe, dean of the business faculty, elaborated on the theme of the reception. “This is an important event in the annual life of the Faculty of Business Administration, where we recognize
the
that what we do, we do it in partnership with others,”
was named the winner of the 2013 Alumni Honour
2013 Gardiner Centre Newfoundland and Labrador
he said. “We do it with the support of individuals and
Award at the event.
Entrepreneur of the Year, Patrick O’Callaghan.
groups and organizations that allow us to do so much
In videotaped remarks, he spoke of his experience
The
Labrador, Western Canada and Ireland.
celebration
also
recognized
Mr. O’Callaghan is the president and CEO of East
more than we could otherwise.”
‘Many options’ Heaslip scholarships awarded to two arts students tendency to animate those students around her,” said
By Janet Harron
Dr. Christopher Lockett, a professor in the Department
THE TWO LATEST
recipients of the Heaslip
Scholarship are arts students Mary Germaine and Stephanie Tucker.
of English Language and Literature. “Her very presence makes the classroom hum with energy.” Dr. Seamus O’Neill of the Department of Philosophy
Originally from Toronto, philosophy student Ms.
considers Ms. Germaine a “very bright and motivated
Germaine had no connection to Newfoundland before
student” who has “strong principles and convictions, but
choosing to attend university in St. John’s.
is always open to new ideas and to mature debate and
“I thought it would be cool to move halfway across the country to go to university,” she laughed, adding: “I was
The $15,000 award, which is funded by a donation from The William and Nona Heaslip Foundation, is
Stephanie Tucker, who is studying communication
awarded annually to two students who are registered for
studies and English, was recommended to apply for
full-time studies, have scholarship standing, are in finan-
Memorial’s largest undergraduate scholarship by senior
cial need and have demonstrated outstanding involve-
arts adviser Denise Hooper. Ms. Germaine, on the other
ment in university and/or community affairs. Preference
hand, heard about the Heaslip from her roommate Sarah
is given to those students enrolled in the Faculty of Arts.
Messer who was one of the recipients in 2012. Both students are in the second year of their arts programs. “Stephanie
is
one
of
those
extraordinary
stu-
dents whose obvious enthusiasm and curiosity has a
Gazette | Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Stephanie Tucker and Mary Germaine
Ms. Tucker has just returned from “the most amazing experience” – four weeks in Conegliano, Italy, at the
in an upcoming semester. She is also gearing up for her
MUN in Italy program initiated by the communications
second summer working for Coast 101.1 as the summer
studies program. Now that she has won the Heaslip, she is already making plans to attend a program at Harlow
9
See HEASLIP on page 10 www.mun.ca/gazette
SUBMITTED PHOTO
right, it is pretty cool – I love it here.”
discussion of others’ opinions.”
‘Explore and address’ New funding to study community impact of arsenic pollution in Northwest Territories By Janet Harron
A RESEARCHER in Memorial University’s Faculty of Arts has received a major grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Dr. John Sandlos of the Department of History has received $200,000 over three years for his project, Toxic Legacies: Community Perspectives on Arsenic Pollution at Yellowknife’s Giant Mine. According to Dr. Sandlos, arsenic pollution from mining has been a pressing environmental issue near Yellowknife for more than six decades. Highly toxic arsenic trioxide dust, often a byproduct of the roasting process that separates gold from ore, has been stored in underground chambers since causing severe health effects in Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) communities beginning in 1949. There has been a proposal by the Canadian and Northwest Territories government to freeze the arsenic in perpetuity, a solution that has SUBMITTED PHOTO
produced controversy. “Our research is tremendously significant to people living in the Yellowknife area and to the potential mitigation of long-term toxic threats at sites in the Northwest Territories, Canada and internationally,” said Dr. Sandlos.
The Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
The funding will go to produce a published oral history, a web display and school curriculum material on
impacted,” said Dr. Richard Marceau, vice-president
and other partners that will advance knowledge and
mining and arsenic poisoning in the YKDFN communi-
(research), Memorial University. “Dr. Sandlos’ work is an
understanding on critical issues of intellectual, social,
ties. Dr. Sandlos, his team of academic researchers and
excellent example of how academic research can help
economic and cultural significance. The grants allow
partners the Goyatiko Language Society and Alternatives
us explore and address issues that are relevant to both
partners to design and test new approaches to research
North, will also produce a community mapping study
society and industry.”
and its real-world applications, foster valuable research
and a documentary film.
The funding was received under the SSHRC Partnership
“This research will help us better understand arse-
Development Grant program, which supports formal
nic pollution from the perspective of the communities
partnerships between academic researchers, businesses
relationships and networks across sectors, and provide hands-on training for students and new scholars.
cont’d from HEASLIP on page 9 cruiser staffer, in between volunteer stints at the SPCA
summer cultural festival, which will be held in Bowering
when you study arts. Just because you might not have a
thrift store and a MUCEP position with Memorial’s
Park on Aug. 24.
predetermined path, doesn’t mean there isn’t a road for
Division of Marketing and Communications. For her part, Ms. Germaine is “super involved” with
Both students are enthusiastic about their futures
you or you’re not going to go somewhere.”
armed with arts degrees.
In other Heaslip-related news, Juliette Ryan and Mary
the Department of Philosophy. She is the current presi-
“I love studying arts,” said Ms. Germaine. “I don’t
McLevey, the 2011 scholarship winners, were given final
dent of the philosophy students’ society and also has a
know what I’m going to do with it but I seem to be doing
renewals. Renewals were also given to Robert Roach and
MUCEP position at the Faculty of Arts’ Writing Centre.
well so far!”
Sarah Messer, the 2012 scholarship winners.
This summer she is also helping to plan the third annual
Ms. Tucker agrees.
Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council’s (RIAC)
“People don’t realize how many options you have
NEWS
&NOTES
Listed below is a selection of the funding opportunities for which
• NSERC PromoScience Grant
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – Career
information has recently been received by the Office of Research
• NSERC Ship Time
Development Program
Services. For links to further information on these items, visit Grant
• SSHRC Insight Grants Notice of Intent (Mandatory)
-- Scholar Award (Letter of Intent)
Funding Opportunities on the Research website at www.mun.ca/
Imminent deadlines
-- Special Fellow Award (Letter of Intent)
-- Fellow Award (Letter of Intent)
-- Scholar in Clinical Research Award (Letter of Intent)
research/overview/grant_opp.php. Sept. 15 • CIHR Catalyst Grant: Secondary Analysis of
Chiang Ching-Kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange
Neuroimaging Databases
-- Conference/Seminar/Workshop Grants
• CIHR HFSP Post-doctoral Fellowship
-- Publication Subsidies
• CIHR Mental Health Network
Guggenheim, John Simon Memorial Foundation
• CIHR Operating Grant Registration (mandatory)
-- Fellowships to assist Research and Artistic Creation
• CIHR Pathways to Health Equity for Aboriginal Peoples --
(U.S. and Canada)
Partners for Engagement and Knowledge Exchange (PEKEs)
Scleroderma Foundation
• CIHR Proof of Principal Phase I
• CIHR Proof of Principal Phase II
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
end. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, on an elementary
• DoD Prostate Cancer Clinical Consortium Award
school street in a lovely, quiet neighbourhood.
-- Research Grant Program
-- Promoscience Grants
CLASSIFIED Fully furnished house for rent in St. John’s east
Fenced backyard, off-street parking, and on
• DoD Prostate Cancer Pathology Resource Network Award
busline, close to amenities. September-May/June
• MITACS-Accelerate PhD Fellowships
Sept. 16
• NSERC Award for Science Promotion
Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council
• NSERC Discovery Grant – Notification of Intent to Apply
-- Professional Project Grants Program
(negotiable). Please call 860.918.5927 or email lstoyles@hotmail.com
(mandatory) • NSERC Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grant
Gazette | Wednesday, July 17, 2013
10
www.mun.ca/gazette
CHRIS HAMMOND PHOTO
OUTANDABOUT
RAINBOW OF IDENTITIES
President Kachanoski (second from right) and members of the Memorial and St. John’s communities attended the annual Pride Week flag raising ceremony on the St. John’s campus July 16. The flag raising kicks off Pride celebrations – the third year LGBT-MUN has hosted a week of fun and informative events at Memorial. For more on these events and other news at Memorial, please visit
Saturday, July 20
Monday, July 29
www.today.mun.ca
Seventh Annual Rose Show, 12-5 p.m., 306 Mount Scio Rd.,
Beyond the Backyard Nature Program, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 306
MUN Botanical Garden, Sponsor: John Cabot Rose Society
Mount Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Regulating Glial Cell Responses During CNS Injury and Repair,
Sunday, July 21
Afternoon Nature Hikes Program, 2:30-3:30 p.m., 306 Mount
11 a.m.-12 p.m., Health Sciences Centre, Theatre B, Sponsor:
Seventh Annual Rose Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 306 Mount Scio Rd.,
Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Division of BioMedical Sciences
MUN Botanical Garden, Sponsor: John Cabot Rose Society
Barbecue and Patio Party: Pride on Campus, 12-5 p.m., UC-1005,
Nature Programs at MUN Botanical Garden, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 306
School of Pharmacy Scholarship Golf Tournament, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.,
Sponsor: Pride on Campus Coalition
Mount Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Bally Haly Golf and Curling Club, St. John’s, Sponsor: School of
Thursday, July 18
Monday, July 22
Sexuality Unconference: Pride on Campus, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., UC-
Beyond the Backyard Nature Program, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 306
Unravelling Synaptic Plasticity Mechanisms in Lypoxia-induced
3013, Sponsor: Pride on Campus Coalition
Mount Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Seizures in the Immature Brain, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Health Sciences
A Law School at Memorial University?, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,
Afternoon Nature Hikes Program, 2:30-3:30 p.m., MUN Botanical
Labrador Institute, room 106, College of the North Atlantic,
Garden, 306 Mount Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Wednesday, July 17
Thursday, Aug. 1 Pharmacy
Centre, Theatre D, Sponsor: Division of BioMedical Sciences
Sponsor: Office of the President
Wading into Wetlands Family Program, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 306 Naked Inhibition: Synaptic Mechanisms that Underlie Cellular
NSERC Research Portal and Common CV Webinar, 2:30-4 p.m.,
Adaptations to Ischemic Stress, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Health Sciences
IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor:
Centre auditorium, Sponsor: Division of BioMedical Sciences
Office of Research Services
Friday, July 19 Marine Institute Holyrood Marine Base Open House, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Holyrood Marine Base, Sponsor: Marine Institute
Sunday, Aug. 4 Mount Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Monday, Aug. 5 Beyond the Backyard Nature Program, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 306
Friday, July 26
Mount Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Blood Donor Clinic, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., atrium, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: Canadian Blood Services
Afternoon Nature Hikes Program, 2:30-3:30 p.m., MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Sunday, July 28
Queer History Panel: Pride on Campus, 12-2 p.m., UC-3018,
Run to End Poverty (Tely 10 Road Race), 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Sponsor:
Sponsor: Pride on Campus Coalition
Engineers Without Borders
Sponsor: Pride on Campus Coalition Nature Programs at MUN Botanical Garden, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 306 Mount Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Gazette | Wednesday, July 17, 2013
11
www.mun.ca/gazette
What the Medieval Age can teach in modern times book history through a close examination of the smallest
By Kristine Power
of details: unique fonts, title pages, borders and illustra-
OUR DIGITAL
“Information Age” has more in
tions. As Mr. Warner explained, the book is more than a
common with the late Medieval Age than one might
vessel of content; it is an artifact that transmits all kinds
think -- at least when it comes to books.
of information. He says books reveal aspects of human
According to Patrick Warner, special collections librarian at the Queen Elizabeth II Library (QEII), readers are
history, cultural aesthetics, religious and political bias and much more.
experiencing a radical shift in the way books are created,
“The books also provide—in the form of bookplates,
stored and shared that is not unlike the revolution of the
ownership inscriptions, library stamps, annotations,
1,500s ushered in by Gutenberg’s printing press.
wormholes and scribbles—tantalizing glimpses of the
Mr. Warner recently created a catalogue of 26 medieval
journeys they have taken over hundreds of years,” he said.
manuscripts and Renaissance print works from the hold-
The catalogue is a reminder of the thousands of works
ings of Memorial’s General Rare Book Collection in the
held in the QEII Library’s Special Collections. It’s also a
QEII.
tool that frames the current period of technological flux
“In the late medieval period, texts were hand-written,
with valuable historical context.
made one at a time, and the most significant of them were
“It is comforting to know that one technology doesn’t
written on parchment,” he said. “Then came the printing
wholly replace another,” Mr. Warner said. “These medieval
press and the ability to mass-produce books on paper so
manuscripts and early print works were well made and
that hundreds or even thousands of copies of the same text
have held up over time. They have survived for over 500
could be made. Now we are at a technological place where
years. I am not sure the same thing will be said of current
texts can be copied, modified instantly and then transmit-
electronic or digital texts. How will they survive into the
ted with the press of a button to a local printer or around
future? These are important questions to consider now.”
the globe.” The rare books profiled in the catalogue, Medieval
To view the catalogue, Medieval Manuscripts & Early Print
Manuscripts & Early Print Works at Memorial University
Works at Memorial University Libraries, please visit http://
Libraries, tell the story of this tumultuous transition in
research.library.mun.ca/1677/.
Hours of the Cross, Book of Hours, Use of Utrecht.
From zero to 60 in three semesters By Michelle Osmond
NOT KNOWING
his way around a pool was not an issue for Rodney Myers until
the fall 2011 semester. During his third year at Memorial, Mr. Myers signed up for an outdoor recreation course that involved canoeing. His School of Human Kinetics and Recreation (HKR) instructors, Kevin Redmond and Dr. Bas Kavanagh, noticed that Mr. Myers wasn’t a strong swimmer; the instructors knew this would cause him difficulty during his subsequent semester since the student would have to pass Dr. Ralph Wheeler’s aquatics class where swimming was the singular requirement. Mr. Myers had always wanted to be a physical education teacher. When the Prince Edward Island native was looking for a university, Memorial’s School of Human Kinetics and Recreation seemed like the best option. Before Memorial, he attended Holland College to complete a sport and leisure management diploma – graduating with one of the highest averages in the class -- as well as to play and coach basketball. However, when it came to swimming, the only thing the sports enthusiast knew was the dog paddle, tiring after a quarter of a length. He had hit a roadblock on the path to his dream career. Mr. Myers knew that if he didn’t pass the water-based courses, his dream of becoming a teacher would not likely come true. “Dr. Kavanagh and Mr. Redmond took me aside, demonstrating that they truly cared for me not as a number, but as a student as well as a person and fellow physical educaCHRIS HAMMOND PHOTO
tor,” he said. “They informed me of possible opportunities to take adult swimming lessons. I appreciated this kind gesture more then they probably realize.” So, he signed up for swimming lessons. “My motivation was to prove to my instructors that it was worth taking the risk on me in allowing me in their courses ... All of these instructors believing in me made it very easy to get in the pool and love putting the work in.” “I always give the benefit of the doubt to the student,” said Mr. Redmond, who let
Rodney Myers
Mr. Myers into the course despite his lack of swimming skills. “But they have to prove themselves and Rodney definitely did that.” Mr. Myers was determined to conquer the aquatics course, too.
“I honestly never thought in my wildest dreams I would ever become a lifeguard,”
“The course, plus putting in tons of extra time at the pool, gave me a lifetime skill. I
he said. “It is so rewarding now when I see old classmates, friends, family and instruc-
started as one of the worst swimmers in the class and ended up having one of the best
tors to first see the disbelief and shock in their eyes and then excitement of them being
endurance times and quality of strokes. I gained a new love for the sport of swimming.”
proud. It makes all the time and effort worth it.”
Then, he took it to another level. Last summer, he and seven of his co-workers from the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation got their Bronze Cross, Bronze Medallion and National Life Saving certifications. In one year, the non-swimmer went from topping out at one length to becoming a lifeguard.
Gazette | Wednesday, July 17, 2013
12
www.mun.ca/gazette