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WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY
Waterloo | Brantford | Kitchener | Toronto
Photo: John Ternan
FEBRUARY 2015
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne paid a visit to Laurier’s Waterloo campus Jan. 14, stopping in at Wilf’s to chat with students, faculty and staff. For more photos, see page 7.
As a student at Wilfrid Laurier University, Bill Webb mixed his degree in business with co-op work terms and a position on the varsity rugby team. He credits his experiences in the classroom, in the workforce and on the field with having the biggest impact on his life. On Jan. 9, Laurier announced that Webb and his wife Dr. Agnes Wong have made a $1-million donation to Laurier’s School of Business and Economics. The donation will support the construction of the university’s new Global Innovation Exchange building (GIE). In making their gift, the couple hopes to give future students the same impactful experience that Webb had. “In many ways, Laurier is a bestin-class institution with top-notch students. As such, we believe that it is important for Laurier to also have the infrastructure that goes with being a best-in-class school,” said Webb. “Our investment in the new Global Innovation Exchange promises to help Laurier expand its ability to deliver integrated and engaged learning opportunities, while at the same time ensuring support for Canada’s future busi-
Photo: Mike Lalich
Alumnus donates $1 million to SBE
Bill Webb announced his donation during a ceremony Jan. 9.
ness leaders.” The donation is part of Laurier’s Building Canada’s Best Business School fundraising campaign. The campaign aims to raise $55 million to support student scholarships, faculty research, new programs and building the GIE, which will house the School of Business and Economics and Laurier’s Department of Mathematics. In recognition of their gift, a 150-seat lecture hall on the first floor of the GIE will be named in honour of Webb and Wong. Since graduating from Laurier in 1986, Webb has built a successful career in the financial sector. He is executive vice-president and
chief investment officer at one of Canada’s pre-eminent wealthmanagement firms, Gluskin Sheff + Associates. There, he has championed Laurier’s co-op education program, supporting the hiring of more than 100 students for co-op placements. Wong, who earned an MD from McGill University, is chief of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at SickKids and also a professor at the University of Toronto. “Bill Webb and Agnes Wong are accomplished leaders and outstanding philanthropists who embody Laurier’s promise of inspiring lives of leadership and purpose,” said Max Blouw, Laurier president and vicechancellor. “Their generosity will enable Laurier to enhance opportunities for students to blend classroom learning with work, volunteer and leadership opportunities, and intense engagement with athletics or other passions. This magic mix of personal development opportunities is a hallmark of Laurier, and we are very grateful that Bill and Agnes are helping to lift it further.” The Jan. 9 gift builds on other
donations that Webb and Wong have made in support of student scholarships and Laurier’s co-op and career services since 2005. They also champion the university in other ways. Webb is a member of Laurier’s President’s
Council of Advisors and a volunteer for the fundraising campaign. He received the inaugural Laurier Alumni Co-op Employer of Excellence Award and was named one of Laurier’s 100 Alumni of Achievement during the univer-
Senate endorses IPRM recommendations The Wilfrid Laurier University Senate demonstrated its support for the Integrated Planning and Resource Management (IPRM) process at its meeting Jan. 12 by passing a series of motions endorsing the IPRM report recommendations. Senate motions endorsed the recommendations of the Resource Management Team report, the Administrative Priorities Team report, the Academic Priorities Team report and the Planning Task Force report. Laurier President and ViceChancellor Max Blouw thanked Senators and guests for the quality and tenor of the discussions at the meeting, the collegial and positive outcomes, and for the manner in which the discussion took place.
The motions followed a previous discussion about IPRM at a special Dec. 17 Senate meeting, review of a summary of comments about the IPRM process from Laurier community members, as well as two IPRM town halls in early December where faculty, staff and students asked questions of the IPRM co-chairs. The IPRM recommendations are the result of a rigorous 18-month review process. Working groups, made up of more than 90 faculty and staff members who were nominated by their peers, as well as undergraduate and graduate student representatives, evaluated information submitted by each academic and administrative IPRM see page 2
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Laurier signs memorandum of understanding with Daughters for Life Foundation
Celebrated Canadian author Lawrence Hill pays a special visit to the Waterloo campus
Meet Tammy Lee, associate director, Special Constable Services
Inside
February 2015
president’s message
Laurier received some encouraging news in January: the number of students who applied to our university for the 2015-16 academic year increased over last year despite a downward trend across the Ontario university system. The number of high school students who applied to Laurier by the Jan. 14 deadline rose 1.8 per cent over last year compared to a system-wide decline of 0.7 per cent. As well, the number of high school applicants who made Laurier their first choice rose 3.2 per cent over last year. Among applications from non-high-school students — those who have taken a gap year or who are applying after a few years in the workforce — applications to Laurier rose 9.6 per cent compared to a system-wide increase of 1.7 per cent across Ontario. The number of non-high-school applicants who made Laurier their first choice rose 5.9 per cent over last year. These increases are gratifying and they come at a time when Ontario is experiencing a decline in the number of 17- and 18-yearolds. Of course this will result in
Photo: Tomasz Adamski
Laurier still a top choice among students
Laurier President Max Blouw at the signing of the university’s memorandum of understanding with the Daughters for Life Foundation.
heightened competition among universities and with the college sector. The increase in applications stems from a combination of factors: Laurier’s new studentfocused website, our enhanced focus on recruitment initiatives, and the efforts of faculty and staff to provide high-quality, relevant and engaged academic programs
and an exceptional student experience. It is encouraging that, in a competitive marketplace, students continue to find Laurier an attractive choice. Our emphasis on high-quality academic programs and an integrated and engaged student experience appeals to bright young people interested in a strong education and excellent
opportunities for personal development. As the latest results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) show, our students continue to be highly satisfied with their Laurier experience. Eighty-five per cent of first-year students and 86 per cent of senior students rate their overall experience at Laurier as excellent or good. As well, Laurier graduates continue to find employment. The latest employment survey conducted for the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities found that 89.1 per cent of Laurier alumni who graduated in 2011 were employed six months after graduation, compared to 87.4 per cent across the system; and 94.3 per cent of Laurier alumni who graduated in 2011 were employed two years after graduation, compared to 93.02 per cent across the system. However, the market for post-secondary education remains extremely competitive and students are well-informed consumers, and we cannot rest on
our laurels. Keeping Laurier relevant and attractive to students is the responsibility of everyone in the Laurier community. Between now and July we will work diligently to convert applications into acceptances. But we must also think of the longer term — we must continue to provide strong academic programs and a superior student experience, and we must continue to tell the Laurier story and raise awareness of our remarkable university. The next few years will present Laurier with a number of significant challenges. I urge you to find inspiration in the fact that over the past century this institution has faced adversity on many occasions. Time and again Laurier has come together as a community to make difficult choices and to find a path to success. I am very confident that we will continue to do so in future.
Dr. Max Blouw President and Vice-Chancellor
Nominations currently being sought for honorary degrees and Order of Wilfrid Laurier University; submit by Feb. 16 Wilfrid Laurier University invites members of the Laurier community and the general public to nominate worthy individuals for honorary degrees and for membership in the Order of Wilfrid Laurier University. Honorary degrees are awarded honoris causa, “for the sake of the honour,” and are intended to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions locally,
nationally, and globally, such as: • Leading academics and public intellectuals across the disciplines • Exemplary leaders in all fields • Outstanding artists and performers • Community builders and philanthropists The Order of Wilfrid Laurier University honours worthy
“It is this passion that has generated much discussion and debate about program area of the university IPRM and its recommendations according to how they align with within the Laurier community and institutional priorities. At the same in the media. I am confident that it time, a new budget model was is also what will enable us to make recommended to more effectively the appropriate — albeit difficult allocate the university’s resources — choices that need to be made to according to the identified secure our future.” priorities. At its meeting on Feb. 26, Lauri“Our faculty, staff, students and er’s Board of Governors will discuss administration care deeply about the IPRM report and recommendaLaurier and our future,” said Blouw. tions and consider comments from IPRM continued
recipients who have a record of exemplary and distinguished service to the university. All members of the university, including those who represent the university in the community, are eligible for nomination. This includes current or former faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and friends of the university. Neither the honorary degrees nor the Order of Wilfrid Laurier
the Laurier community, Senate, and senior administration. Motions on IPRM will be brought forward for the Board’s decision on the report’s recommendations. For responses to frequently asked questions about IPRM and to view the report recommendations, visit legacy.wlu.ca/iprm. For details about the Senate motions and discussion, visit the University Secretariat’s website.
InsideLaurier is published by Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing (CPAM) Wilfrid Laurier University 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5
InsideLaurier Volume 9, Number 5, February 2015 Editor: Justin Fauteux Contributors: Tomasz Adamski, Erin Almeida, Lori Chalmers Morrison, Kevin Crowley, Kevin Klein, Zack Lamers, Mike Lailich, Shawna Reibling, John Ternan Printed on recycled paper
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University will be awarded posthumously or in absentia. Nominations are reviewed by Laurier’s Senate Honorary Degree Committee, which, subject to the approval of Senate Executive Committee, makes recommendations to Max Blouw, president and vice-chancellor of the university and chair of the Senate Honorary Degree Committee. Nominations are reviewed at
various times throughout the year. But to have a nomination reviewed at the next meeting of the Senate Honorary Degree Committee, please submit it by Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. Nomination forms may be found on line at legacy.wlu.ca/senate or by contacting the secretary of the committee, Sarah WilleyThomas, at swilley@wlu.ca or 519-884-0710 ext. 2981.
Send us your news, events & stories Email: insidelaurier@wlu.ca Deadline for submissions: Feb. 16, 2015 All submissions are appreciated, however not all submissions will be published. We reserve the right to edit all copy for accuracy, content and length.
InsideLaurier welcomes your comments and suggestions for stories. Tel: (519) 884-0710 ext. 3830 | Fax: (519) 884-8848 Email: jfauteux@wlu.ca InsideLaurier (circ. 2,100) is published eight times a year by CPAM. Opinions expressed in InsideLaurier do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the university’s administration.
Available online at www.wlu.ca/publicaffairs.
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Next issue of Inside March 2015
February 2015 Inside What’s new and notable at Laurier
Laurier professor Alan Whiteside named to Order of the British Empire Alan Whiteside, a researcher and professor in Laurier’s School of International Policy and Governance, was recently named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), a designation granted by the British Crown. Whiteside, who currently holds the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) Chair in Global Health at the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA), was recognized “for services and strategic interventions to curb HIV/ AIDS,” receiving the distinction as part of the United Kingdom’s annual New Year Honours. The OBE recognizes service to the arts and sciences, public services and work with charitable and welfare organizations. Whiteside is internationally known for his work in HIV/AIDS research, holding a variety of fellowships and official and academic positions. He is a professor emeritus at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and in 2003 was appointed to the United Nations’ Commission for HIV/AIDS and Governance in Africa.
Laurier researchers receive over $2.7 million in federal social sciences and humanities funding Researchers at Wilfrid Laurier University have received more than
$2.7 million in funding through the 2014 Insight Development and Insight Grant program, which is administered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). A wide range of Laurier research projects received funding, including: a study of community economic development in Northern Canada; an investigation into the nuances of everyday interpersonal interactions; a study documenting the history of the Waterloo County House of Industry and Refuge; and an investigation into how the social economy of food benefits marginalized groups and fosters social innovation. “The SSHRC Insight Development and Insight Grant results show that Laurier’s researchers are successful in a highly competitive environment where success rates are down overall,” said Deborah MacLatchy, vice-president: academic and provost, and acting vice-president: research. Insight Development grants fund innovative approaches to research in its early stages, provide high-quality research experiences for students, and mobilize research knowledge for economic and social impact. Insight grants support research excellence in the social sciences and humanities and support longerterm research programs. The funding will support research for up to five years.
Louise Dawe wins Residence Academic Partnership award Louise Dawe, assistant professor in the Faculty of Science, recently received Laurier’s Residence Academic Partner award, which recognizes faculty members and academic staff who support academic initiatives within the university’s residences. Dawe serves as the faculty mentor for the Faculty of Science Residence Learning Community (RLC), one of Laurier’s themed residence environments designed to extend learning and development opportunities into residences. Throughout the semester, Dawe and Nikhile Moorerji, a don and supplemental instructor in Chemistry, worked alongside 35 science students in Bricker residence. During the first week of the semester Dawe and Moorerji hosted a meet-and-greet event, and throughout the semester held group dinners and a sciencemovie afternoon in one of the active learning classrooms. The Residence Academic Partnership award is bestowed to one faculty or academic staff member each term. Previous recipients include Laura Allan, assistant professor in the School of Business & Economics; Jane Newland, assistant professor of French; Sofy Carayannopoulos,
associate professor of Policy; Bob Sharpe, associate professor of Geography; Julie Pong, an academic advisor in the Faculty of Arts, and Mercedes RowinskyGeurts, associate professor of Languages & Literatures.
Centre for Cold Regions and Water Science honoured for innovative design Laurier’s Centre for Cold Regions and Water Science was recently awarded the Outstanding DesignSpecialized Facility award from the American School & University Magazine. The centre won the award based on its unique and modern architecture. The America School & University ‘Architectural Portfolio’ citations showcase education facilities
Winter Carnival marks 55th year
Students take part in Winter Carnival, an annual Laurier tradition since 1960. This year’s celebration ran from Jan. 11 - 17 on the Waterloo campus.
Partnership with Daughters for Life Foundation supports female Middle Eastern students Laurier will sponsor two women from the Middle East to study toward undergraduate degrees thanks to a memorandum of understanding signed between Daughters for Life Foundation President Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish and Laurier President and ViceChancellor Max Blouw on Jan. 13. Abuelaish established the Daughters for Life Foundation in memory of three of his daughters — Bessan, 21; Mayar, 15; and Aya, 13 — who were killed by an Israeli tank shell during an attack in the Gaza strip in 2009. The foundation, which honours his daughters’ love of learning, offers awards and scholarships to young women of any Middle Eastern nationality, background or religion to study in Canada, the U.S. and the United Kingdom. It is built on the belief that the road to peace is only possible by ensuring women are educated and able to fully participate in and contribute to their communities and the world. “This is a moment of hope and of celebration,” said Abuelaish at the signing event. “We are honoured to have Wilfrid Laurier join us in our transformative mission to foster peace through education. [My daughters] are kept alive in the minds,
Laurier receives Imagine Canada accreditation
Laurier is the first university in Canada to receive accreditation from Imagine Canada under The Standards Program. The accreditation signifies that the university operates at the highest standards in board governance, financial accountability and transparency, fundraising, staff management and volunteer involvement. “Universities are public institutions, and it is essential we meet the highest standards of trust,” said Max Blouw, Laurier president and vice-chancellor. “This accreditation assures our stakeholders — whether they be government, donors, employees or students — that our activities meet this expectation.” Imagine Canada offers proDaughters for Life President Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish (left) and Laurier President and Vice-Chancellor Max Blouw (right) sign a memorandum of understanding signifying the partnership between the Daughters for Life Foundation and Laurier. grams and resources that help strengthen charities and nonfunds committed by the univerconflict and to sponsor internahearts and souls of good people profits. The Standards Program tional students to study at Laurier. sity and provide for as many as 10 and good deeds.” builds excellence in charities and “As students become more aware international students to study at Gavin Brockett, associate nonprofits through common Laurier. of global dynamics and the global professor and co-coordinator standards of practice, thereby “I’m always proud of Laurier suffering that can be so difficult of the Muslim Studies option, strengthening public confidence. students, but this particular gesfor us to comprehend, they want said students were inspired by a “Laurier’s accreditation demture that reaches out to places of to learn more about the people presentation from Abuelaish in onstrates that it is a leader in the who are directly affected, and they conflict is especially welcome and his first-year arts seminar two university sector,” said Bruce seek meaningful ways to respond,” especially meaningful,” said Blouw. MacDonald, president and years ago. They developed the “Dr. Abuelaish, thank you from the said Brockett. Global Leadership Investment CEO of Imagine Canada. “The bottom of my heart for not only In February, Daughters for Life Initiative (GLII) as part of a class Standards Program is a rigorous, Laurier co-presidents Annie Serez, what you represent in terms of project. This partnership is GLII’s peer-reviewed process, meant to hope, but what you’ve done for a third-year Global Studies stufirst initiative, delivered through build public trust and confidence reconciliation, and for peace.” dent, and Elliot Alder, a third-year a student club, Daughters for Life in the charitable sector. AccreditaFor more information, visit History student, will ask graduate Laurier, which was established to tion signifies that Laurier takes www.daughtersforlife.com or and undergraduate students to raise awareness about those living accountability and operational facebook.com/DFLLaurier. support a student levy to match in the midst of unresolved violent transparency very seriously.” Photo: Tomasz Adamski
By Lori Chalmers Morrison
that exemplify the best in school and university design, planning and construction. The evaluation criteria for the award included: environmental stewardship, comfortable and flexible learning spaces, and holistic design solutions. The centre, which opened in October 2013, houses research that involves scientists from across Canada and focuses on some of the country’s most pressing questions about water, environmental and resource issues in cold regions.
Photo: Zack Lamers
NEWS
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Inside
February 2015
Laurier mourns prominent long-time colleagues Arthur Stephen remembered as a champion of Laurier, someone who helped build the university Arthur Stephen, who passed away Jan. 10, was a dedicated and longserving member of the Laurier community who made many contributions to the university and to the field of university advancement in Canada and internationally. A native of Scotland, Arthur came to Canada in 1966 in search of travel adventure and expecting to work for a few years before returning home. While working in Toronto, he met a friend who was studying at what was then called Waterloo Arthur Stephen during his long, decoLutheran University. Impressed rated career at Laurier. by the school, Arthur enrolled in 1969 and graduated with a Bachuniversity. elor of Arts degree in 1973 — the “Arthur’s career of 41 years at year Waterloo Lutheran became Laurier is legendary,” said Casey. Wilfrid Laurier University. “Without question he was the ulArthur took a job as an adtimate ambassador of Laurier and missions officer with his alma so woven into the fabric of who mater in 1974. It was the start of a we have become as an institution. 35-year career that saw him hold The vision he held that we could numerous leadership posts in become an institution of choice student recruitment, public affairs, was realized in the 1980’s and alumni relations and development, through his career we enjoyed eventually rising to the position of remarkable growth in our reputavice-president: advancement and tion, student numbers and most later serving as a special advisor importantly quality.” to the university president for his Over his career, Arthur earned final two years with the university. a reputation for his innovative Jennifer Casey, acting assistant approach to student recruitment vice-president: enrolment services and university advancement. He at Laurier, said Arthur was a speearned the Outstanding Achievecial mentor and friend right from ment in Advancement Award from the beginning of her career at the the Canadian Council for the Adpeople at Laurier
New appointments: Julie Andrews, Receiving Clerk, Distribution Services (Waterloo campus). Michael Bitton, Lab Coordinator, Geography and Environmental Science (Waterloo campus). Corey Clarysse, Special Constable, Special Constable Services (Waterloo campus). Arica Cross, Custodian/ Maintenance, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus). Shane Dixon, Research Facilitator, Office of Research Services (Waterloo campus).
vancement of Education (CCAE) and the prestigious Steuben Apple Award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in the United States. An early adopter of using film and video to promote universities, he won awards at the Houston Film Festival and the International Film Festival of New York for advancement projects. Laurier Economics Professor Terry Levesque, a long-time friend of Arthur’s, recalled the tremendous passion Arthur had for Laurier and the lasting impact his legacy has had on the university. “I know that my experience of Wilfrid Laurier University has been rich in no small measure because of Arthur,” said Levesque. “I believe to this day that the exceptionally fine young people I have had the privilege to teach and help find their place in the world made their way to Laurier because Arthur always understood how to reveal the great value of this community. He and his team showed the world the treasure that is Laurier.” After retiring from the university, Arthur remained in touch with his many friends in the Laurier community and found more time for his other passion — golf. An avid supporter of Laurier sports teams, he also continued to cheer on the Golden Hawks.
Gary Lambert, who passed away Jan. 10, was a senior leader in Laurier’s finance department for more than 40 years. Gary graduated from Waterloo Lutheran University in 1967 and went on to earn his CA and CMA accounting designations. He began his career with Coopers & Lybrand and worked locally. In 1973, he began working for Wilfrid Laurier University. Gary officially retired as associate vice-president of finance in December 2013 but because of his deep knowledge of university finance, he continued to work part-time on special accounting assignments for Laurier. Jim Butler, vice-president: finance and administration, said Gary played a key role in the financial changes necessary for Laurier to grow from a small, primarily undergraduate university in the early ’70s to the comprehensive multi-campus university that it is today. “Gary was a part of the history of Laurier for over four and a half decades during an integral period of growth,” said Butler. “Just think of where the university came from then to where it is today in terms of programming, students, physical plant, financial systems, and people.” Gary received the Council of Ontario Finance Officers longservice recognition in 2012, and
Gary Lambert at his retirement celebration in 2013.
Laurier’s 40-year service award in 2014. Upon bestowing the 40-year service award on Gary, Associate Vice-President of Human Resources Pam Cant said the following: “Gary’s service to Laurier has been exemplary. His work has been quietly and not so quietly appreciated by all who have had the pleasure of working for and with him over a span of four decades. “His dedication to Laurier is unmatched. is contributions have been unparalleled. This is especially true of his training and mentoring various vice-presidents. I can tell you that there were many hours spent discussing the financial challenges with Gary and we have always benefited from his experience and wisdom.”
For a complete list of appointments visit www.wlu.ca/hr
Anne-Marie Henry, Global Engagement Coordinator, Laurier International (Waterloo campus). Debbie Hopkins, Administrative Assistant, Vice-President: Academic’s Office (Waterloo campus).
Sarah Thomas, Intermediate Admin Assistant, Research Services (Waterloo campus). Nguyen Vo, Lab Coordinator, Health Studies, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences (Brantford campus).
Changes in staff appointments: Rhea Kolanko, Director, Advancement Services, Development (Waterloo campus). Scott MacKenzie, Locksmith, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus). Dale McQueen, 3rd Class Operating Engineer, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus).
Paul Barnard, Research Compliance and Policy Officer, Research Services (Waterloo campus). Peter Bell, Shipping Clerk, Distribution Services (Waterloo campus). Andres Diaz, Acting Director, ICT Projects and PM, ICT (Waterloo campus).
Victoria Ford, Proposal Writer and Special Projects, Development and Alumni Relations (Waterloo campus).
Nicole Morgan, Academic Program Assistant, Faculty of Liberal Arts (Brantford Campus).
Kaitlyn Fowler, Academic Program Assistant, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences (Brantford campus).
Michael Phoenix, Facility and Technical Support, School of Business and Economics (Waterloo campus).
Andrea Friesen, Senior Administrative Assistant, Alumni Relations (Waterloo campus).
Adam Rocke, Groundsperson, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus).
Carrie Greig, Coordinator, Diversity Education, Diversity and Equity Office (Waterloo campus).
Geoff Schwarz, Occupational Hygienist & Safety Specialist, SHERM (Waterloo campus).
Amanda Gulka-Armstrong, Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator, Recruitment and Admissions (Brantford campus).
Melissa Heaman, Project Assistant, Vice-President: Academic’s Office (Waterloo campus).
Karen Sider, Administrative Assistant, Special Constable Services (Waterloo campus).
Douglas Koebel, Freight/Mail Delivery Driver, Distribution Services (Waterloo campus).
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Gary Lambert made ‘unparalleled’ contributions to Laurier
Justin Fauteux, News and Editorial Officer, CPAM (Waterloo campus). Benny Gamble, Custodian Leadhand, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus). Una Glisic, Acting Manager, Research Services (Waterloo campus).
Kristina Malecki, Academic Administration Assistant, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences (Brantford campus). Greg Mudry, Special Constable Supervisor, Special Constable Services (Waterloo campus). Danish O’Habib, Senior Recruiter, Recruitment and Admissons (Brantford campus).
Michael Roussel, Freight/Mail Delivery Driver, Distribution Services (Waterloo campus). Joseph Schaefer, Custodian Leadhand, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus). Nic Wright, Manager, Treasury and Cash Management, Financial Resources (Waterloo campus).
Scott Pires, Senior Recruiter, Recruitment and Admissions (Brantford campus).
Laurier professor appointed Dean of Applied Health Sciences at Brock University Peter Tiidus, a professor of Health Sciences and program coordinator in Laurier’s Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, was recently appointed the new Dean of Applied Health Sciences at Brock University. Tiidus has been a faculty member at Laurier since 1989, following eight years at the University of
Toronto. A widely respected researcher in the muscle and exercise physiology field, Tiidus has published more than 90 peer-reviewed articles and given more than 100 presentations over the course of his 32-year academic career. In addition to being a professor, researcher and program coordinator at Laurier, Tiidus has also served as interim Dean of Science and Chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Tiidus will begin his five-year term at Brock on July 1.
Photo: John Ternan
February 2015 Inside
Author Lawrence Hill takes part in a question-and-answer session during his visit to Laurier’s Waterloo campus Jan. 15. Later that day, Hill presented a special screening from the CBC mini-series The Book of Negroes.
Acclaimed author Lawrence Hill visits Waterloo campus By Justin Fauteux Award-winning Canadian author Lawrence Hill visited Laurier’s Waterloo campus Jan. 15, interacting with students and presenting a special screening of an episode from the CBC television adaptation of his 2007 novel, The Book of Negroes. Hill took part in a questionand-answer session with students and guests in the afternoon and was later joined by Clement Virgo, director and co-writer of the CBC adaptation of The Book of Negroes, to present a special advance screening of the miniseries’ third episode. Both events
drew considerable interest from the Laurier community. “The afternoon question-andanswer session drew 120 people including students, faculty, staff and Waterloo community members,” said Carol Duncan, an associate professor and chair of Laurier’s Department of Religion and Culture, who helped organize the event. “The evening screening and discussion was attended by a full capacity crowd of 200. It provided an opportunity for the Laurier community to participate in a national television event with an exclusive viewing of the third episode of the series.”
Hill discussed a range of topics during his visit, from the process of adapting his novel into a mini-series to issues surrounding censorship and the importance of recognizing crucial, yet often under-discussed pieces of Canadian history, such as the material covered in The Book of Negroes. “I always find it stunning and discouraging how we in Canada know more about U.S. history than we do about our own country’s,” said Hill, noting his own lack of interest in Canadian history as a child. “I guess nobody had thought to infuse the teaching of that history
with drama and struggle.” Hill has made several appearances at Laurier over the past few years, even writing a portion of The Book of Negroes while staying in Laurier’s Lucinda House guest residence. In 2010, Hill was Laurier’s first writer-inresidence, and also received an honorary doctor of letters degree from the university. The son of American-immigrant parents — a black father and a white mother — Hill grew up in the Toronto suburb of Don Mills. His first novel, Some Great Thing, was published in 1992. He has gone on to publish a total of nine books of fiction and non-fiction
including the best-selling novel The Book of Negroes, which won several awards such as the Rogers/ Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize, both CBC Radio’s Canada Reads and Radio Canada’s Le Combat des livres and The Commonwealth Prize for Best Book. Some of Hill’s other prominent works include: best-selling memoir Black Berry, Sweet Juice: On Being Black and White in Canada (2001), The Deserter’s Tale (2007) and Blood: The Stuff of Life (2013), upon which he drew for the 2013 Massey Lectures. The CBC’s six-part mini-series version of The Book of Negroes debuted on television Jan. 7, 2015.
LaunchPad entrepreneurs get ‘jumpstart’ from FedDev funding By Justin Fauteux Laurier entrepreneurs, present and future, will be getting a boost from a recent federal investment into The Accelerator Centre. On Jan. 15, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) announced that the Accelerator Centre, an award-winning technology startup incubator, would receive $8 million in funding over four years to establish a new program called AC JumpStart. The AC JumpStart program will help highpotential startups commercialize new products and develop new businesses by providing selected companies with mentorship and matching seed financing. The program will begin in January 2015 and run through 2018. Three companies established through the Laurier LaunchPad entrepreneurship program — Alaunus, Meal in a Jar and Eventpeeks — were selected to be part of the AC JumpStart program, each receiving $30,000 in seed funding and a spot in the Accelerator Centre. As a result of the FedDev funding, Laurier will receive $800,000 over four years, which will support 20 companies.
“This program is a positive step in advancing our partnership with the Accelerator Centre. It is a clear example of the importance we put on supporting young entrepreneurs who have a proven track record of success,” said Max Blouw, Laurier president and vicechancellor. “I know that with this assistance, several of our companies will move through the startup stage to become successful growth companies in our region.” The Accelerator Centre is an initiative involving several partners, including academic institutions such as Laurier, the University of Waterloo, Conestoga College and the University of Guelph. Based at the University of Waterloo’s David Johnston Research + Technology Park, the Accelerator Centre provides budding technology companies with work space, mentorship, networking opportunities and access to state-of-the-art facilities. The three Laurier LaunchPad startups selected to be part of AC Jumpstart’s first cohort run the gamut from mobile IT solutions for health care to fresh, healthy, pre-made meals to tools for effectively utilizing social media during live events.
“The JumpStart Program, with its cash injection and mentorship, will be a real boost to some of our most advanced Launchpad companies,” said Steve Farlow, executive director of Laurier’s Schlegal Centre for Entrepreneurship. Founded in 2011 by Laurier alumnus Andrew Ringer (BBA ’11), Alaunus designs software to help make health-care organizations run more efficiently. The company developed a product called HealthPlanr, a mobile practicemanagement solution that coordinates schedules and tracks patient information more efficiently than traditional paper-file systems. Meal in a Jar was born when Laurier grad Carson Kolberg (BA ‘13) saw a mason jar with layers of fresh ingredients on his hairstylist’s workstation. Irene Divaris, who happened to go to the same hairdresser, had been combining fresh ingredients in jars as healthy, on-the-go meal options. The two partnered and Meal in a Jar’s healthy pre-made meals are now available in stores throughout Waterloo Region. In 2012, Laurier MBA students Aron Tennant and Bart Piwowar teamed up to create an app called Eventpeeks and brought classmate
John Beresford on as a managing partner. Eventpeeks collects photos from various social media platforms, allowing users at an event to interactively engage with the rest of the audience and helping event organizers track and analyze social media use during their event.
In addition to seed funding, the companies involved in the AC JumpStart program will receive mentorship from experts in: finance, sales, marketing, human resources, technology and product development; access to market research; and connections to investors.
Sudoku
Answer see page 6.
5
February 2015
coffee with a co-worker
Name: Tammy Lee Title: Associate Director, Special Constable Service. Where you can find her: 232 King Street, Waterloo Campus. Drink of choice: Skinny vanilla latte… I do enjoy Starbucks!
How long have you been at Laurier? I started as a special constable in 2007 at the Faculty of Social Work in Kitchener. In 2009, I was transferred to the Waterloo campus, and in December 2014, I took on the new role of associate director. What is your typical workday like? In my current role, my position involves a lot of administrative work and I tend to only be in uniform at special events on campus. An important aspect of my role is to continue to build on the already strong relationships that Laurier has with the Waterloo Region community. I spend much of my time liaising with the Waterloo Regional Police, OPP and other university campus Special Constable Services such as the University of Waterloo, McMaster and the University of Guelph. Our special constables are
A look at staff and faculty across campus
sworn peace officers, and relationship building is integral in our role. It’s imperative that we build strong relationships with the various departments on campus as well as with our external stakeholders, to provide a community policing approach. Additionally, I sit on numerous committees internally and externally within our community. These include the Behavioural Intervention Team, Threat Assessment Team and Waterloo Crime Awareness Team. The committees are campus-wide initiatives, which include many colleagues from various departments, such as Residence Life, the Dean of Students Office and the Wellness Centre. These committees focus on the well-being of our students to ensure we’re providing them the best possible resources to ensure their personal and academic success. What do you like to do in your spare time? Since I started my new role, I have to be honest, I don’t have much spare time these days. But when I do, I enjoy spending it with my five children and my husband, who is also a commissioned officer with the OPP. We all enjoy travelling, typically somewhere warm! But these days, who doesn’t!
coming Events
Heard on Twitter Check out what the Laurier community has been tweeting about at twitter.com/lauriernews. Laurier also has official sites on Facebook at www. facebook.com/WilfridLaurierUniversity and YouTube at www.youtube.com/LaurierVideo.
@CBCRadioQ Get to know this week’s guest host @shadkmusic. Bio: http://goo.gl/0XMx8V First show: http://goo.gl/odTNBS @ImagineCanada First university (@LaurierNews) to be accredited talks about high standards ow.ly/ HLh1V @570News Applications to Wilfrid Laurier increase despite downward trend across Ontario. ow.ly/ HEzoQ @RachelSchoutsen Woohoo on @LaurierNews homepage today! Check out wlu.ca - proud to be a @LaurierAlumni ! Thanks guys :) @KitchCitizen WLU brings educational opportunities to women through Daughters for Life kitchenercitizen.com/daughtersforli… @ LaurierNews @DrAbuelaish @ andie_claire @Craignorriscbc In-depth analysis of the local impact of @TargetCanada closures w/ Bradley Ruffle @LaurierNews. He joins me at 7:10 @CBCKW891. #kw
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What is something people would be surprised to learn about you: I was an OPP officer before joining Laurier, and prior to that, I owned and operated two clothing and gift stores in resort communities. One was in Bayfield Ontario, and one in Grand Bend. I enjoyed this when my kids were first born as I could spend all of my time with them. What do you like most about working at Laurier? What I like most is working with the staff, students and faculty members here. Laurier is a closeknit community, and I absolutely love working with the people. We have great leadership in place who have a common vision and goal to provide the best experience for all who live, work and play here. I still maintain strong relationships with my fellow OPP officers as well as Waterloo Regional Police officers, but do not have the shift work now! Kidding aside, it truly comes down to relationship building. I am a people person, and I enjoy building strong relationships with students, internal stakeholders and the K-W community. I truly get the best of both worlds in this role. I work with a great team of special constables and staff and am grateful to be given this wonderful opportunity.
Photo: Erin Almeida
Inside
Prior to joining Laurier, Tammy Lee was an officer with the OPP.
What are your plans for the future? I want to continue to build a strong presence on campus. It’s important that our area is seen as a support service that enhances the safety and well-being of our campus community. We need to be proactive in our approach rather than just being reactive. An exciting initiative the team is working on is the Fit For Duty Challenge. This is an incentive based program that focuses on fitness and well-being of our special constables. We have
invested in Fitbit Flex, which continuously tracks your activity levels. We spent the month of January, getting ourselves familiar with the program and Fitbit, and the friendly competition begins in February. I have an officer who will be trained in the Ontario Police Fitness instructor’s course, and it is our goal to have all officers, by the end of the year, receiving their fitness pin award for policing. By Erin Almeida
For a complete list of events visit www.wlu.ca/events
Backpack 2 Briefcase: Linking Goal Setting and Stress Management When: Feb. 10, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Where: The Student Centre, Brantford campus Cost: Free This session will review five goalsetting principles, as they relate to stress management, providing a fresh look at a very familiar topic. Confessions of a Fairy’s Daughter: Growing up with a Gay Dad When: Feb. 12, 8 p.m. Where: Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, Waterloo campus Cost: Free Laurier alumna Alison Wearing, brings her one-woman show, based on her best-selling memoir, Confessions of a Fairy’s Daughter: Growing up with a Gay Dad, to the Waterloo campus. Family Day Holiday When: Feb. 16 University closed. Reading Week When: Feb. 17 – Feb. 20 Following Family Day, the university will be open through reading week. See legacy.wlu.ca for a list of food outlets’ and other services’ adjusted hours.
Ideas & Issues Lecture Series: Mad Dogs and Englishmen: Murderers, Misfits & Madmen in Victorian Britain When: Feb. 18, noon – 1 p.m. Where: Kitchener Public Library Central Branch Cost: Free This popular noon-hour lecture series, now in its 40th year, focuses on current affairs and topics from the world of political and social science, history and the arts. Amy Milne-Smith, an associate professor of History at Laurier, will deliver an informal lecture based on her research.
series, now in its 40th year, focuses on current affairs and topics from the world of political and social science, history and the arts. Amanda Nosko, an instructional design specialist at Laurier’s Centre for Teaching Innovation and Excellence, will deliver this week’s lecture. Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini and L’enfant et les sortilèges by Maurice Ravel When: Feb. 27 - 28, 8 p.m., March 1, 3 p.m. Where: Theatre Auditorium, Waterloo campus
A double bill of one-act opera performances, featuring Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s comedy Gianni Schicchi and L’enfant et les sortilèges, by French composer Maurice Ravel.
Sudoku
Faculty of Social Work Research Forum When: Feb. 23, 8:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Where: Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work (FSW 101) Cost: Free All students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to attend the eighth-annual Faculty of Social Work research forum where social work researchers will share their findings, explore topics related to evidence and practice, and expand perspectives. Ideas & Issues Lecture Series: Disclosure and Privacy in the Digital Age: Risks and Benefits When: Feb. 25, noon – 1 p.m. Where: Kitchener Public Library Central Branch Cost: Free Answer from page 5.
This popular noon-hour lecture
Cost: $10 adults/$5 seniors/Free for students with ID
February 2015 Inside
Premier visits Laurier
You’re invited to bring your own device (BYOD) Faculty and staff can now receive Outlook email on personal devices
Kathleen Wynne stopped by Wilf’s last month to chat with students
Laurier President and Vice-Chancellor Max Blouw greets the premier upon her arrival at Laurier.
Premier Wynne, careful not to ‘walk on the hawk.’
BYOD is an ideal solution.” It’s not a dinner party, and we’re BYOD is available for personal not asking you to bring your own smartphones including Blackberry, dip (although who doesn’t love a iPhone, Android and Windows good guacamole?). phones, as well as personal tablets Rather, Laurier’s Information including iPad and Android. and Communication TechnoloStaff and faculty members who gies (ICT) department is inviting are interested in taking advantage staff and faculty to bring your of this opportunity can visit the own device (BYOD). Through this ICT Service Desk Portal and under new initiative, Laurier employ“requests” select “log a service reees who own their own tablets quest” to submit a BYOD request or smartphones (as opposed to a to set up their device. Laurier-issued phone) now have They will be required to review the option of receiving their Lauand consent to the BYOD terms rier Outlook email directly to the and conditions, which define mailbox of their personal device. items such as acceptable use, “We’re offering this option as a support and security, and are convenience to employees, but it intended to protect Laurier’s data is not a requirement,” said Andres Diaz, acting director, ICT projects. and infrastructure. Employees will still own and pay for their per“There are some employees who sonal devices and phone plans. wish easy access to their Laurier For more information or to email, calendar and contacts directly through the mailbox of their set up your smartphone or tablet, please contact the ICT Service personal device rather than going Desk. through web access. For them,
All Photos: John Ternan
Above and right: the premier chats with students at Wilf’s.
Name: Jeanette Haas Job Title: Senior Administrative Assistant to the Dean, Faculty of Science Book Title: The Night Circus Author: Erin Morgenstern
Wynne poses with a group of students at Wilf’s during her visit to Laurier.
Poet Sonnet L’Abbé begins term as Edna Staebler Writer-in-Residence Award-winning poet and essayist Sonnet L’Abbé has officially begun her term as Laurier’s Edna Staebler Writer-in-Residence. L’Abbé delivered a public lecture Jan. 22 entitled “Poetry and the Problem of Moving an Ecodisaster-Weary Heart” following a welcome reception. During her term as writer-inresidence — which runs until April 13 — L’Abbé will give public lectures, provide one-on-one feedback to student writers and writers in the community, and conduct writing workshops. “We are especially glad to have a poet as our writer-in-residence, and are fascinated by the possibilities presented by Sonnet’s interests in botany and eco-critical writing,” said Tanis MacDonald, an associate professor in Laurier’s Department of English and Film Studies and chair of the writer-inresidence selection committee. “I see her being a real bridge to creative discussion between the arts and sciences at Laurier, as well as a bolster to our course offerings in writing and reading po-
Sonnet L’Abbé will serve as Edna Staebler Writer-in-Residence until April 13.
etry, and in eco-critical literature.” L’Abbé is the author of two collections of poetry, A Strange Relief and Killarnoe (both published by McClelland and Stewart). She is also a poetry critic and the 2014 guest editor of Best Canadian Poetry. In 2000, she won the Bronwen Wallace Award for most promising writer under the age of 35. She is now at work on two new manuscripts, Sentient Mental Flower Book and Sonnet’s Shakespeare. L’Abbé has taught at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. She was also chosen to travel across the country for two
months in 2013 as the artist-inmotion for the 2017 Starts Now initiative hosted by CBC RadioCanada, Community Foundations of Canada, and Via Rail. Each year, the Edna Staebler writer-in-residence acts as a resource to the Laurier community while pursuing individual writing projects, offering a portrait of a writer at work. Award-winning non-fiction writer Andrew Westoll was Laurier’s inaugural writerin-residence in 2013, followed by playwright and filmmaker Colleen Murphy, who held the position in winter 2014. The Edna Staebler Laurier Writer-in-Residence position was established in 2012 by a bequest from the late Edna Staebler, prolific creative non-fiction writer and author of the very popular Schmecks series of books that celebrate the culture and cuisine of Waterloo Region. A separate bequest from Staebler sponsors the Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction, awarded each year to a writer’s first or second book of creative non-fiction.
The Night Circus is about a circus that opens from midnight to dawn at various pre-determined cities around the world. There is a competition between two young magicians to see who is the better of the two; unbeknownst to them, they’ve been trained for this competition their entire lives. It’s one of the most magical, captivating books I’ve read. I fully inhabited that world and wanted to attend a night circus so badly that I dreamed about it.
What are you listening to? Name: Beth Sanders Job Title: Event and Support Specialist, Brantford campus Artist: The Tragically Hip Lately, I’ve been listening to my old Tragically Hip albums. I had the opportunity to see them a few weeks ago in Windsor during their Fully Completely 2015 tour. They put on an entertaining show, and played for over two hours, including encores. Over the years, I’ve probably seen them six times and they put on an amazing show every single time I see them. It was fun to listen to the older albums again, including my absolute favourite, Road Apples.
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Inside
February 2015
in the classroom
Programming apps, there’s a class for that Instructor: Chinh Hoang Class: CP 469 – iPhone Application Programming In Chinh Hoang’s CP 469 class, smartphones aren’t distractions — they’re course material. CP469, iPhone Application Programming, teaches students how to write applications for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The course, which has been offered at Laurier since 2010, provides an introduction to the Swift programming language created by Apple, and lessons on how to develop interfaces and deal with different web services and memory management for mobile devices. Students complete smaller programming assignments throughout the term. The course culminates with each student creating their own iPhone application and taking part in an app competition, which has featured representatives from Apple as judges. Last year’s winning app was called Asteroid Belt, a game that put a modern spin on an arcade classic. The runners up were PowerPages, a service for quickly looking up contact information for business and people, and WLUexams, which allowed students to manage their exam schedule on their mobile device. Several students, including the creators of PowerPages, have gone on to publish their apps. “Mobile devices are rapidly becoming an essential tool in most industries from health care to entertainment, and are being used for everything from marketing to teaching,” said Hoang, a professor of Physics & Computer Science. “Nowadays, a single programmer can make an app, put it in the App Store and be in business.”
Chinh Hoang takes his students through a series of code during a CP469 lecture.
research file
Study sets baseline for researching pollution in Athabasca Delta instantly determine if values from routine monitoring programs contain evidence of man-made A new study into the pre-inpollution. dustrial baseline levels of heavy Normally, rivers are monitored metals in sediment carried by the for pollution upstream and downAthabasca River shows that emisstream of the pollution source. sions from the Alberta oil sands But this method is problematic and other human activities have in an area like the Athabasca oil not yet increased the concentrasands, where erosion of bitumentions travelling to the Athabasca rich riverbanks naturally releases Delta, which is located about 200 substantial quantities of polycyclic kilometres from the oil sands. aromatic hydrocarbons and metals The study was led by Johan into the river. Wiklund, a postdoctoral research“A major outcome and legacy of er in the Department of Biology the research is that results from at the University of Waterloo who ongoing and future monitoring is co-supervised by Brent Wolfe, can be compared to the baseline a Geography and Environmental we have established to detect Studies professor at Laurier. metal pollution in the Athabasca They developed a novel apRiver,” said Wolfe. proach that can accurately deterThe study, which appears in the mine the pre-industrial baseline peer-reviewed scientific journal levels of metals in river sediment. This approach allows regulators to Environmental Research Letters, measured eight priority metals, including nickel, vanadium and zinc, in sediments taken from floodplain lakes in the Athabasca Delta that were supplied by river floodwaters before the industrial era (1700-1920). The researchers normalized their data to Laurier professor Brent Wolfe studying lake sediment. lithium concenBy Erin Almeida
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Songbirds in ‘smart aviaries’ provide clues to social development
trations to adjust for confounding differences caused by variations in river flow and sediment grain size. They compared this natural baseline to metal concentrations measured by the multi-stakeholder oil sands monitoring organizaBy Shawna Reibling tion Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program in sediments collected Laurier researcher David White is along the Athabasca River beworking in a new research paratween 2010 and 2013. digm — studying birds in large, Results show that the concensemi-natural social environments tration of metal contaminants using a high-tech “social sensor travelling via the Athabasca River web.” to its terminus at the Athabasca White’s flocks of birds live Delta has not yet increased as a retogether in large enclosures monisult of Alberta oil-sands developtored by automated monitoring ment or other human activities. systems. Using motion-activated The sampling area, located surveillance cameras and audio 200 kilometres north of the oil recording devices, this social sands, is home to a community sensor web is designed to study of Athabasca Chipewyan First how cowbirds, a type of North Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, American songbird, develop into and Métis residents who have adults in a social environment. expressed concern that pollutants While many labs all over the from the oil sands are reaching world are racing to implement their traditional food sources via these technologies into their the Athabasca River. research, White’s “smart aviaries” The research team now plans to integrate automated individual reconstruct pre-industrial baserecognition technology, video lines for metals in the Athabasca tracking and audio recording in River sediment further upstream a research environment unique where oil-sands mining and proto Canada and the world. Reccessing activities occur. ognizing the importance of this The paper’s authors also include novel approach, The Canadian Biology Professor Roland Hall, Foundation for Innovation’s John Earth and Environmental Sciences R. Evans Leaders Fund recently Professor Tom Edwards, Biolannounced $59,117 in funding for ogy Research Associate Andrea White’s project, which is titled Farwell and Biology Professor “The Songbird Project: Placing George Dixon of the University of learning and development into a Waterloo. social context.”
David White’s research environment is unique to Canada and the world By preserving the flock structure, the context in which learning and development occurs for these birds can be studied. However, it is hard to observe individual bird behaviors in flocks. Therefore high-tech sensors and cameras are required to capture tiny social interactions. “There is dramatic flexibility in characteristics that were never before considered to be influenced by social learning — aggression, mate choice and birdsong,” said White, an associate professor of Psychology. “Young males with no access to adult males fail to develop normal behavior.” This approach challenges many long-held beliefs in both biology and psychology about how learning evolves. Social complexity has long been considered a primary selection force that has favoured the evolution of intelligence. “Smart aviary” video and audio feeds will be made available online. Thanks to this technology, scientists across Canada, as well as the public, can access the video feeds and watch cowbirds learn in action. More information is available on White’s research website: http://sites.google.com/site/ whitesocialbehaviourlab/