Inside
WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY
Waterloo | Brantford | Kitchener | Toronto
Photo: Tomasz Adamski
NOVEMBER 2014
Laurier celebrated fall convocation in October with more than 1,200 students graduating. For more convocation photos, see page 8.
Laurier launches first phase of new website Content creation, migration and usability testing will continue in stages Laurier launched Phase 1 of its brand-new website on Oct. 27. With a modern design and functionality, the new website provides users with an intuitive and engaging browsing experience. The first phase of the site is geared towards prospective undergraduate and graduate students, who are used to eye-catching, easyto-navigate and mobile-optimized sites. “The concept and design of the new website appeals to a new generation of students and better reflects the premier university experience we offer at Laurier,” said Joel Peters, assistant vicepresident, External Relations. “The website is often our first point of contact with our audience, and as such our new site will play a key role in our enrolment and reputational strategies.” Team leadership for the web development project is shared by Information Communications Technology and Communications, Public Affairs and Marketing, with the day-to-day management provided by Helen Exley, Nela Petkovic, Jadranko Jerkovic and
Heidi Maissan. A larger web development steering committee, made up of representatives from across the university, has also been closely involved with shaping the new site and providing pan-university input and direction. The new wlu.ca was designed by mStoner using Hannon Hill’s Cascade Server as the new content management system (CMS). It is fully responsive, which means you can easily access it from your smartphone or tablet. The fresh, contemporary and unified design across all platforms follows the
The new website is fully responsive and mobile friendly.
university’s visual identity and reflects Laurier’s multi-campus nature. On the homepage, the new mega menu features easy access to Laurier’s admission toolkits. Among the other homepage features is the university’s Instagram feed with curated images from the Laurier community — use the hashtag #LaurierLove and you may see one of your images on the homepage. Laurier’s new website meets Ontario’s guidelines for accessibility. User testing with prospective students was also conducted to ensure the usability of the site. The website looks and works best when viewed in Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer 9 or higher. The web team is in the process of creating a brand new site for Laurier’s internal community. In the meantime, current students, faculty and staff can still access the university’s previous website — the previous homepage will remain
active (legacy.wlu.ca) until the new website is fully populated and an intranet for current students, faculty and staff is developed. Content creation, content migration and usability testing will continue to occur in stages
to accommodate the immense amount of data that needs to be moved to the new CMS. For questions and feedback, contact webteam@wlu.ca. To learn more about the new website, visit www.wlu.ca/webreview.
IPRM reports to be released this month At the heart of Laurier’s Integrated Planning and Resource Management (IPRM) process is the question, “How will we continue to make Laurier a better institution?” After 18 months devoted to this goal, the IPRM working groups have finalized their reports and submitted them to the Planning Task Force (PTF) to review, comment on and incorporate into the final PTF Report. “We are pleased to recognize the dedication and effort of the Resource Management Team, the Administrative Priorities Team and the Academic Priorities
Team,” said Mary-Louise Byrne, PTF co-chair. “Reaching this point represents hours upon hours of time devoted to ensuring this is a thorough and equitable process.” The working group reports represent the two key components of IPRM: resource management and prioritization. The Resource Management Team (RMT) report recommends the most appropriate budget and resource allocation model for the university. The Academic Priorities Team (AcPT) and the IPRM see page 2
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Have you published a book? Learn more about Laurier’s Community Authors program.
Professor cooks for 98 students during four days of field work.
Homecoming highlights from the Brantford campus.
Inside
november 2014
president’s message
Making Laurier a better institution
Photo: Tomasz Adamski
In Canada, like nearly all countries, post-secondary education is in the midst of rapid and permanent change. Centuries-old ways of teaching, learning and conducting research are giving way to new approaches that are rooted in new technologies and new modalities of human interaction. The importance of distance is diminished, information can be found in too much abundance with a few computer keystrokes, and learning can be easily and effectively facilitated without people needing to be in the same place and at the same time. Funding constraints and the shifting needs of students and society are further forcing universities to adapt their programs
and the ways in which they are delivered. Fortunately, Laurier has a 103-year tradition of turning challenge into opportunity. As historian Andrew Thomson noted in his 2011 book commemorating the centennial of Wilfrid Laurier University, Laurier is a resilient institution whose entire history has been one of change and adaptation. From seminary to liberal arts college, from religious-affiliated institution to publicly-funded university, from a small campus in a single city to a multi-campus institution with roots in several communities, Laurier has always come together as a community to confront change and adapt to it. One of the keys to our success is anticipation and planning. In recent years, we have untaken many consultative initiatives to prepare for the future — Envisioning Laurier, Campus Master Plans, the Task Force on Laurier President Max Blouw addresses the audience at fall Multi-Campus Governance, convocation
a new Academic Plan, a new Strategic Research Plan, the Strategic Mandate Agreement with the province, and the current Integrated Planning and Resource Management (IPRM) process. The IPRM initiative has been a long and, in some ways, stressful process. And now, after two-anda-half years of planning and gathering input, it is at the delivery stage. One of three recommendation reports — the resource management team’s proposed budget model —is available for viewing by the Laurier community at http://legacy.wlu.ca/iprm. The other two reports — recommendations for academic program priorities and for administrative priorities — are scheduled to be posted to the same section of the website on Nov. 27. From here, the Senate is scheduled to discuss the recommendations and provide written comments to the Board of Governors. In keeping with the highly consultative approach of IPRM, all interested members of the Laurier community are invited to submit their comments through a web forum, which is also found at: http://legacy.wlu.ca/iprm. As well, IPRM town hall meetings will be
held on the Waterloo campus Dec. 4 and on the Brantford campus Dec. 5 for questions, answers and further discussion. As discussion and opinion formation occur, it is important to emphasize some key points. First, the reports of the IPRM Task Force will not be altered after they are submitted. The university Board of Governors is responsible for making decisions about the IPRM recommendations; for example, whether to approve some or all, whether in modified or in original form. The Board will do this after reviewing the reports of the IPRM working groups, as well as considering comments provided by the Senate and all other stakeholders. Implementation of IPRM recommendations will follow the regular Senate and Board processes already in place for academic and non-academic areas as outlined in the Wilfrid Laurier University Act. I urge all who read the reports to remember that at the heart of the IPRM process is the question, “How will we continue to make Laurier a better institution?” Making Laurier better means that we meet the needs of students and society, that our priorities respond as the needs of students
and society evolve, and that our administrative structures and the way we deploy resources are as efficient and effective as possible, so we can continue to deliver the high-quality university experience for which Laurier is known. Change is rarely easy. But the history of our university shows that even in the most challenging of times, the Laurier community comes together in a spirit of trust and goodwill to make the difficult decisions that are necessary to maintain our mission, to be relevant, and to be held in high regard. As Andrew Thomson wrote in 2011: “Throughout its history, Wilfrid Laurier University found ways to not simply survive but to thrive.… As it goes forward to face challenging attitudes toward higher education, Laurier can take comfort in the knowledge that it has always found the path to success.”
IPRM continued
co-chairs will present details about the next steps in the IPRM process to Senate.
co-chairs, the Town Halls will provide an opportunity to discuss the IPRM process and next steps, as well as to answer questions from the community. Details will be announced when confirmed.
community as they are finalized. Implementation of the recommendations endorsed by the board will follow regular Senate and Board of Governors procedures laid out in the University Act. For more details, visit legacy. wlu.ca/iprm. For questions that are not addressed on the website, email iprm@wlu.ca.
Administrative Priorities Team (AdPT) reports focus on the evaluation and prioritization of the university’s academic and administrative programs to guide strategic resource allocation in the future. “It is important to note that at this stage, the contents of the reports are recommendations only, until they are reviewed by Senate, and reviewed and decided upon by the Board of Governors,” said Kim Morouney, PTF co-chair. The IPRM initiative has been grounded in a bottom-up approach, with regular communication provided to the Laurier community throughout the process. This approach will continue. The following outlines the next steps in the IPRM process: Oct. 30: RMT report The RMT report, containing
recommendations on a university budget model, was reviewed and approved by the PTF and sent to Senate and the Board of Governors, along with a PTF covering report. The report is posted at legacy.wlu.ca/ iprm along with FAQs for the Laurier community to review. The Laurier community can provide comments on the report through a web form on the IPRM web page. Comments will be collected by the Secretariat’s Office and submitted to the Board of Governors for consideration when the Board makes its decision, along with comments from Senate and the president/ vice-presidents. Nov. 26: Senate meeting The RMT report will be discussed at the Senate meeting. The Secretariat will record Senate’s comments, which will be provided to the Board of Governors. PTF
Nov. 27: Target date for Academic and Administrative Priorities Reports The full PTF report, including the AcPT and AdPT reports containing recommendations on the prioritization of academic and administrative programs, will be sent to Senate and the Board of Governors. The reports will also be posted to legacy.wlu.ca/iprm along with FAQs for the Laurier community to review. The Laurier community can also provide comments on these reports through a web comment form on the IPRM web page. Dec. 4 (Waterloo) & Dec. 5 (Brantford): IPRM Town Halls IPRM Town Halls will be held on the Waterloo and Brantford campuses. Led by the PTF
InsideLaurier is published by Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing (CPAM) Wilfrid Laurier University 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5
InsideLaurier Volume 9, Number 3, November 2014 Editor: Stacey Morrison Contributors: Tomasz Adamski, Erin Almeida, Lori Chalmers Morrison, Kevin Crowley, Justin Fauteux, Kevin Klein, Sandra Muir, Mirko Petricevic Printed on recycled paper
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Specific details around the process for implementation of the recommendations will also be shared with the Laurier
Max Blouw President and Vice-Chancellor
Send us your news, events & stories Email: insidelaurier@wlu.ca Deadline for submissions: Nov. 21, 2014 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. 3341 | Fax: (519) 884-8848 Email: stmorrison@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.
Dec
Next issue of Inside December 2014
november 2014 Inside NEWS
What’s new and notable at Laurier
Laurier Marketing professor named No. 1 non-U.S. scholar in international marketing field Nicole Coviello, the Betty and Peter Sims Professor of Entrepreneurship and professor of marketing at Laurier, has been named the No. 1 non-U.S. scholar in international marketing. She is tied for No. 2 in the world in International Marketing, according to a 2014 global benchmarking study in the Journal of Marketing Education. In another 2014 study focused on the wider area of international business, Coviello is ranked No. 18 in the world and is the only woman in the top 20.
Robert Langen Art Gallery features video installation The latest exhibition at Laurier’s Robert Langen Art Gallery features a video installation filmed during a night-time raid of a suspected bomb facilitator’s home in Afghanistan’s Kunar province. The exhibit, entitled Nightwalk, presents a moving experimental video that captures the complexities of military conflict and human displacement. The artist behind Nightwalk is Larry Towell, a renowned Canadian photographer who has photographed war zones around the world. For Towell, producing
the video-based Nightwalk is a departure from his usual work, which revolves around still photography. “In order to challenge the dominant consensus of my culture and to work from a peace and human rights perspective, it is necessary for me to physically engage,” said Towell. “My photographs are not planned nor composed in advance.” Nightwalk runs until Dec. 6 at the Robert Langen Art Gallery, located in the John Aird Centre on Laurier’s Waterloo campus.
Religion and Culture Department celebrates 40 years Laurier’s Religion and Culture Department celebrated its 40th anniversary last month with a reception and the recent publication of Professor Emeritus Peter C. Erb’s recent publication, The Correspondence of Henry Edward Manning and William Ewart Gladstone: The Complete Correspondence, 1833-1891. The four-volume critical edition delves into the 60-year correspondence of 19th-century former British prime minister William Gladstone and religious leader Henry Edward Manning and provides many insights into debates of the era.
Laurier receives $500,000 social entrepreneurship grant Laurier has been selected to receive a $500,000 grant from the J.W.
McConnell Family Foundation to support social entrepreneurship and the creation of social innovation zones at its Waterloo, Kitchener and Brantford locations. The three-year donation, which is granted under the foundation’s RECODE program, will supplement Laurier’s academic programs in social entrepreneurship by funding co-curricular activities, including student groups and activities, mentorship initiatives and new social enterprises. Laurier’s project was one of 14 funded by the RECODE program, which supports students and institutions committed to social innovation and social entrepreneurship. Together, the funded projects will form a RECODE National Network, which will encourage collaboration and communication between participating institutions.
Nominations sought for honorary degrees, Order of Wilfrid Laurier University Laurier invites members of the community 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. The Order of Wilfrid Laurier University honours worthy
Thank you to United Way donors From baked goods and top hats to decorated mugs and “Souper Heroes,” Wilfrid Laurier University’s United Way campaign was as fun as it was purposeful. The campaign kicked off in Waterloo in early October with a multi-location campus bake sale, and in Brantford with students decorating mugs that were sold for a fundraising soup lunch Nov. 4. Canvassers from each department helped to raise pledges, and university and community partners donated a
wide range of early-bird prizes. “The support shown by the Laurier community has been inspiring,” said Sondra Schwartz, acting director of University Community Relations, who headed up the United Way committee. “On behalf of the committee, I’d like to thank you for your donations and participation in the events, and for helping to make a difference in our communities.” A key part of Laurier’s focus on inspiring lives of leadership and purpose is supporting the
communities in which we reside. Laurier’s support takes many forms, and each year during the month of October, Laurier supports the United Way of Kitchener Waterloo & Area and the Brant United Way through Laurier’s United Way campaign. For details about campaign results, please click on the United Way button on the legacy.wlu.ca home page. To make a donation, please contact Wally Pirker (Waterloo) or Jeanette Wilson (Brantford).
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. 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 Nov. 14. Nomination forms may be found online at wlu.ca/senate or by contacting the secretary of the committee, Sarah Willey-Thomas, at swilley@wlu.ca or 519-884-0710 ext. 2981.
Shohini Ghose wins global achiever award Laurier Professor Shohini Ghose was one of 30 people to receive a prestigious Mahatma Gandhi global achiever award. The awards, administered by the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Welfare Society of India, are presented annually to people of Indian origin working in various fields. Named in honour of Mahatma Gandhi, who made his mark globally leading the Indian independence movement in the 1930s and ’40s, the awards celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of people of Indian origin around the world. Ghose and her fellow award winners were invited to Britain’s House of Lords at Westminster Palace in London, England in early
the YMCA notified Aboriginal communities that have expressed an interest in archaeological assessments in the area, and invited them to participate in the process. A thorough archaeological investigation of the site is now being undertaken in partnership with the Haudenosaunee Development Institute, the Six Nations Elected Council and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. This process will include further archaeological investigation through additional excavation, and planning for the appropriate stewardship of the cultural material discovered. “These are important discoveries,” said Brian Rosborough, senior executive officer of Laurier’s Brantford campus. “Ensuring the
archaeological site is managed properly and we are undertaking appropriate community engagement and stewardship activities is a priority for Laurier and the YMCA.” Further archaeological assessment, and planning for the preservation of material, is expected to take two to three months. During this time, other site preparation and construction activity at this location will be limited to protect the site, which is consistent with the guidelines governing archaeological assessment in Ontario. The award-winning project, which has garnered substantial financial support from all orders of government and the community, is scheduled to open in 2017.
Shohini Ghose, left, receives her award from Baroness Sandip Verma, the UK’s junior minister of Energy and Climate Change, middle, at Britain’s House of Lords at Westminster Palace.
Laurier supports Day of Caring
Volunteers from the Brantford campus participate in the Day of Caring last month at the Brantford Food Bank in support of the Brant United Way.
Sudoku
Cultural material found on Laurier YMCA site During construction monitoring commissioned by Laurier and the YMCA of Hamilton/ Burlington/ Brantford, archaeologists discovered a previously unknown archaeological site. The archaeological assessment is part of the site preparation for the Laurier YMCA recreation facility, to be located between Colborne and Water streets in downtown Brantford. Despite extensive construction on the property that took place in the 19th century, at least three areas of the archaeological site appear to be intact. The cultural material discovered includes chert flakes consistent with the production of tools, and pottery fragments, which appear to be 1,000 to 1,500 years old. Upon discovery, Laurier and
October. Baroness Sandip Verma, the United Kingdom’s junior Minister of Energy and Climate Change, presented the awards. “It was amazing to receive an award in the very place where Gandhi himself made a historic visit,” said Ghose, associate professor of physics and director of Laurier’s Centre for Women in Science. Ghose is known around the world as an innovator in the field of quantum physics. Her work connecting quantum mechanics and classical chaos is renowned, leading to several high-profile academic honours, as well as being named a 2014 TED Fellow and presenting at the TED2014 conference last March.
Answer see page 6.
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november 2014
research file
Leading students on climate change research projects in the Far North By Mirko Petricevic Whenever Professor Philip Marsh heads to the Arctic to research the effects of climate change on precious ecosystems, he takes along some travel essentials — Laurier students. Marsh, a professor in Laurier’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, recently took two students on a two-week research trip to the Northwest Territories. Spending nights in Inuvik, each morning they hopped on a helicopter and sped over the vast landscape strewn with streams and lakes. Twenty minutes later they would touch down in the middle of somewhere, surrounded by tundra as far as their eyes could see. “Anybody who goes out there says ‘Wow, this is fantastic,’” Marsh said. Marsh’s passion for Canada’s vast network of streams and lakes led him to research water systems in the Arctic. While the concept of climate change may sound simple — the world is slowly getting warmer — predicting its effects is complicated, Marsh says. Researchers can’t get an accurate picture of how the levels of rivers and lakes in Canada’s Far North will change simply by measuring rainfall and snowmelt. But it’s essential to collect enough environmental data and to design computer models to predict the effects of climate change. Without accurate data, for example, governments that
people at Laurier
conduct environmental research throughout the region. The 10-year agreement gives upperyear undergrad, master’s and PhD students in geography, environmental studies, biology and chemistry programs lots of opportunities to conduct their own projects and influence government policy in the Arctic. The department has made hydrology (water studies) in the Far North one of its strengths, English said. But the department’s instructors and 22 full-time faculty members also conduct research in human migration; mapping and computer modelling that has tracked the spread of diseases transmitted from animals to humans; as well as other disciplines. “To solve problems in a real sense, we have to have a variety of expertise focusing on the problem,” said English.
By Erin Almeida To celebrate the accomplishments of Laurier authors and create connections, the university has created the Community Authors program. On Nov. 25, Laurier President Max Blouw and University Librarian Gohar Ashoughian will host the university’s inaugural Community Author event. The program is free to join and includes a celebratory reception, a pop-up store, Library title acquisition and other benefits. “Here at Laurier, we have an amazing range of scholarly, professional and independent writing talent,” said Ashoughian. “One of our priorities at the Library is to act as a cultural hub for the university, helping to nurture ideas and talent, and this event is a great example of that.” The event will honour books and monographs that were: • published in 2012, 2013 or 2014. • authored or translated by
Laurier faculty, staff/officers, students, retirees or alumni. • published in print or electronic format. • either individually or jointly authored or translated. • new editions (not reprints). Early registrants attending the event include: Susan Fish (alumna): Ithaca In her novel Ithaca, Fish explores what happens when a quiet life meets the high-pressure forces of a small town. How do you rebuild after life as you know it is suddenly turned upside down? Tamas Dobozy (faculty): Siege 13 Siege 13 alternates between the siege of Budapest by the Red Army in 1944 and a contemporary community of Hungarian émigrés who find refuge in the West. It won the 2012 Rogers’ Writers Trust of Canada Fiction Prize and was shortlisted for the 2012 Governor General’s Award for Fiction. For more information about the program, visit library.wlu.ca/ communityauthor.
Name: Bruce Gillespie Job Title: Assistant Professor, Digital Media and Journalism, Brantford campus Book Title: The Bone Clocks Author: David Mitchell
Philip Marsh at Trail Valley Creek, NWT.
For a complete list of appointments visit www.wlu.ca/hr
New appointments: Charlotte Armstrong, online learning assistant, CTIE (Waterloo campus). Alexandria (Allie) Bear, administrative and marketing assistant, CTIE (Waterloo campus). Gordon Bertrand, assistant university librarian, Library (Waterloo campus). Siobhan Collins, learning and organizational development administrator, Human Resources (Waterloo campus). Martha Crealock, coordinator, external programs, Faculty of Education (Waterloo campus). Roger Donaldson, 3rd-class operating engineer, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus). Clayton McCourt, manager, Residence Life, Residence (Waterloo campus). Lindsay Metzger, nurse, Student Wellness Centre (Waterloo campus). 4
regulate the construction of roads and mines wouldn’t have enough information to approve bridges over rivers whose flooding patterns are likely to change during the next 50 years. “You can’t overbuild — you shouldn’t underbuild,” said Marsh. And many parts of the ecosystem are interconnected, Marsh notes, so it’s also vital to get an accurate prediction of how climate change will spur the growth of shrubs and melt permafrost, affect caribou and reindeer habitats, and alter supplies of drinking water for communities. The students working with Marsh above the Arctic Circle are among roughly 20 Laurier students doing research in the Far North, said Michael English, chair of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. Laurier has forged a unique relationship with the government of the Northwest Territories to
Laurier connects with community of authors
Mary Ola, administrative assistant, Diversity & Equity (Waterloo campus) Tyler Plante, outreach and program coordinator, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus). Nancy Schwindt, associate coordinator, MSW practicum, Faculty of Social Work (Kitchener location).
Registrar (Waterloo campus). Megan Chipman, Service Laurier advisor, Office of the Registrar (Waterloo campus). Ashley Coe, reception/ communications assistant, Student Wellness Centre (Waterloo campus). Nur Ipek, invigilation assistant, Accessible Learning (Waterloo campus).
Candace Stewart, international student academic transition advisor, Laurier International (Waterloo campus).
Natalie Kauntz, admissions coordinator, Recruitment & Admissions (Waterloo campus).
Gregory Vey, systems analyst I, ITS (Waterloo campus).
Amanda Kristensen, coordinator, SBE PhD and masters programs, SBE (Waterloo campus).
Changes in staff appointments:
Wendy Rittinger, shipper/receiver, Bookstore (Waterloo campus).
Kaitlyn Ammerman, academic administration assistant, Faculty of Liberal Arts (Brantford campus).
Crystal Shadwell, academic advisor, Faculty of Arts (Waterloo campus).
Corri Arnold, Aboriginal events support coordinator, Aboriginal Initiatives (Waterloo campus). Bre Carnes, registrarial support and Service Laurier, Office of the
Scott Smith, Techshop computer repair/sales, Bookstore (Waterloo campus).
To my mind, English novelist David Mitchell is one of the best stylists working today: his writing is the sort you want to linger over and read as slowly as possible. One of the things I like best about his books is that they never end up where I expect them to. The Bone Clocks charts the rippling, life-long effects of a young woman who decides to run away from home, as seen through her eyes and those around her. Mitchell has such a knack for writing convincingly from different points of view that even when the plot takes a rather fantastical turn, it’s no less riveting.
What are you eating? Name: Megan Malcolmson Job Title: Director of Retail Operations, Food Services, Waterloo campus Restaurant: Arabesque, Kitchener Arabesque restaurant features authentic Lebanese food and is located on Victoria Street in Kitchener. When I go there, I often enjoy their delicious chicken shawarma, which is marinated with specialty spices and served with a “hot from the oven” homemade pita and hummus. I can also recommend the Lebanese pizza (Maneesh), prepared fresh in a woodburning oven. Whatever you order, you won’t be disappointed!
november 2014 Inside in the classroom
Reaching out to first-year students Instructor: Sofy Carayannopoulos Class: buiii – Understanding the Business Environment When you teach more than 1,000 first-year students in one semester, making one-onone connections can be difficult. So, Sofy Carayannopoulos, associate professor in the School of Business and Economics, gets creative. Carayannopoulos doesn’t wait for students to come her, she goes to them. From visiting students in residence to answer questions, to being a regular at student events — even taking a pie to the face at one stress-relief event — Carayannopoulos makes it her mission to not only instruct students during lectures, but also help them make the transition to university. In the classroom, she does her best to ensure that students are applying what they learn. This year, her classes are taking part in a live case, working with Samsung Canada to analyze increasing competition, which will culminate with a presentation to Samsung executives. “Students are examining the business environment and applying the course models they learn,” said Carayannopoulos. “They are also developing research, analytical and critical thinking, writing and presentation skills that will be valuable in all subsequent courses and upon graduation.” ~ Justin Fauteux
Sofy Carayannopoulos teaches a BU111 class. Last year she received Laurier’s Residence Academic Partnership award for her efforts to reach out to first-year students.
Golden Hawks to host curling championships Canada’s best university curling teams will congregate in Waterloo Region for the 2015 CIS/CCA Canadian University Curling Championships. Laurier will host the event from March 18 to 21 at the KW Granite Club in Waterloo. “This is a great opportunity for us to showcase the world-class level of talent that currently exists within CIS curling,” said Peter Baxter, Laurier’s director of Athletics and Recreation. It will be the eighth renewal of the CIS/CCA university nationals. The Golden Hawks swept the men’s and women’s titles in the inaugurual CIS/CCA Championships, which was hosted by the
University of Waterloo and staged at the Guelph and Elmira curling clubs, with Mike Anderson’s team claiming the men’s crown and Hollie Nicol capturing the first of her two consecutive national
curling titles. Since then, Laurier has won two more national women’s titles, with skip Laura Crocker and her team winning back-to-back in 2011 and 2012.
Photo: Justin Fauteux
Laurier helps break handball record
Last month, Right to Play Laurier helped set a world record by organizing a handball game that featured more than 100 participants. Martin Parnell (far right) was travelling across Canada setting records at universities to raise money for Right to Play.
Laurier professors win teaching awards By Justin Fauteux Two Laurier professors have received a 2013-2014 Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) Teaching Award. Edmund Pries, assistant professor in the Department of Global Studies and Donna Kotsopoulos, associate professor in the Faculty of Education and Department of Mathematics, were among six Ontario professors recognized with the prestigious award for their exceptional contributions to the quality of higher education. “Dr. Pries and Dr. Kotsopoulos are known for their deep commitment to their students, their Faculties and the university,” said Pat Rogers, associate vicepresident: Teaching and Learning. “This recognition speaks to their individual achievements and Laurier’s focus on teaching excellence and dedication to inspiring our students.” Pries is known for his commitment to students and their learning, and for challenging students and inspiring them to become self confident and critically reflective. In his nomination letter, Michel Desjardins, associate dean, Faculty of Arts, described Pries as his “go-to person” when developing innovative curriculum for the new community engagement and social entrepreneurship
options in the Faculty of Arts. He also focused on how Pries “… craves the intensity of interaction with students, and the possibility of making a positive difference to the world by working closely with the individuals who are our future.” Kotsopoulos is known for skillfully facilitating transformative experiences for her students by reflecting on the relationship between teaching mathematics and learning mathematics. “When I first started teaching at Laurier, Donna naturally took on a mentorship role to ensure my successful transition,” said Duane Heide, instructor in the Faculty of Education. “She is a caring individual with an astounding ability to encourage best practice amongst her students as well as faculty members.” Laurier professors Eileen Wood and Stephen MacNeil received an OCUFA award in 2012, and Carol Duncan received the award in 2006. OCUFA represents 17,000 professors and academic librarians in 28 faculty associations across Ontario. 5
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november 2014
coffee with a co-worker
Name: Celine Taillefer-Travers Title: Academic Program Assistant Where you can find her: Rcw304, Research and Academic Centre West, Brantford campus. Drink of choice: Double-double coffee.
How long have you been at Laurier? I’ve been at Laurier four years now. I started off part-time, and was able to go full-time after about eight months on the job. What is your typical workday like? There is no typical workday! Most days, I’m helping faculty with dayto-day questions, and working with graduate students on paperwork to ensure they’re on track to graduate. With the Social Justice and Community Engagement program, for example, we only have students for a year, so it’s important to keep them on the right plan. Most days are unglamorous — answering emails and making photocopies, but I love it. What do you like to do in your spare time? Right now, I’m volunteering with an organization called National Service Dogs (NSD) training
A look at staff and faculty across campus
Edge, a black lab puppy who will eventually end up with a family who has a child with autism. It is a lot of work. I’ve always really wanted a dog, but neither my schedule nor my husband’s really allowed it, without leaving the dog home alone for long days. I talked to some people from NSD on Mental Health Awareness day back in April, and found out more about the program. We completed three months of training, and got Edge in July. We’ll have him for 12 to 16 months, and then he will complete another four to six months of advanced training before being placed with his family. When I’m not busy with Edge, I write, read and play video games. What is involved in training a service dog? Puppy-raising generally consists of basic obedience training and socialization. I teach Edge commands like “sit,” “stay,” “leave it” and “lie down,” and then we practice them in all kinds of different situations — parks, grocery stores and work. We walk to and from work each day as part of his exercise, and he usually gets a break around lunch to play or walk. When I’m in meetings or busy and can’t focus on Edge, he has a crate in my office that he can rest in. I got permission from my managers and the administration before beginning
coming Events
@Evolving (Shawn Johnston) Laurier launched its new site today. So grateful for sharing our story. #kwawesome @LaurierNews wlu.ca/spotlights/spo… @OntUniv Heartwarming story about a mother & son, set to graduate together & make #Laurier history: @LaurierNews buff. ly/1tFfB9a #cdnpse @Dkotsopo Thank you @LaurierNews @LaurierAlumni @OCUFA for this teaching award wlu.ca/ news_detail.ph… @CTVKitchener Students at @LaurierNews are preparing for the first fall reading week in the school’s history. @MaxWarkCTV explains: bit.ly/ ZqPVA0 @craignorriscbc My conversation w/ Laurier prof @pironstone about the ‘fear factor’ in the #Ebola crisis. @LaurierNews ow.ly/CkU6v @ CBCKW891
been great. I find it really draws me out of my comfort zone, and gets me talking to people I would never usually talk to. I’m hearing a lot about students’ dogs! By Kevin Klein
How has Edge been received on campus? It’s been very positive, and students and colleagues both love spending time with him. Even just stopping to chat with me while Edge is nearby seems to be a perk for many people. A few people who have selfidentified as having allergies or a fear of dogs has also been helpful in teaching Edge to navigate personal boundaries that he’ll encounter while being a service dog. What are your plans for the future? I would definitely consider training
Men’s & Women’s Basketball vs. Carleton University When: Nov. 21 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Where: Athletic Complex, Waterloo campus Cost: Varies
Spirit Bear by Jessie Buchanan When: Until Dec. 15 Where: Yellow Brick Wall, Brantford campus Cost: Free Artist Jessie Buchanan is a First Nations acrylic painter with Ojibway roots. Her paintings are an attempt to capture the ineffable quality of spirit (manitouwabi in Ojibway), which can be perceived in all things. It is a spiritual connection to the land that drives her work. Carolyn Wilkins
Soup and Frybread When: Nov. 20 & 27 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Where: Aboriginal Student House, Brantford campus Cost: Free Drop in for homemade soup and delicious fresh frybread. Music at Noon When: Nov. 20 Noon – 1 p.m. Where: Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, Waterloo campus Cost: Free Bring your lunch and enjoy a performance by the Croatian Ensemble Cantus Ansambl.
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How will Edge assist a child with autism? Everyone with autism is different, so service dogs may learn different tasks and abilities as they live with their handlers. The bulk of their duties will be helping their handler sort through the input of sensory overload that can make living with autism so stressful — alert them to important sounds like fire alarms; perform stability and orientation tasks like preventing a stumble or helping them find their next class; or simply act as a social bridge between a child with autism and society, since people are always quite curious about the service dog.
another puppy, depending on how hard handing Edge back will be — I know it will be hard! I’d love to do research on how to make workplaces more pet friendly, and see if it could work at Laurier. The response to Edge on campus has
Celine Taillefer-Travers and Edge in her office on the Brantford campus.
For a complete list of events visit www.wlu.ca/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.
the training, and they were all very supportive.
Cheer on the Golden Hawks varsity basketball teams as they face the Carleton Ravens. For tickets, visit www.laurierathletics.com.
In recognition of World Aids Day on Dec. 1, this film tells the story of how Western pharmaceutical companies and governments blocked access to low-cost AIDS drugs in Africa and the Global South in the years after 1996. The film will be followed by a panel discussion with Laurier professors and representatives from Doctors Without Borders and HIV/AIDS Network.
CEO-in-Residence Speaker Series When: Nov. 26 Where: TBA Cost: Free Robert L. Strickland (BBA ’83), president of Fidelity Investments Canada ULC, will speak about leadership lessons. Time and location to be announced.
Join Ken Maly from the Faculty of Science as he explains what types of compounds display liquid crystalline phases and how these materials can be used in electronic devices.
Sudoku
Music at Noon When: Nov. 27 Noon – 1 p.m. Where: Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, Waterloo campus Cost: Free Bring your lunch and enjoy an entertaining performance by a variety of musicians and vocalists, including Kimberly Barber, Amy Hamilton, Peter Shackleton, Eric Hall, Joseph Sharp, Leslie D’Ath and the Pendrecki String Quartet. Film Screening: Fire in the Blood When: Nov. 30 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Where: RCW202, Brantford campus. Cost: Free
Exploring the Fourth State of Matter: The Design and Preparation of New Liquid Crystalline Materials When: Dec. 10 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Where: Milton Centre for the Arts, Milton Cost: Free
Answer from page 3.
november 2014 Inside research file
Professor cooks up a recipe for successful field work Sean Doherty makes meals for 100 people over four days at Ontario provincial park By Justin Fauteux Before taking his third-year field study course on its annual research trip in October, Sean Doherty made sure he had the essentials covered: GPS equipment, maps, research project outlines, camping equipment and 14 kilograms of bacon. In an effort to give his students a true camping experience, Doherty, a professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, cooked three hearty meals a day for 100 people, using a makeshift kitchen and one hose of water. “I’ve always loved cooking,” said Doherty, who volunteers at a church program for recovering addicts, cooking for more than 100 people one Friday each month. “Food is a great way to bring people together, and if we had to send everyone to restaurants it would have multiplied the cost by four, and the students really wouldn’t get the same experience.” Doherty and his 93 third-year students, plus five graduate students and a teaching assistant, spent four days and three nights at Pinery Provincial Park, a 2,500hectare park located on the shores of Lake Huron, near Grand Bend, Ont. The research trip is a key component of GG399, a required field-study course for all honours geography and environmental studies students, which allows students to experience real-world research projects.
Sean Doherty, left, in the “kitchen” at Pinery Provincial Park.
Because the Pinery is not only a nature reserve, but also a popular campsite and recreation area, many of the students’ research projects focused on the interaction between humans and the park’s natural environment. One group looked at road kill patterns, another studied bike accidents in the park, while another looked at the way people walk to the beach, and what effects the shortcuts they take have on the sand and soil. Students also studied the movements of coyotes in the park, as well as the impact a tornado that hit part of the Pinery in July has had on the environment. “The Pinery was really the perfect place to go because there’s such a
good mix of human and physical geography research opportunities,” said Doherty. “Plus, it’s a good collaboration. They want us in the park to do some research that could help them, and we obviously want to use it as an opportunity for students to get this experience in the field.” For Doherty, once he got all the projects sorted out and approved by the park, his top priority was what everyone would eat. Twentyseven grocery trips to stores like Costco and local retailers like Stemmler’s Meat and Cheese later, his menu was set. For dinner, Doherty served burgers and sausages with a potato and bacon tarragon soup
on the first night, followed by chili night (including a vegan option) and then pasta night with two choices: chicken Alfredo and pasta with meat sauce, with both sauces made from scratch. On the menu for breakfast: options like oatmeal, cold cereal, fruit, coffee and tea, plus bacon and eggs, pancakes and sausages. He also made eggs Benedict with Hollandaise sauce, which he made fresh every morning. For lunch, Doherty put out an assortment of bagels, granola bars, and fruit and vegetables that students could take with them into the field. He also provided a variety of snacks, including s’mores. Doherty and his grad students,
who took turns serving as sous chef, cracked 40-dozen eggs, grilled 120 six-ounce burgers and cooked 32 kilograms of ground beef. All this in a kitchen comprised of a grill, flat top and two burners for boiling water that Doherty set up under a tarp outside his tent, which doubled as a pantry, holding 10 coolers and 30 boxes of food. Tables and chairs were set up in the 30x60foot, heated wedding-style tent he rented. Students paid $130 each to cover costs, including camping fees and equipment, and all the meals. “I didn’t want the students to have to worry about cooking,” he said. “Too many things could have gone wrong if they were all trying to cook for themselves. Plus, I just wanted them to be able to focus on their research and have a good time bonding and socializing.” Since getting back from the trip, the positive feedback has been pouring in from students, even from some who had never been camping before. As for Doherty, he can’t wait to do it all again. “As soon as I got back home, all I could think of was ‘Man, I don’t know if I can wait another year’,” he said. “Sure, I didn’t get a lot of sleep and it was quite a bit of work, but when you’re doing something you love to do, you don’t even notice something like that. Getting to talk to students and cooking are two things I really love, so this is just a perfect combination.”
GG399 field-study trip BY THE NUMBERS
Jonathan Crush
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120 Oktoberfest sausages 14 kg of breakfast sausage 14 kg of maplewood smoked bacon 120 burgers 32 kg of ground beef 40-dozen (480) eggs 27 trips for groceries 10 coolers of fresh food 30 boxes of dried food $3 per person, per meal 100 people 9 meals over four days
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Inside
november 2014
Laurier celebrates fall convocation
Photos: Tomasz Adamski
More than 1,200 students graduate at ceremonies in Waterloo
Photos: Tomasz Adamski
Brantford Homecoming highlights
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