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Get ready for football, friends and fun as Laurier prepares for Homecoming celebrations.
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CAMPUS | COMMUNITY | CONNECTIONS Meet Greg Stewart, athlete, sports fan and recreation coordinator at Laurier Brantford.
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Laura Allan teaches business basics to every student enrolled in the BBA program.
Inspiring lives of leadership and purpose CONNECTIONS COMMUNITY These six words will be used toCAMPUS tell the Laurier VOL. story 1 | NO. 1 | APRIL 7,2008 |
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By Lori Chalmers Morrison There’s no question that academic excellence is at the heart of Laurier’s mission and vision. But there’s much more to the Laurier story. The university’s vibrant sense of community, and the willingness of its people to become involved and take leadership roles in all aspects of their lives, set Laurier apart
from other universities. That’s the message that came through loud and clear when students, staff, faculty, alumni and external audiences shared their thoughts about Laurier during last year’s Envisioning Laurier initiative. What also came through loud and clear was the need to do a better job of telling the Laurier story and raising the university’s profile. To accomplish this,
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the university began work on a short, compelling statement that would capture the essence of Laurier and describe what truly distinguishes it from other universities. Two words emerged repeatedly during this process: leadership and purpose. Laurier encourages members of its community to take a leadership role in all aspects of their lives; it also encourages
and supports its people in living lives that are meaningful and engaged. At its very core, then, Laurier is about INSPIRING LIVES OF LEADERSHIP AND PURPOSE These six words will become the foundation for telling the Laurier story, university president Dr. Max Blouw has announced. “)NSPIRING LIVES OF LEADERSHIP AND PURPOSE is much more than
Laurier starts new Health Sciences program Innovative degree will prepare students for careers in health care By Lori Chalmers Morrison When Laurier launched its new honours health sciences BSc program this month, 75 firstyear students began their quest for careers in the medical or life sciences. Some hope to become doctors, some have their sights set on nursing or healthrelated research, and others see pharmacy or dentistry in their future. There are also students who know they’d like a career in the health sciences, but aren’t sure at this point what form it will take. It’s just the kind of mix that one of the program’s creators, associate dean of science Dr. Rick Elliott, has envisioned since discussions about offering such a program at Laurier began a few years ago in response to increasing
student demand. “A lot of people look at this as a pre-med or a pre-dentistry program,� said Elliott, who is also the program coordinator. “What we’ve created is a pre-professional program that, regardless of any individual’s long-term goals, will produce graduates who are wellgrounded in the life sciences.� As part of the program, health sciences students will begin taking a range of existing science courses, from biology and chemistry to psychology and mathematics, in the fall term of their first year, with specific health-related courses added in the winter and subsequent years. Faculty members on the coordinating committee will mentor students, advising HEALTH SCIENCES see page 6
a tagline or marketing slogan,� said Dr. Blouw. “Taken together, these words form the guiding statement that will shape everything that we say about Laurier. They will also influence our decision-making and guide all our activities so they remain linked with, and rooted in, the compelling vision that uniquely defines Laurier.� INSPIRING LIVES see page 3
University appoints new positions Laurier recently announced two senior limited-term appointments that are intended to ensure that significant university partnerships are successfully developed. Dr. Terry Levesque, former chair of Laurier’s economics department, has assumed the role of associate dean, Balsillie School of International Affairs (Laurier) for a two-year term. Dr. David Docherty, Laurier’s dean of arts, will take on the position of senior advisor, multi-campus initiatives for a three-year term beginning Sept. 1, 2009. He stepped down as dean of arts on Sept. 1. Dr. Mary-Louise Byrne, former chair of geography and
Dr. Rick Elliot, Mr. Torso, and Dr. RenÊe MacPhee are ready for the first students in Laurier’s new Health Sciences program. Photo: Mallory O’Brien
APPOINTMENTS see page 2
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Inspiring lives of leadership and purpose In the world of education September is a wonderful time for new beginnings. There are many initiatives and programs being launched this fall involving all four Laurier campuses, but I’d like to highlight one that will affect the whole institution. This initiative involves what I think of as the “Laurier story.� During the Envisioning Laurier process a tremendous amount of information was gathered through research and consultation with faculty, staff, students, alumni and external audiences. This information was the basis for the collaborative development of Laurier’s statement of Values, Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles. Shortly after this document was approved by the Board of Governors, work began on how best to capture its essence in just a few words. The intent was to craft a succinct statement that would serve as the starting point for telling Laurier’s unique story
and raising the university’s profile. A consultant-led review of the Envisioning research was conducted with a group of administrative and academic leaders. A draft phrase was developed and discussed with the deans, who suggested revisions that were incorporated into the final version. During this process it was clear that academic excellence is at the heart of Laurier’s mission and vision — it is the imperative without which little else matters. But academic excellence alone is not what sets us apart from other universities. In searching for a short phrase to express Laurier’s unique essence, two words surfaced again and again: leadership and purpose. As an educational institution, Laurier clearly encourages and supports its students, faculty, staff and alumni to take a leadership role in all aspects of their lives. Equally, Laurier encourages
Alumna Ruth Zinck is a fitting example of the Laurier story. The first woman on the university’s Board of Governors and an internationally renowned fly-tyer visits with Dr. Max Blouw, above.
and supports its people to live lives that are meaningful and engaged. Other universities may value leadership and purpose, but few have the kind of tangible evidence that Laurier has to demonstrate its commitment to these ideals. Integrating academic excellence with social engagement is so natural for this institution that sometimes we fail to notice how much of our curriculum and how many of our programs and activities are
Organizational changes announced In response to Laurier’s growing size and operational complexity, organizational changes have been implemented to reflect the university’s ongoing needs. These priorities include a greater emphasis in government relations, and university relations more generally, and the legal and governance leadership of the university. The following changes reflect a strategic realignment of resources within the President’s Office budget area: s ! SEARCH FOR A DIRECTOR of government relations is currently underway. This new position will be responsible for the development and management of strategies to inform and influence public policy at the provincial and federal levels of government with particular focus on issues related to Laurier. The director will also identify opportunities to mobilize federal or
provincial funds and policies to support Laurier activities, establish positive relations with senior officials at both the political and bureaucratic levels of the federal and provincial governments, and seek and identify opportunities for government grants as appropriate for university initiatives and projects. The university hopes to have someone in place early in the fall. s %FFECTIVE 3EPTEMBER former University Secretary Jennifer Casey will assume the new role of director: university relations. In this capacity, she will be responsible for developing and Jennifer Casey maintaining positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders,
including municipal and regional levels of government, and for leading and providing strategic and operational oversight to university event planning and execution for events such as Convocation that have significant universitywide impact. s !LSO EFFECTIVE 3EPTEMBER 1, 2009, former director of faculty relations Shereen Rowe will assume the position of university secretary and general counsel. In this enhanced university secretary role, she will be responsible for organizing and managing the university’s legal affairs as well as providing advice and support to the President, the Board of Governors, Senate and senior administrators in legal and governance matters, and in matters such as interpretation and compliance with the University Act and by-laws, university policies, procedures and practices.
InsideLaurier is published by The Department of Public Affairs Wilfrid Laurier University 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5
InsideLaurier Volume 2, Number 3, September 2009
Design: Erin Steed
InsideLaurier (circ. 2,500) is published nine times a year by the Department of Public Affairs. Opinions expressed in InsideLaurier do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the university’s administration.
Contributors: Tomasz Adamski, Erin Alemida, Kevin Crowley, Mallory O’Brien, Dean Palmer, Barry Ries
Printed on recycled paper.
Editor: Stacey Morrison Assistant Editor: Lori Chalmers Morrison
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InsideLaurier welcomes your comments and suggestions for stories. Tel: (519) 884-0710 ext. 3341 | Fax: (519) 884-8848 Email: insidelaurier@wlu.ca
shaped and inspired by notions of leadership and purpose. In short, Laurier is about INSPIRING LIVES OF LEADERSHIP AND PURPOSE Taken together, these six words are much more than a tagline or marketing slogan. They form the guiding statement that will shape what we say about Laurier. This statement will also guide our activities so they remain linked with, and rooted in, the compelling vision that uniquely defines Laurier. It will enable our community to tell the Laurier story with a sincere, passionate and consistent voice. Over the coming months, you will see these six words and the essence behind them in various communications with our stakeholder audiences. We will also build them into an even broader narrative as we head into centennial celebrations in 2011. On a related note, Laurier will embark on a “visual identity� review this fall to
ensure that graphic representations of the university (e.g. the crest, wordmark and fonts) are aligned with the university vision. We will be issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) this month for the review, and we expect the review process to last between eight and 12 months. I assure you that regular updates will be provided to the Laurier community throughout the process, and there will be a variety of ways to provide input and feedback. Laurier is a truly remarkable university with a long tradition of inspiring lives of leadership and purpose. As we approach the institution’s 100th anniversary, I encourage you to join me in telling the Laurier story to the world.
ANNOUCEMENTS continued
“We have significant opportunities as a university to capitalize on our existing partnerships as well as to create new ones,� said Dr. Deborah MacLatchy, Laurier’s vice-president: academic and provost. “It is one of our top priorities that we have the internal capacity to make our existing partnerships successful, and that we ensure that any new partnerships stem from our academic priorities and are economically viable.�
environmental studies, will serve as acting dean of arts until June 30, 2010. A search for a new dean will take place this academic year for appointment starting July 1, 2010. The associate dean, Balsillie School of International Affairs (Laurier) and the senior advisor, multi-campus initiatives positions will both report to the vicepresident: academic and provost.
Dr. Max Blouw, President and Vice-Chancellor
Send us your news, events & stories
Email: insidelaurier@wlu.ca Deadline for submissions: September 18
All submissions are appreciated, however not all submissions will be published. We reserve the right to edit all copy for accuracy, content and length.
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October 2009 CAMPUS | COMMUNITY | CONNECTIONS
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3EPTEMBER NEWS
MDRC receives research funding
The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) is looking to Laurier in its efforts to build and mobilize teaching and learning knowledge across Ontario institutes of higher education. The HEQCO invited Laurier’s department of languages and literatures to participate in its project, “Pilot Study of Collaborative Research and Knowledge Mobilization,” which involves curriculum review and renewal to support students’ achievement of undergraduate degree learning objectives. The council Dr. Mercedes gave Dr. Rowinsky-Geurts Mercedes RowinskyGeurts a $10,000 research grant to serve as principal investigator at Laurier. The project’s primary goal is to enhance the learning experience and student success in particular courses and programs. It will be conducted in partnership with the University of Toronto Mississauga and the University of Guelph, and will run from September 2009 to December 2010.
The Laurier Movement Disorders Research and Rehabilitation Centre (MDRC) received a $698,462 grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support research into the effect of particular brain structures on movement impairments, as well as the development of new assistive devices and rehabilitation strategies for people with movement disorders. “This funding will have an immediate and direct impact on patients, while the outcomes of our research will have a broader impact across Canada and the world,” said Dr. Quincy Almeida, associate professor in the kinesiology and physical education department and director of the MDRC. The grant will support the development of the centre’s neurocognitive assessment unit, including a virtual reality laboratory and motion analysis systems. The centre’s exercise rehabilitation research will be enhanced by data-collecting exercise equipment.
Bookstores’ new fee helps the environment With the aim of reducing their carbon footprint, the Laurier Bookstore and the Laurier Brantford Bookstore are now
charging five cents for plastic bags. The new fee went into effect Sept. 1. Customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags to do their part for the environment.
BC research centre renamed in honour of Laurier’s president The University of Northern British Columbia’s Quesnel River Research Centre has been renamed to honour Laurier president Dr. Max Blouw, who played a key role in its founding. The Dr. Max Blouw Quesnel River Research Centre at Likely, BC, offers field study to university students, summer field schools and workshop facilities. Blouw was at UNBC from its inception in 1994 to 2007. He led the research department for 10 years and was the university’s first vice-president of research.
WLU Press 2009 catalogue available online To help the environment, Wilfrid Laurier University
cultural diversity is apparent, discussed and celebrated. The philosophy behind the creation of the community is to promote an understanding of the increasingly distinct cultures represented on Laurier’s campus. Harris said he chose to make this significant gift to Laurier because he strongly believes that “the world’s problems cannot be solved by accumulating wealth, but by sharing.” Joan’s dream has finally come true,” he said, adding that he and his wife lived their lives trying to encourage and instill the idea that all humans are of one family and must be respectful of colour, creed and religion.
Photo: Erin Almeida
Harris, 93, and his wife, Joan, who passed away two years ago, offered affordable housing to international students attending university. As such, it’s fitting that starting this fall, the Harris Hope House will become a Global Engagement Community (GEC). The GEC is one of four Living Learning Communities on campus. These communities are themed residence environments, founded upon a specific set of interests that are structured to give students a high level of involvement at Laurier. The GEC is intended to be a place where international and domestic students alike live together in a residence where
Press has put its 2009 catalogue online at www. wlupress.wlu.ca. Print copies are available, but will be fewer in number this year. If you are interested in viewing a print copy of the catalogue, email Leslie Macredie at leslie@press.wlu.ca. Golden Hawks Hall of Fame
Homeopath donates house for use as ‘global engagement’ residence Dr. Ron Harris has donated his home to Laurier for use as an innovative residence in which international and domestic students will live together and promote cultural awareness. “It’s not every day that someone donates their home,” said Rob Donelson, vicepresident of development and alumni relations. “However, Dr. Harris’ compassion and generosity is far from the every day. This is a truly exceptional gift coming from a truly caring and giving man, in loving memory of his wife.” For more than 35 years,
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What’s new and notable at Laurier
Laurier participates in pilot study
By Mallory O’Brien
CAMPUS COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Dr. Ron Harris with students (from left) Shalini Nagrani, Lauren Zabel and Sarah Cuddie, who are living in Harris Hope House this fall.
In October, the doors of Laurier’s Department of Athletics and Recreation Hall of Fame will once again open to receive seven new members of the Golden Hawk family. Over Homecoming weekend, five athletes, one builder and the first women’s hockey provincial
championship team will be recognized as members of the 2009 class. This year’s athletes include Alison Goodman (women’s hockey and soccer), Cathy Ingalls (women’s volleyball), Kate Jackson (women’s rugby), and James Hitchen and Justin Shakell (men’s football). Alumnus Bill Ballard will enter the Hall of Fame as a builder, and the 1998-1999 women’s hockey team will become the 14th roster inducted. This year’s Golden Hawk Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Oct. 2 at the Senate and Board Chamber.
Seven new members will be inducted into the Golden Hawks Hall of Fame during Laurier’s Homecoming celebrations in October.
INSPIRING LIVES continued
These six words will enable Laurier to tell its story with an authentic and passionate voice because they were distilled from the wide consultation conducted through the Envisioning Laurier process, and because they reflect the spirit of the university’s new statement of Values, Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles, said Blouw. “Other universities may value leadership and purpose, but not with the same depth and focus as Laurier,” he said. “The integration of academic excellence and social engagement is so natural for this university that we sometimes fail to notice how much of our curriculum and how many of our activities and initiatives are leadership and purpose driven.” The university will start to incorporate these six words, and the essence behind them, into a variety of communications and publications over the coming weeks and months. It will also start telling the Laurier story through the individual stories of the people who make up the Laurier community — students, staff, faculty, and alumni and friends of the university. Individual stories will be highlighted in a variety of ways, including a new website
called Laurier Inspires at www.wlu.ca/laurierinspires, and a new Facebook page, also called Laurier Inspires. Both pages invite people to share and discuss Laurier stories of leadership and purpose. The university recognizes that “leadership” has different meanings for different people. The Laurier interpretation of leadership is broad and reflects the Laurier tradition of getting involved and being engaged in the world around you, whether that’s in your neighbourhood, your community, your workplace or your profession. The university is also embarking on a visual identity review this fall. During the review, members of the Laurier community will be encouraged to provide input and feedback. As the university examines Laurier’s visual identity — its crest, wordmark and other visual representations — members of the Laurier community will receive regular updates and the chance to respond through the Laurier Inspires website and Facebook page. “Laurier is an outstanding university with a long tradition of inspiring lives of leadership and purpose,” said Blouw. “As we approach our 100th anniversary, I encourage everyone to join me in telling the Laurier story to the world.” 3
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PEOPLE AT LAURIER
New appointments: Gregory Brown, manager, HRIS. Megan Dinning, administrative assistant, President’s Office. David Hutchings, technical assistant, SBE. Necia Martins, residence life area coordinator. David McGuire, manager: international student recruitment. Eileen Morouney, administrative assistant, SBE. Vanessa Parks, course materials coordinator. Brandon Pinksen, food services associate.
For a complete list of appointments visit www.wlu.ca/hr
Tina Tellis, residence life area coordinator.
Kelly Lee, bookings and financial assistant, Athletics.
Changes in staff appointments:
Vanessa McMackin, admissions and records assistant, Graduate Studies.
Ashleigh Bell, academic support assistant, Brantford. Lynn Beney, senior administrative assistant, FSW. Sandra Castellanos, intermediate administrative assistant, Global Studies. Jim Degan, acting supervisor, Printing Services. Stephanie Giddings, development assistant. Melissa Ireland, senior administrative assistant II, Religion and Culture.
Gregory Mudry, special constable. Harry Oldengarm, supervisor, Special Constable Service. Ryan Simon, director: budgets and business office. Sheila Verwey, administrative assistant, FSW. $O YOU HAVE A PROFESSIONAL OR PERSONAL MILESTONE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE ,AURIER COMMUNITY %MAIL INSIDELAURIER WLU CA
Tom Buckley has taken up his new duties as assistant vicepresident: academic services at Wilfrid Laurier University. Reporting to the vice-president: academic and provost, Buckley’s primary areas of responsibility include Information Technology, Recruitment, Registrarial Services, and Teaching and Learning Services. “One thing that struck me during my first visit to Laurier was a pervasive sense of purpose and community,� said Buckley, who comes to Laurier from the University of New Brunswick. “I look forward to contributing to the evolution of Laurier.�
New research facility will help protect Canada’s boreal region A grant of nearly $2 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s New Initiatives Fund will be used to help establish the Canadian Aquatic Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Boreal Ecosystem Research (CALIBER) at Laurier. Research through the $5-million facility will help to vastly improve our knowledge of, and ability to protect, freshwater resources in Canada’s vast northern boreal areas. The boreal region covers about one-third of Canada and threequarters of Ontario, and contains
20 percent of the world’s unfrozen surface fresh water, but little is known about water flow and storage processes in the area. “The primary objective of CALIBER is to develop a new suite of predictive tools, urgently needed by user groups such as government agencies and local water boards, so that Canada’s boreal freshwater resources can be sustainably managed and preserved for future generations,� said Dr. Bill Quinton, associate professor in Laurier’s geography
and environmental studies department. The CFI grant will help fund renovations to Laurier’s Science Research Centre and the adjacent science building to bring the university’s water research activities together in one location. It will also help fund the purchase of sophisticated analytical equipment. The laboratory will be used by researchers from the Laurier Institute for Water Science and the university’s Cold Regions Research Centre.
Retirements: Noni Campbell, a Laurier alumna and an employee since 1976, retired earlier this month. She held various posts at Laurier over the years, working in the Registrar’s Office since 1994, where she had a key role in the university’s convocation ceremonies. Campbell plans to spend time with her husband and five grandchildren. The Noni Campbell Award has been established at Laurier to provide financial support to a varsity athlete who shows leadership on and off the field. Don Doyle, supervisor of Printing Services, has retired after 30 years of dedicated service to Laurier. Bill Marr has retired from his post as chair of the research ethics board and professor of economics after 39 years at
Laurier. In addition to teaching research methodology courses for three decades, Marr taught Canadian economic history, intermediate macroeconomics and introductory economics. As chair of the research ethics board, he ensured the university’s ethics policy on research with human participants conformed to specific guidelines. Marr’s retirement plans include spending time with his grandchildren and travelling. Michael Purves-Smith, associate professor of music, has retired after 34 years at Laurier. PurvesSmith conducted Laurier’s Wind Ensemble and Baroque Ensemble, and taught conducting and orchestration. He is a wellknown performer on baroque oboe, harpsichord and recorder, as well as an accomplished composer and arranger. He also recently retired as the artistic director of the Wellington Winds after 26 years. Wayne Schwartz, a carpenter with Physical Resources is retiring after 24 years at Laurier. Bob Wick is retiring after 22 years of custodial service at Laurier.
What are you reading Name: Joanne Bell Job Title: Senior Administrative Assistant & Associate Editor, Office of the Registrar Book Title: Roots: The Saga of an American Family Author: Alex Haley
?
What are you reading What are you
?
I enjoyed the book because it is a true story based on Alex Haley’s ancestors and I am very interested in true stories, and I love history. I would recommend it because it provides a very detailed account of how the slaves were treated and what they went through.
listening to?
Pool renovations ongoing
What are you listening to? Name: Dr. David Johnson Job Title: Professor of Economics & Director, MABE Program CD Title: Live in London Artist: Leonard Cohen
Laurier’s 50-metre swimming pool is undergoing repairs and renovations. It is tentatively scheduled to reopen at the beginning of November. Photo: Tomasz Adamski
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My wife and I have been long-time Leonard Cohen fans and went to hear him live this spring in London (Ontario). So we have listened to Cohen’s latest release, ,IVE IN ,ONDON (England), which is a great CD.
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RESEARCH FILE
A focus on political theory and federalism University Research Professor award will support Dr. Thomas O. Hueglin’s studies By Barry Ries Political science professor Dr. Thomas O. Hueglin has been named Laurier’s University Research Professor for 2009-2010. The award provides Hueglin with $10,000 to assist in his ongoing research on federalism and political theory. The grant, Hueglin says mischievously, means “I can travel and save myself the pain of applying for a SSHRC grant for another year.” The German-born Hueglin has been at Laurier for 24 years, almost as long as he has been in Canada. He has become one of the world’s top scholars on Johannes Althusius, a 16th/17thcentury philosopher who was concerned with alternative models of governance.
“
I believe the study of federalism can make a contribution to how we organize the world.
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Hueglin is also a wellpublished scholar in the related field of federalism. His research output incorporates four single-authored books, two co-authored books, three dozen book chapters, over two dozen journal articles and more than Dr. Thomas Hueglin, above, is Laurier’s 2009-10 University Research Professor. Hueglin, 80 conference papers or research a political science professor, is a well-published scholar in the field of federalism. talks delivered in 14 countries. “My research is mainly focused to bring together recent strands from its website, “reasons of political theory which have on two sub-fields in political for a state to adopt a federal focused on multiculturalism science: the history of political system include the need to and a more active, deliberative thought, and comparative federreflect linguistic, economic democracy, and federalism alism,” Hueglin says. “In my and cultural differences of a mind the two are closely related.” with its tradition of divided population, especially one that government and subnational The connection for Hueglin is is concentrated geographically.” autonomy. the search for alternative models This, Hueglin would say, is of political design. the conventional, state-related According to Canada’s To this end, Hueglin wants notion of federalism. A new Privy Council Office, citing
design, he says, “might prove more appropriate than the conventional state and market model to organize today’s world of distinct
regional and cultural loyalties. “Students of federalism are mostly preoccupied with the dynamics of power divisions and intergovernmental relations,” Hueglin adds, and often seem unaware of the wealth of recent political theories similarly preoccupied with problems of democracy and diversity in a globalizing world. “I believe the study of federalism can make a contribution to how we organize the world. Federal systems are not the result of a revolutionary founding act, but of careful negotiation among a plurality of collective actors with distinct loyalties and aspirations. “The idea of federalism, although not always and necessarily political practice in federal states such as Canada, includes a commitment to social solidarity, balance and compromise,” he says. As the 2009-2010 Laurier University Research Professor, Hueglin says he will try to make a contribution to such an understanding of the world. “And I would like to add that whatever my accomplishments have been over the past 20 years, they would not have been possible without the support of my wife, Julia Roberts, who is a professor of history at the University of Waterloo, and whose research skills I can only emulate, but never quite equal,” he says. Hueglin will be officially honoured as the University Research Professor during Laurier’s fall convocation. A requirement of the position is that the recipient present a public lecture featuring his or her research at some point during the year.
Improved Experts at Laurier website helps faculty, university By Lori Chalmers Morrison Reporters are often looking for expert opinions for their stories. Laurier professors are looking for ways to gain exposure for their research and recognition for their areas of expertise. Laurier’s new-and-improved Experts at Laurier website will help to make the connection. The Experts at Laurier site provides the media with an easy to use, up-to-date list of Laurier researchers and their specific areas of expertise, searchable by topic, name or faculty. Reporters will also be able to view rotating profiles and photos of featured experts, as well as a list of
experts available to comment on topics that are currently in the news. Faculty members have been invited via email to take a few minutes to update their experts listing. The potential benefits are significant — not only do faculty members stand to gain exposure in the public arena for their research, but they can also help increase awareness of Laurier’s wealth of research and academic expertise. “We’ve designed Experts at Laurier as an effective resource that allows reporters to find the specific expert they need and connect with them directly,” said Kevin Crowley, associate director:
news and editorial services. “The new design enables faculty to update their own information, which will keep the experts database as current as possible.” By completing an Experts at Laurier profile, faculty are offering to consider interview requests from the media. Reporters may ask for in-person, telephone or on-camera interviews. “By making themselves available to the media, faculty members can establish themselves as go-to resources on specific topics while at the same time raising Laurier’s profile among business, community and government leaders,” said dean of business and economics Ginny Dybenko,
who regularly gives media interviews. Key features of the new Experts at Laurier site include: s &ACULTY MEMBERS CAN UPDATE and maintain their experts listing through their Laurier web page. s 7HEN FACULTY MEMBERS ARE quoted in the media, they can post a link to the article through the new “In the News” section. s 4HE SITE WILL DISPLAY “Featured Experts” on a rotating basis, and link reporters to faculty members with expertise in “Hot Topics” that are currently in the news, enhancing Laurier’s ability to promote its
research and expertise. s !N ENHANCED SEARCH FUNCTION makes it easy for journalists to find experts by keyword, name or department, and provides links to other faculty members with related expertise. s &ACULTY CAN UPLOAD A PRESS photo of themselves, which will ensure they are included in the featured experts rotation. Visit www.wlu.ca/experts to see the new Experts at Laurier site. Faculty members can click on “How to update your experts at Laurier profile” on the left-hand menu bar for step-by-step instructions.
To see the new Experts at Laurier site, visit www.wlu.ca/experts 5
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Bikes for tykes Bicycle Recycling Program helps children in need Bicycles that make their way into Laurier’s lost and found department are being given new life by the university’s Special Constable Service. In partnership with the Canadian Alliance for Children and Elmira District High School, bicycles abandoned on campus are being donated to the high school, where they are repaired by students. They are then distributed to local
children in need. The initiative, developed by Supervisor Rick Cousineau, not only helps children who normally wouldn’t be able to afford bicycles, it is also environmentally friendly — lost bicycles on campus are being diverted from the landfill. So far 15 found bicycles have been donated and eight have been distributed to needy children in the local Mennonite community.
Children show off their bicycles, which were donated through Laurier’s Special Constable Service’s new Bicycle Recycling Program.
HEALTH SCIENCES continued
them on which courses to take for specific career fields and helping them prepare for pre-professional entrance examinations. Following two years of required courses, students will have the opportunity to participate in one of three specialization streams (bio-med, med-chem or med-psych) or to select their courses more broadly. In third or fourth year, they will also step outside the classroom for experiential placements, with more informal volunteer opportunities available in the first two years of the program. Coordinating committee member Dr. Renée MacPhee, one of two faculty members specifically hired for the program, says the volunteer opportunities and placements are essential to introduce students to the diversity of possibilities in the health-care field, and let them experience first hand what health care is all about. “Some students want to be doctors or nurses, but have never been exposed to the sights and sounds within a hospital or nursing home,” said MacPhee, who has worked in local emergency rooms for 16 years and uses her personal experiences in her teaching. “It’s very important for students
to understand the diversity of the patient population through field placements. It’s not just young healthy people who get sick — there are elderly people,
homeless people and people with mental health issues.” The program is Laurier’s first multi-disciplinary science program, and one of the few existing university programs that focuses solely on health sciences rather than health studies and social sciences. Elliott anticipates the program will very quickly become one of the most popular programs in science. Enrolment has already exceeded expectations. “The program will have the strengths that Laurier has generically, such as its small size, opportunities for individual attention and a strong experiential component,” said Elliott.
“By developing links with hospitals and other educational institutions, we’re also emphasizing a team-oriented approach, so students will realize that regardless of what they do in the health-care field in the long term, they will be part of a team.” For MacPhee, who envisions partnership opportunities with many local organizations, the program also has a community component. “We encourage people in the community to contact us and explore opportunities to work together,” she said. “We also hope that our graduates will find their way back into our own health-care community to work.” To find out more information about Laurier’s health sciences program, visit the Faculty of Science website.
Health Sciences sample classes: Year 1: Unifying Life Processes, Fundamentals of Chemistry Year 2: Human Anatomy, Cell Biology Year 3: Epidemiology, Human Physiology I Year 4: Seminar on Critical Health Sciences, Case-Based Problem Solving in Health Sciences
Laurier gears up for Homecoming festivities Brantford campus will celebrate inaugural event By Stacey Morrison Along with football, friends and fun, Laurier will mark its 2009 Homecoming celebrations with a return visit from comedian Russell Peters for a sold-out show at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Oct. 3. “We are thrilled that Russell Peters is returning for this year’s Homecoming, ” said Roly Webster, associate director of alumni relations. “He put on a great show last year and we expect even more laughs this year.” More than 10,000 people are expected at the Waterloo campus’ Homecoming, which runs from Oct. 2-4. The festivities officially begin on Friday with the Dean’s Alumni Golf Classic at the Rebel Creek Golf Club, followed by the Athletic Hall of Fame dinner. Saturday kicks off with a free pancake breakfast in the quad. The gates to University Stadium open at 11 a.m. for pre-game family fun, including rides, face painting, games and a barbecue. The Golden Hawks will kick-off against the Ottawa Gee-Gees at 1 p.m. Children can participate in games, crafts and other activities in the 6
Junior Hawks program until halftime. Waterloo’s Homecoming wraps up on Sunday with the second-annual Laurier Loop charity run with proceeds going to the Movement Disorders Research & Rehabilitation Centre (MDRC). For tickets and a complete schedule of events for Laurier’s Waterloo Homecoming, visit www.laurieralumni.ca. The festivities continue a few weeks later on Oct. 17 as Laurier Brantford celebrates its inaugural Homecoming. Marking its 10-year anniversary, Laurier Brantford will host several events for its first-ever Homecoming. The day starts with a free breakfast at the Carnegie Building, followed by a campus open house and barbecue lunch. The Golden Hawks varsity hockey team will face-off against the Windsor Lancers at the Brantford Civic Centre at 2:30 p.m., and the day ends with an alumni pub night in the new Harmony Square. For more information about Laurier Brantford’s Homecoming, visit www. laurieralumni.ca/brantfordhomecoming.
Laurier will celebrate Homecoming in October on its Waterloo and Brantford campuses. Events will include the Laurier Loop charity run for the MDRC, above left; a performance by Canadian comedian Russell Peters, above right; and sports events, including the Golden Hawks football team, above, taking on the Ottawa Gee Gees.
3EPTEMBER COFFEE WITH A CO-WORKER
CAMPUS COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
VOL. 1 NO. 1 APRIL 7,2008
CAMPUS CONNECTIONS COMMUNITY
VOL. 1 NO. 1 APRIL 7,2008
A look at staff and faculty across campus
Athlete and sports fan Name: Greg Stewart Job: Coordinator of recreation and programs, Laurier Brantford. Where you can find him: First floor of Wilkes House. “My door is literally always open — there’s no heating or air conditioning!� How he takes his coffee: I’ve never tried coffee or tea. I see no reason to start, seeing the addiction people around me have for it!
How long have you been at Laurier Brantford? Since August 2005. I was born and raised in Picton (a town of 5,000), so the transition to Brantford was easy. I have a diploma in business administration, a bachelor’s degree in sport management and a master’s degree in human kinetics, sport management. Can you tell us about your job? It’s a fantastic position, and the access to students keeps me young — I’m still in denial that I’m not a student myself! We have a young, laid-back
COMING EVENTS
Marla Hlady: Playing Piano (sculpture) When: Sept. 16 – Oct. 24 Where: Robert Langen Art Gallery Cost: Free Playing Piano explores the mechanics of sound, inviting viewers to reinvestigate the way we listen to and experience our environment. Laurier MBA Session When: Sept. 17 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Where: Centre for Co-operative Education and Career Development, Waterloo campus Cost: Free Learn about Laurier’s MBA degree and the many flexible program options offered. Music at Noon When: Sept. 22 Where: Maureen Forrester Recital Hall Cost: Free Enjoy your lunch while taking in the sounds of the Ebony Tower Quartet. Landscapes of Learning: A Transdisciplinary Conversation in Contemporary Education When: Sept. 24 – 26 Where: Laurier Brantford This conference will facilitate conversation about the condi-
Maple Leafs fan Greg Stewart settles in to watch a game with dogs Maddie and Toby.
staff with tons of ideas. We’ve catered to our students and built recreation at Laurier Brantford program by program. We offer everything (including volleyball, soccer, basketball and hockey) except varsity and aquatic sports. Do you have any memorable moments so far? Seeing some of our best and brightest student volunteers pull off successful events. Students and staff have been part of the Rogers Centre Round the Clock tournament (a 60-hour continuous slo-pitch tournament) for four years. It’s great to see students take such
pride in representing their wing of the Golden Hawk! And in the two years we’ve participated in the Relay for Life (2007 and 2008), we surpassed our targets, raising a total of more than $55,000. This fall we hope to eclipse the $100,000 mark. What’s your goal for recreation at Laurier Brantford? Our campus, my department and our programs have so much potential — it excites me to think about where we could be three or four years from now. My goal is to have varsity teams and our own facility to address our growing student needs.
For a complete list of events visit www.wlu.ca/events
tions in which students learn, bringing together teachers, educational activists and academic researchers. For details, visit www.laurierbrantfordconference.ca. Words That Witness: Poetry and Human Rights When: Oct. 1 7:30 p.m. Where: Senate & Board Chamber Join lecturer Dr. Marjorie Agosin, a renowned poet and human rights activist, and Spanish professor at Wellesley College. For more information, contact Wendy Webb at wwebb@wlu.ca. Dean’s Alumni Golf Classic When: Oct. 2 11 a.m. registration Where: Rebel Creek Golf Club Cost: $160/golf, lunch, dinner or $40/dinner only This annual scramble tournament brings together people from the Laurier community for a fun game of golf, networking and catching up with old friends. Register as a team or individual. For more information contact Melody Barfoot at ext. 3280. Murnau’s Faust When: Oct. 2 7 p.m. Where: N1001 Cost: Free
Enjoy a screening of F.W. Murnau’s version of Faust, a captivating silent film with narratives in English — with snacks! Presented by the German Culture Society. Waterloo Homecoming When: Oct. 2 – 4 Where: Waterloo campus Celebrate Laurier’s 81st Homecoming with football, food and friends! For a complete schedule of events, visit www.laurieralumni.ca/ homecoming. Oktoberfest When: Oct. 9 – 17 Where: Various locations in Kitchener-Waterloo
Right now we operate out of Wilkes House. With a larger facility we could do large-scale sports or have six games going at once. I’d also love to start a fitness and wellness initiative with links to the community. What are your favourite sports to play? Soccer and baseball, in that order. I’m also an avid golfer. Actually, I’m obsessive. Can you tell us about your love for the Toronto Maple Leafs? I only had a few TV channels growing up, and the Leafs
played on one of the channels we received. They should have won in ’93! Once you bleed blue and white, you always do, and once you’re a fan you should always be a fan. What about life outside of work? I love to travel. Among other trips, I’ve been to France, England and China twice, and I took a road trip across Canada. My wife Mary Ann and I have two dogs, Maddie and Toby, and we’re expecting our first child in February! "Y ,ORI #HALMERS -ORRISON
The benefits of hand washing Washing your hands correctly is the most effective thing you can do to protect yourself against infectious diseases like the flu. Here are some hand-washing tips: s Use regular soap. Antibacterial soaps are not recommended as they destroy good bacteria as well as bad.
s Turn off the tap using the paper towel to avoid recontamination. When using a public washroom, use the same paper towel to open the door when you leave. &OR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PROPER HAND WASHING VISIT THE (EALTH #ANADA WEBSITE AT WWW HC SC GC CA
s Remove any jewellery and wet your hands with warm water. Lather all surfaces with soap for at least 15 seconds — the amount of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday. s Rinse hands under warm water using a rubbing motion. s Wipe and dry hands gently with paper towel or clean towel.
Get out your lederhosen and join in K-W’s Oktoberfest, the largest Bavarian festival in North America. Visit www. oktoberfest.ca for details. Brantford Homecoming When: Oct. 17 Where: Brantford campus Laurier Brantford celebrates its inaugural Homecoming. Visit the campus for a barbecue lunch and open house, and then take in a Golden Hawks hockey game. For a complete schedule of events visit www. laurieralumni.ca/brantfordhomecoming.
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CAMPUS COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
VOL. 1 NO. 1 APRIL 7,2008
CAMPUS CONNECTIONS COMMUNITY
VOL. 1 NO. 1 APRIL 7,2008
3EPTEMBER
Helping a community, one step at a time Students help build a staircase in a mountain village in Peru By Mallory O’Brien In August, 13 students from Laurier’s Waterloo and Brantford campuses spent two weeks building 172 steps into the side of a mountain in the Peruvian Andes. The tall task was part of the second annual humanitarian trip to Lima, Peru, organized by Laurier International and Solidarity in Action. “A lot of us struggled with the concept at first — like, why are we building stairs?” said Lise Pedersen, Laurier International’s manager of programs and services, who accompanied the students to Peru. “When we think of helping communities in need we think about building homes, schools and wells. But we quickly found out just how much the stairs help when we saw mothers carrying their babies down the side of a mountain every day to get water.” The community did not have stairs because the village was only established four years ago. The Laurier group was among the first to visit the newly erected shantytown.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Lise Pedersen, above right, hands out toothbrushes to villagers. Students work together to help build a staircase for the community, right.
“At that point, the only other vehicle that had come down the road they had built was a water truck,” said Pedersen. Solidarity in Action, a Canadian not-for-profit organization, connects with a social service agency in Lima called Solidaridad en Marcha. In addition to keeping its ear to the ground for opportunities to help nomadic communities after they have relocated, Solidaridad en Marcha runs
a medical clinic, a preschool program and a maternity ward. During the trip, kinesiology student Jade Ryan spent time volunteering at a rehab centre, while Stacy Peguegnat worked in the maternity ward and witnessed the birth of a new life. Students also took Spanish lessons every day and participated in cultural activities, including a trip to Machu Picchu.
A look inside the lecture hall
Business basics Professor: Dr. Laura Allan Class: BU121, Functional Areas of the Organization Description: An introduction to managerial aspects of the areas of marketing, operations, finance and accounting, and human resources and labour relations.
Since she began teaching at Laurier in 1984, business professor Laura Allan has had the unique pleasure of teaching almost every student that has graduated with a BBA. That’s because Allan teaches BU111 and BU121, the classes that every business student must take in their first year. “They give students a really nice base and framework to build an understanding on with more senior business courses,” says Allan, who was a teaching assistant for these same two courses while she was a student earning her own BBA from Laurier. Because the classes are large — 200 students on average — Allan routinely encourages participation in her lectures to ensure her students are absorbing the material at a level where they understand not only the basic principles, but also how the material can be used in the real world. "Y -ALLORY / "RIEN 8
Photo: Dean Palmer
Professor Laura Allan teaches two core classes that every student in the BBA program must take in their first year.