February 13, 2008
The Barry Elmes Quintet Brings "Contemporary Jazz at its Best" to York University's Faculty Concert Series
Acclaimed jazz drummer Barry Elmes, Chair of York University's Music Department, brings his quintet to centre stage on February 28 for the season finale of York's Faculty Concert Series. The concert, featuring new compositions by Elmes plus selections from the ensemble's recorded repertoire, will take place at 7:30pm in the Tribute Communities Recital Hall at York. The performance will be recorded for a future CD release. Hailed as "contemporary jazz at its best..." (The Toronto Star), the Barry Elmes Quintet comprises a 'who's who' of Canadian jazz. Alongside bandleader and composer Elmes, the ensemble features his York U colleagues Mike Murley (saxophones) and Kevin Turcotte (trumpet, flugelhorn), plus Reg Schwager (guitar) and Steve Wallace (bass). The quintet has toured and recorded in Canada and internationally for more than 15 years, gathering accolades all the way. "This band has it all: heat, élan and humour", said The Globe and Mail. A two-time winner of the National Jazz Awards "Acoustic Jazz Group of the Year", the group has released four recordings, including the critically-acclaimed Climbing, which was nominated for a Juno for best jazz recording. Their most recent CD, The Five Minute Warning, received an Indie Award nomination for best jazz recording. Barry Elmes has been a mainstay of the Canadian jazz scene since the early 1980s. An internationally-known drummer, composer, producer, recording artist and educator, he has performed all over the world and can be heard on more than 60 CDs. Renowned jazz artists he has played and/or recorded with include Dizzy Gillespie, Tommy Flanagan, Charlie Haden, Hank Crawford, Diana Krall, Joe Henderson, John Abercrombie, Phil Nimmons and the Moe Koffman Quintet. Performance highlights include his 1994 tour with the Oliver Jones Trio on the Governor-General's tour of China, Japan and Korea; appearances in South Africa and Brazil with the Canadian Jazz Giants in 1996; and a Chilean tour with the Barry Elmes Quintet in 2000 followed by the ensemble's 10th anniversary cross-Canada tour in 2001. In addition to the Barry Elmes Quintet CDs, Elmes' discography includes recordings by the contemporary jazz quartet Time Warp, which he co-founded and co-leads with his fellow faculty member, Al Henderson (who heads York University's jazz studies program). He presides over the independent jazz label, Cornerstone Records, and performs frequently at major festivals and jazz clubs. His honours include five Jazz Report Awards. Elmes has inspired a generation of young musicians at York University. He taught part-time for 20 years in York's jazz program before joining the full-time faculty in the Department of Music in 2004. Declared "one of the key players of his generation" (The Globe and Mail), Mike Murley is recognized as one of Canada's finest jazz talents. Very active as a bandleader and sideman on the local jazz scene, he is an eight-time winner of the Jazz Report's "saxophonist of the year" distinction, and has nine Juno Award-winning recordings to his credit. He is an alumnus of York's Music Department, where he currently teaches. Kevin Turcotte likewise teaches in York's jazz program. Widely regarded as a virtuoso performer, he has been named "jazz trumpeter of the year" multiple times by the Jazz Report. He has performed on over 50 recordings, and has toured widely in North America, South America, Italy and Russia. He has appeared with the Jean Martin Trio, Hemispheres New Music Ensemble, Andrew Downing's Attention Span, and many other groups. Reg Schwager has toured extensively across Canada and worldwide with George Shearing, Diana Krall, Peter Appleyard, Rob McConnell and many others, and has over 80 recordings to his credit. CDs released under his own name include Resonance, Border Town and Live at Mezzetta. He has been the recipient of the Guitarist of the Year award from Canada's National Jazz Awards for three consecutive years (2005, 2006 and 2007). Bassist Steve Wallace has performed with such international luminaries as Clark Terry, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, George Coleman, Zoot Sims, and Pepper Adams, and has recorded and toured with some of the biggest names in Canadian jazz including Oscar Peterson, Oliver Jones, Fraser MacPherson and Rob McConnell. He currently plays in numerous Toronto groups including recent Juno winners, the David Braid Sextet, Rob McConnell Tentet and Mike Murley Trio. The performance of the Barry Elmes Quintet is the last in a series of seven events in the 2007-2088 Faculty Concert Series, spotlighting faculty artists in the Department of Music at York University.
Source: York University, Ontario

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February 7, 2008
Satyam Computer Services Ltd. Donates $1 Million to Support Electronic Health Record Innovation Project at Mohawk
Mohawk College today received a $1 million donation from a global business and information technology services provider in support of a new applied innovation project in electronic health records. Satyam Computer Services Ltd. Is donating more than $1 million in cash and in-kind services to establish the SATYAM Interoperable Electronic Health Records (iEHR) Centre at the College's Fennell Campus. A team of Mohawk Engineering Technology faculty and students is working with Satyam programmers in India to build the first working prototype of Canada's national blueprint for electronic health records (EHRs). The blueprint was developed by Canada Health Infoway, a federally-funded, independent, not-for-profit organization whose members are Canada's 14 federal, provincial and territorial Deputy Ministers of Health. Canada Health Infoway is Canada's catalyst for collaborative change to accelerate the use of electronic health information systems and EHRs across the country. "Mohawk College is proud to be working collaboratively with an industry leader such as Satyam Computer Services to build the first working prototype of Canada's national blueprint for electronic health records," said President MaryLynn West-Moynes. "Mohawk's private and public sector partnerships underscore the power of applied innovation in developing meaningful, long-term solutions for Canada's healthcare system."
"Widespread use and adherence to standards help streamline operations in any industry and it is especially relevant in healthcare, where people's lives are at stake," said Ram Mynampati, Member of the Board and President, Commercial and Healthcare Business, Satyam. "At Satyam, we are pleased to contribute to these efforts to integrate various islands of information and to help expedite care for patients throughout Canada." An electronic health record (EHR) is a secure and private lifetime record of an individual's health and care history, available electronically to authorized health care providers. With access to complete records, doctors and clinicians will have far better information for decision-making. This is especially critical when it comes to prescriptions and treatments that are being provided by multiple doctors or specialists, or when a patient is in an emergency situation. There are approximately 2,000 health care transactions every minute in Canada, with every transaction requiring documentation and an exchange of information among health care providers.
Source: Mohawk College, Ontario

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February 7, 2008
Profs Called Tops by University of Windsor Students
Two University of Windsor faculty members have cracked the list of top 10 finalists in TVO's Big Ideas 2008 Best Lecturer competition. Faculty of Education Professor Finney Cherian and Psychology Professor Ken Cramer were chosen from an Ontario-wide pool of 38 applicants by a panel of judges who viewed video submissions of their lectures. The successful lecturers are selected by their students. Dr. Cherian's nominating students call him, "inspirational, exhilarating, influential, thought-provoking, touching and invigorating." His research interests include teacher education, language arts, critical literacy and technology. This is his second nomination in the Best Lecturer competition. Dr. Cramer has an interest in new strategies for dealing with student engagement and stimulating learning in larger classrooms. His areas of specialty include teaching technologies, the impact of Maclean's rankings on university students, and various topics in the areas of education, personality and social psychology. Students say he "consistently demonstrates excellence in both teaching and lecturing with his ability to captivate, engage and stimulate students regardless of the year of study or class size." "Engaging students in a meaningful learning experience is what we're all about, and Drs. Cherian and Cramer are fine examples of what this means in the classroom," said University of Windsor President Ross Paul. "To have two of our professors place among the top 10 lecturers in Ontario is incredible. The fact that our students are behind these nominations really speaks to what they are experiencing on campus and we're thrilled." The ten finalists will deliver complete lectures on TVO's Big Ideas program on Saturdays and Sundays over five weeks, beginning March 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Source: University of Windsor, Ontario

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January 31, 2008
Humber Receives Support from McGuinty Government for Campus Renewal
Humber will receive $5.6 million from the McGuinty government for campus renewal and to maintain its state-of-the-art labs and facilities. "Humber is strongly supported by the current government. The college recently opened a new 7,775 square metre building at its North Campus with seats for 1,000 additional students and is currently embarking on the final stages of its Lakeshore Campus renovation," said John Davies, president, Humber. "The province contributed $33 million to these two exciting projects. This, and the additional funding announced this morning, will allow us to move forward with our plans to develop more sustainable, energy-efficient facilities in order to enhance our already substantial commitment to safety and to upgrade classrooms and labs." Postsecondary education has become a necessity for economic growth in Canada. In fact, more than 90 per cent of the new jobs created from 1997 to 2006 went to those with postsecondary education. For many, that means college credentials that are in-line with industry standards and requirements. Canada's colleges and institutes are a sound investment from multiple perspectives. Students benefit from increased earnings and improved lifestyles. Taxpayers benefit from an enlarged economy and lower social costs. And society as a whole benefits from increased job and investment opportunities, higher business revenues, greater availability of public funds and an eased tax burden. Humber's commitment to its students is evident through continued expansion projects at its three campuses. At the North Campus, the new B Building will accommodate close to 1,000 new student spaces. The development of the University of Guelph-Humber will provide space for 3,000 more. At the Lakeshore Campus, Humber is preparing to accommodate an additional 1,500 in the next five years. The College has acquired a former Mercedes dealership to accommodate new classrooms. In addition, the remaining historic 19th century cottages are being renovated to meet the needs of future students. Humber is also reaching out to students in the growing GTA area with its Orangeville Campus. Programming is currently available with a full-service regional campus planned over the next 10 to 12 years. Humber's new programming initiatives shows its commitment to its students. The new Sustainable Energy and Building Technology (SEBT) program, which will begin in September 2008, is an example of how Humber responds to the needs of employers looking for skilled professionals who can provide truly integrated solutions to the greening and increasingly challenging building and energy sectors. "Ontario has never had a greater need for college graduates," said Davies. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with the McGuinty government to ensure more of the province's citizens are able to fulfil their potential through a college education." A leader in polytechnic education, Humber offers innovative, career-focused learning opportunities. It provides over 350 full- and part-time programs including: bachelor's degree, diploma, certificate, apprenticeship and postgraduate programs. Humber serves 18,000 full-time and 55,000 part-time learners, as well as more than 15,000 employees in custom corporate training. Its strong partnerships with employers, as well as transfer agreements with 45 universities and colleges, help students to build a foundation for lifelong success. Over 90 per cent of Humber students find employment within six months of graduating.
Source: Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, Ontario

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January 25, 2008
York Grad's Lennon Film Nominated for Oscar
York alumnus Jerry Levitan (BA '76, LLB '79) is at the Sundance Film Festival today for a screening of his Oscar-nominated animated film about Beatle John Lennon, I Met the Walrus. Levitan was stuck in traffic driving his six-year-old daughter to school when the call came from his girlfriend telling him a five-minute animated film he produced had been nominated for an Oscar. Needless to say, he was excited, but hardly more so than when he met Lennon back in 1969. In a story told many times since, Levitan, a 14-year-old die-hard Beatles fan, snuck into Toronto's King Edward Hotel and got an invitation to come back and do a 40-minute interview with Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono during their famous "bed-in" for peace. During the conversation, Levitan told Lennon that a lot of young people in Canada thought then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau was "pretty cool". "I always felt that I had a role in John Lennon wanting to, and ultimately meeting, Trudeau," Levitan told AOL.ca this week. "You hear him on the tape saying: 'We've heard about him swinging in London with a leather coat, and if kids like you think he's cool, well, maybe we should see him.'" Levitan kept the recording of his interview, which he made on a borrowed reel-to-reel tape deck that he carried to the hotel at 7am, and a five-minute Super 8 movie of Lennon and Ono, for 39 years and, except for publishing a story and transcript in TO Magazine in 1988, didn't do anything with them until last year, when he commissioned filmmaker Josh Raskin to produce a short film. The original artefacts are now on loan to a museum in Liverpool for a planned Beatles exhibit. "Lots of people knew about the interview," Levitan said from his law office in Toronto, just before leaving for Park City, Utah, and the final screening of his project at the Sundance Film Festival. "I get calls from the media every year around the anniversary of John's death." Lennon was assassinated outside his New York apartment block on Dec. 8, 1980. When he decided to make the film, with the help of a $50,000 grant from the Bravo!/FACT Foundation, Levitan met Raskin (nephew of Paul Axelrod, York's dean of the Faculty of Education) and liked his work. "It was fantastic," Levitan recalls. "I said, 'this is the guy I want to work with'. He really got my story." I Met the Walrus, a five-minute animated short film with Levitan's interview as the sound track, has been the opening short for one of the featured films at the Sundance Festival. The next stop on the film's tour will be Hollywood on Feb. 24 for whatever Oscar awards event the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Science manages to mount, given the current strike by the Writers' Guild of America. I Met the Walrus is nominated for Best Animated Short Film with four others. The film's devotion to Lennon's anti-war message is in keeping with Levitan's studies at York: political science in the Faculty of Arts, and constitutional law, litigation and human resources law at Osgoode Hall Law School. Among Levitan's classmates at Osgoode was Patrick Monahan (LLB '80), now dean of the law school. Monahan has invited Levitan to show his film at York before the Oscars. As a lawyer, Levitan is an expert on Ontario's liquor licensing laws, representing restaurant and bar owners. But, he has another career that also keeps him busy: playing his alter ego, Sir Jerry, a magician, singer/songwriter and children's entertainer.
Source: York University, Ontario

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January 7, 2008
Toronto Dance Theatre in Residence at York University Culminating in a One-Night-Only Performance of the Critically-Acclaimed Timecode Break Choreographed by Christopher House
Toronto Dance Theatre (TDT) will be in residence at York University’s Department of Dance January 14-17, culminating in a public performance on January 17 at 8pm of the multiple award-winning dance Timecode Break, choreographed by TDT artistic director and York alumnus Christopher House. During their residency, House and TDT dancers will deliver daily technique classes to York dance students. They will also present four additional special events open to the public: studio performances of Chiasmata, House’s latest creation for the company, and his solo News, choreographed by Deborah Hay; a screening of the House biopic Ahead of the Curve; and an illustrated talk on The Making of Timecode Break (presentations daily Jan 14-17 at 12 noon).
Timecode Break is a quintessential dance for the 21st century. Choreographed simultaneously for stage and screen, it integrates razor-sharp dancing with gorgeous video images to create a brave new kinetic landscape. Dancing in partnership with their digital selves in a seamless choreography of control and abandon, the TDT dancers are pushed to their edge, performing in lightning-fast unison, fierce counterpoint and powerful solos. The limits of physical virtuosity are framed by the infinite potential of the digital body. After its world premiere at the Canada Dance Festival in 2006, Paula Citron of The Globe and Mail hailed Timecode Break as: “… among the greatest dances ever created in Canada… a work of such brilliance that it is ahead of the curve.” The piece topped four critics’ Top Ten lists in 2006, including being named “best new contemporary dance” by The Toronto Star. It won three Dora Mavor Moore Awards in 2007, including Outstanding Production and Outstanding Choreography. Timecode Break is a commission from the Canada Dance Festival and a co-production with Ottawa’s National Arts Centre and the Banff Centre for the Arts.
Chiasmata, House’s most recent choreography, ranges in tone from playful to percussive to sublimely vulnerable. The work uses a new creative process for House and his dancers, and explores new emotional and physical territory. This new methodology has created movement that is both idiosyncratic and very personal to the performers, while at the same time, is beautifully shaped and crafted. Chiasmata was nominated for a 2007 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Choreography.
News is a solo set on House by world-renowned experimental dance artist Deborah Hay. The piece was choreographed by Hay and adapted for House during his participation in Hay’s Solo Performance Commissioning Project, an international creation residency in Findhorn, Scotland. News premiered in December 2006 at Toronto’s Winchester Street Theatre.
Christopher House: Ahead of the Curve is a film about process and the dazzling energy and mystique of dance. Commissioned by Bravo! Television and directed by House’s sister Rosemary House, this intimate exploration of the art of choreography reveals the detailed processes House brings to his work and his enduring search for knowledge and inspiration. “If you’ve ever wondered about the point of modern dance, the answer is here,” said John Doyle of The Globe and Mail.
The Making of Timecode Break is a lecture-demonstration led by House and including DVD projection.
"We're delighted to welcome Christopher House back to York together with his company," said Dance Department Chair Mary Jane Warner. "This residency offers a wonderful opportunity for our students to work with the outstanding artists in TDT, and to observe them both in classes and rehearsal settings. We hope this will be the beginning of a long-term relationship between TDT and the Department of Dance at York."
Source: York University, Ontario

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December 21, 2007
McMaster Engineering Celebrates 50th Anniversary in 2008
A year-long celebration of the Faculty of Engineering's 50th anniversary is about to begin. Since its establishment in February 1958, the Faculty has grown from four departments and a small but enthusiastic group of faculty members and students to seven departments, 145 faculty members, 123 staff, more than 3,700 undergraduate and graduate students, and over 12,500 alumni. The anniversary provides an ideal time to look back at the many achievements and contributions of the Faculty to education, research and the community. It is also an opportunity to look ahead and see the direction McMaster Engineering is taking to address the needs of the future. The first celebration event is scheduled for Friday, January 11 with an Anniversary Cake Cutting Ceremony from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Marketplace of the McMaster University Student Centre. You are invited to join Dr. Peter Smith, Acting Dean, past Dean's of Engineering and other special guests in enjoying a piece of cake along with live entertainment by Steve Remilli, MES President, and his band.
Source: McMaster University, Ontario

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December 7, 2007
Voice Media Group Announces $25,000 In Scholarship Funding To Sheridan College
Voice Media Group (publishers of the Weekly Voice and Awaaz) recently announced a $25,000 pledge to Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning to create a scholarship fund to benefit South Asian students attending Sheridan. Two $2,500 scholarships will be awarded each year for the next five years to qualified students. The proceeds from their annual South Asian Classic Charity Golf tournament will be used to support this fund. This year it was held at Lionhead Golf and Country Club on August 10th. “We are very grateful for this contribution by Voice Media Group,” said Dr. Robert Turner, Sheridan’s President and CEO. “Financial constraints are often a barrier to students seeking to obtain a postsecondary education, and the generosity of donors like Voice Media can make a big difference in helping deserving students to meet their educational goals.” Sudhir Anand, Publisher of Voice Media Group, stated, “We are grateful that as community leaders we can play some small part in paving the way to make higher education more accessible. It is our hope that the students benefiting from this scholarship fund will go on to become strong leaders in our communities.”
Source: Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Ontario

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November 30, 2007
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life to Announce Generous Donation to University of Ontatio Institute of Technology
Officials from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) will join representatives from Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life next week for the announcement of a significant financial donation that will greatly assist and enhance students' learning experiences for years to come and the company's plans to install a dynamic new sculpture on campus. The announcement will include specific details of the donation, including the exact amount, an unveiling of the sculpture's design and UOIT's plans for a permanent commemoration and recognition of the gifts. UOIT's strong relationships with leading employers open doors to challenging and rewarding careers for students. Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life are committed supporters of community initiatives, providing financial support focused on education, health and wellness, arts and culture, social services and community programs.
Source: University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT)

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November 19, 2007
Mohawk Advertising Students Win Gold at National Marketing Awards Competition
Mohawk Advertising students have won gold, silver and an award of merit at the 37th annual Canadian Marketing Association Awards Gala. The gold award in the Student - Creative category went to the Mohawk team of Mary Dwulit, Nathan MacLellan, Samnang Phat and Ashley Sloggett. The silver award in the Student - Marketing category went to the Mohawk team of Katelynn Breukelman, Jenna Curtis and Kate McLaren. The award of merit in the Student - Marketing category went to the Mohawk team of: Melissa Demerling, Ashley Dillon, Jonathan Nestoras and Roni Pollington. Mohawk professors Catharine Ozols and Judy Turner-Blain served as voluntary coaches and advisors to the College's winning teams. It was a command performance for Mohawk, as a team of three Advertising students won gold at the CMA Awards Gala last year. Since 1998, Mohawk Advertising students have won 11 national awards. The CMA Awards Gala is the largest marketing awards event in the country and more than 2,100 marketers took part in this year's event in Toronto Nov. 16. "Mohawk is proud of our award-winning Advertising students and our dedicated team of faculty and staff," says President MaryLynn West-Moynes. "The awards prove Mohawk Advertising students have the skills, experience and attitude to get the job done."
Source: Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, Ontario

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October 11, 2007
CSI Oshawa - University of Ontario Institute of Technology Opens Innovative Crime Scene House
Homicides, break and enters, shootings, hit-and-run accidents and suspicious deaths - students at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) investigate them all at the university's innovative Crime Scene House. Media are invited to come out next week and learn more about this leading-edge facility during the official opening of the house, which will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, speeches, tours, staged crime scenes and sample collection demonstrations. The only university facility of its kind in Ontario, the Crime Scene House is where the UOIT Faculty of Science stages crime scenes as part of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Forensic Science program. Students receive hands-on training in the practical skills required to excel in a career involving forensic investigation, including learning to collect and analyze data such as DNA, fingerprints, footwear impressions and tool marks.
Source: University of Ontario Institute of Technology

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October 9, 2007
University of Ottawa Professors Guy Laflamme and Errol Mendes Honoured by the Media President's Award
Two professors from the University of Ottawa will receive the 2007 President's Award for Service to the University through Media and Community Relations at a ceremony to be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. in Tabaret Hall. Since 2003, this annual prize recognizes University staff members who have shared their expertise through direct collaboration with the media. The recipients are Guy Laflamme, professor of marketing at the Telfer School of Management, and Errol Mendes, professor at the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section. The award ceremony will be followed by the annual alumni series of conferences organized by the Department of Communication. This year, Marie Grégoire, an alumna from the Department of Communication (1988), and vice-president, communication and marketing, at HKDP Communications and Public Affairs, will explore the question of communication as an innate or acquired action. The conference is entitled: "Homo communicatus. Living in a world of communication."
Source: University of Ottawa

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October 4, 2007
A Canadian First - Cambrian College's Wabnode Institute Holds Traditional Ceremony Using Distance Technology
Cambrian College's Wabnode Institute today held a traditional Aboriginal Blanket Awakening ceremony using distance technology, the first time such an event has been held in Canada using this technology. The ceremony used videoconference technology to connect students, faculty, administration, and Elders at Cambrian College with employees and Elders at the Northeast Community Health Centre, a facility in Capital Health in Edmonton. "Aboriginal ceremonies are traditionally held in a face-to-face setting," said Joyce Helmer, Chair of the Wabnode Institute. "This is the first time in Canada that participants in a traditional ceremony have been connected using videoconference technology. We have captured the spirit and tradition of the blanket awakening ceremony and transmitted this traditional knowledge over an IP line." By piloting the use of this technology for traditional ceremonies, Cambrian College is providing the local Aboriginal community with the opportunity to link with other sites to share traditional knowledge and ceremonies. "Our goal is to build upon this experience and to expand upon the use of this technology," said Helmer. "Our Elders will now have the resources necessary to provide healing work and guidance to rural educational sites and to Cambrian students who are on placement." The ceremony was held at Cambrian's eDome (Electronic Delivery of Modular Education), which provides the College with the unique capability of supporting the development and delivery of hands-on technical education and training over broadband networks.
Source: Cambrian College, Ontario

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October 2, 2007
Town and Gown Committee Thrilled Hundreds of Student Housing Units to be Built at University of Ontario Institute of Technology
The Oshawa Town and Gown Committee is thrilled that the work and effort of many committed partners has led to the announcement of hundreds of new student housing beds at Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). An additional 800 students beds will be available on campus by September 2009 for students in the upper years of their programs of study, with 350 expected to be available as early as September 2008. In an effort to further attract students, the new space will be created as apartment-style units on the west side of the Oshawa, Ontario campus, providing students with the opportunity to live an independent lifestyle that is similar to being off campus. This will bring the total number of student housing spaces to more than 2,100. "The members of the Town and Gown Committee welcome the news of the new housing initiative," said Michelle Bray, Town and Gown chairperson. "It is gratifying to know the work of the committee over the past several months has resulted in this significant development. UOIT and Durham College have heard our messages and they have responded in a positive way. The committee thanks all of those involved at Durham College, UOIT and the Student Association for their hard work and commitment. "We also thank the UOIT and Durham College Boards of Governors for taking this important step toward achieving their vision for the future. We look forward to continued co-operation as we all work toward a healthy and harmonious relationship between our educational institutions and the surrounding communities." Established in the fall of 2006, the mission of the Oshawa Town and Gown Committee is to address the needs and concerns of Durham College and UOIT faculty and students, the neighbouring communities surrounding the campus, the interests of the City of Oshawa and to work towards peaceful and harmonious relations. The committee is comprised of representatives for the City of Oshawa, local residents, the Durham Regional Police Services, UOIT, Durham College and the student body.
Source: University of Ontario Institute of Technology

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October 2, 2007
2007 Legacy Gala Raises $412,000 to Support Bursaries and Endowments for University of Ontario Institute of Technology Students
Thanks to the generous contributions of sponsors, auction donors and other guests at the 2007 Legacy Gala in support of Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), hundreds of students will now be able to make their post-secondary dreams a reality. The sixth annual gala, held September 28 at Tosca Banquet Hall, raised more than $412,000 for student bursaries and scholarship endowments, which includes $206,000 in matching funds through the provincial government's Ontario Trust for Student Support. "On behalf of the students of UOIT, I would like to express my heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in contributing to the resounding success of the 2007 Legacy Gala," said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT. "Ongoing support for this event ensures that financial barriers to a post-secondary education will continue to be broken down. It ensures many more men and women will be able to access UOIT's leading-edge learning environment and pursue innovative programs that will prepare them for rewarding careers." The Marrakech-themed event, which transported guests to the exotic and beautiful 'Rose City' in Morocco, was attended by hundreds of guests, including business and corporate leaders, politicians and other community leaders, staff and administration from both schools and students. Guests were treated to authentic Moroccan cuisine, belly dancing, fire-eating, sword-swallowing and acrobats. More than 40 local businesses and sponsors donated auction items to the event. This year's Gala was co-chaired by Dr. Peter and Mrs. Marianne Zakarow, longtime community leaders and ongoing supporters of Durham College and UOIT. Dr. Zakarow is current chair of the Durham College Foundation, former chair of the college Board of Governors and was an integral force behind the creation of UOIT. As part of their continuing commitment, the Zakarows donated $500,000 for the creation of UOIT's largest lecture hall, the Dr. Peter Zakarow Auditorium. "My wife and I are very proud to serve as honorary co-chairs because we share a deep-rooted connection to the values of Durham College and UOIT," said Dr. Zakarow. "Helping make higher education a reality for more young people is very exciting and rewarding." Sponsors of this year's gala included the Albis family, owners of Tosca, Mondo Ristorante and Avanti Trattoria; the Caribbean Event; Ontario Power Generation; the Patchett family; and the Pardy family, which created a scholarship in memory of their husband and father, Roger Pardy, for students pursuing a career in police services. Additional sponsors included Metroland, the Durham Region Home Builders' Association, BMO Financial Group, Durham College Alumni Association, the Dwayne Moses Memorial Walk and Run, EllisDon, RBC Financial Group, Durham Regional Police Services Board and Rogers. "Durham College would like to thank everyone for joining us to celebrate the treasured partnerships between the college and donors, businesses and community partners," said Leah Myers, president of Durham College. "Once again, your contributions have made this event a tremendous success and will make a real difference, helping our students gain the market-ready skills needed to attain great careers and make a difference in the world." The Legacy Gala is held each September to raise funds for students attending UOIT and Durham College. It is designed to relieve students' financial burden and help them pursue their post-secondary educational goals.
Source: University of Ontario Institute of Technology

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September 18, 2007
Sheridan Earns International Recognition For Innovative Use Of Visual Collaberation Technology
Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning has received a 2007 Computerworld Honors Program Laureate in the category of Education for the project titled, "Enhanced Communications & Collaboration". Established in 1988, the Computerworld Honors Program brings together the Chairmen and CEOs of the world's foremost information technology companies to recognize those whose use of information technology has been especially noteworthy for the originality of its conception, breadth of its vision, and benefit to society. Laureate Case Studies are inducted into the Computerworld Honors Program Archives on six continents and will be included in the permanent research collections of over 350 distinguished national archives, museums and institutions of higher learning. Sheridan has one of the most advanced video communication infrastructures in the country. Sheridan's capabilities include high definition video conferencing, firewall traversal for video, conference recording/streaming and desktop collaboration. The video systems and VoIP systems are also completely integrated. "We have applied this technology to support inter-campus collaboration and communication by faculty and staff, reducing travel time and costs," says Trevor Hanekamp, Sheridan's Senior Telecom Analyst and lead for the project. Hanekamp also sits on the planning committee of Virtual Researchers on Call (www.vroc.ca), a Canada-wide program with the mandate to connect thousands of scientists and researchers to any high school classroom. VROC aims to promote interest in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as well as to give Canadian students a competitive advantage in the global economy by engaging them with professionals currently working in these fields. Sheridan's video infrastructure is used to interconnect universities, colleges, school boards and content providers. "We are having a significant impact by using our infrastructure and expertise to ‘virtually' connect STEM experts with high school students," says Hanekamp.
Source: Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Ontario

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September 10, 2007
Campaign to Share University of Windsor's Story with National Audience
Today the University of Windsor will launch its first major marketing initiative to spread the story of UWindsor's accomplishments in teaching, research and innovation, to an ever-larger, ever-changing audience. "The time is right for this campaign," said Kevin Doyle, Executive Director of Public Affairs and Communications. "Our research has shown that students, faculty, parents and alumni are overwhelmingly satisfied with their UWindsor experience. We'll be using this marketing exercise to reach out to a national and international audience - to share our unique attributes with people who don't yet know our story." To that end, the University, assisted by Cossette Communications, an internationally recognized marketing firm will launch a national advertising campaign this fall. On Monday the University unveiled the new tagline, Thinking Forward, a nod to the school's focus on taking responsibility for delivering change in the community and the world, as well as to the notion that students can be a part of this change from the moment they join the UWindsor community. The soft blue and fresh green of the logo represent the University's location on one of North America's most important waterways, and its focus on the environment and innovation for the future. "Our brand is a reflection of who we are as an institution and what we bring to the community and our students, both now and in the future," Doyle said. "This is more than a fancy tagline and logo, it speaks to the values we stand for - progressive, accessible, ethnically diverse, dynamic, innovative, international and welcoming - these are terrific attributes and will be reflected and reinforced in everything we do with this campaign. President Ross Paul says the launch comes at the most promising moment in the university's 44-year history. "We are on the cusp of something great," Dr. Paul said. "We are in the process of building a medical school on campus that will bring much-needed doctors to our community, and we have just received a $40 million vote of confidence from the province to proceed on construction of the Centre for Engineering Innovation," he added. "This is a period of unprecedented growth and the ideal time to let the world know of our accomplishments. The new brand identity will help us do that - we are indeed Thinking Forward."
Source: University of Windsor, Ontario

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September 10, 2007
Sheridan Photography Student Wins International Award
Sarah Wright, a recent graduate of Sheridan’s Applied Photography program, is a first-place recipient in the 2007 Microsoft Future Pro Photographer Competition. Her photograph, "Femme Fatale", came first in the ‘People and Portraits’ Category. Ms. Wright was flown to Redmond, Washington earlier this summer to receive her prize, which included $2,000 cash, a Dell computer, Canon digital camera, and Adobe software. The contest was open to college and university students around the world. Sarah’s entry was one of over 15,600 submitted by student photographers in 90 countries. She is continuing her education at Sheridan this fall, having enrolled in the Visual Merchandising Arts program. Sheridan's Applied Photography Program offers an exceptional education in the conceptual and aesthetic aspects of photography combined with leading-edge technical and practical knowledge and skills. Students learn to meet the demands of major types of commercial photography while developing their imagination and creativity, and benefit from Sheridan's state of the art photographic gear, digital production labs, and studios.
Source: Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Ontario

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