gazette - memorial university · in this interview with gazette contributor jennifer batten,...

Senior appointment Associate vice-president (academic) faculty affairs role filled by former director of Faculty Relations.

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Leading the way Student Affairs and Services has created three leadership certificate programs customized to students’ needs.

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memoriaL rememberS Memorial’s pensioners’ association is inviting submissions for a book of personal memoirs about the era 1950–90.

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Dr. Jeffrey Pittman has been named the

Faculty of Business Administration’s first research chair.

“The creation of the Chair in Corporate Governance

and Transparency underscores the Faculty of Business

Administration’s commitment to excellence and rele-

vance,” said Dr. Wilfred Zerbe, dean, Faculty of Business

Administration. “Through this chair, we are building

on an established area of research leadership to increase

the impact of our world-class research, and to enhance

our contribution to public policy and corporate best

practices.”

A $500,000 contribution from Power Corporation

of Canada to Memorial’s $50-million private sec-

tor fundraising campaign, Dare To: The Campaign for

Memorial University, is supporting academic excellence

at Memorial. The university has designated this fund-

ing to the Faculty of Business Administration to support

the establishment of the chair. Corporate governance is

an area of growing interest in the global business sec-

tor. It focuses on the development of processes and best

practices for corporate stakeholder relations, including

reliable financial reporting and overall transparency

and accountability.

Along with teaching in Memorial’s Faculty of

Business Administration, the chair will undertake orig-

inal research and integrate research from various disci-

plines concerning the role of corporate governance in

Canada and beyond.

Dr. Pittman joined the Faculty of Business

Administration in 2000 after finishing his PhD at

the University of Waterloo. Along with his appoint-

ment as Memorial’s Chair in Corporate Governance

and Transparency, he is also the university’s

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Professor

of Accounting. He holds two professional account-

ing designations, chartered accountant and certified

management accountant, and has compiled an excep-

tional track record which includes publishing 14 articles

in journals on the Financial Times’ list of top business

journals. Dr. Pittman has presented his research at

some of the best scholarly conferences in his discipline,

with his research routinely informing public policy

discourse.

“I am thrilled to be appointed to this role, which

I’m optimistic will enable me to continue to analyze

the importance of firm-level and country-level gover-

nance structures to corporate economic outcomes,”

said Dr. Pittman. “Ideally, research under the Chair

in Corporate Governance and Transparency will have

broad policy implications, hopefully leading to reforms

that will benefit the economy.”

GAZETTEA M E M O R I A L U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W F O U N D L A N D P U B L I C AT I O N

April 24, 2013 Volume 45 Number 13

Publication Mail Registration No. 40062527

SpeCiaL anniVerSary memorial student and tetra Society member ashley Sullivan, left, accepts the glenn roy blundon award on behalf of dr. Leonard Lye and the tetra Society from olga blundon, glenn roy blundon’s mother, during the blundon Centre’s 20th anniversary celebrations. See related story on page 9.

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Corporate cultureFirst research chair named in the Faculty of business administrationBy Laura Barron

See CORPORATE story on page 4

Gazette | Wednesday, April 24, 2013 2 www.mun.ca/gazette

By amy Tucker

special to the Gazette

Yaffle.ca is Memorial’s online connecting tool. One of its most

significant jobs is to provide a way for people from outside Memorial

to ask for research help. With hundreds of community-suggested

opportunities to choose from, your next project is just a click away.

Here’s one …

The opportunity:

In her role as the executive director with the Labrador

West Status of Women Council, Noreen Careen has been

working with some members of the immigrant popula-

tion in Labrador West. A sizeable number of immigrants

have moved to the region for gainful employment, and

they have been recognized for saving the local service

sector.

“Without the immigrants, many of the retail organiza-

tions would probably not be able to operate on a perma-

nent basis,” said Ms. Careen. “A lack of human resources

is one of the major issues facing Labrador West in this

time of economic boom. Retail business, along with not-

for-profit organizations, cannot compete with big mining

or contracting companies.”

Ms. Careen has learned that many members of the

immigrant population are working in the lower skilled

service industry. However, many of these new arrivals

are highly educated and may aspire to work in an area of

their expertise. There are concerns that these immigrants

are not being integrated as well as they could be into the

local community, and their needs and aspirations are not

being met.

“I feel by them not being integrated into our commu-

nity that we are missing out on some of their great skill

sets. Also I feel that if they were better integrated into the

community they would feel a sense of belonging and will

stay for the long term. Many express concerns of lack of

extended family. ”

Ms. Careen also notes that in her work, she and her

colleagues find themselves helping newcomers with liv-

ing arrangements. Workers are often provided with over-

crowded and expensive accommodations in Labrador

West.

It is also difficult to assess the challenges that immi-

grants face, says Ms. Careen, as many are reluctant to

make them known. As they are often sponsored to the

province by their employers, they may be afraid that

speaking out could cause them to lose their current

employment or living arrangements that are part of their

work contract.

There also seems to be a lack of services available in

Labrador West to help immigrants, from both govern-

ment and non-profits, she says. The Advanced Education

and Skills-funded role that provides assistance to immi-

grants when needed is based in Happy Valley-Goose Bay;

however, the staff member has left the position. Also, Dr.

Careen notes: “I have heard from immigrants that the clo-

sure of our Employment Connection Center in Labrador

West will also have a profound effect on those looking for

assistance with job search, resumé writing, etc.”

The project:

It would be useful to conduct a study of the local

immigrant community — their needs, the challenges

they face, their aspirations and what can be done to

improve accommodations for these groups, says Dr.

Careen.

“I think for a research project it would be great to talk

directly with some of the many immigrants in Labrador

West and find out how they are coping with the move.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done to expand

intercultural understanding.”

Interested in learning more about this project? Amy Tucker, co-ordinator

of knowledge mobilization at the Harris Centre, would love to tell you

more. Call her at 709-864-6115 or email her at [email protected].

GAZETTEA M E M O R I A L U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W F O U N D L A N D P U B L I C AT I O N

EdiToR GRAPhics Mandy cook Molly Baker

Regular contributors

courtenay AlcockLaura Barron

Jennifer BattenRebecca cohoe

Melanie callahanNora dalyPaula dykeMoira FinnKelly Foss

Pamela Gillsharon GrayJanet harron

Jill hunt

Jackey LockeVirginia Middleton

Peter Morrisshannon o’dea dawson

Naomi osborneMichelle osmond

david PenneyMarcia Porterdave sorensen

Meaghan Whelansusan White-MacPherson

heidi Wicks Laura Woodford

classified Advertising Photography Kelly hickey chris hammond

AdvertisingMandy cook

Telephone: 709-864-2142Email: [email protected]

Next Gazette deadline May 8 for May 15 publication.

The Gazette is published 17 times annually by the division of Marketing and communications at Memorial Uni versity.

Material in the Gazette may be reprinted or broadcast without permission, excepting materials for which the Gazette does not hold exclusive copyright.

Gazette, Room A-1024 Memorial University of Newfoundland st. John’s, NL A1c 5s7 Telephone: 709-864-2142 Fax: 709-864-8699 Email: [email protected] issN 0228-88 77

With the exception of advertisements from Memorial University, ads carried in the Gazette do not imply recommendation by the university for the service or product.

your next project

correctionMargot Reid, a spring 2013 honorary graduate whose bio-

graphy appeared in the April 3 Gazette, was born in St. John’s,

N.L., not Saint John, N.B. The Gazette apologizes for the error.

The Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium is a unique, non-profit

organization that was started by a group of Memorial

University graduates with a passion for the ocean and the

creatures that lie beneath it. In this interview with Gazette

contributor Jennifer Batten, executive director melanie

Knight discusses the aquarium’s beginnings and what it

will mean for ocean sciences in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The facility’s grand opening will take place June 15; all are

welcome to attend. For more information on this initiative,

visit www.miniaqua.org .

JB: tell me about how the Petty Harbour mini

aquarium got started?

mK: The Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium is modelled after

the very successful Ucluelet Mini Aquarium on British

Columbia’s west coast. After my first year at Memorial

University, I moved to Ucluelet, B.C., to go surfing and

ended up spending all my time at the mini aquarium

that had just opened there. I started volunteering with

the organization and eventually began working there.

The experience changed my life. It helped me apply

my biology degree and figure out what kind of marine

biologist I wanted to be.

I came back to Memorial for second year with a new-

found determination and passion. I wished we had a

marine aquarium right here in the province to continue

to teach at, but there wasn’t one. The idea came up

during a conversation with Memorial professor Dr. Ian

Jones about my summer experience. “So start one here,”

he said. “What? No way!” I thought. Well, seven years

later, here we are launching the Petty Harbour Mini

Aquarium. I guess the idea that was at first totally outra-

geous, took root. I’ve spent the last seven years getting

the work, volunteer experience, training, education and

mentorship that would prepare me to start something

like this.

Bowater House president and dear friend Kaylen Hill

and I kept talking about the idea throughout the years.

Kaylen, who is a graduate of the Marine Institute, holds

a bachelor of science from Memorial and is a master’s

candidate at Memorial, is now the president of the Petty

Harbour Mini Aquarium board of directors along with

directors Justin Dearing, a Memorial bachelor of science

graduate, Kiley Best, a Marine Institute researcher and

graduate and Memorial bachelor of science graduate,

and Keith Mercer and Geoff Coughlan, both Marine

Institute instructors. I finished my biology degree from

Memorial through distance education while in B.C. Our

team is one big MUN family!

JB: What can people see/do when they visit the Petty

Harbour mini aquarium?

mK: Touch! You can also smell, stare, compare, zoom

in, jaw drop, ask, wonder, cringe, draw, gasp, pledge,

give and be inspired! The animals you could expect to

see on display would be charismatic intertidal and sub-

tidal life, such as sea stars and anemones, snails, crabs,

jellies, lumpfish, ocean pout, wolf fish, the infamous

lobster, seasonal seaweeds and schools of juvenile fish.

Small 360-degree viewing, open-topped tanks allow

for close interactions that you can’t get at other large

aquariums. Video microscopes, a children’s play area

and a scuba diver dress-up photo booth will also be

among the exhibits.

JB: How will the Petty Harbour mini aquarium impact

ocean sciences in newfoundland and Labrador?

mK: Like nowhere else, the mini aquarium will be a

place to spark conversations about ocean conservation.

A place where students, researchers, fishermen, families

and tourists can come together to discuss, share

and learn about our oceans. Old traditions and new

research will be compared and displayed to show our

hard lessons learned and the advancements from them.

We hope the mini aquarium will become a hub which

fosters our natural curiosity for what lies beneath the

big blue blanket.

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fisHeries science anD researcH

initiatives were the focus of more than $2 million

in funding to the Marine Institute’s (MI) Centre for

Fisheries Ecosystems Research (CFER) from the provincial

government this month.

The funding was announced the same day CFER research

scientists set sail from Ireland on board the Irish national

research vessel, RV Celtic Explorer, on a transatlantic survey.

The multidisciplinary survey was led by Dr. George

Rose, director, CFER. It gathered oceanographic data as

well as acoustic recordings across the entire North Atlantic.

The survey built on work completed during two previous

transatlantic surveys in 2011 and 2012.

As MI’s newest centre in fisheries research, CFER has

become the largest university-based, at-sea fisheries

ecosystems research unit in Canada.

The centre’s expansion has significantly impacted

provincial capabilities in fisheries research. It has

allowed the team to conduct extensive research in the

Newfoundland and Labrador marine ecosystem and

contribute to the knowledge base and stock assessment of

cod, capelin, shrimp and crab.

CFER’s research plays a significant role in better

understanding our changing ocean environment and the

effects climate change will have on fish stocks.

“The provincial government’s continued support for

the advancement of the Fisheries and Marine Institute

in the global oceans sector has been essential to our

development,” said Glenn Blackwood, vice-president,

Memorial University (Marine Institute). “The centre

mentors future generations in fisheries science and plays

a significant role in better understanding our changing

ocean environment.”

During the announcement, a financial contribution to

the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI) for

the coming year was also highlighted.

“We certainly need to understand what is happening

to our ecosystem and our fish resources to ensure the

product we harvest and process is used for the benefit

of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Robert Verge,

managing director, CCFI. “We believe there is a bright

future for the seafood industry and will continue working

to help create that future. Over the past three and a half

years, the centre has used provincial government funding

to initiate or support projects valued at $24 million. We

thank the provincial government for the additional

contribution for the coming year and we will ensure it is

used wisely to help build the Newfoundland and Labrador

fishery.”

Derrick Dalley, minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture,

was provided a tour of CFER’s lab and CCFI’s high pressure

processing unit after the announcement.

Since the inception of both the Centre for Fisheries

Ecosystems Research and the Canadian Centre for Fisheries

Innovation, the Provincial Government of Newfoundland

and Labrador has invested almost $15 million toward both

initiatives.

noW tHat tHe winter semester of 2013 has

ended, many students may consider taking the next

four months off from school. Some will work within

their placement programs, get part-time jobs, travel,

reconnect with friends and family or fill the time with

entertainment and pure leisure. Before getting too

comfortable with your spring/summer plans though,

consider the downfalls of having too much time off

from academics.

Upon returning in the fall, many students have

difficulty getting back into the routines they held before.

Opening those thick, heavy books is one of the toughest

tasks to face in September. Perhaps some people take

too much of a break from classes and neglect the brain’s

need for constant training, which should be maintained

during the off-season.

Simple tasks like reading books and magazines,

especially ones that are related to your field of study, are a

healthy way for minds to remain fresh. This may provide

opportunity to apply what you have already learned in

school and remain up-to-date in your chosen field. A lot

of our studies reference previous classes so it is important

to maintain that basic knowledge.

MUN offers courses all throughout the summer. They

offer intersession, which are full semesters compacted

into two months, along with the full four-month

semester. Keep in mind, the more classes you take now,

the fewer you will have to do as you close in on your

final year.

For those of us who will return to home outside of

St. John’s, or dedicate our summer to working full-

time hours, there is the option of taking courses online

through MUN’s distance education unit, DELTS. If you

cannot find a class that credits your declared major, there

is likely one available that fills an elective requirement

for your degree. This will help with the upkeep of your

study habits.

By reducing to part-time studies during the summer,

you still have the flexibility in your schedule to enjoy free

time or work. If you have plans to travel, an intersession

course from May–June or June–August is also an option.

MUN encourages us to maintain our knowledge by

offering courses during the spring and summer months.

The mind is like a muscle that craves exercise and

nourishment (i.e., knowledge) for its growth and health.

A prof once mentioned that it is our most important

asset and we must always put it to use. Take a moment to

rethink how you might spend your spring/summer and

consider filling those empty gaps by staying on top of

academics.

Joshua Duff is a fourth-year student majoring in political science and

English language and literature at Memorial University. He can be reached

at [email protected].

StuDentVieWJoshua Duff

School is finished. now what do i do?

Future of fisheriesprovincial government supports fisheries science at marine institute

By naomi osborne

Kiley best, fisheries technologist, examines a cod otolith at mi’s Centre for Fisheries ecosystems research.

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Dr. anDy Jones,

an honorary graduate of

Memorial, former writer-

in-residence and occasional

instructor in the Department

of English Language and

Literature, was awarded

the 2012 BMO Winterset

Award for his book Jack and

Mary in the Land of Thieves

(published by Running the

Goat Books & Broadsides of St. John’s).

Jack and Mary in the Land of Thieves is the first picture

book to receive the prestigious award and the first winning

book to have been published by a publisher based in

Newfoundland and Labrador.

The BMO Winterset Award celebrates excellence in

Newfoundland and Labrador writing, in any genre.

It honours the memory of Sandra Fraser Gwyn, St.

John’s-born social historian, prize-winning author and

passionate promoter of the Newfoundland and Labrador

arts community. Her husband, journalist and author

Richard Gwyn, established the award in 2000.

morgan cooPer has been named associate

vice-president (academic) faculty affairs. He has also

been appointed associate professor in the Environmental

Studies Program in the Division of Social Science

at Grenfell Campus, with an association with the

Environmental Policy Institute.

The recommendations of the search committee were

accepted by the president and approved by the executive

committee of the Board of Regents.

Mr. Cooper’s appointment as associate vice-president

(academic) faculty affairs is effective April 15, 2013, for

a five-year term.

“Please join me in welcoming Mr. Cooper to this posi-

tion,” said Dr. David Wardlaw, provost and vice-president

(academic). “I am very pleased with the outcome and

look forward to working with Mr. Cooper. I know that he

is eager to assume this position and I am confident that

he will provide dynamic and effective leadership for the

portfolio and the university.”

Mr. Cooper replaces Dr. Grant Gardner who completed

his term as associate vice-president (academic) on March 31.

Dr. Wardlaw acknowledged Dr. Gardner’s work in

this role.

“We thank Dr. Gardner for his valuable contributions

to the university and appreciate his extraordinary dedi-

cation to the portfolio,” said Dr. Wardlaw.

Mr. Cooper has held the position of director of

Faculty Relations at Memorial since April 2008. His core

responsibilities in that role include leadership in the

collective bargaining process for all academic collective

agreements; day-to-day administration of all academic

collective agreements and maintaining working rela-

tionships with union leadership; providing advice to

academic administrators on all matters involving the

recruitment, appointment, promotion and tenure of fac-

ulty members and on university policies as they pertain

to faculty members; and managing the operations of the

Office of Faculty Relations.

Mr. Cooper has been active in the local community

throughout his career and he currently holds the posi-

tion of president of the Law Society of Newfoundland

and Labrador, having served eight years as an elected

bencher of the Law Society.

Prior to his appointment at Memorial, Mr. Cooper was

a partner with McInnes Cooper in the firm’s employ-

ment and labour group where he had responsibility for

all aspects of employment and labour law, including

advocacy before administrative tribunals courts, collec-

tive bargaining support and tactical and strategic advice

to corporations.

Mr. Cooper has held positions as vice-chair and chair

of the Labour Relations Board with the Government of

Newfoundland and Labrador for a combined period of

five years.

From 1994–2001, he held the appointment of

assistant professor at Memorial’s Faculty of Business

Administration. Mr. Cooper has also been a per course

instructor for Business since 2001.

He holds a bachelor of commerce (honours) from

Memorial, a master of industrial relations from the

University of Toronto and a bachelor of laws from

Dalhousie.

The position of associate vice-president (academic) fac-

ulty affairs reports to the provost and vice-president (aca-

demic), and will be an active participant in a team-based

approach to senior academic leadership in the Office of

the Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

This portfolio will have primary responsibilities in all

areas pertaining to the employment relationship, the aca-

demic workplace, career development and professional

well-being of academic staff (all types of appointment,

including librarians and co-operative education co-ordi-

nators) and instructors. Some of the responsibilities apply

to the St. John’s campus, while others are pan-university.

Initially, there will be one direct report to this position,

namely, the director of the Office of Faculty Relations.

aVpa faculty affairs announced winterset for dr. JonesBy Janet harron

notABLeshannon gill and Will Bradford, both graduate students with

the Department of Earth Sciences, have been awarded gradu-

ate fellowships from the Society of Economic Geologists with

funding from the Society of Economic Geologists Canada Foun-

dation (SEGCF). In the 2013 competition, only 32 fellowships

were awarded globally. Ms. Gill, a M.Sc. student, is working on

the Lemarchant volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit in

central Newfoundland, while Mr. Bradford is a M.Sc. student

working on the isotope geochemistry of trace minerals associat-

ed with VMS mineralization in the Wolverine deposit, Yukon.

sandra cooke-Hubley, a third-year medical student, has won

a US$1,750 travel award to attend a conference in Japan in May

with Dr. Christopher Kovacs, Faculty of Medicine. The confer-

ence is the joint meeting of the International Bone and Mineral

Society and the Japanese Society of Bone and Mineral Research.

This award for Ms. Cooke-Hubley was for her research abstract

titled Circulating FGF23 Is Regulated by PTH and Calcitriol

During Fetal Development But Low FGF23 Does Not Signifi-

cantly Alter Fetal Phosphorus Metabolism. The research was

largely done last summer, with her salary funded by a summer

undergraduate research award.

Dr. anne thareau has been re-appointed head of the Depart-

ment of French and Spanish for a further three-year term.

Dr. yuri muzychka has been appointed associate dean, re-

search, in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science for a

one-year term, renewable for an additional two years.

Dr. Philip Branigan has been appointed head of the Depart-

ment of Linguistics for a three-year term.

Kimberly Blanchard, Department of Human Resources; gary

Pike, Department of Financial and Administrative Services;

John Hogan, legal representative; and Dr. tim fletcher, parent

representative, have been appointed to the Childcare Board

for two-year terms. Lisa murphy and travis Perry, Memorial

University of Newfoundland Students’ Union representatives,

have been appointed for one-year terms.

Janice galliott has been re-appointed university director on the

Western Sports and Entertainment Inc.’s board of directors until

Sept. 30, 2014.

anne richardson, director/general manager of The Works, has

retired from the position. Craig Neil was appointed to the role

as of April 13, 2013, by the Memorial University Recreation

Complex board. Mr. Neil has been a member of The Works

team for the past 12 years and was a key member of the senior

management team.

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Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor,

sees this new chair as an opportunity to advance corpo-

rate governance nationally, and to distinguish Memorial

as a research institution.

“This generous contribution from Power Corporation

of Canada will help Memorial University to take a lead

role in the development of Canadian expertise in cor-

porate governance,” said Dr. Kachanoski. “As Memorial

grows, investments such as this are key to attracting the

very best students and faculty to our university.”

Power Corporation has had a long history with the

university, and was keen to be a part of the campaign,

and to support academic excellence at Memorial.

“Power Corporation of Canada’s involvement with

Memorial University goes back more than 30 years,”

said Edward Johnson, vice-president, Power Corporation

International. “We are particularly pleased to extend our

relationship with Memorial by contributing to the Dare

To campaign. Our contribution to this campaign is part

of a larger program of community involvement which has

been part of our corporate culture for many years.”

con’t from CORPORATE on page 1

dr. Jeffrey pittman, edward Johnson, dr. gary Kachanoski and dr. wilfred Zerbe unveil a donation from power Corporation of Canada.


seeing your ByLine in print can be pretty

exciting, and that’s how six master’s students at

Memorial’s School of Nursing felt when they found out

their work is being published in the Canadian Journal of

Nursing Infomatics.

The Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics is a

scholarly, peer-reviewed journal that aims to promote

the advancement of infomatics within Canada’s nursing

community.

As part of their course work for Dr. Wendy Young’s

distance education class in nursing infomatics, students

were asked to write final papers that focused on a project

they would like to see implemented in the practice

setting.

Nursing infomatics is a specialty that facilitates

integration of health care data, information and

knowledge to support nursing practice and decision-

making — using high quality research to propose

evidence-based change.

“Having a piece of work published feels like obtaining

success at a level that is different from academic

accomplishment,” said Carla Kennedy, one of the

master’s students and a critical care nurse at St. Clare’s

Mercy Hospital. “I’m surprised, and humbled.”

Ms. Kennedy, a graduate of the Western Regional

School of Nursing, wrote about the use of mobile

communications in health-care delivery with co-author

Dr. Young, an assistant professor in the School of

Nursing and the Canada Research Chair in Healthy

Aging.

Seeking publication in the journal was voluntary

and beyond the scope of the students’ course work. The

issue is including a special section to showcase student

work, with the Memorial nursing students’ papers the

first to be selected to appear.

“I feel fortunate to have my work published this early

in the master’s program,” said Sarah Payne, who wrote

her paper about electronic documentation. “I am very

proud of this accomplishment and it certainly inspires

me to continue my studies.”

A graduate of the Centre for Nursing Studies and a

staff nurse in the surgical unit at the Janeway Children’s

Hospital, Ms. Payne explored the benefits of using

electronic documentation systems to document vital

clinical information that nurses would typically record

on paper charts.

“We encourage our students to publish, and to engage

in scholarly activity,” said Dr. Shirley Solberg, associate

dean (graduate programs and research) at the School of

Nursing. “It’s absolutely essential if we are to develop

and share new knowledge.”

“Our nursing students are interested in using nursing

informatics to improve patient care, and I’m so proud of

them,” said Dr. Young. “Writing and researching these

articles gets them thinking and writing about important

issues, and it’s really helpful to have a publication on

their resumés.”

tHe memoriaL University of Newfoundland

Pensioners’ Association (MUNPA) memoir group is

inviting submissions for a book of personal memoirs

about the era 1950–1990 by retired Memorial

University professors, librarians, instructors, technical

and administrative staff.

The group was started 10 years ago after retired

English professor Dr. Roberta Buchanan was asked

by several MUNPA members — including Dr. Raoul

Andersen of the Department of Anthropology and the

late Dr. Don Steele of the Department of Biology — to do

a workshop on memoir writing. A group of interested

retirees then started meeting once a month.

“We think that the uniqueness of Memorial

University and its challenging early decades could

result in our memoirs being a valuable supplement

to the literature about academic life in Canada,” said

Dr. Stephen Riggins of the Department of Sociology.

“We also anticipate that alumni will enjoy reading

this volume and believe it may even contribute to the

community spirit of the university.”

Dr. Riggins, who is currently writing a history of the

Department of Sociology, will co-edit the volume with

Dr. Buchanan. They welcome the following types of

articles: autobiographical reminiscences about careers

at Memorial University, including how the author

came to Memorial; articles about deceased members

of the groups mentioned above; interviews with staff

or faculty members who do not wish to submit an

article of their own; and stories about institutions

and events at Memorial, such as the Junior Division,

Extension Services, Botanical Garden, the student

strike, Women’s Association (WAMUN), Institute of

Social and Economic Research, academic departments,

campus theatre, art gallery and so forth.

The MUNPA memoir group meets informally one

afternoon a month in A3015 to read and discuss their

memoirs. Members include retired librarians, retirees

from geography, sociology, anthropology, women’s

studies (now gender studies), physics, biology, the

School of Medicine and the School of Music, among

others. They have documented not only their own

personal histories but also how their personal lives are

intertwined with the history of their years at Memorial

University. The book project was the next natural step,

according to Dr. Buchanan.

Her own first memories of Memorial include arriving

on the Newfie Bullet in August 1964 and being met

by the head of the English department, Dr. Seary, and

his wife Gwen, and “how kind and welcoming they

were to a nervous young new immigrant and faculty

member.”

The deadline for submissions is Sept. 1, 2013. The

editors request articles averaging 2,000–3,000 words

with photographs if possible. Memorial retirees who

are interested in submitting an article or those in the

Memorial community who wish to suggest names of

potential contributors or topics, should contact the

editors at [email protected] or [email protected].

Student showcasegraduate students publish research in national nursing journalBy marcia Porter

the arts and administration building in 1961, from the S.J. Carew collection.

Remembering Memorialpensioners’ association inviting submissions for book of personal memoirs

By Janet harron

From left are nurses and graduate students Carla Kennedy and Sarah payne.

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a screen capture from a video used in an online nursing course.

Doreen Westera is passionate

about spirituality in nursing education

and practice, and it shows. An associate

professor at Memorial’s School of Nursing,

her work is not only valued in this

province, but is in demand nationally and

around the world.

Over the past year Ms. Westera, together

with Distance Education, Learning and

Teaching Support (DELTS), created 13

videos for Memorial’s online Nursing

2990 course, Spiritual Dimensions of

Nursing Practice. Word soon spread about

the videos as distributing companies in

Canada, the United States, Australia and

Hong Kong are now carrying them. Several

of her videos have also been translated

into Mandarin for use in China.

“There are very few resources on

spirituality and nursing, which is

why these videos are in demand,” she

explained. “I didn’t set out for it to happen

that way, but people heard about them

and wanted to purchase them for use in

their own courses and curriculum.”

Early in 2012, Ms. Westera embarked

on a journey to develop (and redevelop)

videos to better engage nursing students

on the subject of spirituality in nursing,

and to facilitate nurses’ competence in

the subject matter when dealing with

their patients. Adverse events, such as

illness, often stimulate spiritual searching

yet, according to Ms. Westera, there is

ample evidence in nursing literature that

the spiritual element is often ignored in

nursing curriculum and practice.

“My goal is for students to feel they have

the skills, know what questions to ask and

how to respond when asked the “why”

question by patients, and to know what

spiritual needs are,” she said. “Sometimes

nurses are the best people to provide

spiritual care as they are with patients

24/7. But nurses are missing this all over

the place because they aren’t adequately

prepared.”

In teaching spirituality in nursing it was

important to Ms. Westera that her students

hear the voices of real clients, and video

was the medium to do that. By hearing

real human stories she felt it would help

students connect theory to practice.

“Real patient stories help students to

realize that the definition of spirituality is

different for each person. And they hear

from real patients what they read in the

research — it makes the theory come to

life. I don’t tell people what to say, and

yet both the professionals and patients

interviewed reinforce the theories in the

literature and research.

“And personally, being able to interview

real patients and interact with them on

such an intimate level is both inspiring and

humbling in many ways. It’s a privilege as

nurses to be involved with people as they

journey through their experiences.”

The series of videos, which was used

during the winter 2013 semester, includes

three core videos that address general

aspects of spiritual care and assessment, as

well as 10 videos that focus on spirituality

in relation to specific groups. Some videos

focus on spirituality in the context of

specific illnesses such as Parkinson’s,

addictions, HIV/AIDS and mental health.

Others focus on spiritual care in patient

groups including children and adolescents,

palliative care and life-threatening illness.

This isn’t the first time Ms. Westera has

used videos in a course. Since 1999 she has

worked with DELTS to create 31 videos.

“I don’t know anything about

technology, but as I did more videos I got

more ideas,” she said. “I would do lots of

research, decide who to interview, arrange

interviews and put together the narrations.

DELTS would do the video shooting and

editing, and use their creativity to help

me convey what I wanted to convey in an

effective way.”

In addition to spirituality in nursing,

Ms. Westera has completed videos for

community health nursing, counselling

and communication skills, and one video

on resilience in health crises, which she

co-developed with Doreen Dawe, associate

professor in the School of Nursing.

To view Ms. Westera’s nursing

video resources, visit www.ucs.mun.

ca/~dwestera .

WitH tHe ProLiferation

of computer viruses, phishing emails,

password security issues and other

online security concerns, there is

reason to feel vulnerable or unprotected

about your online activity at times.

Memorial University’s Computing and

Communications (C&C) is launching

an online program on Wednesday,

April 24, to increase computer and

information security awareness to

better protect you and your work, at

Memorial and at home.

All faculty, staff and students at

Grenfell Campus, the Marine Institute

and the St. John’s campus can access

the courseware via Distance Education,

Learning and Teaching Suport’s

(DELTS) Desire2Learn Learning

Management System. The complete

program includes 30 short lessons on

identity theft, viruses, phishing attacks,

password security and more. The total

program is 75 minutes long, but can be

completed in shorter segments, as well.

Visit https://online.mun.ca and log in

with your MUN login username and

password to access the courseware.

“Many security incidents start at

the desktop,” said Kenneth Forward,

C&C’s information technology

security officer. “It’s therefore vital that

everyone know the difference between

safe and unsafe computing practices,

and to know when and how to report

suspicious IT events. Each person in the

Memorial community can help prevent

IT security incidents. This courseware

is designed to provide that knowledge.”

Last year, the Canadian University

Council of Chief Information Officers,

in collaboration with the Canadian

Association of University Business

Officers, issued a national request

for proposals on behalf of member

institutions for IT security awareness

training. Under the resulting standing

offer, member institutions were able

to procure the security awareness

training at a cost far less than any one

individual institution could negotiate.

C&C recently signed a contract

under the standing offer, making the

courseware available to all members of

the Memorial community.

While this courseware may undergo

minor revisions over the summer, all

employees and students are encouraged

to complete the program now, as

security awareness training will be

mandatory for all employees in the fall.

“C&C periodically holds computer

security awareness seminars,” said

Mr. Forward. “We also regularly use

the Newsline email bulletin service

and Twitter to get the word out about

emerging computer security threats.

The new courseware is designed to

enhance these awareness efforts in a

manner that is both convenient for

employees and students, and that is

also cost-effective for the institution.

“Everyone has a role to play when

it comes to online security. Only by

knowing what to look for, and what

practices to follow and avoid, can we

protect ourselves and the university.”

‘Inspiring and humbling’bringing spirituality in nursing to lifeBy courtenay alcock

online protectionC&C offering program to increase online security on campus and at home

By shannon o’dea dawson

Ken Forward, C&C’s it security officer.

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m e m o r i a L university has

taken the next step

in reinvigorating its

partnership with United

Way, naming chairs to a new workplace campaign. The

campaign officially launched Monday, April 8.

Dr. David Wardlaw, provost and vice-president

(academic), named Dr. Gary Gorman, former dean

and now associate professor in the Faculty of Business

Administration, and Karen Kennedy, internal consultant,

Office of the Provost, as co-chairs of the St. John’s campus

payroll deduction campaign committee.

“To reinvigorate our commitment to United Way,

we have recruited a steering committee of university

volunteers from across the institution,” said Dr. Wardlaw.

“The steering committee has identified our first goal to

be a 2013–14 fundraising drive in support of United

Way’s annual workplace campaign.”

Established in 2004, United Way of Newfoundland

and Labrador (UW-NL) is the only United Way chapter

in the province.

“The organization works in partnership with others to

mobilize people and resources to address the root causes

of social problems and to change community conditions

for the better,” said Dr. Gorman, adding that United

Way supports charitable agencies that provide services to

strengthen individuals, families and communities.

“I am delighted to play a role in this invigorated

campaign at Memorial. Memorial’s commitment to

the United Way reflects to our community the spirit of

giving that is so vibrant at Memorial,” said Ms. Kennedy.

UW-NL raises most of the funds to support these

activities through workplace campaigns and corporate

donations.

Memorial University is a founding supporter of United

Way in this province. Its employees have contributed

through the United Way’s workplace campaign via

payroll deduction or direct donation, and some members

of the university community have participated in

activities of UW-NL such as the Stuff a Sock campaign.

after a year-Long intensive development

period, three new concentrated student leadership pilot

programs have emerged from Memorial’s Department

of Student Success Programs.

While student leadership programming at Memorial

has, for the most part, been generalized and focused

on attracting students interested in learning about the

common and universal aspects of leadership, the three

new programs offer an extra level of specialization.

The programs are titled HIRE!, IMPACT and

BUILDING LEADERS respectively. Students who are

passionate not just about leadership, but leadership

in the areas of supervisory skill development, global

issues and competitive sport, now have an opportunity

to expand their skill sets in these specific areas and to

build their resumés and co-curricular records.

“At Memorial University, we are committed to student

learning and development, both within and outside

of the classroom,” said Tom Brophy, director, Student

Success Programs, a department within Student Affairs

and Services. “The development and creation of extra-

curricular student leadership workshops, curriculum

and certificate programs is a growing trend among

post-secondary institutions in North America. I am

pleased to say that Memorial is a trailblazer in this

movement within Canada.”

Tessa Whelan has been taking part in HIRE!, the

certificate program that hones participating students’

supervisory skills. HIRE! offers a series of educational

workshops which provide students like Ms. Whelan

with useful skills and tools to be an efficient and

productive peer supervisor in a professional setting.

The certificate program is offered in partnership

with Career Development and Experiential Learning,

Memorial University’s student union (MUNSU) and

the Department of Student Success Programs.

“I would like to go into management one day, so

this program is a definite asset to my resumé,” said the

second-year double major in business and psychology.

“You need something that will set you apart. I believe

HIRE! gives you the confidence and skill set you

need to manage peers, and be placed ahead of the

competition.”

For students who are interested in learning how to

encourage positive social change in the world, the

IMPACT program is a natural fit. By participating in

various workshops and engaging activities throughout

the program, students enhance their leadership

competencies and have a more holistic understanding

of leadership, global issues and social responsibility.

The program aims to provide students with an

increased self and intercultural awareness, self-efficacy

for leadership, knowledge of current and future global

issues and commitment to global social responsibility.

Impact is offered through the Department of Student

Success Programs.

Andrew Hogan, a first-year general science student,

says the IMPACT program has taught him to be

“internationally minded,” and to remain open to

different possibilities and interpretations.

“Being open-minded and being a part of a

multinational setting go hand in hand and it spells

disaster if something happens otherwise,” Mr. Hogan

said. “We are in a global community where it is very

unlikely that we will not meet anyone from a different

culture, or travel to unknown places, so being able

to understand them and their motivations will make

future endeavours more pleasant and productive for all

concerned.”

For student-athletes who show potential for leading

their teammates to sporting success, BUILDING

LEADERS is designed for them. Participating varsity

athletes enhance their leadership competencies in

a series of workshops focused on teambuilding, self-

awareness, communication skills, problem-solving

and conflict resolution. The program is offered in

partnership with Memorial’s Varsity Athletics and the

Department of Student Success Programs.

Carla Chaytor, a member of the Sea-Hawks wrestling

team, says no matter where her life takes her, BUILDING

LEADERS has taught her much about what it takes to

become a problem-solver — and to teach others to do

the same.

“I thought I already knew what it meant to be a

successful leader, but after just a few sessions I realized

there is a lot more to it,” said the third-year kinesiology

student. “It takes someone who is not afraid to speak

up, who is empathetic, caring, approachable and so

many more things. I enjoy helping others, and helping

others be confident in themselves, too.”

All three certificate programs are being delivered by

a combination of staff and faculty, outside speakers

and even a student — Ryan Murphy, a student assistant

who is employed part-time with the Department of

Student Success Programs is an IMPACT program

participant.

“We’ve had fantastic pan-university collaboration

with our own experts here at Memorial as well as with

our community partners,” said Amy Butt, manager,

Answers, Department of Student Success Programs,

and who was involved in the development of all three

programs. “Workshops have been facilitated by faculty

members such as Dr. Bas Kavanagh from the School of

Human Kinetics and Recreation and Dr. Janna Rosales

from the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.

Remzi Cej, the chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador

Human Rights Commission and a Memorial alumnus

has led sessions, and many Memorial staff members,

such as Greg French from the Office of the General

Counsel and right here with Student Affairs and

Services have all invested their energy and expertise in

building the leaders of the next generation.”

United way campaign chairs named

tessa whelan and Carla Chaytor

Leaders of tomorrowStudent affairs and Services offering programs tailor-made for students leading by example

By mandy cook

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By susan White-macPherson

memoriaL’s Faculty of Business

Administration has retained its interna-

tional accreditation by the Association to

Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

(AACSB), holding its place among the top

business schools in the world.

AACSB International announced

the successful accreditation renewal

of 68 business schools worldwide at its

annual meeting in Chicago, Ill., earlier

this month. The Faculty of Business

Administration was initially accredited

in 2002 — the first in Atlantic Canada

to receive this prestigious designation

— and is still one of only 19 accredited

business schools in Canada.

AACSB is the longest serving global

accrediting body for business schools,

providing a professional standard that

recognizes a high-quality teaching envi-

ronment, a commitment to continu-

ous improvement and curricula that is

responsive to the needs of businesses.

Currently, 672 business schools in 44

countries maintain AACSB accreditation.

“The successful renewal of our accred-

itation by AACSB is confirmation of

our continuing commitment to the

quality of our programs as well as to

our students, the business commu-

nity of Newfoundland and Labrador

and Memorial University,” said Dr.

Wilfred Zerbe, dean, Faculty of Business

Administration.

“The accreditation process is rigor-

ous, requiring in-depth internal review

of our programs and strategic planning

to bring us to the forefront of business

schools in this country. To have suc-

cessfully maintained our accreditation

demonstrates our commitment to ensur-

ing that business students at Memorial

University receive a top quality educa-

tion that stands against the best business

schools in the world.”

“It takes a great deal of commitment

and determination to earn and main-

tain AACSB accreditation,” said Robert

D. Reid, executive vice-president and

chief accreditation officer of AACSB

International. “Business schools must

not only meet specific standards of

excellence, but their deans, faculty and

professional staff must make a commit-

ment to ongoing continuous improve-

ment to ensure that the institution will

continue to deliver the highest quality of

education to students.”

From left are robert Scherer, University of dallas; gerona mcgrath, dr. Larry bauer and dr. wilfred Zerbe, Faculty of business administration, memorial University; and robert reid, aaCSb international.

dr. greg naterer

‘Our continuing commitment’business faculty retains top global accreditation

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memoriaL’s dean of Engineering

and Applied Science is the recipient of

the Canadian Society for Mechanical

Engineering’s (CSME’s) 2013 Jules

Stachiewicz Medal — the highest award in

Canada for contributions to engineering

heat transfer.

Dr. Greg Naterer was selected by a

national honours and awards committee

comprised of his peers for his outstanding

contributions to heat transfer and

thermodynamics. As a result of Dr.

Naterer’s research, new understanding

and technologies have been developed

in a diverse range of thermal engineering

areas that include energy systems, ice

accretion on structures, multiphase and

chemically reacting flows, convection and

heat exchangers.

Dr. Naterer is not only thrilled to receive

this medal, but also to be recognized by

his peers for the research and teaching

he has contributed in the field of thermal

engineering.

“It is a proud achievement to receive this

prestigious award from CSME in an area

where I have worked for more than two

decades,” he said. “I am grateful to CSME,

colleagues and students who made this

success possible and for my contributions

to be recognized for having a positive

impact on industry and society.”

The Jules Stachiewicz Medal was

established in 1983 to honour the late

Jules Stachiewicz, who was a professor

of mechanical engineering at McGill

University for many years. The medal

recognizes outstanding contributions

in the field of heat transfer, including

design, research, manufacturing and

teaching. CSME jointly awards the medal

with the Canadian Society for Chemical

Engineering (CSCE).

Dr. Naterer will receive the award at

the 24th Canadian Congress of Applied

Mechanics (CCAM) in Saskatoon, Sask.,

on June 3.

engineering dean receives prestigious national awardBy Jackey Locke

CanadIan aaCSB-aCCRedITed BuSIneSS SChOOLS:

Goodman School of Business brock University

John Molson School of Business Concordia University

Faculty of Management dalhousie University

heC Montréal Université de montréal

Faculty of Business administration memorial University of newfoundland

deGroote School of Business mcmaster University

School of Business Queen’s University

Ted Rogers School of Management ryerson University

Sobey School of Business Saint mary’s University

Faculty of Business administration Simon Fraser University

School of Business University of alberta

Sauder School of Business University of british Columbia

haskayne School of Business University of Calgary

Faculté des sciences de l’administration Université Laval

I.h. asper School of Business University of manitoba

Telfer School of Management University of ottawa

Joseph L. Rotman School of Management University of toronto

Peter B. Gustavson School of Business University of Victoria

School of Business and economics wilfred Laurier University


WHiLe tHe PersonaL, academic and

professional success of students who’ve come to the

Glenn Roy Blundon Centre over the past 20 years is a

source of pride for Ruth North, she derives nearly as

much inspiration from the changing attitudes of people

who don’t need the centre’s help.

“Across the university, amongst employers and in

society — there is a much greater understanding of dis-

abilities and an appreciation for the value of diversity,”

said Ms. North, manager of the Blundon Centre and

someone who has been involved with the centre since

its inception in the early 1990s. “There’s still much

work to be done and everyone has a role to play.”

This message of co-operation and collaboration was

heard throughout celebrations marking the 20th anni-

versary of the centre, held at the University Centre

recently. More than 100 well-wishers from across the

university, as well as disability community organiza-

tions and government agencies, joined staff, students

and members of the Blundon family to celebrate two

decades of work supporting students with disabilities.

Dedicated to the memory of a former Memorial stu-

dent who was a leading advocate for equality and acces-

sibility issues at Memorial, the Blundon Centre assists

students facilitating access to information, services and

campus facilities and raises awareness of the value of

inclusiveness. From a few dozen students at the start,

the centre now delivers a range of services for hundreds

of students each semester, from test and exam accom-

modation, to assistance technologies such as speech-to-

text software, and convocation accommodation. It also

provides training and advice to faculty, staff and others

to better meet the needs of students with disabilities.

Dr. David Wardlaw, Memorial’s provost and

vice-president (academic), commended the Blundon

Centre for enhancing collaboration throughout

Memorial, enabling many different areas of the univer-

sity to play a role in improving accessibility for students

with disabilities.

“Access means more than removing physical barriers.

It also means developing services to break down barriers

to personal and academic development and enhancing

the quality of student life,” he said while addressing

the gathering. “Memorial is dedicated to giving equal

opportunity to all students and we recognize the impor-

tance of the role the Blundon Centre plays and celebrate

how its services have grown over the past two decades.”

Valda Aucoin, a Memorial alumnus and lifelong

friend of Mr. Blundon, spoke of the kind of inspiring

person Mr. Blundon was, particularly during his years

as a student at Memorial.

“Glenn did not look at life as having limits, but rather

as being limitless,” she said. “He broke the mold on so

many things that he opened people’s eyes and hearts to

the power of determination.”

Rhyder Evans, a recent Memorial graduate who

availed of Blundon Centre support while a student, said

the centre was critical to his success academically and

beyond.

“Often times it is difficult for people to look for sup-

port. However, asking the Blundon Centre for support

helped me reach higher than I could have on my own,”

he explained. “They made me comfortable in a stressful

situation and they made it possible for me to express

the full depth of my knowledge. For the assistance the

centre provided me and continues to provide to people

with disabilities, I thank them.”

Ms. North was quick to acknowledge that members

of the university community, including student groups,

individual faculty members and support staff, academic

and administrative units, fitness facilities and libraries,

have all partnered with the Blundon Centre and com-

munity organizations to give students with disabilities

equal access to a university education and experience.

“We feel we have received tremendous support from

the university and I expect in the decades to come, we

will see even more growth in university-wide collabora-

tion that will benefit all students.”

From left, Kathy Skinner presents a certificate of appreciation to 2013 blundon award nominee Jared thompson, a student assistant at the writing Centre and the Commons.

memoriaL’s latest Rothermere Fellow got his first

taste of digging up the past as a young boy when out

harvesting vegetables with his grandfather and father

in their Twillingate garden. Their potato bed turned out

to be a Dorset Palaeoeskimo site where he and his father

discovered several stone tools.

“After finding my first stone tool, I was instantly

captivated and realized that archaeology was the career

for me,” remembers Robert Anstey, who will be attending

Cambridge University in the fall of 2013. Deciding on

Cambridge was a “no brainer” for Mr. Anstey.

“It’s the top-ranked institution in the world for

studying archaeology and has a strong reputation

for producing some of the world’s most sought-after

scholars,” said the holder of two degrees (BA ’09 and MA

’11) from Memorial.

Mr. Anstey was encouraged to apply for the Rothermere

Fellowship by his master’s supervisor Dr. Priscilla

Renouf, a former Rothermere Fellow herself.

“Robert was one of my best MA students, amongst the

many excellent ones I have been fortunate enough to

supervise,” said Dr. Renouf.

Established by Memorial University’s first chancellor,

Lord Rothermere, this generous trust will fund the full

cost of three years of study in the United Kingdom,

and provides a yearly stipend and airfare to and from

Newfoundland and Labrador. This annual award is

currently valued at about £15,000 per year, plus tuition

fees.

A major part of the Rothermere Fellowship is to reward

students who are committed to Newfoundland and

Labrador and applicants must provide a written letter

on that theme and how this commitment is reflected in

their research.

Mr. Anstey’s PhD research will represent the first

cohesive examination of Amerindian-Palaeoeskimo

interactions in the Strait of Belle Isle. He plans to

synthesize existing data from both sides of the strait,

tying both sides together rather than treating them as

separate, as has been done in the past. On a broader level,

Mr. Anstey’s research will provide an important analogy

for understanding contemporary social relationships

and will contribute to revitalizing the region’s cultural

heritage, therefore supporting future tourism to the area. robert anstey

sUB

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From a twillingate garden to Cambridge UniversityBy Janet harron

‘power of determination’blundon Centre celebrates two decades advocating for students with disabilities By moira Finn


Listed below is a selection of the funding opportunities for which

information has recently been received by the Office of Research

Services. For links to further information on these items, visit

Grant Funding Opportunities on the research website at www.

mun.ca/research/overview/grant_opp.php .

Canada Council for the Arts – Killam Research Fellowships

CIHR and Graham Boeckh Foundation – Transformational

Research in Adolescent Mental Health

CIHR Mental Health Network

CIHR Café Scientifique Program (2013)

CIHR Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging

CIHR Dissemination Events

CIHR – ICRH Emerging Network Grants

CIHR Operating Grant – Canada-China Human Vaccines

CIHR Operating Grant – Collaborative Health Research

Projects (NSERC Partnered) (2013–14)

CIHR Operating Grant – Discovery Frontiers

CIHR Operating Grant – E-Rare-2 Joint Transnational Call on

Rare Diseases

CIHR Planning Grants

CIHR Team Grant – HIV Cure Research

CIHR Team Grants – Mental Disorders

CIHR Travel Awards – Institute Community Support

NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience

(CREATE) Program – Letter of Intent

NSERC Discovery Frontiers – Letter of Intent

SSHRC Digging into Data Challenge

SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis Grants

WCB Research and Workplace Innovation Program 2013

IMMINENT DEADLINES

June 1

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (U.S.)

– Clinical Research Awards (Letter of Intent)

The Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research

– Conference and Workshop Grants

– International Collaborative Research Grants

Memorial University of Newfoundland,

Office of Research Services

– Salary-based Research Grants Program

(Re-designation of Salary)

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (U.K.)

– ACU Titular Fellowships

June 5

National Institutes of Health (U.S.)

– New Research Grants

June 15

The Canada Council for the Arts

– Killam Prizes (Nominations)

Muscular Dystrophy Association (U.S.)

– Research Grants Program (Letter of Intent)

neWS&noteS

togetHer with the College of the North Atlantic

(CNA), Memorial University is working on an initiative

that will ensure an accessible and inclusive environment

for students with individual learning needs associated

with disability(s) and/or mental health issues. Both

institutions are participating in a shared, provincial

conversation to examine existing programs and services

on post-secondary campuses across the province.

Dr. David Philpott, professor in the Faculty of

Education, is a recognized expert in special education

and is leading the project along with Elizabeth Chaulk,

associate vice-president, learner services, at CNA. The

process to date has included a literature review and

environmental scan. As well, a series of consultations

with more than 260 members of the Memorial commu-

nity and organizations and individuals throughout the

province has just been completed.

“What we’ve heard throughout the consultations

is there’s a real interest in looking at how we respond

to these students, and in becoming more proactive,”

explained Dr. Philpott. “We need to create an ecology

of well-being so that we have an environment in which

these students can identify their needs and get effective

support without fear of stigma or repercussion — creat-

ing a more inclusive and healthy campus.”

Now that the information gathering process is com-

plete, Dr. Philpott and Ms. Chaulk will complete a

report for Memorial’s associate vice-president academic

and CNA’s president that will outline recommendations

and a road map toward healthy post-secondary cam-

puses across our province.

“This project is the second of three specific initiatives

developed in response to the recommendation of the

Teaching and Learning Framework to provide support

to academically vulnerable students,” said Dr. Doreen

Neville, associate vice-president academic and co-lead

on the Teaching and Learning Framework. “An effec-

tive institutional response to students with individual

learning needs associated with disability(s) and/or men-

tal health will position Memorial University as a leader

in the development of inclusive and effective learning

environments for all students.”

Memorial presently has services that do support vul-

nerable students, including the Counselling Centre,

Glenn Roy Blundon Centre and the Student Health

Centre. The issue, according to Dr. Philpott, is that peo-

ple aren’t always aware of the services or the referral

process.

“Also, the services may not be appropriately scaled,”

added Dr. Philpott. “When conducting the environ-

mental scan we included a needs assessment on our

campuses, and we’ve discovered that the need for sup-

port of vulnerable students has increased. So there are

more students with more complex needs than ever

before.”

But Dr. Philpott says this is a good thing.

“It means that more students with individual learn-

ing needs are graduating from the K–12 system with the

marks, skills and, more importantly, the confidence to

continue on with a post-secondary education.”

However, he cautions that without the appropriate

support services in place, drop out rates within the vul-

nerable student population will remain high.

In order to create a healthy campus for students, Dr.

Philpott emphasized the inclusion of staff and faculty

and the importance of the role they will play.

“They’re the ones interacting with students,” he said,

“so the need to provide training for our staff and faculty

is profound. While students with disabilities are the

largest population of students seeking supports, mental

health is the number one concern not only regionally,

but also globally.”

“As mental wellness is one of the most important and

challenging issues on university campuses and work-

places in Canada, Memorial is committed to further

supporting a culture of psychological safety to enhance

the well-being of our employees,” said Stephen Dodge,

director of Memorial’s Department of Human Resources.

“In fact, on April 29 our department is hosting a lead-

ership forum titled Mental Wellness in the Workplace.

This will increase awareness and provide education on

the complexities of mental health and wellness in the

workplace, in particular from a psychological health

and safety, human rights and human resources, and

business best practices point of view. This forum is one

of many initiatives to be introduced over the coming

months.”

Dr. Philpott and Ms. Chaulk plan to have a report

submitted by fall 2013. The report will contain recom-

mendations on processes and guidelines that will better

ensure an accessible and inclusive post-secondary learn-

ing community for all students, faculty and staff.r

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dr. david philpott

Inclusive campusteaching and Learning Framework project focuses on support for students with individual learning needs

By courtenay alcock

dr. Kate Bride

Dr. Kate Bride, an instructor in the Faculty of

Education and the Department of Gender Studies,

passed away April 7, 2013. She was 45.

dr. John Walsh

Dr. John Walsh, professor emeritus, Faculty of

Engineering and Applied Science, passed away

Feb. 14, 2013. He was 76.

oBituAry


For more on these events and other news at Memorial, please visit

www.today.mun.ca

Wednesday, april 24

Discussion About Arts Research/Writing Courses, 1–2 p.m.,

A1046, Sponsor: Office of the Dean of Arts

Gluttony: Insight From Hypothalamic Research, 5–6 p.m.,

Health Sciences Centre auditorium, Sponsor: Division of

BioMedical Sciences

Where Heritage Constitutes Belonging: Composing Irishness in

Small Town Quebec, 3:30–5 p.m., SP4008, Sponsor: Department

of Anthropology

Thursday, april 25

The Nuclear Future: Can We Make It Safe?, 7:30–9:30 p.m.,

IIC2001, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor:

Faculty of Science, Department of Physics and Physical

Oceanography

Monday, april 29

Youth Support Group Meeting, 7–9 p.m., UC3018, The Landing,

Sponsor: Schizophrenia Society of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Magic of Molecular Soccer: Beauty and Purpose of Curiosity-

Driven Basic Research, 7:30–9:30 p.m., IIC2001, Bruneau

Centre for Innovation and Research, Sponsor: Department of

Chemistry

Tuesday, april 30

REEL Justice Film Festival: Justice for Sale, 7–9 p.m., The

Landing, UC 3018, Sponsor: Reel Justice Newfoundland and

Labrador, Faculty of Education

Chemistry with Methane: Concepts Rather than Recipes,

2–4 p.m., A 1043, Sponsor: Department of Chemistry

Oxidative Dehydrosulfurization and Selective Bond-Activation

by Roll-over Cyclometalated Pt(II) Complexes: Theory and

Experiment in Concert, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., C2004, Sponsor:

Department of Chemistry

Mapping Social Relations of Older Workers’ Employment:

Using Institutional Ethnography to Explore the Meaning and

Organization of Work, Health and Safety of Aging Workers in the

Home Support Sector, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., IIC2014, Bruneau Centre

for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies

Wednesday, May 1

MUN Botanical Garden Opens for the Season, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.,

306 Mount Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden

Workshop Registration at MUN Botanical Garden, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.,

306 Mount Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden

Intersections and Reflection: Queering Collective Action,

8 a.m.–8 p.m., Memorial University St. John’s campus, Sponsor:

Canadian University Queer Services Conference

Mini-Med School Is Back!, 7–9:30 p.m., Health Sciences Centre

auditorium, Sponsor: Faculty of Medicine

Thursday, May 2

Resisting Shame, Making Our Bodies Home, 7:30–9 p.m.,

IIC2001, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor:





Friday, May 3

Janet Mock: Writer, Speaker, Activitst and Advocate for Trans

Women, 7:30–9:30 p.m., IIC2001, Bruneau Centre for Research

and Innovation, Sponsor: Canadian University Queer Services

Conference




Saturday, May 4




Sunday, May 5, 2013

Writer’s Fair and Centre for Newfoundland Studies, 1:30–5 p.m.,

Centre for Newfoundland Studies, QEII Library, Sponsor: Queen

Elizabeth II Library

International Compost Awareness Week at MUN Botanical

Garden, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount

Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden

Three Cheers for Composting Family Program, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.,

MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Rd., Sponsor: MUN

Botanical Garden

Intersections and Reflection: Queering Collective Action

8 a.m.–8 p.m., Memorial University’s St. John’s campus,

Sponsor: Canadian University Queer Services Conference

Monday, May 6

Constructing the Meaning of Being At-Risk: The Experiences of

Individuals Living in Families at Risk for Arrhythmogenic Right

Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in the Province of Newfoundland

and Labrador, 1–3 p.m., IIC2014, Bruneau Centre for Research

and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies

Tuesday, May 7

Home Grown: Propagation Without a Greenhouse Workshop,

6:30–8:30 p.m., MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Rd.,

Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden

Wednesday, May 8

2013 Alumni Job Fair, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., R. Gushue Hall, Dining

Hall, Sponsor: Career Development and Experiential Learning,

Alumni Affairs and Development

Friday, May 10

National Public Gardens Day at MUN Botanical Garden,

10 a.m.–4 p.m., MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Rd.,

Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden

outAnDABout

art oF the earth earth Science graduate students Shannon gill and Jean-Luc pilote check out the department of earth Sciences’ new self-produced art installation. the images have been culled from researchers’ field work photo collections. everyone is invited to view the works in the departmental lounge in er4065.

ke

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Fo

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cLASSiFieD

Fully furnished house for rent in St. John’s east

end. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, on an elementary

school street in a lovely, quiet neighbourhood.

Fenced backyard, off-street parking, and on

busline, close to amenities. September–May/June

(negotiable). Please call 860-918-5927 or email

[email protected]


WHen tHe DePartment of Physics had

trouble obtaining artwork for their walls, they decided

to look to a new source — their faculty and staff.

“We realized that there were many people in the

department who created art and that it would be nice

to have it around,” said Dr. Brad de Young, head of

the department. “It seemed like a good way to involve

faculty and staff, and their interests, in the life of the

department.”

Currently the department is featuring painted works

by Drs. Iakov Afanassiev and Mike Morrow, both

professors in Physics, as well as photography by Dr.

Chris Deacon, lab co-ordinator, and Fred Perry, the

department’s system administrator.

Dr. de Young says the works range from the profes-

sional to that of serious amateur.

“We really liked the idea of being completely open to

all,” he said. “We liked the variety that it creates. One

other goal was to give these artists some recognition.

We did also want to encourage others in the department

and to show them they can do the same thing.”

He says part of the reason he wanted to talk about this

project was not just to show off the works, but also to

put the idea in the minds of other departments.

“Obviously we are not terribly unique in having peo-

ple with interests in the arts,” said Dr. de Young. “A lot

of non-scientists don’t see science as a creative disci-

pline. However, that is not how most scientists see it.

A creative discipline creates different things — be they

ideas, concepts, equations or images.

“Having it around reminds you that creativity, even

in science, is not narrowly a structured disciplinary

thing. It can be a much more open perspective because

many scientists take that kind of wider view of it.”

The pieces, which are on temporary loan from the

artists, have been placed in the department’s public

spaces and various offices where people will get to see

them the most.

physics adorns its walls with in-house artistry

a wider view

By kelly Foss

Late march from Signal hill, mike morrow

Quidi Vidi gut, Chris deacon portia in a rocking Chair, iakov afanassiev

gazette - memorial university · in this interview with gazette contributor jennifer batten,...

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