Inside Western – a news digest for staff and faculty
 

May 27, 2022

$10M gift gives rise to Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The newly named Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, shown in this architect's rendering, is scheduled to be completed in fall 2023.

Philanthropist and financier Ron Schmeichel is lending his name to Western’s new entrepreneurship and innovation building, with a $10-million donation and a commitment to cultivate future entrepreneurs.

Alum uses music education to teach social justice

3D Render of Brain

Darren Hamilton, MMus'16 (Submitted photo)

Darren Hamilton, MMus'16, is the first Black music educator to win the national MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award for creating a hip hop and R&B music program aimed at engaging Black and racialized students.

Summer construction paves way for enhanced learning, working spaces  

Rendering of what campus will look like after completion of the Open Space Strategy. (Image source: Facilities Management)

Campus is being transformed this summer with a number of construction projects that will highlight the natural beauty of campus and add leading-edge learning spaces. 

Bags or bins: When it comes to recycling, the answer is complicated 

garbage bag recycling on the road

(Photo source: Western Communications)

Following a comprehensive study of policies and practices in collecting and sorting recyclables, biology professor Paul Mensink finds the choice between plastic bags and blue bins can be a complicated conundrum.

New innovation gels engineering with medicine

doctors doing surgery

(Photo source: Vidal Balielo Jr./Pexels)

Engineering professor Kibret Mequanint and Malcolm Xing from the University of Manitoba have developed the first-ever hydrophobic fluid, which displaces fluids surrounding an injury allowing near-instantaneous gelling, sealing and healing.

Path to sustainable dentistry needs industry-wide change: Kalman

doctor with patient in the chair

Dr. Les Kalman (centre) (Photo source: Schulich Medicine & Dentistry)

Dr. Les Kalman, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor, was part of a global collaboration to develop a consensus statement aimed at improving sustainability in dentistry without compromising patient welfare.

Working at Western

a group of people smiling

Members of Western’s 2021 United Way Campaign Committee were joined by Western President Alan Shepard and United Way CEO and President Kelly Ziegner. (Submitted photo)

Team wins United Way ChangeMaker award
Western has been recognized with a changemaker award for “top campaign team – large workplace” for 2022 by the United Way Elgin Middlesex. The annual awards recognize volunteers or workplaces that go above and beyond to make our community a better place.

Equity Census report
The first Equity Census report represents data provided by students, staff and faculty between October 2021 and March 2022. While the census is ongoing, this report shares a snapshot of the data captured during this period and is a critical step in the development of our first equity, diversity and inclusion strategic plan. Those who have not completed the survey are encouraged to do so. 

Featured job opportunities
Do you know someone looking for a job? Search by the job posting ID to learn more and apply or share with your network. 

Animal Care Technician II (25243)
The Animal Care Technician is primarily responsible for husbandry for research animals and related documentation within facilities managed by Animal Care and Veterinary Services.

Facilities Assistant (26642)
The Facilities Assistant (telecom/network) is responsible for providing support and assistance to the Western Technology Services Infrastructure Group with the extensive cabling infrastructure across campus.

Caretakers (26679) 
Caretakers assess and conduct cleaning/maintenance activities to provide a clean, safe and professionally maintained university facility. A job fair will be hosted by Facilities Management from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on June 2 in London Hall. Multiple temporary vacancies are available.

Photo of the Week

geothermal heating outside western

Specialized equipment is used to drill geothermal wells at the Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. When completed in the fall of 2023, the facility will be Western’s first net-zero-energy building, contributing to the university’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions for campus operations by 2050.  (Photo source: Facilities Management)

two coffee cups near fair trade sign

Coming Up

bit by bit computer camp logo with a robot

(Photo source: Pixabay)

Tuesday, May 31 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
London Health Research Day

Learn about the innovative health research taking place throughout London during this annual event featuring work from Lawson Health Research Institute and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. The virtual event will feature a variety of presentations, informative workshops and a keynote address from Canada’s chief public officer of health Dr. Theresa Tam.

Tuesday, May 31 (12:10 to 12:50 p.m.)
Outdoor yoga

Living Well @ Western is once again offering outdoor yoga. Grab your yoga mat and join instructor Tracy for a session in the green space behind McIntosh Gallery.

Thursday, June 2 (11 a.m.)
Wellness walk

Take a break to explore campus, connect with nature and meet new colleagues. Join biology graduate student Ben Souriol every Thursday for an hour-long walk through various trails and walking paths. 

Western in the News

David Sills

 David Sills (Photo source: Frank Neufeld) 

CBC Science
What's a derecho and why is it so destructive? The science behind this powerful storm 
When Northern Tornadoes Project executive director David Sills studied the forecast Saturday morning, he never expected the line of storms would soon strengthen into Canada's first derecho in decades.

CTV News Channel 
One year since Kamloops discovery
History and Indigenous Studies professor Cody Groat provides insight and reflection on the one-year anniversary of the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the Kamloops Residential School.

Wall Street Journal
New York City investigates possible monkeypox case amid outbreak

As officials in North America continue to monitor suspected cases of monkeypox, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Sameer Elsayed explains how the disease transmits between individuals.

The New York Times 
A vote by Activision workers could give unions a foothold in gaming

DAN Department of Management & Organizational Studies professor Johanna Weststar discusses the potential for unionization of the gaming industry. 

Commentary

The machinery of deception 

The son of the late Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos

Philippine presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. (Photo source: Patrickroque01/Wikimedia)

The son of the late Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos is on the verge of becoming that country’s next president, following an organized campaign rooted in disinformation. Western News managing editor Mari-Len
De Guzman, who lived in the Philippines until she moved to Canada in 2001, reflects on the turn of events in this London Free Press opinion piece.

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