Sept. 18, 2026
Sophie Roland (Photo source: Frank Neufeld/Hidden Z Creative)
Sophie Roland has begun a five-year term as dean of the Don Wright Faculty of Music. A Western graduate and longtime faculty member, she plans to build on the momentum of one of Canada's largest music schools while strengthening ties between musicians, audiences and the art they create.
Saumik Biswas, founder of Western startup Tenomix, pitches his company at a previous Western Angels' Demo Day (Photo source: Brandon MacIntosh/Ivey Communications)
A new $5-million Propel Fund will help accelerate startups founded by students, staff, faculty and alumni, providing up to six annual investments of $150,000 to support early-stage growth.
Western Libraries' Map and Data Centre (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Liz Sutherland, GIS research scientist at the Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory, breaks down why the United Nations voted to encourage the use of maps that reflect more accurate continent size.
Also covered by: CBC Yukon Morning
Students crossing the stage during Western's fall convocation ceremonies (Photo source: Western Communications)
Distinguished lawyer, educator and philanthropist Mitch Frazer, LLB’99, will receive an honorary doctor of laws from Western during fall convocation on Oct. 21.
The Impact Project
Explore how the Western community is collectively contributing to meaningful change in the world, today.
Kim Solga (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)
Kim Solga: How performance fuels creativity.
Coming Up
Sept. 21 (12:15 to 1 p.m.)
Mindful Mondays
Slow down, relax and experience the many ways art can support personal wellness during a guided mindfulness session held monthly at McIntosh Gallery. This 30-minute session includes an optional 15-minutes for reflection and discussion. Register today.
Sept. 25 (12:30 p.m.)
Fridays at 12:30: Rebecca Hass
Spend your lunch with classical performer Rebecca Hass, also known as Nitaawegiizhigok (Singing Sky Woman), as she explores ancestral voice, memory and connection to land and community. von Kuster Hall, Music Building. Livestream available.
Working at Western
Physics and Astronomy building (Photo source: Western Communications)
Buy and Sell Safe Zone
Selling something online? Choose the Buy and Sell Safe Zone, in the Western Special Constable Service Office Lobby, for a safer exchange. Located in Lawson Hall, Room 1257, the designated space gives members of the community a video-monitored location to meet buyers or sellers from online marketplaces.
Call for volunteers: Homecoming
Help support a safe and successful Homecoming on Sept. 26. Volunteers are still needed for the day shift (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Roles include monitoring walking routes, directing students, supporting Care Hubs, helping with crowd control, connecting residents with wellness supports and canvassing student neighbourhoods. Sign up by Sept. 22.
Photo of the Week
Western welcomed provincial government leaders to campus on Sept. 17, where they met with Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry students and announced $220 million to support future family doctors who practice in Ontario after graduation, through expansion of Ontario’s Learn and Stay Grant program. (L to R) Dr. Richard van Wylick, vice-dean of health sciences education at Queen's University; Dr. Michael Lee-Poy, assistant dean (interim) of McMaster University's Waterloo Regional Campus; Dr. Julia Devito, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry family medicine resident; Dr. Michael Green, president of Northern Ontario School of Medicine University; Dr. John Yoo, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry dean; Western President Alan Shepard; Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones; Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence & Security Nolan Quinn. (Photo source: Allan Lewis/Schulich Medicine & Dentistry)
Western in the News
In addition to the news above, your colleagues have been featured in the following media outlets.
(L to R) Matthew Woodward, Daniel Butt, Jessica van den Heuvel and Jihan Pacer (Photo source: Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star)
Toronto Star
How Western lab interns pieced together clues to a ferocious storm
This front-page feature follows a team of Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory (CSSL) undergraduate interns as they gain hands-on field experience investigating damage from the Sept. 2 storm. CSSL internship coordinator Connell Miller explains how their work contributes to research aimed at strengthening Canada’s resilience to severe weather.
New Yorker
The incredible journey of a migratory shorebird
Biology professor and Centre for Animals on the Move director Chris Guglielmo’s research into how godwits endure long migration journeys is featured in this article examining how climate change is impacting the birds.
CBC Quirks & Quarks
Summertime and the science isn't always easy
Earth sciences professor Catherine Neish and PhD candidate Sashank Vanga discuss their NASA-led study in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park as part of a spotlight on summer field research.
