June 16, 2023
Peggy Wakabayashi (Submitted photo)
Peggy Wakabayashi, former director of residences, is being recognized with one of Western’s highest staff honours, the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, for her innovation and legacy in the student residence system.
Researchers Brendan Daisley, Anna Chernyshova and Sophie Killam at the experimental apiaries on campus (Photo source: Western Communications)
In the largest field of study of its kind, researchers have shown probiotics for honeybees help ward off disease and promote hive health.
Anita So with the 3D-printed walker (Photo source: Darryl Lahteenmaa/Western Communications)
Integrated engineering student Anita So worked with professors Joshua Pearce and Jacob Reeves to develop a new 3D-printed, open-source walker enabling people to manufacture their own customizable mobility device at a lower cost.
Faculty of Education building (Photo source: Andrew Graham/Faculty of Education Communications)
Beginning September 2024, the Bachelor of Education program will move to a model that allows for a robust curriculum in a consecutive 16-month timeframe, allowing well-trained teachers to move into the classroom more quickly.
Chemistry professor Len Luyt (Submitted photo)
Scientists at Western and Lawson Health Research Institute are working to create specially designed molecules that will seek out and deliver radioactive isotopes directly to cancer cells.
(Back row left to right) Terry Rice, Alex Kulczycki, Wisdom Avor, Jessica Claeys, Amanda McIntyre, Abe Oudshoorn, Douglas Keddy, Nathalie Alaves, Bianca Gouveia. (Front row left to right) Lin Cui, Kim Groves, Sandy Philip, Alyssa Craik, Sunday Ajak (Photo source: Steve Anderson/Western Communications)
Faculty, staff, students and retirees partnered with London Cares – The Hub to clean up garbage, trim shrubs and plant flowers in support of the United Way Elgin Middlesex Day of Caring.
Working at Western
Graduates in front of University College, spring convocation 2023 (Photo source: Steve Anderson)
Convocation continues at Western
Spring convocation ceremonies run until June 23. During this time expect to experience more traffic on campus roads. Huron Flats, Medway and South Valley lots are designated for parking during convocation for graduates and their guests. On these days, staff are encouraged to park in other areas, where your permit allows.
Celebrate your Western graduates
Know someone special who is graduating? Gift them with a special piece of Western from The Book Store to celebrate this milestone.
Call for
volunteers
The Office of Indigenous Initiatives is looking for volunteers to help at the Building Reconciliation Forum 2023, June 26-28, Wampum Learning Lodge. Email Laura Ramirez for more information.
Canada Day holiday
Mark your calendar: Western is observing Canada Day on Friday, June 30.
Photo of the Week
Sylvie Richer, manager, clinic operations, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and David Coltman, department chair, biology, were among the academic and administrative leaders recognized on June 9 at the Excellence in Leadership event. Thirty-seven leaders received a Certificate of Achievement for completing nine or more workshops and an additional 69 leaders were celebrated for their progress in the program.
Coming Up
Sounds of Swing jazz band (Submitted photo)
June 19 (7 to 8:30 p.m.)
Sounds of Swing jazz band
Sounds of Swing is an adult swing band associated with the New Horizons Band program run by the Don Wright Faculty of Music. Join them at London Public Library’s Wolf Performance Hall for an evening of big band and jazz music.
July 5 (12 p.m.)
Parr Centre expression of interest deadline
Do you have an innovative idea that has the potential to transform student mental health and well-being? The Parr Centre for Thriving has up to $305,000 in funding available to support high-impact, innovative and collaborative project ideas from Western faculty and staff.
Western in the News
Katrina Moser (Submitted photo)
The Guardian (U.K)
Exhausted crews battle Canadian wildfires as experts issue climate warning
As wildfires continue to burn across Canada, Katrina Moser, chair and professor of geography and environment, says while this is year is unusual, experts also believe it is a bellwether of what we can expect in the future.
India Today
Birds have GPS inbuilt into their brains. They can turn it on and off like a switch
Psychology PhD candidate Madeleine Brodbeck explains her research on how migratory birds can activate a cluster in their brains responsible for either processing or ignoring the Earth’s magnetic field to assist with navigation.
The Globe and Mail
In a recession, DEI programs are often the first to go. Are businesses prepared for the consequences?
Barnini Bhattacharyya, professor at Ivey, discusses why cutting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in an effort to tighten budgets, can stunt an organization’s hard-won gains in the long-term.
The Walrus
Have you been to the library lately?
Libraries have become safe havens in communities for some of Canada’s most vulnerable. Heather Hill, chair of the master of library and information science program, discusses the role of librarians in this new reality.
Commentary
Adult reading book about animals to children (Photo source: ParentiPacek/Pixabay)
Incorporating animal sounds into children’s learning routines can help them build a strong foundation for speech and language development, say Boshra Bahrami, master’s student, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences; Barbara Jane Cunningham, professor, School of Communication Sciences, and Disorders; and Zoe A. Leyland, coordinator, EDIDA and Interprofessional Education.
