Feb. 13, 2026
Noah Matsakawo-Fugar (Photo source: Colleen MacDonald/Western Communications)
Through Western’s Black Leadership University Experience program, Noah Matsakawo-Fugar, BMSc’25, gained work experience and mentorship that launched his career at Nestlé Canada. The program helped him build leadership skills, secure full-time employment after graduation and transition from mentee to mentor.
Also covered by: CBC London
Bob Barney (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Bob Barney, founding director of Western’s International Centre for Olympic Studies, reflects on more than 50 years studying the Olympic Games and shaping global scholarship on sport history.
Also covered by: Reader’s Digest, Times Radio
Yan Zhou (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Western’s inaugural curator-in-residence, Yan Zhou, is advancing environmental and social justice in the arts through teaching, collaboration and community-engaged curatorial practice. The exhibition she curated, Climate Diaspora, runs until March 5.
Mustangs men’s and women’s squash teams at the provincial championships in St. Catharines. (Photo source: Brayden Swire)
The men’s squash team extended their streak to 42 straight Ontario University Athletics (OUA) titles over the weekend as the women’s clinched a second consecutive provincial championship. The wins continued as the Mustangs cheerleading squad earned a national title and both men’s and women’s wrestling teams took home silver OUA medals.
The Impact Project
Explore how the Western community is collectively contributing to meaningful change in the world, today.
Dr. Mike Strong (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)
Dr. Mike Strong: How to create hope for people with ALS and their families.
Coming Up
Feb. 14 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Geology Valentine’s Day
Get creative and make your own geology-themed valentines at the Richard W. Hutchinson Geoscience Collaborative Suite, North Campus Building, Rm. 120. This event will feature mineral displays and exhibitions of rocks, fossils and meteorites. All ages welcome.
Feb. 18 (noon to 1 p.m.)
Relaxation techniques
Learn the difference between relaxation and stress management in this interactive virtual workshop hosted by TELUS Health. Explore techniques to reduce physical tension, improve mental clarity and build a practical toolkit you can use anywhere. Register online.
Feb. 19 (1:30 to 3 p.m.)
Open house: Living Well @ Western
Visit Living Well @ Western’s newly renovated area in the Arts and Humanities building, Rm. 2B15 to enjoy a light snack and craft or explore the new rest and renewal room next door. Register online.
Feb. 24 and 25
Town halls: Responsible Investing Policy
Share your feedback on Western’s draft Responsible Investing Policy on Feb. 24 at an in-person town hall or Feb. 25 during a virtual town hall. Space is limited. Registration closes Feb. 23 at 5 p.m.
Working at Western
University College (Photo source: Western Communications)
Registration open: Summer camps
Western offers a variety of summer camps for kids, including sports, academics and skill-building programs. Visit the summer camps website for more details and to register.
Call for applications: Fellowship in Teaching Innovation award
Full-time and part-time faculty members are encouraged to apply for the Fellowship in Teaching Innovation award. Two awards of $15,000 support faculty pursuing innovative approaches to teaching and learning at Western. For more details, see the call for proposal. Apply by March 2.
Test your pension knowledge
Mark Pension Awareness Day on Feb. 19 by taking Western’s 2026 Pension Awareness Quiz. Learn more about pensions in Canada and enter to win one of two $50 Western gift cards. The quiz is anonymous and entries close March 6 at noon.
Family Day
Western is observing Family Day on Monday, Feb. 16.
Photo of the Week
President Alan Shepard welcomed Washington-based CBC News foreign correspondent Katie Simpson, BA’06, back to campus for the Faculty of Information and Media Studies’ annual Clissold Lecture at the Faculty of Information and Media Studies on Feb. 5. (Photo source: LinkedIn)
Western in the News
In addition to the news above, your colleagues have been featured in the following media outlets.
Dr. Amrit Kirpalani (Photo source: Schulich Medicine & Dentistry)
The Globe and Mail
About half of Canadians are turning to AI for health information, survey says
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Amrit Kirpalani explains his recent research on the lack of reliable medical diagnoses from AI chatbots.
The Boston Globe
Brain game could cut risk of dementia
Education professor Emma Duerden provides her perspective on the benefits of brain training games in this front-page article.
CBC's Quirks and Quarks
The new Atomic Age: With nuclear power making a comeback, what’s changed
Chemistry professors Samantha Gateman and Jamie Noel discuss their work advancing nuclear technology as part of a segment on how researchers are developing safer and more effective nuclear power for the future.
