Sept. 25, 2026
Margaret Atwood and Graeme Gibson (Photo source: Branimir Gjetvaj)
Literary icon Margaret Atwood has donated $1 million to Western in honour of her longtime partner, Graeme Gibson, BA'58, establishing the Graeme Gibson Chair in Avian Biology to advance research on how birds move, behave and adapt in a changing world.
Also covered by: The Guardian and The Globe and Mail
Artist rendering of Western’s Bioconvergence Centre (Photo source: HOK/aTRR)
Western is constructing an eight-storey facility in the heart of campus where researchers will work side by side with industry partners to deliver faster, more cohesive solutions to global health challenges.
Lisa Ko (Photo source: Submitted)
Award-winning author Lisa Ko, Western’s 2026-27 writer-in-residence, will connect with emerging writers, helping them explore the creative process and strengthen the writing community on campus.
Drs. Braden Boley, Lindsey Wong and Albert Luu at the Middlesex Centre Family Medicine Clinic in Ilderton, Ont. (Photo source: Megan Morris/Schulich Medicine & Dentistry)
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is opening two new family medicine residency sites in Sarnia-Lambton and Oxford County through partnerships with local hospitals and health teams, giving residents broader community-based experience while helping address physician shortages across Southwestern Ontario.
Also covered by: CTV London, The Sarnia Journal, The Sarnia Observer and Sarnia News Today
The Impact Project
Explore how the Western community is collectively contributing to meaningful change in the world, today.
Patrick Whippey (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)
Patrick Whippey: How to build science literacy.
Coming Up
Sept. 25 to 27
Homecoming 2026
Campus will be bustling this weekend as Western welcomes alumni home for its annual Homecoming celebrations. A full listing of events is available on the Western Alumni website.
Sept. 28 (10 a.m.)
Survivors’ Flag Raising Ceremony
Wear an orange shirt and join the campus community on Concrete Beach for the annual flag-raising ceremony recognizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. View additional events on the Office of Indigenous Initiatives website.
Sept. 29 (3 to 4 p.m.)
WTS training: Gemini Enterprise and Gemini Notebook
Learn how Western's enterprise AI tools can help streamline your everyday work, with practical examples for drafting, brainstorming, summarizing documents and organizing information securely. Registration required.
Sept. 30 (12:10 to 12:50 p.m.)
Pilates
Take part in a lunchtime Pilates class with Living Well @ Western, focused on building strength, flexibility and postural stability through low-impact exercises. Arts and Humanities Building, Room 2B15. Register online.
Working at Western
Middlesex College (Photo source: Western Communications)
Homecoming road closures
To support pedestrian safety during Homecoming celebrations, University Drive and several campus roadways will be closed to vehicle traffic on Saturday, Sept. 26. London Transit routes will be detoured. Expect delays. Learn more.
Call for Nomination: Honorary Degrees
You’re invited to nominate distinguished candidates to be considered for the conferral of an Honorary Degree. Visit the University Secretariat’s website to learn more.
Help celebrate the Class of 2026
Autumn convocation is Oct. 21 to 22. You’re invited to participate and honour the academic journeys of our students. Join the Academic Procession by Oct. 14 or volunteer in one of 11 essential roles. Visit the convocation website to learn more.
Photo of the Week
Faculty, staff and students joined Bike to Campus Day on Sept. 18 as part of Western’s Riverfest activities, promoting active transportation while celebrating connections to Deshkan Ziibi (the Thames River). (L to R) Melanie Thomas, Jessica Cordes, Nicole Overholt, Laura Mantz, Elizabeth Basiita, and Lily Lu. (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Western in the News
In addition to the news above, your colleagues have been featured in the following media outlets.
Dr. Abbas Jessani (Photo source: Megan Morris/Schulich Medicine & Dentistry)
Financial Post
Meet Canada's Top 40 Under 40 for 2026
Schulich Dentistry professor Dr. Abbas Jessani is recognized as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 for his work on advancing oral health equity through community-engaged research, education and health systems innovation.
CTV London
New Indigenous mural at Western recognizes Truth and Reconciliation
This week, a mural depicting the Anishinaabe creation story of Turtle Island by Anishinaabe-kwe artist Jeannette Ladd was officially unveiled in the Thames Hall atrium.
Toronto Star
Canada's oldest person turns 111, here’s what still makes her laugh
As the country's oldest person celebrated her birthday, health sciences and computer science professor Angela Roberts, who leads the SuperAging research initiative, warns that obsessing over living long may distract from the ultimate joy of life.
