Mun gazette march 18%2c 2015 fa lowres

March 18, 2015 Volume 47 | Number 11 Registration Mail No. 4006252

A M E M O R I A L U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W F O U N D L A N D P U B L I C AT I O N

Remembering a ‘Renaissance’ man

By Jeff Green

CHRIS HAMMOND PHOTO

PETER CALDWELL can’t get the smile off his face.

He’s elated as he proudly scans a new exhibition at The Rooms in St. John’s.

“He’d be thrilled. I think it’s fantastic. Ed lived for the arts. He was a true Renaissance man. He’d love this,” he said during a recent visit to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Caldwell is referring to the late Edwin Procunier, a Newfoundlander, celebrated playwright and art enthusiast who, over nearly 30 years, donated a massive collection of art to the province. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 83, leaving behind a formidable legacy.

See RENAISSANCE on page 4 FROM LEFT ARE Dr. Ellen Waterman, dean, School of Music, and Peter Caldwell, trustee of Edwin Procunier’s estate, at The Rooms where an exhibition of artwork Mr. Procunier donated to the province runs until October.

Triple threat Commerce student making his mark in academics, athletics and the community

By Whitney O’Byrne Special to the gazette

FOURTH-YEAR Sea-Hawk basketball forward Noel Moffatt is the 201415 recipient of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Ken Shields award for outstanding student-athlete.

The award is bestowed upon the men’s basketball student-athlete who best exhibits outstanding achievements in the areas of basketball, academics and community service and is named for one of the most successful coaches in the history of Canadian university basketball.

“I feel very honoured and humbled to have won this national award,” said Mr. Moffatt from Toronto, Ont., where he travelled to accept the

A 2013-14 CIS Academic AllCanadian student-athlete, Mr. Moffatt is currently working on obtaining his bachelor of commerce degree while maintaining a grade point average of 3.8. He is also a member of the Faculty of Business Administration’s Dean’s List.

In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Mr. Moffat is also a burgeoning entrepreneur with a social conscience. He co-founded Athlete Aid Apparel, a clothing brand that provides consumers with athletic apparel while donating 10 per cent of sales to KidSport N.L.

award on March 11. “I have received more benefit from playing varsity basketball than I think I will ever be able to give back, and I have my teammates and coach Peter Benoite to thank for that. We have been through a lot this year and they have always been there to support me.”

In addition to the national accolade, Mr. Moffatt was recognized with the Atlantic University Sport Student-Athlete Community Service award last month.

In his fourth year of eligibility, the St. John’s native contributed to every Sea-Hawks game of the season, starting all but one. The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 9.6 points per game and a league-best 154 defensive rebounds.

See TRIPLE on page 4 Noel Moffatt

features

3 H A R L OW D I A R I E S

A student reports on her winter semester abroad at Harlow Campus.

6 D I PL O M AT I C R E L AT I O N S

Grenfell-designed window displays celebrate the Canadian-U.K. connection.

7 S P R I N G L AU N C H

The Newfoundland Quarterly’s spring issue launches April 1.

9 H E A LT H Y P O P U L AT I O N S

Celebrations for Pharmacist Awareness Month are in full swing.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Alumni spotlight

Jill Curran successful entrepreneur is also busy promoting Newfoundland and Labrador and the rest of Atlantic Canada as a tourism destination in her role as owner/operator of Maxxim Vacations. She spoke with Gazette contributor David Penney.

YOUR NEXT PROJECT

By Amy Jones Special to the gazette

Pat Curran, standing, facilitates a collaborative tourism session in Witless Bay.

Yaffle.ca is Memorial’s online connecting tool.

One of its most significant jobs is to provide a way for people from outside Memorial to ask for research help. With hundreds of communitysuggested opportunities to choose from, your next project is just a click away. Here’s one...

arrangements in the Irish Loop? “A lot has already been attempted, quite a bit is still ongoing,” said Pat Curran, principal associate, Independent Consultants Group Limited, a local business in the Irish Loop.

Mr. Curran has been a part of numerous collaborative projects and activities in the region, and sees the value in investigating the lessons learned. Regional collaboration is not an easy puzzle to solve, however.

“Stakeholder buy-in, spatial scale of the undertaking, shared history and culture, capacity and resources to sustain the effort, dedicated leadership, staff and volunteer supports, among other factors, all impact the success of multi-partner initiatives,” Mr. Curran said. “We need further academic research on these factors, how they can be categorized and effectively applied to strengthen current activities in the Irish Loop, and in other regions around the province.”

THE OPPORTUNIT Y

Many people living in the Irish Loop region on the Avalon Peninsula recognize the important role that collaboration plays in the area’s development. Dozens of collaborative initiatives exist that focus on a wide variety of sectors and services, such as commerce, tourism, youth, seniors, recreation, waste management, fire services and regional development, among others. The regional boundaries for these initiatives have varied, with some spanning the whole Irish Loop, while others concentrate on smaller sub-regions.

With today’s shifting demographics, there is a significant push towards regional collaboration as a way to enable rural regions to thrive.

What shared lessons can be learned from the many collaborative

It’s a beautiful walk that ends with a delicious gourmet picnic lunch that you can enjoy while taking in the incredible views.

DP: As the owner/operator of Maxxim vacations, you’re also promoting the rest of the province – and Atlantic Canada – as a tourism destination. How is that different?

JC: There are actually a lot of similarities and I draw a lot from the many lovely and informative conversations I’ve had with so many people over the years who have visited the lighthouse. People always love the unplanned and the elements of discovery that come with visiting here. Our ads and commercials do a wonderful job of setting that up.

It’s hard to put into words but it translates to amazing connections and experiences.

DP: How did your experience as a student at Memorial influence you?

JC: I studied history at Memorial, with a focus on Newfoundland history, and it was then I got a true sense of the whole breadth of what our culture, society and history really means – and what a proud history we have. I think if nothing else it cemented in my mind what a special place this is. That’s why I’m passionate about what I do.

SÉBASTIEN DESPRÉS PHOTO

Despite the snow piling up outside, Jill Curran (BA’95), has long started her planning for tourism season. Ms. Curran’s 12-year-old business, Lighthouse Picnics, is based in Ferryland and on the very same site her great-grandfather once worked as a lighthouse keeper. The

DP: Where did you get the idea to start Lighthouse Picnics?

JC: At some level, I think the idea was always with me, and growing up in Ferryland, the lighthouse was part of my family history, but over the years it fell into disrepair. As a young adult, no matter where I travelled in the world, to me it was always the most beautiful place I had seen. I often thought, ‘It shouldn’t be empty and if I could do anything with the lighthouse, what would it be?’

DP: So what was the next step?

JC: It was actually a giant leap of faith.

I was working in Aberdeen, Scotland, and decided to give up a full-time job and come home to start the business.

When I think back on it now, it’s hard to believe. In fact, the people who did happen upon us in those first few months did so because the trail leading to the lighthouse is a very popular walking trail in Ferryland. We were literally set up behind a table outside a building that was falling down. I remember people asking me if it was a lemonade stand.

DP: How does that compare to where things are today?

JC: We’ve restored the building and expanded the kitchen, and you can eat inside now as well. But the original concept hasn’t changed that much. The idea is to enjoy a day unplugged from phones and all the other distractions.

THE PROJECT

A research project is needed to work with local people and organizations to better understand the success factors

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for collaborative activities.

“The research would provide an inventory of practice: past and present, successful and unsuccessful,” Mr. Curran said. “It would enable sharing of best practices and allow avoidance of previous mistakes. It would have resonance regionally, provincially, nationally and internationally and contribute greatly to the regional governance literature. This research is needed to examine how people and organizations within and between communities can interact to achieve the best possible results for the region as a whole.

“The key here is to enable communities to move beyond competing for sustainability,” Mr. Curran continued. “By sharing these lessons learned on regional collaboration, and working together, communities will have a better chance at sustainability.”

Interested in learning more about this project?

The Harris Centre’s coordinator of knowledge mobilization would be happy to tell you more.

Call Amy Jones at 709-864-6115 or email at amy.tucker@mun.ca.).

EDITOR Mandy Cook GRAPHICS Jacqui Baggs REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Courtenay Alcock Laura Barron Jennifer Batten Melanie Callahan Nora Daly Krista Davidson Paula Dyke Kelly Foss Elizabeth Furey Leslie Earle Pamela Gill Jeff Green Janet Harron Jill Hunt

Jackey Locke Virginia Middleton Cathy Newhook Michelle Osmond David Penney Marcia Porter Kristine Power Dave Sorensen Melissa Watton Meaghan Whelan Susan White Heidi Wicks Laura Woodford

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Kelly Hickey PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Hammond ADVERTISING Mandy Cook T. 709 864 2142 mandyc@mun.ca Next gazette deadline April 1 for April 8 publication.

The gazette is published 17 times annually by the Division of Marketing and Communications at Memorial University.

Material in the gazette may be reprinted or broadcast without permission, excepting materials for which the gazette does not hold exclusive copyright. gazette, Room A-1024 Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7 T. 709 864 2142 F. 709 864 8699 mandyc@mun.ca ISSN 0228-88 77 With the exception of advertisements from Memorial University, ads carried in the gazette do not imply recommendation by the university for the service or product.

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Labrador’s oldest snowmobile 1927 converted Ford Model T focus of presentation

By Jeff Green

THE OLDEST snowmobile in Labrador is being restored to its original working condition thanks to the efforts of a group of researchers, including alumnus Jamie Brake, an archaeologist with the Nunatsiavut Government in Labrador.

Mr. Brake is heading up a team who plan to return the historic machine to its glory and drive it on the Labrador coast as it did 100 years ago.

That work is the focus of a special presentation Mr. Brake will deliver on Thursday, March 19, in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Labrador’s first snowmobile was brought to the area in 1927.

“The snowmobile is significant because it is Labrador’s first snowmobile and because this kind of technology dramatically changed life in Labrador,” said Mr. Brake, who holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in archaeology.

“Snowmobiles today are part of everyday life here and are critical for

many important cultural activities for multiple populations in the region.

The fact that we even know which was the first one, that we knew where it was, and the fact that it survived to the present day is amazing.”

The snowmobile – a converted Ford Model T – was unearthed in Labrador several years ago. It was brought to Labrador with the second Rawson-MacMillan Subarctic Expedition in 1927.

The American scientists used the machine to move material to build the research station. When the group travelled to Labrador, they took a modification kit with them, allowing the explorers to remove the front two tires of the truck and add them to the back. They also attached two skis to the front, allowing the vehicle to glide over snow and ice to carry wood, supplies and people.

The restoration plans are in full swing with parts of the machine recovered and transferred to Nain

Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, Bowdoin College photo where a conservator has assessed them.

Mr. Brake says the snowmobile has been shipped to a machine shop on the Great Northern Peninsula where it is being pieced back together.

“We hope to have it back in Nain, in working condition, during the 2016 shipping season,” he said. “It will be kept and maintained here in Nain where we can display it by using it. We hope and expect that it will continue to generate great interest in Labrador history and in the importance of preserving and learning from that history for many years to come.”

Using journal entries, photographs and silent film footage, Mr. Brake’s

presentation will offer clues about the research the American scientists were doing almost a century ago and how the snowmobile was used in that work.

His talk, titled Recovering Labrador’s First Snowmobile, takes place Thursday, March 19, from 7-9 p.m. in room 250 at Memorial’s Labrador Institute, 219 Hamilton River Rd., in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. All are welcome and admission is free. A reception will follow. To RSVP, please contact Alumni Affairs and Development at 1-877-7004081 or rsvpalumni@mun.ca.

Harlow diaries Student Morgan Chafe is completing the winter 2015 semester at Memorial’s Harlow Campus in Harlow, England. Ms. Chafe is providing regular insight to the sights and sounds of a semester abroad.

never-ending memories with what have become some of my closest friends and countless travel opportunities. There is one advantage, though, that I didn’t expect to be as resonating as it has been.

This advantage is the limitless educational opportunities. Through the Harlow program offered by the Faculty of Business Administration, we are completing a Speakers and Tours course. This course has given me a number of unforgettable presentations and field trips that I would not have experienced otherwise.

On our most recent field trips, we headed to London to visit the National Gallery, the British Museum, Bloomberg L.P. and Canada House. Each site encouraged me to gain an appreciation for the many cultural aspects of London, the United Kingdom, the European Union and, of course, Canada.

It was truly fascinating to see so many pieces of art, artifacts and cultural objects under one roof.

Both the National Gallery and the British Museum took me back in time and opened my eyes to the beliefs, traditions and norms of many historical eras and locations. The galleries and exhibitions continued for

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HARLOW HAS many advantages:

Student writer Morgan Chafe in front of London’s Tower Bridge. hours, each telling a different story. An irreplaceable experience, I would likely not have had it if it was not a part of the curriculum offered in Harlow.

Bloomberg L.P. was a business student’s paradise. The organization’s atmosphere was supportive, fun and friendly. Our tour guide explained to us the history of how the financial data and software provider came to be, and how it’s mission is an aspect of every part of their offices, from the office space to the hundreds of fish tanks around the building. The inside look at such a prestigious firm

was unforgettable.

Canada House fostered a sense of pride in my home country. The recently renovated site housed a number of original paintings, sculptures and furniture pieces made

by Canadians, promoting the art and manufacturing industry in Canada. As I walked through the rooms dedicated to the provinces and territories, I couldn’t help but feel homesick.

There comes a time throughout your Harlow semester that a part of you just breaks, and you long to go home.

I believe Canada House only added to

that feeling. The excellent display of Canadian landscapes, talent, traditions, culture and business in a place so far from home was breathtaking.

Harlow is filled with unknown opportunities and advantages until they’re at your fingertips.

This experience is something that is irreplaceable, and I am sad to see the last few weeks of my semester abroad approaching.

Morgan Chafe is a fourth-year commerce student at Memorial. She can be reached at mec850@ mun.ca.

NICK PEARCE PHOTO

Cont’d from TRIPLE on page 1

Noel Moffat during play at last month’s Atlantic University Sport basketball championships in Halifax, N.S.

ENGAGE MEMORIAL mun.ca/publicengagement/engagememorial

Share, learn & connect with Engage Memorial: a series of events to help build capacity for public engagement.

February-June 2015

Coming up: March 24: The Impact of Experiential Learning March 26: Talking to the Public about your Research April 22: Excellence and Relevance in Community Engaged Research

April 22: Building Community Relationships through Youth Volunteerism April 28: Engaging the Public: A Town Hall Event to Talk About Health Research April 29: Community Engaged Learning: Curricular Learning Beyond the Classroom

Cont’d from RENAISSANCE on page 1

Many of those pieces – by the likes of Emily Carr, Lawren Harris, Maurice Cullen and Sir Frederick Banting – make up the exhibit titled Edwin R. Procunior Collection: A Gift of Canada.

Mr. Procunier began giving art to Memorial University’s Art Gallery 30 years ago. When management of the gallery was transferred to The Rooms in 2003, his donations continued. In total, he gave 372 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

His vision of supporting the arts also extends to the School of Music. Last year, the school accepted the single largest bequest in its history when the Procunier Family Scholarships in Music – four full-tuition undergraduate scholarships – were created through an endowment from Mr. Procunier’s estate.

“Edwin Procunier was a true champion of the arts,” said Dr. Ellen Waterman, dean, School of Music.

“Through this transformative gift for

training in music, our students will be better able to focus on academic excellence while honing their artistry.

Memorial is forever grateful for Mr. Procunier’s vision to support the arts, emerging artists and post-secondary education in his home province.”

Back at The Rooms, Mr. Caldwell, a longtime personal friend of Mr. Procunier and the trustee of his estate, says Mr. Procunier always wanted to support his home province.

“Newfoundland and Memorial were important to him,” said Mr. Caldwell, director and CEO of the Ontario Arts Council. “He saw Memorial’s evolution from a college to a university and now a very esteemed university.

I know he’d be particularly happy that his donations are here for the public to see and the scholarships are helping young people study music.”

Mr. Caldwell says Mr. Procunier had a passion for empowering young minds. In fact, he says, he owes a lot

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of his own success to Mr. Procunier.

The two met in London, Ont., where Mr. Procunier was a professor at the University of Western Ontario. Mr. Caldwell was a fledging actor who auditioned for work in a community theatre founded by Mr. Procunier.

“Almost from the beginning he took a paternal view of me,” said Mr. Caldwell. “I often described him as my logical father. He was my father figure for 37 years.

“He introduced me to the arts and culture scene. And, later, he was instrumental in me getting my first arts administrative job. I want to say that whatever success I’ve had in my career has been largely to my ability – but we all need people to help us open doors, especially early on. For me, that was Ed.” The Edwin R. Procunier Collection: A Gift of Canada runs until Oct. 18 at The Rooms. For more information, visit therooms.ca.

KidSport N.L. is an organization that enables local children who face financial challenges to access sport programs.

It is for this initiative that Mr. Moffatt was recently bestowed with another distinction: the Enactus Newfoundland and Labrador 2015 Student Entrepreneur Provincial Champion title.

“It’s nice to be recognized for an individual award such as this, but I believe Athlete Aid Apparel’s success is more of a reflection of what my co-founder Robert Hickman and I have been able to accomplish as a team,” Mr. Moffatt said when asked about the recognition.

The business student is also generous with his time. He has volunteered with NeuroFit, a community-based exercise program for people with neurological disabilities who are trying to become active again. He is an active assistant coach for St. Bonaventure’s high school girls’ basketball team, and referees a local elementary school’s annual tournament.

In addition, Mr. Moffatt has volunteered as a member of the Sea-Hawks program with a number of initiatives including the Terry Fox run and basketball spring leagues and clinics in St. John’s and rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Noel has been a fantastic contributor to our basketball program and is a great example of the studentathlete,” said Peter Benoite, Sea-Hawks basketball head coach. “He is an Academic All-Canadian, and has improved his game to the level to where he is one of the best rebounders in the league. He is also a leader when it comes to volunteering activities, and his commitment to the community through his athletic clothing brand speaks to his philanthropy.”

This marks the second time Memorial University has been the recipient of the Ken Shields award; Justin Halleran was honoured during the 2006-07 season.

obituaries HENRIQUETA (KATHY) DUARTE Henriqueta (Kathy) Duarte, a former instructor with the Department of French and Spanish, passed away Feb. 8, 2015.

She was 82.

DR. MAURICE OLESON Dr. Maurice Oleson, a retired faculty member with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, passed away Feb. 25, 2015. He was 74.

PROF. JOHN HARE Prof. John Hare, a retired member of the Department of French and Spanish, passed away March 5, 2015.

CATHERINE MARIE MCGRATH Catherine Marie McGrath, a retired employee with the Department of Human Resources, passed away March 9, 2015.

She was 69.

DR. MELVIN WOODWARD Dr. Melvin Woodward, a former member of the Board of Regents and an honorary graduate of Memorial University, passed away March 16, 2015. He was 81.

Frameworks at work MEMORIAL’S FRAMEWORKS IN ACTION

The three overarching frameworks guiding Memorial’s future direction — the Research Framework, the Teaching and Learning Framework and the Public Engagement Framework — are the result of several years of consultations with the university community and the people and organizations of Newfoundland and Labrador. This regular feature will help showcase the frameworks in action by sharing projects and highlighting the successes that are bringing them to life.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Funding to encourage creative practices

By Jennifer Batten

SINCE THE DEVELOPMENT of the Teaching and Learning Framework (TLF) more than four years ago, Memorial University has been steadily growing its teaching and learning community.

Through inventive projects and initiatives that benefit students and educators at all levels, the TLF is

helping to further the universitywide commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.

This spring, faculty, staff and students on the St. John’s campus will have the opportunity to apply for funding to take their ideas on teaching and learning to the next level. The new St. John’s Campus TLF Funding Competition will give the Memorial community on the St. John’s campus the resources needed to take their ideas and apply them in short-term (1-2 year maximum duration) projects and proof of concept initiatives.

“There is no shortage of original ideas for teaching and learning

activities at Memorial University,” said Dr. Noreen Golfman, provost and vice-president (academic), pro tempore. “I encourage all eligible participants to think about how they might apply teaching and learning concepts at the unit level to enhance the teaching and learning experience.”

In 2014 the Vice-Presidents Council approved an annual allocation of $1.2 million to the TLF Fund. The purpose of the fund is to support university activities which foster the development of the desired qualities in Memorial’s graduates; contribute to the enhancement of the teaching and learning community; and/or address one or more of the specific recommendations of the TLF. In accordance with the recommendations of the TLF Strategic Plan 2014-17, allocations from the TLF Fund were made for Grenfell Campus, the Marine Institute and the School of Graduate Studies to support teaching and learning initiatives, a cross-campus Chairs in Teaching and Learning Program was established and the annual funding competition on the St. John’s campus was developed.

The objectives of the funding competition are to identify teaching and learning programs and approaches that are evidence-based and have demonstrated capacity to contribute

to the development of the desired qualities in Memorial’s graduates; enhance the teaching and learning experience for learners and educators; contribute to student success, including the achievement of identified learning outcomes; enhance the flexibility of the teaching and learning environment with respect to program design, mode of delivery and scheduling; and facilitate critical thinking and interaction among learners, educators, researchers, staff and the community.

All full-time employees (educators and staff) and students on the St. John’s campus are eligible to apply for funding as principal applicants.

The term of employment for employees must cover the period of the proposed project. Students must be enrolled full-time for the period of the proposed project.

For the 2015-16 competition, a total of $1.1 million will be available (combining the annual allocations for fiscal years 2014-15 and 2015-16).

Application details, guidelines and a proposal format will be finalized and circulated by March 30, 2015, and an online application form will be available by April 15, 2015.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2015.

For more information, visit blog.delts. mun.ca/teachingandlearning/tlf-fund/.

CEQ goes mobile

By Jennifer Batten

AS CLASSES begin to wind down and exam preparation begins, Memorial is getting ready to reach out to students for their valued course feedback through the online course evaluation questionnaire (CEQ) system.

Students can expect the same familiar online CEQ form when they log in to Memorial Self-Service, but this time there’s a twist: the form can now be completed during the CEQ administration period anytime, anywhere, on mobile devices using the MUNmobile app.

Students can download the app for Apple or Android devices and, starting March 20, log in and complete the CEQ. Having the CEQ available on the mobile app gives students the opportunity to complete the feedback form anytime at their convenience, whether that’s after their last class, on the bus or over lunch. WiFi hotspots in central locations – classrooms, lecture theatres and common areas – will help assist students to complete the CEQ. The MUNmobile app is free and can

MUNSU election results

be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Visit www.mun. ca/munmobile for more information.

Memorial University moved to a fully online method for administration of the CEQ across campuses in winter 2013. The online CEQ is quick and convenient to complete, confidential and benefits both students and instructors. All feedback is important and valued, and contributes to the classroom experience for students and for instructors, who often use constructive CEQ feedback to make changes to the courses they teach.

The CEQ has been the standard form of course evaluation at Memorial University since 2001, and has undergone review and improvements to ensure the system meets the needs of students and instructors. CEQ ratings are a valued measure of teaching effectiveness and all faculty and instructors are encouraged to discuss the CEQ with students prior to the end of the semester.

The CEQ for winter 2015 can be completed from March 20-April 7.

MEMORIAL’S student union, MUNSU, held its annual election on March 1112.

Four of the five director positions were contested with one acclaimed.

Leah Robertson was elected Director of Advocacy; the new director of campaigns is Brittany Byrnes; the

CEQs will be available on the MUNmobile app starting March 20.

new director of finance and services is Sarah Shannon; Brittany Lennox was elected Director of Student Life; and Robert Leamon was acclaimed director of external affairs.

A complete list of new MUNSU councillors can be found at munsu.ca/about/elections.

‘Seen and appreciated’

Canada House: Grenfell artistic influence in England

By Melanie Callahan

in London, England, are not only providing a snapshot of Canadian history, but are also serving as a reminder of the talent and creativity of Grenfell Campus’s faculty, staff and students.

Canada House, home of the Canadian High Commission, the country’s diplomatic presence in the United Kingdom, recently held a ceremony to celebrate its reopening.

Artist and visual arts faculty member Ingrid Mary Percy and theatre faculty Vickie Marston along with visual arts and theatre students of the Division of Fine Arts designed and created four amusing and inspiring window displays that celebrate notable Canadians who have demonstrated ingenuity and achievement.

Produced in collaboration with Jonathan Baker from the London College of Fashion, these street level tableaux are the public face of Canada House and can be viewed by the millions of passersby visiting Trafalgar Square on an annual basis.

The window designs showcase significant Canadian contributions to the world, such as insulin, the board game Trivial Pursuit, paint rollers and telephone communications.

Todd Hennessey, head, Division of Fine Arts, and Ms. Percy were guests at the official opening reception and were given an extensive tour of the new facility. Gordon Campbell, the High Commissioner, and John Baird, former minister of Foreign Affairs, were in attendance. Earlier, the Queen

SUBMITTED PHOTO

WINDOW DISPLAYS at Canada House

Grenfell-designed windows in Canada House in London tell the stories of Canadian inventors. The window pictured above features telephone communications, representing both Alexander Graham Bell and Blackberry. and Prince Philip performed the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

“Having the opportunity to be part of such a significant, high-profile event was exciting and fulfilling for us and our students,” Ms. Percy said. “These window displays will be seen and appreciated by countless London locals and tourists, and we were delighted and proud to play a role in their development.”

For the first time in more than 50

years, Canada House will return to its former glory and be connected to the adjacent building on Cockspur Street, emphasizing the historic link between Canada and the United Kingdom.

Grenfell Campus has its own unique link to the United Kingdom. As part of Grenfell’s theatre program, students in their final year of study spend a semester learning about world-class theatre at Memorial’s Harlow Campus, just a half hour outside of London.

As well, students in the visual arts program have the opportunity to study art history and visual culture at the Harlow Campus on a bi-annual basis with Dr. Gerard Curtis.

Ms. Percy will present Fit For a Queen: Creating the Inaugural Canada House Windows Showcase in Trafalgar Square at the Ferriss Hodgett Library on Friday, March 20, as part of Grenfell’s Engagement Week celebrations.

Sexual harassment advisor appointed

By Melissa Watton

PRESIDENT KACHANOSKI welcomes Rhonda Shortall as sexual harassment advisor with the Sexual Harassment Office at Memorial.

Ms. Shortall accepted the position following an extensive search process that included a stakeholder search committee which unanimously recommended her for the role.

“Students, faculty and staff have the right to work and study in an environment that is free from sexual harassment,” said Dr. Kachanoski. “At Memorial, we are committed to having a respectful and harassment-free environment on all of our campuses. The addition of Ms. Shortall, who brings extensive experience and education to the Sexual Harassment Office, will help us live up to that commitment.”

“I have been involved with Memorial over the years in a number of capacities and am excited to be the new sexual harassment advisor for the university,” Ms. Shortall said. “As I settle into the position, I look forward to engaging with the university community and connecting

with faculty, staff and students.”

Ms. Shortall holds a master of social work and a bachelor of science (honours) in psychology from Memorial University and a bachelor of social work from the University of British Columbia. She is a fellow of the School of Graduate Studies with more than 25 years of strong clinical experience and she has been a leader in both clinical and professional development, program and policy development, critical thinking and system innovation. Ms. Shortall has been chair, co-ordinator and champion of numerous working groups and new community and organizational program initiatives.

During her career, she has also been a mental health consultant in Prince Edward Island, worked in women’s shelters in British Columbia and has been a sexual abuse consultant in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ms. Shortall has served as past chair and co-founder of the Field Instructors’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and served on the academic council and the admissions committee at the School of Social Work. She has also engaged in a partnership

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Rhonda Shortall with Memorial regarding the design, development and research of an innovative brief therapy clinic and served as a community facilitator at Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine.

The Sexual Harassment Office provides information and education sessions to students, faculty and staff on how to identify and prevent

harassing behaviours and also provides advice, information and support to any person who has experienced sexual harassment.

The Sexual Harassment Office is located in ER-6039 on the St. John’s campus. Ms. Shortall can be reached in the office, by email at rshortall@ mun.ca or by phone at (709) 864-8199.

NQ to release spring issue, draw Jean Claude Roy winner are affecting the fishing season and harvests; visual artist Gary L. Saunders shares his observations, verbally and in illustrations, of changing icebergs off the coast close to his Newfoundland summer home; and photographer Alona Penton-Power’s photo essay depicts scenes of largerthan-life skies, ice and more.

The cover of the NL Quarterly’s spring issue features artwork by Gary L. Saunders.

By Mandy Cook

FANS OF THE Newfoundland Quarterly are starting to get antsy.

It’s the time of year when subscribers of Canada’s second oldest publication squeeze their lucky pennies tight and cross all their fingers (and toes) in the ardent hope their name will be pulled out of a hat for the annual Jean Claude Roy painting draw.

The painter has donated a largescale oil work each year for the past seven years in support of generating subscriptions to the publication. Editor Joan Sullivan says the world-renowned artist’s generosity is “invaluable” to Memorial’s quarterly literary magazine.

“Yes, it is exciting,” she said. “In the past few years we’ve done the draw on CBC Radio’s On The Go with Ted Blades. We often have a celebrity do the honours; both Lynda Boyd and Mark O’Brien of Republic of Doyle

Creating art through radio

have done this for us. Sometimes the winner hears their name drawn on the radio, sometimes a friend does and calls them, sometimes they don’t know until we contact them after the broadcast, but they usually react like they’ve won the lottery.”

Anyone who buys or gives a subscription before midnight on Tuesday, March 31, is eligible to be entered into the draw for Mr. Roy’s Torngat Basecamp, with the winning entry drawn shortly thereafter.

For the remaining 1,000 or so subscribers whose names aren’t drawn, they will receive a content-packed spring issue in the mail to divert themselves with come April 1.

The issue explores the theme of climate change. The Discovery Channel’s Cold Water Cowboy Richard Gillett – who captains the Midnight Shadow out of Twillingate – discusses how increasing ocean temperatures

create exciting pieces of art,” said Ms. Moore. “With Ed’s experience in radio production and portraying Newfoundland culture, the idea came about that he could run a workshop on adapting Newfoundland short stories into radio plays.”

By Courtenay Alcock

IN A HUSHED room overlooking the production studio at DELTS, a group of actors sit together rehearsing their script. They are getting ready to record a dramatic adaptation of a Newfoundland short story for radio, a work of art in the form of human voices.

Among the group sits Lisa Moore, assistant professor of creative writing at Memorial, as well as one of Canada’s pre-eminent novelists and short-story writers. Across from her sits Ed Riche, accomplished writer for radio, television, film and theatre, and the author of three novels. He was also named writerin-residence at Memorial in 2014.

The duo came together to help create a series of student-directed dramas that will be played on the university’s radio station, CHMR, later this month.

“This is a project that has reached across a wide community of university services, professors and students to

“The end result is six very different productions that each have a personal stamp on them from their directors.”

– Adrian Collins

Upon receiving student portfolios from the Department of English, Ms. Moore chose six participants for the project. In addition to writing the plays, the students would also direct their own productions. Ms. Moore was able to connect with Dr. Jamie Skidmore and Ruth Lawrence in the Department of English to gather the actors. DELTS was then brought on board for production.

During the process, Mr. Riche also met with the participants to review drafts of the adaptations,

Arts Centre on Thursday, March 19, at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information or to subscribe to the Newfoundland Quarterly, visit ED-4001 on the St. John’s campus, telephone 709-864-2426 or email nfqsub@mun.ca

“Sometimes the winner hears their name drawn on the radio, sometimes a friend does and calls them, sometimes they don’t know until we contact them after the broadcast, but they usually react like they’ve won the lottery.”

– Joan Sullivan

Non-themed articles include a humorous account from Adam Clarke on his work as “human background” in the CBC-TV movie Diverted, poetry by Aley Waterman and book reviews of Edward Roberts’s A Blue Puttee at War: The Memoir of Captain Sydney Frost and Doug Letto’s Last Prime Minister, among others.

In addition to the big draw and the spring issue release, the Newfoundland Quarterly is hosting a staged reading of Rig, Mike Heffernan’s oral history of the Ocean Ranger disaster, in Corner Brook. The reading will include six theatre students from Grenfell Campus’s fine arts program and will be held at the Rotary

provide editorial advice and explain the difficulties and thrills of adaptation for radio.

“Radio drama is so intimate and it requires the deep, full-on engagement of the imagination, because the listener has to visualize the story unfolding,” explained Ms. Moore. “On the other hand, it also has that age-old pleasure and thrill, listening to a human voice telling a story. It was fun to hear the actors interpret the work. It will be an even bigger thrill to hear what sound effects DELTS will add.”

“Once we recorded the actors’ voices we had to sift through each recording and pull the dramas together with soundscapes to create a magical, dramatic effect,” said Adrian Collins, producer, DELTS. “It was fun to work with the student directors and to use our technical expertise to help them achieve their vision for the productions. The end result is six very different productions that each have a personal stamp on them from their directors.”

The radio dramas are interpretations of Newfoundland short stories adapted from works by local writers. They include The Shadow Side of Grace, written and adapted by Michelle Butler Hallett; Little World, adapted

by Jennifer McVeigh from Russell

Joan Sullivan will draw one lucky subscriber’s name for the annual Jean Claude Roy oil painting draw April 1.

From left are Lisa Moore, Ed Riche and student Bridget Canning.

Wangersky’s Whirl Away; Catechism, adapted by Bridget Canning from the original work by Wayne Johnston; The Nightingale, adapted by Laura Barron from the original work by Paul Whittle; Break, Break, Break, adapted by Michael Nolan from Gerard Collins’ Moonlight Sketches; and Brute, adapted by Joan Sullivan from the original work by Jessica Grant.

CHMR has scheduled the productions to air on Thursday, March 19, at 3 p.m.; Sunday, March 22 at 7 p.m.; and Tuesday, March 24 at 5 p.m.

School of Nursing adopts a uniform approach THE SCHOOL OF NURSING has introduced new standardized uniforms for its students.

With so many students in the health professions working on busy hospital floors, clinics and other health-care settings, a uniform approach is one way to help identify School of Nursing students to patients and nursing staff.

First-year students in the bachelor of nursing (BN) collaborative program now wear white tops and burgundy pants to nursing labs and clinical settings.

The response to the new look is overwhelmingly positive, and is coming from patients, families, nursing staff and students themselves.

“I feel like I’m stepping into a role,” said Andy Wilson, a BN student in her first year of the fasttrack option. “It gives me a bit of comfort. I get questions about the uniforms. Patients do like them, and they want to know what school you are with. They’re curious, and they ask about our studies.”

“The new uniforms help patients, registered nurses, and members of the interdisciplinary team recognize our students and identify them with the excellent contributions they are making to patient and family health,” said Dr. Alice Gaudine, dean, School of Nursing Though recently introduced, the school’s adoption of standardized uniforms goes back a few years to a 2011 pilot study headed up

by Dr. Caroline Porr, an associate professor in the school.

Dr. Porr and a team of nurse clinicians, educators and researchers

wanted to find out if adult patients’ perception of a nurse’s professional image in Newfoundland and Labrador was associated with uniform color, pattern and style.

They presented photos of the same nurse in eight different uniforms to adult patients in two larger hospitals.

“It gives me a bit of comfort. I get questions about the uniforms.

Patients do like them, and they want to know what school you are with. They’re curious, and they ask about our studies.”

– Andy Wilson

“The majority of patients who participated in our study preferred that their registered nurse be dressed in a traditional white uniform,” said Dr. Porr, adding that nurses in solid white tops and pants were perceived in the study as more competent, attentive, professional, approachable and caring.

It’s information that educators from each of the three nursing sites – the School of Nursing, the Centre for Nursing Studies, and the Western Regional School of Nursing − have used to introduce a standardized uniform for their students.

CHRIS HAMMOND PHOTO

By Marcia Porter

Nursing students Alisha Gaudet and Maddison Page in their new uniforms.

Award-winning maneuvers in ocean technology

By Leslie Earle

THE FISHERIES and Marine Institute (MI) was recognized for excellence by the Marine Technology Society’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Committee during the 2015 Underwater Intervention conference held in New Orleans, La., recently.

On an institutional level, MI was presented with the society’s Academic Excellence Award, which honours an individual or organization for outstanding achievement in promoting the education of ROV technology to the next generation.

“Since 2007, MI has been focused on ensuring students receive the cutting-edge training they require for exciting professions in areas such

as ocean instrumentation, ocean mapping and underwater technology,” said Glenn Blackwood, vice-president, Marine Institute. “This, coupled with our industrial outreach efforts is being met with much success. I am honoured that the Marine Institute has been recognized with this award and am pleased to accept it on behalf of the entire MI community.”

The good news doesn’t stop there.

Dwight Howse, head, School of Ocean Technology at MI, was also recognized for his contributions.

Mr. Howse received the ROV Committee Chairman’s Distinguished Achievement Award which is presented to an individual chosen by the committee chair for outstanding contribution to the ROV community.

8 gazette | Wednesday, March 18, 2015 | www.mun.ca/gazette

“Dwight has been a driving force behind the school,” Mr. Blackwood continued. “From innovative academic and research programs to the development of the ROV programs, Dwight has taken an active role in engaging students in the ROV industry.

Dwight is very worthy of this accolade and I offer my sincere congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.”

“I am pleased to receive this award and am proud of everything that we continue to accomplish at MI’s School of Ocean Technology,” said Mr. Howse.

“Personally, I have a vested interest in seeing our youth succeed – both inside MI through the School of Ocean Technology and through activities such as the Marine Advanced Technology Education ROV Competition.”

In addition to his role at MI, Mr. Howse is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Oceanic Engineering Society and the Marine Technology Society. He also served as the conference chair for the MTS/IEEE Oceans ’14 Conference held in St. John’s last September.

The ROV Committee Awards program is designed to recognize individuals and organizations who have made considerable contributions to industry and remotely operated vehicle technology. The awards were presented Feb. 10 during the world’s premier event for commercial diving contractors, remotely operated vehicles, manned submersibles and all other aspects of the underwater operations industry.

By Heidi Wicks

THE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY will host Pharmacy Research Innovation Day as part of Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM) on March 19. The event will showcase the school’s vision for research over the next 3–5 years and profile each of their three focus areas – health outcomes, drug discovery and delivery, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Dr. John Weber was recently appointed associate dean, graduate studies and research, and will be working towards fulfilling the goals outlined in the recently released 2014-17 Strategic Plan.

“Since I joined the school in 2006, I’ve always envisioned the graduate program growing and becoming diverse with a combination of local, national and international students,” he said. “One of my priorities as associate dean will be to accomplish this goal by increasing both master’s and PhD enrolment. I also want to recruit students from across Canada and internationally, which I think will lead to a dynamic, energetic research and training atmosphere.”

Dr. Weber explains health outcomes research as a means to understand the end results of particular healthcare practices and interventions.

“End results include effects that people experience, such as a change in the ability to function,” he said. “For individuals with chronic conditions where cure is not always possible, end results include improved quality

of life and mortality. By linking the care people get to the outcomes they experience, this research has become the key to developing better ways to monitor and improve care.”

Research in drug discovery and delivery can be described as the laboratory, or bench science, side of pharmacy. Although scientists often don’t conduct research in both discovery and delivery, the two go hand-in-hand. Collaborative research is essential in order to develop truly effective, sustainable medications.

“Even if you discover a new drug, you must also determine if it can be delivered to the right part of the body,” said Dr. Weber. “For example, if a new drug was developed for rheumatoid arthritis and it is taken orally, but is degraded in the stomach before it can be absorbed, it isn’t going to be transported to the joints, which would essentially make the drug ineffective.”

The scholarship of teaching and learning evaluates which teaching methods and approaches work well and measures how successfully students are learning.

“I’d like to see more collaborations in teaching and learning research between faculty members in the school, as well as with other faculty members at Memorial. More and more research is being funded with this type of a team approach.”

Increasing interest in research among undergraduate students is another focus area.

“Our grants facilitator Kristine Day and I have been exploring potential

CHRIS HAMMOND PHOTO

Showcasing School of Pharmacy’s research vision

Sydney Saunders tests the blood pressure of Steve Kent, minister of Health, at the 2015 Pharmacist Awareness Month’s opening reception. funding opportunities to help us meet this goal,” said Dr. Weber. “I would like to see more undergraduates consider research at some point. By giving them opportunities to conduct research early on, they may find that they would like to consider it as a career pathway.”

Although the lack of infrastructure is a major challenge in expanding the school’s research capabilities, Dr. Weber is confident that these challenges can be resolved.

“I look forward to working with our stakeholders both within

Ready, set, engage!

The Quick Start Fund for Public Engagement is now open.

Sometimes a project or partnership needs a little boost. Memorial faculty members, employees, groups and organizations are invited to apply for up to $1000 for smaller projects and activi-ties (such as preliminary meetings, events and communitybased learning projects) that support the goals of the Public Engagement Framework.

Funding will be available on a rolling basis until all allocated funds have been distributed.

For more details and to apply online, please visit

www.mun.ca/publicengagement/funding

the university and within the health-care community to develop interdisciplinary, collaborative research partnerships that will ultimately lead to the improvement of our population’s health and a more sustainable health-care system.”

Pharmacy Research Innovation Day includes poster presentations from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Health Sciences Centre auditorium, followed by presentations on each research focus area from 12-1:30 p.m.

Call for proposals for water research fund

By Cathy Newhook

WHILE THERE is no question about the need for safe, clean and accessible drinking water, many communities in Newfoundland and Labrador still struggle to provide the essential amenity.

Memorial has a key role to play in building the knowledge base and contributing to solutions through innovative research.

The Harris Centre-RBC Water Research and Outreach Fund is helping to build Memorial’s capacity on this issue and is now open to all Memorial faculty, staff and students.

“The fund’s focus is on drinking water, but within that focus we welcome all sorts of applications,” said Bojan Fürst, manager of knowledge mobilization, Harris Centre. “The research can be technical, address policy and governance issues, or just about any aspect of research related to drinking water in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The call for proposal is open until April 10. Researchers must submit a maximum six-page proposal, a writing sample and support letters from community or industry partners, if available. Proposals must be submitted through the Harris Centre’s online submission system at www.mun.ca/harriscentre.

For additional information, please contact Mandy Strickland at mandys@mun.ca.

FIND US ONLINE

www.mun.ca/gazette

Family medicine moves to new residency model

New date for Tributes

By Elizabeth Furey

By Jeff Green

THE DISCIPLINE of Family Medicine has moved to a new streams-based residency model in response to some medical students’ hesitancy to follow the traditional method of internal matching.

Instead, students can now rank their placement preference – a move that is already producing positive results.

“In previous years, we’ve been told that candidates didn’t apply to our program because they could not be guaranteed to train in their chosen location,” said Dr. Danielle O’Keefe, postgraduate program director. “By introducing the streams model, candidates can now rank their stream preferences in the Canadian Resident Matching Service.”

The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) is an organization that provides a matching service to medical students for entry into postgraduate medical training throughout Canada.

For example, if a candidate would like to go to the Northern-Goose Bay stream in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Labrador, they can now rank that program at the top of their rankings list using the new streams model.

The Discipline of Family Medicine CaRMS sessions ran Jan. 21-23. The streams model wasn’t the only new item on the agenda this year – the

discipline also introduced lunch time information sessions designed to provide information to candidates regarding the organization of the new streams model and what life is like across the training sites. It is the streams-based model, however, combined with additional factors, which members of the discipline believe has contributed to the increase in interested candidates this year.

“Over the period of three days during our CaRMS week this year, we interviewed approximately 200 candidates,” said Steve Lawlor, manager, operations, Discipline of Family Medicine. “This increase of 54 per cent over last year tells us that candidates are interested in what our discipline has to offer.”

And interested those candidates were: it was announced March 4 that the Discipline of Family Medicine achieved a 100 per cent placement rate in the first iteration − the first time this has occurred since the 2010-11 academic year.

“We believe the changes we’ve made to our CaRMS sessions have given candidates a better understanding of the training opportunities unique to the various streams here in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Dr. O’Keefe. “We’re proud of our program and excited to welcome our new residents.”

10 gazette | Wednesday, March 18, 2015 | www.mun.ca/gazette

THE ALUMNI TRIBUTE Awards are coming back to campus – at least for this year.

The awards were initially scheduled for February but were postponed due to poor weather. However, organizers now have a new date and location.

The 33rd annual ceremony will take place Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m. at R. Gushue Hall on the St. John’s campus.

This year’s honorees are Jane Rowe, B.Comm.(Hons.)(Co-op.)’81, who will be presented with the Alumna of the Year award; Robert Crosbie, B.Comm.(Co-op.)’79, will receive the J.D. Eaton Alumni Award;

Thomas Maddox, BA, B.Ed.’70, will be recognized with the Outstanding Community Service Award and Mark O’Brien, BA’10, will be honoured with the Alumni Horizon Award.

The awards are one the highest honours bestowed on Memorial alumni.

Local entertainer and alumna Sheila Williams is hosting this year’s ceremony.

Individual tickets are $125.

To purchase, call the Office of Alumni Affairs and Development at 1-877-700-4081 or e-mail rsvpalumni@mun.ca.

out and about

IN FLIGHT The photo above was captured by David Pippy, online recruitment co-ordinator, at Burton’s Pond recently and was shared on Memorial University’s Instagram account. The image garnered 184 likes as of the Gazette’s press time – the highest engagement level thus far on the social media channel. Follow Memorial on Instagram @memorialuniversity for more scenic shots of campus life.

out & about For more on these events and other news at Memorial, please visit www.today.mun.ca.

An Introduction to RoboCup and Soccer 2-D Simulation League, 1-2 p.m., EN-2022, Sponsor: Department of Computer Science Humanitarian Emergencies with Dr. Kevin Chan, 6:30-8 p.m., M1M101, New Medical School building, Sponsor: Friends of Medecins sans Frontieres MUN

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

Faculty Relations Brown Bag Lunch Series: Academic Integrity, 12-1 p.m., IIC-3001, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: Office of Faculty Relations

Public Pill Drop, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., RNC Headquarters, Fort Townshend, Sponsor: School of Pharmacy, RNC, RCMP

Ottawa Pub Night with Fergus O’Byrne, 6-9 p.m., Heart and Crown Pub, 67 Clarence St., Ottawa, Ont., Sponsor: Alumni Affairs and Development

An Evaluation of Institutional Long-Term Care in the St. John’s Region and Implications for Policy, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies

Does Neuroscience + Immunology = Neuroimmunology?, 5-6 p.m., 1M101, Medical Education Center, Sponsor: Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

Advanced PubMed Searching, 1-2 p.m., Computer Lab A, Health Sciences Library, Sponsor: Health Sciences Library

Privacy: It’s Your Business, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., BN4019, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre Introduction to the Teaching Dossier, ED-1001, Sponsor: DELTS, Professional Development Experiences for Educators

Co-Creating Harry Potter: Children’s Fan-Play, Folklore and Participatory Culture, 2-4 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies

Art Criticism in Canada: Its Reality and Potential, 7-9 p.m., The Rooms Art Gallery, Sponsor: Faculty of Arts

2015 Sustainability Fair, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., third floor, University Centre, Sponsor: MUNSU, Sustainability Office

The Critical Thinking Approach for Better Problem Solving, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., BN-4019, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre

Cinema and Space in Newfoundland and Labrador, 7:30-9 p.m., MMaP Gallery, second floor, Arts and Culture Centre, St. John’s, Sponsor: MMaP Research Centre, School of Music

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

MUN Cinema Series: Red Army, 7-8:20 p.m., Cineplex Theatre, Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema

ARTS on Oceans: Work and the Sea, 7:30-9 p.m., The Rocket Room, 272 Water St., Sponsor: Faculty of Arts

Weekend at the Opera, 2-4 p.m., location TBD, Sponsor: School of Music

THURSDAY, MARCH 19 An Introduction to Graduate Studies at Memorial, 3-4 p.m., online webinar, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies HR Policy Essentials, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., BN-4019, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre MUN Cinema Series: Dear White People, 7-8:50 p.m., Cineplex Theatre, Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema Bach to Light, 8-9:30 p.m., Suncor Energy Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: School of Music Pharmacy Research Innovation Day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Health Sciences Centre main foyer, Sponsor: School of Pharmacy Recovering Labrador’s First Snowmobile, 7-9 p.m., room 250, Labrador Institute, 219 Hamilton River Rd., Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Sponsor: Alumni Affairs and Development Free Lunchtime Screening of Videos from N.L. Heritage Website, 12-2 p.m., The Landing, University Centre, Sponsor: Faculty of Arts, WW100 Mobility, Ceremonialism and Group Identity in Archaic Newfoundland, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies

Weekend at the Opera, 7:30-9:30 p.m., location TBD, Sponsor: School of Music

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

Memorial University Community Garden Plot Application Deadline, 5 p.m., online, Sponsor: Sustainability Office

SUNDAY, MARCH 22 Weekend at the Opera, 2-4 p.m., location TBD, Sponsor: School of Music Memorial University Community Garden Plot Application Deadline, 5 p.m., online, Sponsor: Sustainability Office

MONDAY, MARCH 23 Supervisory Management Skills Program: Communications and Team Development, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., BN-4019, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre

THURSDAY, MARCH 26 Application to Graduate School: Tips and Strategies, 3-4 p.m., online webinar, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies

Bergmann Duo, 8-9:30 p.m., D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: School of Music Toronto Social Night, 6-9 p.m., THE BOTTOM LINE, Brookfield Place, 22 Front St. W, Toronto, Ont., Sponsor: Alumni Affairs and Development Calgary Social with Arthur O’Brien of The Navigators, 6-9 p.m., Palomino Smokehouse, 109 7th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alta., Sponsor: Alumni Affairs and Development Backyard Composting: From Garden to Campus Workshop Series, 12:30-1:30 p.m., UC-3018, The Landing, Sponsor: Memorial University Botanical Garden Talking to the Public About Your Research, 2-3:30 p.m., PE-2028, Sponsor: Office of Public Engagement

Heading Out, 8-9:30 p.m., location TBD, Sponsor: School of Music

Accounting for Time: Keynote Address Sociology Symposium, 3:30-4:30 p.m., A-1046, Sponsor: Department of Sociology

TUESDAY, MARCH 24

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

The Circle of Stress: Understanding the Epigenetic Basis of Aging, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., room 2908, Health Sciences Centre, Sponsor: Genetics Search Committee How Microbreweries and Community Events Process Local Legends and Folklore in Québec, 2-4 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25

Energy Efficient Navigational Methods for Autonomous Underwater Gliders in Surface Denied Regions, 1-3 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies

SATURDAY, MARCH 28 Wir Setzen Uns Mit Tränen Nieder, 8-9:30 p.m., D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: School of Music

MONDAY, MARCH 30

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 Mini-Med School, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Lecture Theatres, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Sponsor: Faculty of Medicine April Fool’s Jazz, 8-9:30 p.m., D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: School of Music

THURSDAY, APRIL 2 MUN Cinema Series: Leviathan, 7-9:20 p.m., Cineplex Theatre, Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema Pulcinella!, 8-9:30 p.m., D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: School of Music Perceptions of Services Available to Victims/ Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence in Ghana, 12-1 p.m., SN-4087, Sponsor: Department of Gender Studies Speakers’ Series Wavelet Packet Transform and DirectQuadrature Axis-Based Hybrid Technique for Differential Protection of Power Transformers, 1-3 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 MUN Chamber Music Showcase, 8-9:30 p.m., D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: School of Music

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LUXURY OCEANSIDE house for rent in Flatrock, 20 minutes from St. John’s/ MUN. Three bedrooms, furnished, picture windows, deck, Jacuzzi, open-concept kitchen, stainless steel appliances, hiking trails seconds away. Large writer’s studio with breathtaking ocean views. No pets, no smoking. Professionally managed. $1395/ month+Utilities. Available May 1. Email agocsmusic@gmail.com

Slow steam ahead

By Michelle Osmond

LARGE VESSELS that transport cargo, oil and other goods over large distances require a lot of fuel and to save time they move fast.

Within the European Union (EU), maritime transport faces many challenges, such as significant increases in transport volumes, growing environmental requirements and a shortage of seafarers.

Enter the concept of an autonomous ship. The vessels would be controlled by shore-based command centres.

Unmanned vessels would move more slowly, but would do much to address the EU’s goal of reducing shipping-related greenhouse gases by burning less fuel.

The shipping method might also help to make seafaring a more appealing career choice, given employees would not have to spend long periods of time at sea and away from their families.

Dr. MacKinnon, associate dean, graduate studies and research, and professor, School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, is working with researchers at Sweden’s Chalmers University as part of a group called the Maritime Unmanned

Navigation through Intelligence in Networks (MUNIN).

MUNIN is co-funded by the EU and consists of eight partners with both scientific and industrial backgrounds located in Germany, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Ireland.

Its aim is to develop a vessel primarily guided by automated onboard decision systems but controlled by a remote operator on shore.

The shore-based control centre and the human-machine interfaces of the project are what Dr. MacKinnon and his graduate student Yemao Man are focusing on. It means creating a virtual reality for the shore-based control team so they can maintain situation awareness without actually being on the ship.

“The shore-control centre controls the vessel once it departs port and until it arrives at a port,” said Dr. MacKinnon. “Inbound and outbound from ports, a real human is put on ship to take it in or out.”

However, if there was an emergency onboard such as a fire, Dr. MacKinnon says it would present a “huge” challenge.

“That scenario would take international co-operation. It would definitely require more pre-emptive

CHRIS HAMMOND PHOTO

Redesigning vessels to use less energy and manpower

Dr. Scott MacKinnon at the St. John’s harbour. maintenance schedules to prevent breakdowns as much as possible.

The systems would always be monitored by the shore-control centre. When the check engine light goes on, a remediation process would have to be in place.”

Dr. MacKinnon and the MUNIN team believe the challenges can be overcome and that the benefits of an autonomous vessel are worth it.

“It’s a new way to manage energy on a global scale.”

Folklore partners with local seniors

By Janet Harron

EACH YEAR, graduate students enrolled in Public Folklore 6740 have the opportunity to plan and facilitate a public program over the course of a semester.

This year the students were part of an intergenerational program with senior volunteers to learn and share stories about traditional play and games, thanks to funding from the federal New Horizons for Seniors Program and an ongoing partnership with the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The students, taught by Dr. Jillian Gould, regularly visited the MacMorran Community Centre in St. John’s. Each student was paired with two seniors who, through recorded interviews, shared details of the seniors’ childhood games.

Activities of yesteryear, such as skipping, marbles, cat’s cradle and hop scotch were discussed, and, in more than a few cases, played by the students and seniors together.

“It was great to hear the rules for alleys [marbles] and to play new games such as Little Sally Saucer,” said student Terra Barrett. “I also learned about how to make paper dolls, and how to choose who would go first in a game. It was also very interesting to hear about the toys and equipment they made themselves.

From alder branches and cow’s bladders as hockey sticks and pucks, to cardboard or canvas for summer sliding – the participants’ creativity really stood out.

I really appreciate the opportunity we

had to interact with the community and particularly the seniors in this project – it’s made the course much more interesting and engaging.”

Portraits and biographies of the seniors, along with photographs and excerpts from the recorded interviews, including stories, rules of the games and even original poetry, will be featured in a booklet titled Looking Back: Games We Played. The booklet will serve to celebrate the seniors’ contributions and role as tradition-bearers in the community.

Copies of the booklet will be distributed to the participants, as well as to community centres and local libraries. It will also be available online. The students and seniors will celebrate the booklet launch on Tuesday, March 24, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the MacMorran Centre on Bell’s Turn. All are welcome to attend.

“We are so delighted with the results of the project,” said Dr. Gould.

“The students and senior volunteers developed such a nice rapport — there was much laughter and warmth as stories and songs were shared and recorded. Childhood games are excellent examples of the transmission of folklore: how skills and knowledge are passed along informally by observation or imitation. Despite age gaps, the students and seniors found many commonalities in the games they played. It is our hope that the booklet will be a springboard for further conversation, encouraging more intergenerational activities that focus on documenting and celebrating games, play and traditional culture.”

12 gazette | Wednesday, March 18, 2015 | www.mun.ca/gazette

The cover of a booklet created by gradate folklore students.