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University of Waterloo -- Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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Wednesday, September 10, 1997

Groundwater chair is announced

Launch ceremonies are happening in Toronto this afternoon for UW's 13th industrial research chair, co-sponsored by the university, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and private industry.

The chairholder is Bob Gillham of the earth sciences department, whose newest honour comes on the heels of his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. His "chair" will be in the field of groundwater remediation -- or, officially, "Development of Zero-Valent Metal Technologies for Passive InSitu Remediation of Groundwater Contaminated by Halocarbons". There are two industrial sponsors, Motorola Canada -- a major international electronics firm that's interested in safe disposal and cleanup of industrial waste -- and EnviroMetal Technologies. EnviroMetal is a UW spinoff company, based in Guelph, that Gillham helped to start and that is licensed by UW to use the technology he has developed already.

Support for the chair from Motorola, EnviroMetal, NSERC and UW "is in excess of $2.6 million over five years", says a news release that's being issued for today's launch. It doesn't break down the sources of the money or how it will be used.

"The leading edge research at the University of Waterloo offers significant promise for an effective, cheaper method of cleaning up" certain groundwater contamination, the news release explains. Gillham and his team are working on a "zero valent iron process" that uses a "wall . . . inserted in the ground and filled with recycled iron filings" to intercept contaminated groundwater and chemically break down halogenated organic compounds.

"The research activities will focus on expanding the groundwater remediation process to accommodate a variety of site requirements and to study the long-term benefits of the iron wall technology," the news release says.

Today's launch starts at 2 p.m. at the Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto.

Grad student president resigns

Daniel Piche of the Graduate Student Association issued this announcement this morning:

The Graduate Student Association wishes to announce the resignation of its President, Burton Empey, on September 8, 1997. Mr. Empey was first elected to the position in April 1996, and was re-elected for a second term this spring. During his term, many changes were implemented, including the restructuring of the GSA Constitution. As well, he served on many GSA and University committees, as a representative for the University's graduate students.
Current Vice-President Internal, Stephen Astels, has been named interim President until the GSA Council appoints a new President.

New award for volunteering

Asking what you can do for your country -- and your community, and your campus -- has its rewards already, and a new one is being added: the President's Circle Awards for Volunteerism. Catharine Scott, associate provost (human resources and student services), explains in a memo that's being sent across campus:

I'm pleased to announce a new student award which will recognize the significant contributions of students in volunteer work both within the University and the community at large. The awards will honour the extracurricular contributions of students in a variety of service areas, some of which may not be highly visible but nonetheless important to the community. A Committee will select ten recipients each year to receive awards of $250 each.
Any member of the university or the community at large may nominate a student. As well, because volunteer work, often has a low profile, a student may directly apply for the award.
I hope that you will make these awards known to deserving students and consider nominating some of our extraordinary volunteers yourself. More information may be obtained including eligibility requirements and application/nomination forms from Dianne Scheifele, Secretariat, ext. 3183.

And if today's your day for getting started on volunteer service, here are the latest opportunities as listed by the Volunteer Action Centre of Kitchener-Waterloo:

Big Brothers: male volunteers (over 19) to befriend boys aged 6 to 14. "Positions are available in the one-to-one match program, Big Bunch recreation program and the couples matching program. Over 60 boys are waiting for a Big Brother."
A treasurer on the board of directors of "an agency that offers programs and services to those with epilepsy". Duties include receiving financial statements and providing financial guidance at monthly board meetings.
Volunteer canvassers to help collect door-to-door in October for the Canadian Diabetes Association, a one-time commitment of about three hours in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge or Guelph.

More information: call 742-8610.

These other notes this morning

Staff from co-op education and career services are holding sessions today through Friday for students who will be graduating this year -- undergraduate and graduate, co-op and regular. The meetings will explain career and employment services available at UW. Here's the schedule:

Math: today at 12:30, Davis Centre 1351.
Engineering: today at 2:00, Engineering Lecture 101.
Arts: Thursday at 10:30, Arts Lecture 116.
Environmental studies: Thursday at 12:30, Arts Lecture 113.
Science: Thursday at 2:00, Biology 1 room 271.
Applied health sciences: Friday at 10:30, Matthews Hall 1621.
All faculties: today or tomorrow at 3:30, Humanities Theatre.

Also today from co-op and career services: a resumé writing seminar for co-op applied studies and science (1:30, Engineering Lecture room 101). Tomorrow, an "interest assessment workshop to find out how your interests relate to specific vocational opportunities" is scheduled for 11:30 -- register at the counselling services office, Needles Hall room 2080.

Late fees are mounting up; if you haven't registered yet, you need to scurry through the rain to Needles Hall and get the paperwork done. (Undergraduate registration moves back to NH today after a week and a half in the gymnasium.)

The psychology department is holding its annual staff-student luncheon at noontime today. "As well as welcoming all the new students, faculty and staff," says Yvonne Weppler in the psych department, "there will be a few special presentations."

CAR

TODAY IN UW HISTORY September 10, 1972: Ike and Tina Turner play the Physical Activities Complex. September 10, 1975: An all-candidates meeting is held in the Theatre of the Arts, eight days before a scheduled provincial election. Among the candidates is Jack Kersell of the political science department, the NDP candidate in Waterloo North.

Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca -- (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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