![[University of Waterloo]](/images/logobars/goldbar.gif)
| Yesterday |
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
|
Editor: Chris Redmond credmond@uwaterloo.ca |
![[Blue snow on ground and trees]](/images/2005/1214winter.jpg)
In the lane
snow is glistening: a view southward from the overpass between
the Davis Centre and Math and Computer, caught this week by Jim
Marshall of the information systems and technology department.
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"On December 19, immediately following our Christmas party," says Peter Goldsworthy of LT3, "the LT3 staff are getting together to stuff stockings in an unusual way. We originally heard about this idea from professor Christina Mills of AHS, through our liaison, Katherine Lithgow." The key organizer is LT3's administrative assistant, Marta Bailey, he added.
"We have received an abundance of new, very warm woolen socks which we will be stuffing with articles such as disposable razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes and toothpaste, small shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, thermal undergarments, gloves and winter toques (in dark colours)."
The original plan was for LT3 staff to provide the little gifts, but things have expanded. With the department's headquarters being in the Dana Porter Library, it was natural to invite library staff to join in. The project has reached other parts of campus through the LT3 "liaisons" in the faculties, as well as its outpost in the distance education office on Gage Avenue. And "a number of concerned local businesses" have also made contributions, Goldsworthy says.
"Once these "stockings" (socks) are stuffed they will be taken to the Out of the Cold organization, where on Christmas morning they will be handed out to homeless people so that they too can have a gift on Christmas morning."
From November through April each year, volunteers operate Out of the Cold programs in a number of churches in Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge, providing shelter for those 18 years of age and older, as well as supper and breakfast. The shelter has different locations each night: this evening it would be St. Matthew's Lutheran in downtown Kitchener and St. Ambrose Roman Catholic in the Galt section of Cambridge.
| POSITIONS AVAILABLE |
|
On this week's list from the human resources department:
Longer descriptions are available on the HR web site. |
![[Pollock]](http://development.uwaterloo.ca/recognition/2005/images/
john_pollock.jpg)
UW has received another gift -- this time a quarter of a million
dollars -- from a family that has long connections with the university,
says the 2004-05
donor report.
The donor is John Pollock (right) -- who follows in the footsteps of his father, Carl A. Pollock, as CEO of Electrohome Limited. Says the donor report: " Mr. Pollock is a talented entrepreneur who over the past four decades has deftly guided his 90-year-old public company through rapidly changing economic times. His knowledge and experience have given him a special appreciation for the University of Waterloo and its spirit of innovation.
"That is why he has directed a $250,000 Campaign Waterloo contribution, from the John A. Pollock Family Fund through the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation's Donor Directed Funds, to an exciting UW initiative -- the Canadian Centre of Arts and Technology. CCAT is a collaborative research centre bringing together experts from many disciplines and backgrounds to explore how people interact with digital information and emerging multimedia technologies.
"The Pollock name is well-known and highly regarded at Waterloo. John's father, Carl Pollock, was one of the local business leaders who helped found the University in 1957 as the pioneer of co-operative education in Canada. A long-time supporter of the University, John Pollock is a member of the Patron's Council for Campaign Waterloo and has supported a number of projects on campus, including the Carl A. Pollock Post-Graduate Fellowship and the Electrohome 75th Anniversary Scholarship."
It quotes the donor, who has served on the UW board of governors himself, as well as the board of the UW Foundation: "With my family's long-standing involvement with the University of Waterloo that dates back to 1957, we are pleased to provide support for the development of an institution that has made and continues to make major contributions in its numerous fields of specialization -- locally, nationally, and internationally."
| WHEN AND WHERE |
|
Roy Hinsperger, plant operations department, retirement
reception 3:30 to 5:30, Davis Centre lounge, information ext. 6822.
St. Jerome's University annual Christmas reception and dinner for invited guests, 6:00, Letson Community Centre. Teaching workshop: "Understanding the Learner", Thursday 9:30, details and registration online. Carousel Dance Centre Christmas show "The Polar Express" Friday 10:00, 1:00 and 7:00, Humanities Theatre. |
Ellsworth LeDrew, geography professor and dean of environmental studies, sends a note about the recent Daily Bulletin story on grizzly bear research: "There is another UW linkage. I supervised PhD student Greg McDermid, who successfully defended his PhD on November 30. He was directing the preparation of the remote sensing mapping, classification and analysis for this project. He was working with Dr. Steven Franklin of UW and me. Greg will be an assistant professor in geography at the University of Calgary and will continue his work on this project."
When information and systems technology staff hold their weekly professional development seminar on Friday, they'll be hearing from co-worker Colin Campbell about the Lego MindStorms robotics invention system. Campbell explains: "Lego MindStorms is used to construct robots out of Lego pieces, connect the robots to the central microprocessor, and program the robots to activate their motors in response to stimulus of their touch and light sensors. The first example that will be demonstrated will be of a robot that drives along until it hits an obstacle. Then it backs up a little, turns left a little, and then continues in a straight line until the next obstacle. And if it crosses from a light surface onto a dark surface it stops. Programming can be carried out in a highly graphical block-oriented environment, as well as in languages such as: C, C++, Java, VBA, etc. Lego MindStorms has been used at UW by at least two 1A engineering courses. Judging from other schools, there is potential in upper years as well, e.g. having multiple robots use infrared communications to cooperate." The tool is also featured in Engineering Science Quest, UW's summer technology program for children. Friday's IST talk starts at 8:45, as usual, in the IST seminar room.
![[Hannusch]](/images/2005/1214hannusch.jpg)
Douglas Hannusch (right), a temporary member of the UW staff,
died November 26. He was 62.
A keen gardener, he had been on a short-term
contract with the grounds crew in the plant operations department.
A memo this week from Renison College notes that Renison "is excited to offer non-credit Asian language courses again this year. These courses will provide you with an opportunity to learn and understand the Pacific Rim's culture and languages." One offering is Conversational Chinese 1, on Tuesday evenings in the winter term: "This course is designed as an introduction to the Chinese language and to develop basic listening and speaking skills." Similarly, there's Conversational Japanese 1 on Thursday evenings, " designed as an introduction to the Japanese language and to develop basic listening and speaking skills. . . . Whether you aim to improve your Far East connections, are planning to travel or want to try something new, these courses are for you! These courses are offered as interest courses and are not for university credit. The cost is $295 per course, plus GST and text. Classes will be three hours per week for a total of 10 weeks. Space is limited." The number to call to register: 884-4404 ext 627.
Chilled water will be turned off today in Rod Coutts Hall and Engineering II, the plant operations department says. . . . Advertising has started for the "Leave the Pack Behind" campaign, encouraging people to stop smoking (or not start) over a six-week period starting in mid-January. . . . Hard to believe on a cold day like today, but the UW weather station calculates that November was the sixth month in a row with higher-than-average temperatures. . . .
CAR