Rings like this, with symbols representing a commitment “to serve public interest, clients, employers and the profession”, will be presented to graduating students from the School of Planning after they receive their degrees at today’s Convocation. Use of the ring, originally designed by members of the graduating class of 1969, was revived last year, says Murray Haight, director of the planning school. “The School would like to return the ring to the level of prominence it once had.” Presentations will be made at a lunchtime reception in the Environmental Studies courtyard.

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Convocation begins for AHS, ES, and science

with files from the UW Media Relations Office

UW’s Convocation (the ninety-second) begins today in the Physical Activities Complex, with grads from the applied health sciences and environmental studies faculties receiving their degrees at 10 a.m. and grads from science at 2 p.m. In all, 3,492 undergraduates and 479 graduate students will cross the podium in eight convocation ceremonies, up from five last year.

In the morning Thomas Goodale, an internationally recognized scholar in the fields of leisure studies, parks and recreation, will receive an honorary Doctor of Letters degree and will give the convocation address. A professor emeritus at George Mason University in Virginia, Goodale is well known for his concern with quality of life issues.

Also during the morning ceremony, Serge Rossignol, an eminent neuroscientist who sparked the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Neuroscience at the University of Montreal, will receive a Doctor of Science; and the title of distinguished professor emeritus will be conferred on retired UW professor Howard Green, kinesiology. The AHS Alumni Achievement Award goes to Sharon Robertson (see next article.)

Jennifer Yorke will address the graduands as valedictorian. Honours recognizing student achievements include the Governor General’s Academic Silver Medal, to Benjamin Ritsma, kinesiology; the AHS Alumni Gold Medal, to Lorraine Colpitts; and the Environmental Studies Alumni Gold Medal, to Julie Dolezel. Jason Tsang, a planning undergrad, will receive the Distinguished Teaching by a Registered Student Award.

Departmental awards from AHS for distinguished academic achievement go to Lorraine Colpitts, health studies; Benjamin Ritsma, kinesiology; and Amanda Chapeskie, recreation and leisure studies. The corresponding FES awards go to Katherine Klages, environment and business; Kendra Wasiluk, environment and resource studies; Julie Dolezel, geography; and Thomas van Geest, planning. The President’s Circle Award for Volunteerism goes to Lana Phillips, Planning.

In the afternoon, science takes the podium. Howard Howland will receive a Doctor of Science degree and address convocation. Howland is recognized as one of the top scientists in the study of optical properties of the eye. UW will also present Owen Ward, professor of biology, with the Distinguished Teacher Award. Also during this ceremony, retired UW professor Tony Cullen, optometry, will receive the title of distinguished professor emeritus.

Arnold Jacob, biomedical sciences, will address the science graduands as valedictorian. Awards to students include the UW Alumni Association Gold Medal, to Valerie Athaide, and the President’s Circle Award for Volunteerism to Jacqueline Lee.

Dean of Science Awards for recognition of creative research as presented in a student’s Master of Science thesis will be presented to Lisa Nordin, biology; Suresh Seethapathy, chemistry; Edward Bertrand, earth sciences; Aphrodite Dracopoulos, vision science and biology; and Jeffrey Mason, physics. The W.B. Pearson Medal for recognition of creative research as presented in a student’s doctoral thesis goes to Scott Higgins, biology; Florin Musteata, chemistry; Sung-Wook Jeen, earth sciences; Lixin Zhan, physics.

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Local educator gets award from AHS

from the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences

Sharon Robertson, a noted innovator and leader in the Region of Waterloo's educational system, will be honoured with the AHS Alumni Achievement Award at the June convocation. Her nomination was put forth in recognition of her exceptional dedication to the promotion of learning and her devotion to lifelong education.

In the space of a remarkable 28-year career, she taught all ages of students in four Ontario boards of education, and lectured and led workshops on learning and teaching strategies at all levels from local to international. During one sabbatical leave, she visited several countries to immerse herself in learning theory, particularly learning through movement, a technique that often dramatically enhances learning for those in academic jeopardy.

As a local principal, Sharon spearheaded the adoption of a healthy lifestyle program for her students by eliminating pop and substituting water; advocating vegetables as snack foods in the classroom; and promoting daily physical activity. She also introduced the US program “Brain Gym” to Waterloo. Many schools across Canada then followed her lead by implementing similar initiatives.

Robertson conveys her passion for teaching and learning with great energy and enthusiasm. Always eager to embrace new areas, she now lectures to teachers on emotional intelligence and consults to industry on incorporating human elements into instructional software design.

Among the many accolades that have been bestowed upon Sharon Robertson are the Dr. Floyd White Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Teaching Profession (1997), the Race Relations Award (1995), and the Waterloo Region Woman of the Year Award (2005). AHS is very proud to acknowledge Robertson (BSc Kin, 1976) as one of its many outstanding alumni.

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Can you relate? and other notes

Married couples are sought for a study on the interactions within couples being conducted by Jennifer LaGuardia, a professor in psychology. The study assesses attitudes towards the relationship and coping with stressors within and outside the relationship. Participation involves completing an initial 45-minute survey, a brief set of questions at the end of the day for two weeks, and a final 30-minute survey at the end of the two weeks. Each couple will receive $50 and a pair of movie tickets for completion of the study. For more information call 888-4567, ext 4844 or email jlagra@watarts.uwaterloo.ca . This study has been reviewed by, and has received ethics clearance through, the UW Office of Research Ethics.

Copyright, Software and You: a presentation by Chabriol Colebatch, the new copyright officer in the Technology Transfer and Licensing Office, takes place Thursday, 10 a.m., in Davis Centre room 1302. From TTLO comes this: “Whether you’re using or creating software, it’s important to understand what copyright is and how it affects you when working with software…. The presentation will explain the basics of copyright, including what rights it gives you and how to get it.” Chabriol will discuss issues such as: “what aspects of software attract copyright protection and what are the grey areas; how to manage the software writing process to ensure that you secure copyright ownership and can exploit your own software; the different options for protecting software, from copyright registration to software patents; approaches to commercializing software, including traditional licensing and spin-off companies or more alternative approaches, such as open source and Copyleft.” If you plan to attend, contact Jean Zadilsky at ext. 3300 or zadilsky@admmail.uwaterloo.ca.

“Building a Successful Business: Combining a Great Product with the Right Business Model” is the subject of a talk by Deanne Farrar (left), senior vice-president of Bycast Inc. She will be the guest speaker at the 2006 Graham Medal Seminar on Thursday at 2 p.m., in Davis Centre 1302. For this event you are advised to register to be sure of a seat: email mathalumni@uwaterloo.ca or call 888-4567 ext. 7747. At Friday’s convocation for Mathematics, Farrar, a UW math grad (BMath ‘88), will receive the J. W. Graham Medal in Computing and Innovation, recognizing innovation in high technology research.

The Mayor's Celebration of the Arts, hosted by the School of Architecture in Cambridge, takes place this Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. The evening is billed as “a joyous celebration for those who work in or enjoy the arts in our community.” Visual and performing artists will be on show. as well as products of the culinary arts; “and new this year student art from the School of Architecture and from seven local high schools.” Tickets are $25. Information on where to get them is online. Proceeds will help to support the arts in Cambridge.

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