WINTER 2018

THE CAMPAIGN FOR CONCORDIA: NEXT-GEN. NOW. The university launches its historic $250-million campaign

UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex program is underwritten by SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY. It is distributed by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. in Quebec, by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. in Ontario, and by TD Insurance Direct Agency Inc. in the rest of Canada. Our address: 50 Place Cremazie, 12th Floor, Montreal, Quebec H2P 1B6. Due to provincial legislation, our car and recreational insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. *Nationally, 90% of all of our clients who belong to a professional or alumni group that has an agreement with us and who insure a home (excluding rentals and condos) and a car on October 31, 2016, saved $625 when compared to the premiums they would have paid without the preferred insurance rate for groups and the multi-product discount. Savings are not guaranteed and may vary based on the client’s profile. Savings vary in each province and may be higher or lower than $625. Wide Horizons Solution® Travel Insurance is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada and distributed in some provinces by RSA Travel Insurance Inc., operating as RSA Travel Insurance Agency in British Columbia. All trade marks are the property of their respective owners. ® The TD logo and other TD trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. LEARN ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN FOR CONCORDIA: NEXT-GEN. NOW. THE SYNTHETIC IS REAL The university’s leaders explain Forward-looking synthetic how the $250-million campaign biology research is being will transform Concordia. conducted today at Concordia’s By Howard Bokser Genome Foundry. By Simona Rabinovitch 32 FAR-FLUNG ALUMNI 24 From the United Kingdom to Bahrain to China and beyond, successful Concordia grads stake their claims around the globe. By Toula Drimonis, Patrick Lejtenyi and Lucas Napier- Macdonald

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD 40 FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES? FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: FACULTY OF The team at Concordia’s Indigenous Futures ENGINEERING AND research cluster think two COMPUTER SCIENCE steps ahead. Concordia’s machine By Daniel Bartlett 36 intelligence researchers tackle handwriting analysis and much more. 48 By Renée Dunk

winter 2018 volume 41 number 3 concordia.ca/magazine

Cover credit: Thinkstock 3 CONCORDIA NEWS 21 FROM THE ARCHIVES 50 HONORARY DOCTORATES 52 ALUMNI NEWS 56 ALUMNI UPDATES 62 WORDS & MUSIC 64 ENOUGH SAID THIS IS MY WAY OF GIVING BACK TO A COMMUNITY THAT GAVE ME SO MUCH. I WANT TO LEAVE A LEGACY.

– Antonio Costanzo, Professor, Classics, Modern Languages and Linguistics

YOUR GIFT YOUR LEGACY YOUR PLAN A planned gift can help fulfi ll your fi nancial, philanthropic and estate-planning goals. Concordia’s Planned Giving o cers can help meet your unique fi nancial needs.

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Ad -Planned Giving-Antonio Costanzo .indd 1 2018-01-25 3:37 PM CONCORDIA NEWS

HYDRO-QUÉBEC INVESTS $3.9 MILLION IN CONCORDIA

ritical research into Hydro-Québec Senior C sustainable energy Industrial Research Chair in and smart-grid security has Design and Performance of received major support at Special Electrical Machines. Concordia. Hydro-Québec “My current research fo- is donating $3.9 million cuses on special machines to advance cutting-edge for electric vehicles as well research and attract top as renewable energy tech- students in engineering, nologies, mainly targeting business, arts and science. remote communities but also “To thrive as a next-gen- for use in urban environ- niversity

eration university, our nine U ments during emergencies ordia

strategic directions include c when powerful loads are re- on

doubling our research and C quired,” says chair holder CONCORDIA AND HYDRO-QUÉBEC REPRESENTATIVES AT THE GIFT ANNOUNCEMENT experimenting boldly,” says ON OCTOBER 12, 2017: CONCORDIA FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE Pragasen Pillay, a Concordia Concordia President Alan PROFESSORS MOURAD DEBBABI, PRAGASEN PILLAY AND ANDREAS ATHIENITIS; professor of Electrical and CONCORDIA PRESIDENT ALAN SHEPARD; RÉAL LAPORTE, PRESIDENT OF HYDRO-QUÉBEC Shepard. “This gift allows INNOVATION, ÉQUIPEMENT ET SERVICES PARTAGÉS; GABRIEL VANASSE, HYDRO-QUÉBEC Computer Engineering. His SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT; AND BRAM FREEDMAN, CONCORDIA VICE-PRESIDENT OF our scientists to deepen re- ADVANCEMENT AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS. research is unique in Quebec search and experiment in areas in designing and prototyping that are critical to industry, over three decades. With are pioneering the pro- variable flux machines for sustainability and ultimately this new gift, we deepen our tection of Quebec’s power electric vehicles and distrib- to society. We are grateful that commitment to advancing grid from cyberattacks — a uted generation. Hydro-Québec has invested in scientific discovery through growing threat as such tech- Andreas Athienitis, Concordia to propel student the great work being con- nology becomes increasingly Concordia professor of and research talent.” ducted by experts in their automated. It will lead to Building Engineering, About $2.5 million of the field at Concordia,” says important contributions in holds the NSERC/Hydro- gift will finance three in- Réal Laporte, president of methodologies, techniques, Québec Senior Industrial dustrial research chairs Hydro-Québec Innovation, tools and best practices for Research Chair in Optimized in Concordia’s Faculty of équipement et services part- the detection, prevention, Operation and Energy Engineering and Computer agés; and president and CEO mitigation and attribution Efficiency: Towards High Science, where research- of Société d’énergie de la of cyberattacks, together Performance Buildings. “We ers are driving innovative Baie James. with the characterization of are developing cross-disci- solutions to today’s biggest One of the chairs is their physical impacts on the plinary research to optimize technological, industrial and the Natural Sciences and smart grid. performance and the inte- environmental questions. Engineering Research “This Hydro-Québec gration of solar systems into “At Hydro-Québec, re- Council of Canada (NSERC)/ support allows us to have a both new and existing build- search and technological Hydro-Québec/Thales tangible, strong and posi- ings,” says Athienitis. innovation are at the heart Senior Industrial Research tive impact in this strategic One third of the Hydro- of our business and growth Chair in Smart Grid Security. area,” says Mourad Debbabi, Québec gift, $1.395 million, strategy. We have proudly The chair will oversee holder of the NSERC/Hydro- will support 68 merit-based supported Concordia for Concordia researchers who Québec/Thales Senior student awards at Concordia’s Industrial Research Chair Faculty of Engineering and in Smart Grid Security, Computer Science, John associate dean of Research Molson School of Business and Graduate Studies in and Faculty of Arts and Concordia’s Faculty of Science. Hydro-Québec Engineering and Computer Scholarships will benefit Follow @ConcordiaAlumni on Twitter Science, and professor at students at the doctoral, the Concordia Institute master’s and undergraduate to stay on top of #CUalumni news. for Information Systems levels over the next Engineering. five years. #CUalumni Hydro-Québec’s gift also —Louise Morgan, GrDip 99 supports two other chairs, including the NSERC/

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 3

Social Media Ads.indd 1 2016-08-23 4:02 PM setting an example

An immigrant says Photo: Concordia University Concordia Photo: Christine Lengvari thank you

y parents — George and Trude — fl ed Hungary as My alma mater alone has received a number of major gifts from refugees at the end of the Second World War. They immigrants in the past few years. Donors originate from countries “Mbrought my brother, George Jr., and me to Montreal. that include India, the Netherlands, Poland and Germany. We left our belongings in a Russian-occupied territory. During that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, ‘Diversity is our strength’ and tumultuous period, 600,000 Hungarian civilians were killed. that for ‘those fl eeing persecution, terror and war, Canadians will When we arrived in 1951, we had nothing. My father sold welcome you.’ vacuum cleaners despite having a PhD in economics and having My family falls into that category of those fl eeing from war. We’ve worked as vice-president of a bank in Budapest. Through hard always been grateful. Stories of immigrants-turned-philanthropists work, he established a business selling life insurance. He became are a testament of what starting anew means for us. It is one way one of the most successful agents in Canada. Today, I lead the of paying homage to an attitude that accepts the tired and poor. family business. My gift to Concordia is my way of saying thanks to all Canadians.” I’m proud of what we’ve brought to our adoptive country. Our business, Lengvari Financial Inc., employs Canadians and o ers a valuable service. Career success has enabled me to give back. I recently donated $1 million to Concordia, my alma mater. I’m Christine Lengvari, BSc 72, is president and CEO of Lengvari supporting women in business — an important cause to me — Financial Inc. in Montreal. She was awarded the Prix Distinction and preventative healthcare at the university’s PERFORM Centre. from the Chambre de la sécurité financière in November 2017.

Find out how you can join Christine Lengvari in contributing to Concordia. Info: concordia.ca/giving | 5 4-848-2424, ext. 4856 | -888-777-3330, ext. 4856 | [email protected] #CUgiving $4.5 MILLION TO ADVANCE CONCORDIA’S RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE

oncordia has received $4.57 million in new infrastructure Cfunding in the areas of net-zero energy building practices, electron microscopy and quantum technology. HOMECOMING The funding comes to the university from the Canada CONCORDIA’S Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and includes matching HOMECOMING 208 IS amounts by the Government of Quebec and the university, COMING IN SEPTEMBER! as well as in-kind contributions from industry partners and equipment suppliers. CFI supports initiatives that allow institutions and their researchers to build on established capabilities in order to accelerate current research and technology development or to enhance emerging strategic priority areas. “The Canada Foundation for Innovation encourages researchers to share infrastructure, support national and international Interested in getting involved with collaboration, and tackle organizing a class reunion or other niversity complex questions that U Homecoming event? ordia

contribute to our health, c on

prosperity and quality of C We’re looking for class champions to help organize life,” says Christophe Guy, $4.5 MILLION FROM CANADA FOUNDATION FOR INNOVATION AND OTHER SOURCES reunions for graduating classes from the following years: vice-president of Research WILL SUPPORT CURRENT RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND and Graduate Studies. EMERGING STRATEGIC PRIORITY AREAS. • Loyola College: 958 and earlier, 968, 973 A group of research- • Sir George Williams University: all class years ers in the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, led • Concordia: 993 by Hua Ge, PhD 03, associate professor in the Department of • Engineering alumni: all class years • Computer Science alumni: all class years Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering and a member ending in “8” or “3” of Concordia’s Centre for Zero Energy Building Studies, has received total funding of $1.2 million. We’re also searching for volunteers for alumni gatherings Ge’s current research focuses on the development of for the following groups: high-performance and durable building envelopes, and improving the availability and accessibility of intelligent • The Concordian, CJLO, CUTV • 998 Concordia Stingers football team and self-sustained buildings that meet the needs of occupants • 997-98 Concordia Stingers women’s hockey team at a minimum cost to the environment. “This funding will help • 968 Loyola Warriors football team Concordia researchers continue to lead the industry toward • 973 Loyola Warriors men’s soccer team the intelligent net-zero energy buildings of the future, and • Celebration for long-time football coach Pete Regimbald support the Canadian government’s efforts to develop net-zero • Queer Homecoming energy building codes and standards,” Ge explains. —Renée Dunk, GrCert 07 For more information or to volunteer, please contact Melanie Gudgeon, alumni officer for Homecoming, Reunions and Athletics: Share your news. [email protected], Follow us @ConcordiaAlumni 54-848-2424, ext. 5647. on Facebook.

You’re among our 200,000 #CUalumni

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R. HOWARD WEBSTER FOUNDATION INVESTS $1.5 MILLION IN CONCORDIA’S PERFORM CENTRE AND STINGERS STUDENT ATHLETES

long-standing partner has generously renewed Aits support of Concordia. The R. Howard Webster Foundation has invested in the next generation of preventive health research and student athletes with a $1.5-million gift to the university. “This important gift enables Concordia to experiment boldly with state-of-the-art programs, niversity which ensure a higher quality U ordia

of life for Canadians through c on our PERFORM Centre and C help recruit top athletes to AT THE R. HOWARD WEBSTER FOUNDATION GIFT ANNOUNCEMENT AT CONCORDIA’S PERFOM CENTRE ON NOVEMBER 28, 2017: D’ARCY RYAN, CONCORDIA’S DIRECTOR OF RECREATION AND ATHLETICS; CONCORDIA PRESIDENT ALAN SHEPARD; PETER W. WEBSTER, our Stingers teams,” says CHAIR OF THE R. HOWARD WEBSTER FOUNDATION; SHAWNA BRAYTON, STUDENT ATHLETE WHO REPRESENTED THE STINGERS’ RUGBY TEAM; HABIB BENALI, INTERIM SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR AT THE PERFORM CENTRE; AND BRAM FREEDMAN, CONCORDIA’S VICE-PRESIDENT Concordia President OF ADVANCEMENT AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS. Alan Shepard. The gift to Concordia Nutrition, Lifestyle Research Awards will permit in 1948 as a way to give to continues the foundation’s and Bio-Imaging will in- Concordia to recruit and charitable organizations commitment to initiatives vestigate the effects of daily retain top talent in football and novel projects and that foster a greater good for routine on long-term health and in men’s and women’s programs in Canada. To Canadian society. “We are using innovative imaging hockey and basketball. date, the foundation has deeply dedicated to higher techniques. The lead sci- The R. Howard Webster contributed more than education,” says Howard entist will also collaborate Foundation Healthy Athlete $200 million to various Davidson, BComm 80, with researchers to better Program will help provide causes across the country. president of the R. Howard understand the factors that nutritional assessments for At Concordia, the Webster Foundation and promote a healthy lifestyle. student athletes and edu- foundation has invested also chair of the Concordia Community members who cate them on healthy eating. in sports medicine, University Foundation. “It is take part in the R. Howard Additional support for the R. student scholarships part of our responsibilities Webster Foundation Healthy Howard Webster Foundation and fellowships. In the as citizens to support our in- Living Program for Seniors Sports Medicine Athlete’s 1990s, the foundation stitutions and ensure future will learn how to prevent Care Initiative will ensure helped establish the leaders are equipped to move disease and injury through Stingers athletes have access R. Howard Webster Library us forward.” healthy diet and exercise. to holistic athletic care, in- at Concordia’s Sir George A portion of the new gift Funding for PERFORM’s cluding nutrition, assistance Williams Campus, will support a scientist in cutting-edge research will with physical injuries and among other initiatives nutrition, lifestyle research help Concordia establish it- mental health support. and campaigns. and bio-imaging, as well self as a unique contributor The late R. Howard “We’re great believ- as a healthy living program to the field of health research Webster was chairman of the ers in education, youth for seniors at Concordia’s in Montreal and beyond. Imperial Trust Company and and research,” says Peter PERFORM Centre — an in- at one point owned The Globe W. Webster, chair of the R. tegrated and comprehensive FULL POTENTIAL ON and Mail. He later became a Howard Webster Foundation environment that promotes AND OFF THE FIELD founding partner of the Blue and honorary vice-chair of healthier lives through The second focus of the R. Jays Baseball Club. the Campaign for Concordia. research, education and pre- Howard Webster Foundation Inspired by the “The end goal is to make ventive-based programs. gift will support Concordia philanthropic work of his society better and Concordia The R. Howard Webster student athletes. R. Howard late father, he founded the R. is doing this very well.” Foundation Scientist in Webster Athletic Financial Howard Webster Foundation —Marta Samuel, GrDip 10

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 7 CONCORDIA NEWS niversity U ordia c on C

ANNE-MARIE CROTEAU STEPPED IN AS DEAN OF JOHN MOLSON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IN JUNE 2017.

Meet Anne-Marie Croteau, dean of John Molson School of Business

LESLIE SCHACHTER What is your main area of research? AMC: “I’ve focused my research around my interest in oncordia’s John Molson School of Business (JMSB) strategic management of Information Technology [IT] or welcomed Anne-Marie Croteau, BSc 86, as its first- the alignment between business and IT strategies. It’s still ever female dean in June 2017. Croteau comes to the the number one occupation when it comes to priorities for postC with more than 20 years of experience as a Concordia CIOs [chief information officers] — how can they get their professor, researcher and administrator. She is also a certified technology to be well aligned with their organization’s overall chartered director and serves on the board of directors of business strategy, even as it is constantly evolving? several high-profile organizations, including the Société de I’ve also been researching corporate governance as l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) and Hydro-Québec. applied to the use of technology within organizations, Croteau discussed what the appointment means to her as which led me to my involvement with organizations well as her vision for the future of JMSB. like the SAAQ and Hydro-Québec, where I chair their IT committees.” Tell us about your background. Anne-Marie Croteau: “I come from Victoriaville [Que.] and What is your vision for the future of JMSB? I decided to complete a bachelor’s degree in actuarial math AMC: “It’s all about growing. We want to attract more at Loyola College [one of Concordia’s founding institutions], students from outside Montreal as well as more students in part to learn English. I then earned a bachelor’s degree and from outside Quebec by gaining more recognition through a master of science in Management Information Systems [MIS] our accreditations. We are already accredited by the from HEC Montréal. I went on to become the first woman at Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business Université Laval to get a PhD with a specialization in MIS. International but we’re aiming for the two other main I’ve been at Concordia as a faculty member since 1997, when accreditations, from the Association of MBAs and the I was hired as an assistant professor in MIS. Since then I’ve been European Quality Improvement System, so that we can the director of the Executive MBA program as well as the Aviation be known as a triple-crown business school. There are MBA program. Most recently, I was appointed associate dean of merely 76 such institutions worldwide out of over Professional Graduate Programs and External Relations at JMSB.” 16,000 business schools.

8 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine We’re also revising our curriculum at the undergrad level And Montreal is a fantastic city when it comes to universities with the goal of preparing our students for jobs that might — we’ve been ranked number one in the world — but we’re not even exist yet because of the fourth industrial revolution, all competing for the same talent. Although education in which includes artificial intelligence, the internet of things, Quebec is solid, we need more funding to attract more big data, fintech or other technologies that we may not have students and staff.” even conceived.” What does it mean to be the first female dean of JMSB? What are JMSB’s main strengths? AMC: “I’m very honoured. I take it very seriously. I’m really AMC: “Our faculty includes a good mix of professors and doing my best to be a great role model, especially for our practitioners, which gives our students great exposure to both female students. There’s something happening right now — the theory and practicality of what they are being taught. We we have a new mairesse in town [Valérie Plante, who was elected also have excellent opportunities for hands-on learning, like as Montreal mayor in November 2017]. Quebec is very open to the annual case competitions or our student-led small-cap female leadership. and global asset portfolios, where students manage real-life There is an openness now and it’s not against men, it’s with investment portfolios.” men. It’s us now. JMSB’s executive team is at parity — we have an equal number of men and women around the table. What are some of the major challenges facing JMSB? Of the CEOs on the Fortune 500 list, only about five per cent AMC: “One of our main challenges going forward is to find are female. Only about 12 or 15 per cent of deans in Canada are out who the next-generation learners are, something that all female. There is still a lot of work to be done.” universities are struggling with. For example, students who depend on iPads in high school right now will be our students What are you most proud of? in a few years. We may find that we have to adjust how we teach, AMC: “Le courage. The courage to say things, to be out there and try as their learning abilities might be different than what we have new things. To say ‘yes’ even if you’re not absolutely sure it’s going been used to up until now. to work. And the rigour that comes with it. You have to work, you Currently, the market is very welcoming for our graduating have to study, you have to be prepared. And you have to be fair. students. I’ve been told many times by industry representatives That’s been my signature. Courage, rigour and fairness. that our students are better prepared to enter the workforce than If I can inspire people to say, ‘Let’s give it a try, we’ll make it from any other school. Yet we have to work hard to maintain that. happen,’ then it’s worth it!” It’s one thing to teach them the right thing and get them exposed Follow JMSB on twitter: @jmsbconcordia. to the job market, but we have to continue to constantly develop —Leslie Schachter, BA 03, GrDip (journ.) 13, is a Montreal our relationships within the business community. freelance writer.

THINKING OUT LOUD 2018 LIVE EVENTS & PODCAST Concordia’s Thinking Out Loud (TOL) is a live events series & podcast, bringing big ideas to alumni & the public. LIVE EVENTS in Montreal SOLD OUT: January 25: Former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy and Sandi Curtis, PhD 97, professor in the Department of Creative Arts Therapies, discuss child advocacy issues and research. SOLD OUT: February 1: Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner March 20: Ten Talks: Public Scholars, in collaboration with the Montreal Gazette Watch for more on the new TOL miniseries This is Concordia. Now. Listen to the Thinking Out Loud podcast for smart conversations and big ideas on the go. Visit: concordia.ca/tol

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 9 CONCORDIA NEWS

DI-OCTO: MESMERIZING, KINETIC AND UNIQUE

he towering new The eight-metre-high, T Di-Octo sculpture 725-kilogram sculpture outside the southwest corner represents a significant of Concordia’s Henry F. contribution to Concordia’s Hall Building is unique and collection of public art. enthralling. The piece comes alive as Countless passersby are the wind blows, stretching taking photos and videos out with open arms and of the kinetic artwork, reopening its stainless steel generously donated to the tentacles ad infinitum. city and the university on Wener chose Di-Octo because the occasion of Montreal’s of its energy and mesmeriz- 375th and Canada’s 150th ing and dynamic nature. anniversaries by Concordia “It’s hypnotic,” he says. Chancellor Jonathan It only takes two Wener, BComm 71, founder, kilometres an hour of wind chairman and CEO of to activate its moving parts Montreal-based real estate — and it works in near- firm Canderel, and his wife, complete silence. “Di-Octo Susan Wener. is a beautiful, original Di-Octo, created by re- sculpture whose graceful niversity

nowned American artist folding arms are a symbolic U ordia

Anthony Howe, was un- greeting for students, faculty, c on

veiled on Mackay St. and De staff, alumni and visitors,” C CONCORDIA CHANCELLOR JONATHAN WENER AND HIS WIFE SUSAN WENER DONATED Maisonneuve Blvd. W. on Wener says. “What better TO CONCORDIA THE KINETIC ARTWORK DI-OCTO, WHICH SITS OUTSIDE THE SOUTHWEST September 28, 2017. way to welcome everyone to CORNER OF THE HENRY F. HALL BUILDING. “I chose Concordia’s Sir our great university, city, George Williams Campus as province and country!” will allow Concordians and buildings in 1980. This the site for Di-Octo because “Jonathan and Susan Montrealers to contemplate opportunity seemed such it was here that I began Wener have given our uni- the role of art in our soci- a wonderful confluence my journey as a student versity, city and province an ety. And I love it! I can watch of events to celebrate our — before becoming a exceptional, next-generation it from my office and it’s history with another piece businessman and real estate artwork,” says Concordia mesmerizing.” of magnificent sculpture by developer,” says Wener. President Alan Shepard. It was France Chrétien an internationally famous “It is here, in 1971 at the “Di-Octo is a striking visual Desmarais, LLD 15, promi- artist.” Henry Hall F. Building, that metaphor for Concordia’s nent Montreal lawyer, He discovered Anthony I met my dear wife Susan strategic direction to em- businesswoman and presi- Howe’s work through his on her very first day at brace our city. This sculpture dent of the Society for the daughter, Katherine (Kassy) freshman orientation.” is a feat of engineering that Celebration of Montreal’s Wener, who was given the 375th Anniversary, who family mandate to find a helped convince Wener to sculpture that would be donate an artwork to honour truly inspirational. “She the city’s 375th and Canada’s was as moved and excited 150th anniversaries. as Susan and I were by ee in touch. Wener chose to make Anthony Howe’s genius Concordia its home. “I and creativity,” says Wener. Update your records at love my alma mater,” he “My hope is that Di-Octo concordia.ca/eeintoc. says. “My most passionate, will establish itself alongside benevolent work is done other Concordia works at the university. I have as an essential piece of always loved public art, Concordia’s collection and going back to my very first a Montreal landmark.”

10 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine

Social Media Ads.indd 3 2016-09-07 2:53 PM RECORD RAISED AT 2017 CONCORDIA USED BOOK FAIR

enerous book lovers Relations. Quin attributes G flocked in record the growing success to a numbers to the Concordia combination of factors. Used Book Fair from October “We benefit from unbeatable 1 to 3, 2017. They took home volunteers, major logistical thousands of great fiction support from the university, and non-fiction reads a prime location and a while supporting student generous community with a scholarships, the Student strong appetite for books,” Emergency and Food Fund he says. and athletic financial awards. In its 21 years, the niversity

Held in the atrium of the Concordia Used Book U ordia

Engineering, Computer Fair has raised more than c on

Science and Visual Arts $200,000 for students, C Integrated Complex, the annu- while providing a new life SHOPPERS AT THE 2017 CONCORDIA USED BOOK FAIR UNEARTHED TREASURES WHILE GIVING BACK TO STUDENTS. al tradition took in more than for countless books. $24,260. The new high was an With more than 7,000 “Whether you’re a recent increase of nearly 50 per cent books sold or given away at grad with textbooks you wish CLARIFICATION from the previous year’s total, this year’s fair, Quin and to pass on or an avid reader The story “Concordia which was itself 50 per cent his team now face the task looking to downsize your mourns the passing of John higher than the 2015 edition. of collecting for next year’s collection, we will find a new Lemieux” in the fall 2017 “We’re thrilled with the event. “Book donations can home for your books.” Concordia University Magazine results,” said Luke Quin, be made year round, Monday The Concordia Used Book stated that Donal Ryan, BA 07, lead volunteer of the to Friday at both the Sir Fair accepts book donations BComm 67, was Lemieux’s event and fundraising writer George Williams and Loyola year-round. Learn more at Loyola College football in Advancement and Alumni campuses,” says Quin. concordia.ca/bookfair. teammate. While they knew each other from their varsity days, Ryan’s sport was SWINGING INTO ACTION FOR STUDENTS downhill ski racing.

Concordia University Magazine welcomes readers’ comments. Letters should include the writer’s full name, address, school(s), degree(s) and year(s) of graduation for alumni. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. No letter will be published without the full name of the correspondent. Concordia University Magazine is published three times a year for alumni and friends of Concordia University. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the alumni association or of the university. Please address editorial correspondence to: The Editor, Concordia University Magazine niversity 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W. U FB 520, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8 Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 8933 ordia c email: [email protected] on

C Editorial assistant: Louise Morgan, Interns: Matthew Scribner, Lucas Napier Macdonald

A BEAUTIFUL DAY ON THE GOLF COURSE TRANSLATED INTO IMPORTANT NEW FUNDING FOR STUDENTS ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2017. THE For advertising information, call 14TH ANNUAL CONCORDIA GOLF CLASSIC RAISED A RECORD $351,000 FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES. FOR THE FIRST TIME, 514-848-2424, ext. 3876. QUEBEC’S NINE MAJOR BANKS CAME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THE EVENT. PICTURED ARE CHARLES DOUVILLE, HSBC; RENÉ DOUVILLE, Design: University Communications Services BMO; ISABELLE MÉNARD, TD BANK; MARIA MANGIOCAVALLO, SCOTIABANK; MARTIN THIBODEAU, RBC; CONCORDIA PRESIDENT ALAN T18-44030 SHEPARD; JOSEPH CAPANO, CONCORDIA; LOUIS TANGUAY, CORPORATE DIRECTOR; TYRAN MORRIS, CIBC; FRANÇOIS TOUCHETTE, NATIONAL BANK; NATHALIE SOUCY, DESJARDINS; AND SOPHIE BOUCHER, LAURENTIAN BANK. THE TOURNAMENT DREW 150 BUSINESS LEADERS AND FRIENDS OF CONCORDIA TO GOLF GRIFFON DES SOURCES IN MIRABEL, QUE.

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 11 CONCORDIA NEWS

BIRKS FAMILY FOUNDATION INVESTS $287,500 IN CONCORDIA

he Birks family’s that wouldn’t normally be one of 22 research units T relationship with published. housed in the Office of the Concordia spans more than “All of us at the founda- Vice-President, Research eight decades, beginning tion thought the idea of open and Graduate Studies. “I in the 1930s at one of its access was exciting,” says remember at a luncheon founding institutions, Sir Birks. “The press underlines I hosted at Loyola Campus, George Williams University. the idea that Concordia is a a young boy who was blind “My great-great-uncle, university that does things and mentally challenged sat Gerald Walker Birks, was that are innovative and at a piano,” recalls Birks. niversity

very involved with the U makes the communities in “He played ‘Take Me Out

Drummond St. YMCA and ordia which we live far better.” to the Ball Game’ and all of c on

the Y as a whole,” recalls C The Birks Family his friends who were there Jonathan Birks, president of “CONCORDIA MAKES THE COMMUNITIES Foundation previously cheered him on. It was IN WHICH WE LIVE FAR BETTER,” SAYS the Birks Family Foundation. JONATHAN BIRKS. donated $150,000 to emotionally very moving and “When Sir George Williams Concordia Library to support brought tears to your eyes.” University began offering Birks Family Foundation’s its open-access mandate. The Birks Family courses at the YMCA, a bond contribution to these unique Concordia University Press Foundation’s most re- developed between the Birks projects that will help our is the first open-access press cent gift will be matched by family and the university.” university promote impor- in Quebec and among only Wilson McLean, a family The Birks Family tant scholarly works and a handful around the world. cousin, which brings to- Foundation continues its enhance the student ex- “Without the Birks Family tal funding for the CAHD to tradition as a Concordia sup- perience,” says Concordia Foundation’s support, $75,000. Lenore Vosberg, porter with a $287,500 gift to President Alan Shepard. Concordia University Press director of Clinical Services the university, announced in When University Librarian would not exist,” and Public Outreach at the October 2017. Guylaine Beaudry ini- says Beaudry. CAHD, says much of the The support will be tially shared plans to build work the centre does is only split between Concordia the Concordia University SUPPORT FOR possible thanks to the gen- University Press and the Press with Birks, he was in- INDIVIDUALS WITH erosity of donors. “This gift Centre for the Arts in Human trigued. Beaudry, who is DISABILITIES enables our community — Development (CAHD), also vice-provost of Digital “The CAHD, which promotes our family — to move forward with the projects receiv- Strategy, explained how the growth and advancement in making a difference in the ing $250,000 and $37,500, press would operate un- for people with intellectual, lives of those who depend on respectively. der an open-access model developmental and mental our programs.” “We are grateful for the and release books online health disabilities, is —Daniel Bartlett, BA 08

THINKING OUT LOUD MARCH 20 CONCORDIA AND THE MONTREAL GAZETTE PRESENT TRUTH & CONSEQUENCES Ten short talks about what’s next

An event featuring provocative five-minute talks by Concordia’s Public Scholars – on groundbreaking research that will shape our future.

Register: concordia.ca/tol

12 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine CHRISTOPHE GUY STEPS IN AS NEW VP OF RESEARCH AND GRADUATE STUDIES

hristophe Guy, What is your vision Concordia’s for the research and vice-president graduate studies sector ofC Research and Graduate at Concordia? Studies, joined the CG: “The agility of our university on August researchers, paired with our 1, 2017. A professor, vibrant two-campus urban engineer, researcher and location, allows us to use a administrator, he is well transdisciplinary perspective known and respected within to look at new ways to make a the Quebec and Canadian difference. Concordians can academic communities. contribute a lot through our Before coming to convergence of disciplines, Concordia, Christophe Guy strong administrative was chief executive officer support and variety of of École Polytechnique de academic programs. niversity

Montréal, one of Canada’s U For me, the key to dou- ordia

largest engineering schools. c bling our research is not on

Prior to that position, he C just leveraging the respon- was the chief research and siveness and flexibility of innovation officer at the CHRISTOPHE GUY FINDS CONCORDIA’S TRANSDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE INSPIRING. Concordia’s faculty members institution. and state-of-the-art facili- In October, Guy was research and knowledge- What is your background? ties. We must also encourage named recipient of the creation institution. So Will you have a research collaborations with both the Prix du Québec’s Armand- far, in my time here, portfolio at Concordia? public and private sectors Frappier Award. The Prix my appreciation of the CG: “I trained as a chemical and work with recognized du Québec are the highest university’s involvement and engineer in France and international academic part- distinctions awarded by the connectedness has grown came to Canada to do my ners. All of this provides a Government of Quebec. The even more. PhD at Polytechnique solid framework for growth. Armand-Frappier Award I find the ability of Montréal. My research Finally, in terms of re- recognizes individuals whose our faculty members to started out in the area of search revenues, we’re going work has contributed to the look at challenges from a chemical reactors, then to have to investigate and development of scientific transdisciplinary perspective moved into the realm of the make a play for alternate research in the province. — where scholars are able environment when I began sources of funding, such as Over the next five years, to understand aspects of investigating the effects of donations from foundations Guy hopes to leverage their colleagues’ work in atmospheric emissions and and other philanthropic the responsiveness and very different fields — to be hazardous waste. For many organizations. flexibility of the university’s unique and, quite frankly, years, I was involved in big At the end of the day, faculty members and state- inspiring. questions about how cities though, our responsibility of-the-art facilities as I like that Concordia is should manage garbage and as a university is to train well as encourage further a multi-faculty research landfills. For example, in the people, and we transfer collaborations with public institution, offering late 1990s, I participated in knowledge and know-how and private partners. varied fields of academic the impact study of closing to our students through study. This means we’re Montreal’s Miron Quarry, research. A research- How did you get here? not only making strong one of the biggest dumps in based education gives our Tell us more about what contributions in terms North America. students an invaluable brought you to Concordia. of investigations and At Concordia, I’ll be foundation in methods and Christophe Guy: discoveries; we’re also associated with the new methodology, which will “My decision to join successfully transferring Department of Chemical ultimately lead them to being Concordia was based, in knowledge that can and Materials Engineering, better professionals and part, on this institution’s positively impact and mainly in a graduate student contributors to society.” rising reputation as an inform both government research supervision —Renée Dunk, GrCert 07 innovative and dynamic policy and society as a whole.” capacity.”

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 13 CONCORDIA NEWS

$9.3-MILLION INVESTMENT FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH

irsty Duncan, Canada’s Thirty-two Concordia K Minister of Science, faculty-led projects re- visited Concordia in ceived funding through November 2017 to shine SSHRC’s Insight and Insight a spotlight on Canada’s Development grants for a outstanding social total of $3.5 million, while sciences and humanities 65 graduate and postdoctoral niversity researchers. Duncan students were awarded a total U ordia

announced a $265.4-million of $3.3 million through the c on investment in university Insight program. C research across the Additionally, a CANADA’S MINISTER OF SCIENCE KIRSTY DUNCAN ANNOUNCED A $265.4-MILLION INVESTMENT IN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH ACROSS THE COUNTRY AT CONCORDIA ON country through the Social $2.5-million Partnership NOVEMBER 15, 2017. Sciences and Humanities grant was awarded earlier Research Council (SSHRC) this year to Philip C. Abrami, education, social enterprises In his speech at the Partnership, Insight and education professor and and mental health — among minister’s event on Talent grant programs. director of Concordia’s many others. November 15, Christophe Concordia’s share of the Centre for the Study of “At Concordia, we Guy, vice-president of national investment is an Learning and Performance, believe that investments Research and Graduate impressive $9.3 million. for an initiative designed in the social sciences Studies, congratulated all “I want to commend the to improve teaching and and humanities lay the 97 of the newly funded grant and scholarship re- learning outcomes through groundwork for a healthy researchers. “I’d like to cipients whose tireless efforts educational technology in and thriving society,” acknowledge the hard help us better understand our sub-Saharan Africa. says Concordia President work and perseverance of world and our relationships Grant recipients hail Alan Shepard. “Armed Concordia’s researchers with each other,” the min- from the Faculty of Fine with vital project funding from not only the social ister said. “Our government Arts, Faculty of Arts and from the SSHRC, our sciences and humanities is proud to support these Science and John Molson researchers can continue but also business and fine talented researchers and School of Business. Areas of to advance knowledge and arts, at both the faculty and scholars who are pushing the expertise awarded include build understanding about graduate student levels, boundaries of knowledge to community economies, important social, cultural, who all benefit from SSHRC the benefit of Canadians and digital device practices, economic, technological support,” he said. our growing middle class.” counter-radicalization and environmental issues.” —Renée Dunk, GrCert 07

CONCORDIA RESEARCH CONTRIBUTES TO LARGEST OPEN-ACCESS CLIMATE RECORDS SOURCE

team of 98 scientists from in small groups.” highest temporal resolution to reconstruct surface A 22 countries has compiled The culmination of three available, ranging from the temperature across the the most comprehensive years of painstaking collab- biweekly to the bicentennial. globe over two millennia. database of past global orative work, the PAGES 2k The dataset is the result “Now that we have the temperature records to date, 2,000-Year Multiproxy of an initiative of the Past broadest yet most stringent spanning 1 CE to the present. Database contains 692 re- Global Changes (PAGES) collection of temperature “This is a shining example cords from 648 locations Project, an association data, we can say yes, we’re of large-scale, co-operative across the globe, including of paleoscientists whose still seeing that hockey stick science,” says Jeannine-Marie new additions from all conti- mandate is to promote and pattern that earlier research- St-Jacques, assistant professor nents and ocean basins. The improve understanding of ers have found,” St-Jacques in Concordia’s Department records include trees, corals, past global environmental says. In other words, she of Geography, Planning glacier ice, lake and marine and climatic changes in adds, “It confirms that we’re and Environment, who sediments, as well as docu- the Earth system. It is an warming, as we feared, and contributed to the database. mentary evidence. Together, updated version of the very fast.” “Together we did what we they form the largest body influential 2013 PAGES 2k —J. Coady couldn’t do independently or of climate records with the database, which also sought

14 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR ALMA MATER! niversity U ordia c on C RESEARCH LED BY THANH DANG-VU (RIGHT) CLARIFIES WHO STANDS TO BENEFIT FROM INSOMNIA TREATMENT.

Gwen Tolbart Alexandre Bilodeau Louise Archambault

CAN’T SLEEP? YOUR BRAINWAVES COULD BE THE ANSWER

nsomniacs don’t have [called ‘spindles’] may help I it easy. While some identify a type of insom- psychologists offer a nia that is less responsive to Frederic Bohbot Régine Chassagne Tetsuro Shigematsu recognized and legitimate standard psychological treat- professional treatment — ment,” explains Dang-Vu, called cognitive behavioural Concordia Research Chair therapy for chronic insomnia in Sleep, Neuroimaging (CBT-I) —the cost can be and Cognitive Health at prohibitive. Concordia’s Center for “It is difficult to access Studies in Behavioral Debra Arbec Michael Meaney Anne-Marie Withenshaw this treatment in the pub- Neurobiology and the lic health-care system, so PERFORM Centre. patients often have to con- The study followed 24 You’ve come a long way since joining sult in the private system chronic insomniacs who un- and pay over $600 for a se- derwent six weeks of CBT-I Concordia’s 200,000 alumni family. ries of CBT-I sessions,”TAKE says treatment. “We recorded neurologist Thanh Dang- their brainwave activity dur- • Update your contact details: Vu, associate professorPRIDE in ing sleep, and particularly Concordia’s Department their sleep spindles, using concordia.ca/keepintouch of Exercise Science. “More an electroencephalogram,” than half of patients will im- says Dang-Vu. Results re- • Write us about your prove with this treatment, vealed that patients with but that also means that it lower spindle activity have recent achievements: doesn’t always work. This is poor responses to CBT-I. [email protected] why it’s important to identify “This information could help which patients are likely to us identify which patients respond to CBT-I.” to prioritize for this form of Dang-Vu and Jean- therapy,” he says. “In addi- Philippe Gouin, associate tion, future treatments, such professor in Concordia’s as certain medications or Department of Psychology, even brain stimulation tech- designed a study to help niques, could be useful for identify candidates who will those not currently respond- Join @ConcordiaAlumni on social media respond well to CTB-I. “We ing to CBT-I.” found that certain brain- —J. Latimer, MFA 94 waves produced during sleep #CUpride #CUalumni

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 15 CONCORDIA NEWS

JUDGE MORTON MINC BECOMES CONCORDIA’S FIRST JURIST-IN-RESIDENCE

oncordia has welcomed “problem-solving courts” C Morton Minc, BA 67, as or “cluster courts.” its new jurist-in-residence, Minc believes there is a the first appointment of need and an obligation for its kind for any English courts to fulfill that respon- university in Quebec. sibility to its citizens. “I think this is a wonderful “Some people cannot suc- opportunity to pique ceed at the program the first students’ interest in the law time around. That’s to be and instill a love and interest expected,” he says. “But just for the legal profession,” because someone makes one says Minc, who will serve mistake in their lifetime, if his two-year tenure in they are rehabilitated, they Concordia’s Department of shouldn’t be burdened with niversity

History, within the Minor in U a criminal record. Are we

Law and Society program. ordia going to save every person? c on

The idea for the jurist- C Absolutely not. But if we in-residence program came JUDGE MORTON MINC: “IF WE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO OUR SOCIETY, IT’S A WIN-WIN can contribute to our society, SITUATION.” following meetings with it’s a win-win situation.” Concordia President Alan students who are curious both Concordia and McGill The social justice Shepard, Graham Carr, pro- about the legal profession. University. In 1993, he programs at the Municipal vost and vice-president of “I think it’s exciting and in- was appointed judge at the Court of Montreal proved Academic Affairs, and André novative,” Minc says. Municipal Court of Montreal, tremendously successful Roy, dean of the Faculty of The program includes where he eventually became and reduced the rate of Arts and Science. “Our fac- mentoring students, bring- chief justice in 2009. recidivism significantly. ulty is thrilled to welcome ing eminent jurists to the Judges from both national Maître Minc,” says Roy. university, organizing field PROBLEM-SOLVING and international levels, “Students will benefit from trips to tour different court- COURT including the Supreme Court his many years of experience houses and attending trials. In this role, Minc initiated of Canada, frequently visited in law and social justice. I Minc also hopes to hold con- and encouraged programs Minc’s court to experience had the opportunity to speak ferences at Concordia. designed to improve justice the court’s approach with him about the numer- The judge’s career has fo- for the disadvantaged — from regarding social justice ous projects he intends on cused on social innovation in the homeless to survivors of programs. The judge believes carrying out for the next the court system. After earn- domestic abuse, to people that Concordia and the Law two years, and I am confi- ing an arts degree from Sir with mental illness or and Society program have dent that his residency will George Williams University, addiction. “Social programs an important role to play in catalyze our vision for our one of Concordia’s found- were one of our mainstays, shaping future jurists. program in Law and Society.” ing institutions, in 1967, and this small jewel of a His advice to would-be Minc acknowledges there Minc went on to study law court was a perfect setting,” lawyers? “Be serious and are challenges involved at Université de Montréal, he explains. “Because the sincere with your clients. Be in setting up a jurist-in- graduating in 1973. court was not too big or involved in the community residence program in a He then entered private too small, it was great for and whatever interests you, university without a law practice, where his work promoting social justice whether it’s civil law, crimi- faculty. Yet he sees many took him across the country programs.” This approach nal law, specialties of law possibilities for Concordia and included lecturing at results in what is known as or social issues. Above all, you have to develop a strong and serious work ethic and “Because the court was not too big or have a love and passion for too small, it was great for promoting whatever you choose in the future. That will lead you to social justice programs.” a successful career in law.” —Elisabeth Faure, BA 07, GrDip 10

16 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine Be a GAME CHANGER Suppo a new era in Stinger spo s

Claudia Dubois orward Give now at womens hocey concordia.ca/giving

Stinger roots run deep. Jean-Guy Rimel running bac ootball Help our student athletes raise their game by showing your Stinger pride this season. Join our games. Visit stingers.ca.

tinernited Calumni Ciin CONCORDIA NEWS

TIME IS NOT ON OUR SIDE IN THE RACE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

he latest findings of a Clock, projected most re- T global team of climate cently at the United Nations researchers indicate the Framework Convention on human influence on global Climate Change confer- warming in 2017 has ence in Bonn, Germany, exceeded pre-industrial in November 2017. It also levels by more than 1°C and incorporates the latest pro- is rising faster than ever, jections of the Global Carbon leaving little time to Project that warn this year’s achieve the goals of the carbon dioxide emissions are Paris Climate Agreement. likely to hit a record increase Damon Matthews, director of 2 per cent above 2016 of the Concordia Climate emissions, after remaining Science, Impacts and relatively stable for the pre- Mitigation Studies Lab, vious three years. was part of the research team “This should serve as a led from Oxford University. wake-up call that we are not “This new index shows LATEST RESEARCH FROM CONCORDIA IN COLLABORATION WITH RESEARCHERS IN THE making progress fast enough UNITED KINGDOM AND NEW ZEALAND DEMONSTRATES HUMAN ACTIVITY IS HAVING A the effect of greenhouse GREATER IMPACT THAN EVER ON PUSHING UP THE EARTH’S TEMPERATURE. to decrease our use of fos- emissions from fossil fuels, sil fuels and the resulting industry and land use change, greenhouse gas emissions” isolated from temporary fluc- Planning and Environment. This is the point where we Matthews adds. “The lat- tuations in global temperature “This new data is a key mea- move into climate territory est climate and emissions due to volcanic eruptions sure used in our updated that becomes increasingly data have forced us to set the or natural events like El Climate Clock, to provide a marked by dangerous and clock’s 1.5°C date about half Niño,” explains Matthews, stark warning of the time we irreversible impacts.” a year closer, to just over 15 a professor in Concordia’s have left before we cross the Matthews is co-creator years from now.” Department of Geography, threshold of 1.5 °C warming. of the multimedia Climate —Fiona Downey, BA 83

DO YOU KNOW A FUTURE CONCORDIAN? Bring them to our Open House and see a next-generation university in action.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2018 OPEN HOUSE 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M. Register at: concordia.ca/openhouse

SIR GEORGE WILLIAMS CAMPUS LOYOLA CAMPUS 1515 Ste. Catherine St. W., Montreal 7141 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal Métro Guy-Concordia Métro Vendôme – 105 bus

18 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine

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CONCORDIA DEVELOPING DIGITAL STRATEGY THROUGH CONSULTATION AND FUTURE-FORWARD SPEAKER SERIES

oncordia has embarked support the experiences, Cupon an exciting project needs and aspirations of to develop a digital strategy. students, faculty, staff, Spearheaded by Guylaine alumni, collaborators Beaudry, vice-provost and partners. While Beaudry is expecting February 20: Francis of Digital Strategy and ƒƒ To develop a shared more speakers, here is the Baillet, BSc 92, VP of University Librarian, it is vision and implementation lineup confirmed to date: Corporate Affairs, Ubisoft one of five transformation roadmap, based on this April 5: Michelle d’Auray, projects being undertaken reflection and consultation. January 16: Marie Josée ambassador, permanent in 2017-18 as part of the As part of the process Lamothe, managing director representative of Canada Strategic Directions initia- to engage Concordians in of Branding and managing to the Organisation for tive to position Concordia as developing the strategy, director of Quebec, Economic Co-operation and a next-generation university. the Concordia President’s Google Canada Development “Almost all jobs in the Speaker Series on Digital February 5: Kevin Chan, April 19: Shannon Vallor, future are going to be Futures was launched on head of Public Policy, Canada, William J. Rewak, S.J., embedded in the digital,” January 16, 2018. Facebook and Instagram Professor of Philosophy, Beaudry says. “It’s a reality “We’re bringing in people February 12: Félix Santa Clara University we — as a teaching, learning who have expertise in Lajeunesse, BFA 03, co- April 24: Yoshua Bengio, and research institution — dealing with the current founder/creative director, Canada Research Chair in must address if we are going and emerging digital realities Félix & Paul Studios, award- Statistical Learning Algorithms, to equip our students with the in sectors such as cinema, winning filmmaker Université de Montréal, and skills and knowledge to thrive social media, gaming, February 12: Dominique expert on deep learning in this new environment.” industry and government, Anglade, Deputy Premier, All events are open to the The project’s goals and in evolving fields such Minister of Economy, public. For times, location are twofold: as artificial intelligence Science and Innovation and more information, visit ƒƒ To create an institution- and deep learning,” and Minister responsible concordia.ca/digitalstrategy. wide reflection on the digital says Beaudry. for the Digital Strategy, –Karen McCarthy, BA 82 environment needed to Government of Quebec

CONCORDIA RESEARCHERS’ SOLUTION TO OFFICE THERMOSTAT WARS

o matter the season, workers’ productivity and Environmental Engineering. Using data analysis tech- Nthermostat wars rage in energy consumption costs He conducted the study niques, they modelled the offices worldwide. Workers by automating the control of with Farhad Mofidi, PhD preferences of each office bicker over the temperature, indoor environmental con- (bldg. eng.) 17. The re- worker. As a result, they alternately complaining ditions, including air quality, searchers simulated their could simulate worker-pre- that it’s too hot or too cold. temperature and lighting. method in an open-air ferred indoor temperatures, Thankfully, Concordia “Improving the quality of Montreal office building with ventilation rates, natural researchers may have the office-building environ- five zones and four occupants illumination and artificial developed a solution. ment impacts the comfort per zone. They tested differ- lighting based on sensors A new study published of employees, which in turn ent occupancy scenarios and placed throughout the office. in the journal Energy and influences their productiv- outdoor weather conditions Their results? Reduced energy Buildings proposes a method ity,” says Hashem Akbari, and took into consideration costs and an upsurge in occu- that simultaneously op- professor in the Department the employees’ thermal pants’ overall productivity. timizes individual office of Building, Civil and tolerance. —Laura Dutton, BFA 06

20 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine FROM THE ARCHIVES

Throwback: Meet six of Concordia’s honorary degree recipients

1 2 3 rChives a niversity U

4 5 6 onCordia C

onorary degrees are the highest distinctions conferred by Laura Mulvey, LLD 08, 3 is an English scholar whose work sits HConcordia, a practice followed by most universities. Hon at the intersection of film theory, psychoanalysis and feminism. docs, as they’re often referred to, are usually presented during Her seminal essay “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema” spring and fall convocation ceremonies. While Concordia mostly defined the “male gaze” in classical Hollywood cinema. bestows the LLD — Doctor of Law — it also presents doctorates of science, literature and fine arts. One of few people to whom Concordia presented an honorary degree outside of convocation, Al Gore, LLD 07, 4 was honoured Recipients of these prestigious degrees are prominent in March 2007. After an unsuccessful run for president of the individuals in their chosen fields who’ve provided distinguished United States in 2000, the former U.S. vice-president turned his service to their community, or who’ve had a significant attention to environmentalism. His films An Inconvenient Truth connection or made an important contribution to the university. (2006) and An Inconvenient Sequel (2017) made climate change a household conversation. Nearly 600 photos from honorary degree presentations from Concordia and its founding institutions, Loyola College and After moving at a young age with her family to Canada from Sir George Williams University, are now available online her native Hong Kong, Adrienne Clarkson, LLD 04, 5 rose to through the Flickr link at concordia.ca/alumni (search for exceptional heights as a writer, broadcaster and activist. From “A history of Concordia honorary degree recipients”) or via 1999 to 2005 she served as the 26th Governor General of Canada @ConcordiaAlumni. Here is a sample. and spent much of her time addressing Aboriginal and anti- racism issues. Beverley McLachlin, LLD 11, 1 a native Albertan, was the first female chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. She occupied Indian-born Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, LLD 98, 6 was a the position from 2000 until her retirement in December 2017, world-renowned astrophysicist and mathematician. The 1983 making her Canada’s longest-serving chief justice. Nobel laureate in physics made major contributions in the fields of stellar structure, stellar dynamics, radiative transfer The successful and prolific French-Canadian singer, songwriter, and hydromagnetics. composer and actor Robert Charlebois, LLD 10, 2 is an iconic figure not just in Quebec but in French-speaking countries — Lucas Napier-Macdonald, GrDip 17 around the world.

concordiaconcordia university university magazine magazine winter winter 2018 2018 | | 21 21

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concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 23 Learn about The Campaign for Concordia: NEXT-GEN. NOW.

THE $250-MILLION CAMPAIGN WILL EMBOLDEN

CANADA’S NEXT-GENERATION UNIVERSITY

24 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine HOWARD BOKSER Get Your Hands Dirty: use rich big questions in diverse areas such as experiences outside the classroom to preventive health, cybersecurity, urban he next generation is here. With deepen learning and effect change; centres and arts, culture and technology. the November 2017 launch of Mix It Up: build agile structures that facilitate Next-Generation Talent to multiply the $250-million Campaign for intellectual mixing and internal collaboration; hands-on and work-integrated learning Concordia:T Next-Gen. Now, the university Experiment Boldly: be inventive and by creating accessible online options and has set in motion the most ambitious enterprising in creating tomorrow’s building more pathways for international fundraising effort in its history. university; study and social engagement. The goal is to Thanks to a number of exceptional Grow Smartly: add capacity where our provide students with a range of opportu- gifts, the campaign is off to a strong strengths and emerging enrolment nities through field schools, graduate and start. “We’re already more than halfway demand intersect; undergraduate student awards, real-world to our goal,” says Concordia President Embrace the City, Embrace the World: experience and online learning. Alan Shepard. “We’re very grateful to achieve public impact through research Next-Generation Impact from our community of donors, who I’m and learning; think tanks, living labs, entrepreneur- sure will help us meet or surpass our Go Beyond: push past the status quo ship centres and innovation hubs; record target.” and go the extra mile for members of Concordia’s community and industry The campaign will support our community; engagement will grow through social Concordia’s nine forward-thinking Take Pride: celebrate successes and innovation, public scholars, open ac- strategic directions, which were be purposeful about building a legacy. cess, knowledge sharing and more. unveiled in 2015: Funds raised will cement Concordia’s The campaign team is being led by Double Our Research: pursue bold position as Canada’s next-generation Shepard and campaign co-chairs Andrew goals in research that reflect our university. They will focus on three Molson and Lino Saputo Jr., BComm 89. talents and our ambition to tackle major themes: Over the following pages, members of big challenges; Next-Generation Ideas to fuel new the leadership team, as well as the uni- Teach For Tomorrow: deliver a next- institutes, research centres, think versity’s senior administrators, share generation education that’s connected, tanks and academic programs. These their vision of the campaign and how it transformative, and fit for the times; will allow Concordia research to tackle will help propel Concordia’s future.

For more information, visit concordia.ca/campaign.

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 25 Teaching for Tomorrow means ANDREW MOLSON Mixing It Up. A good example is the PARTNER AND Milieux Institute for Arts, Culture and CHAIRMAN, RES PUBLICA CONSULTING Technology, where our students and GROUP; DIRECTOR, researchers from the fields of design, MOLSON COORS art, culture and technology meet. CO-CHAIR, Turning teaching towards the future THE CAMPAIGN FOR CONCORDIA ALAN SHEPARD also means to Go Beyond. We are invest- PRESIDENT, CONCORDIA ing in our students through scholarships “My father, Eric Molson, became very and research funds and we support them involved in Concordia in the 1990s “For all universities, societal shifts after graduation. and 2000s [as chancellor]. I was very are creating new challenges. The And Teaching for Tomorrow means much inspired by his dedication to the digital revolution is transforming how Doubling Our Research, Experimenting university. Following his work, I learned information is shared and, therefore, Boldly and Growing Smartly, where our on my own how great an institution how people learn. And what people expertise intersects with increasing Concordia is for a city like Montreal, need to learn — the information, and demand. And demand for Concordia and indeed for our country. especially the skills — is shifting as certainly has increased. We’ve had We have a wonderful public education change accelerates in the 21st century. record funding for our groundbreaking system in Canada. But we also under- In such an era of uncertainty, uni- research and record enrolment, stand these schools can be even better versities need to Teach for Tomorrow while other universities are feeling a with help from volunteers and philan- — one of our nine strategic directions. demographic dip. thropy. It’s a way to deliver added value Our strategic directions are guiding our Our campuses are bubbling with for our already great system.” journey to stay ahead of the curve on all activity, and the excitement generated of this revolutionary change. by Concordia radiates far beyond LINO SAPUTO JR., Teaching for Tomorrow means many our facilities. Investing in our next BA 89 things. We’ve listened to our students, generation together means we all have to CHAIRMAN OF THE and we’re providing more learning op- continue our ninth strategic direction, BOARD AND CEO, SAPUTO INC. portunities that are hands-on and and that’s to Take Pride. Take pride in integrated with the work world. More what we’ve already achieved together, CO-CHAIR, labs, more field trips, more internships, and take pride in what we will achieve. THE CAMPAIGN FOR CONCORDIA more co-op placements and more en- We have so many worthy centres and trepreneurship opportunities at our institutes that are pulling together exper- “As businesses evolve, as human District 3 Innovation Center. tise from Montreal and around the world characteristics evolve, as technologies Turning education towards the future to solve local and global problems. And evolve, education needs to evolve as means helping our students Embrace we really do have so many outstanding well. When you think about Concordia’s the City, Embrace the World. We are students. They constantly impress me. nine strategic directions, they’re giving them more opportunities to Concordia is Canada’s next- actually very much in sync with where get involved in communities here generation university. And the society is going. I really like the idea and around the world, and to attend next generation is now.” of this university going to the next classes abroad. generation — adapting its programs and its schedules to the next generation. I think that’s where Concordia is heading — I like being a part of that.”

26 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine GINA CODY, MUTSUMI JONATHAN WENER, MENG 81, PHD 89 TAKAHASHI, BA 79, BCOMM 71 MBA 95, LLD 13 EXECUTIVE CHAIR, CHANCELLOR, MCINTOSH PERRY LTD. CHIEF NEWS ANCHOR, CONCORDIA CTV MONTREAL NEWS VICE-CHAIR, TORONTO, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, THE CAMPAIGN HONORARY CHAIR, CANDEREL FOR CONCORDIA THE CAMPAIGN HONORARY CHAIR, FOR CONCORDIA “I realize I became who I am today THE CAMPAIGN FOR CONCORDIA because of what Concordia gave me “Concordia showed me what options three decades ago. I came from Iran I had and gave me a grounding to allow “I find our students excel in business, during the revolution [1979]. Concordia me to choose what was best for my in the arts, in computer science, in accepted me with open arms. I was career. I think that’s an obligation and engineering, because they’ve come out treated equally. Being a female or duty that all of us have, to show students with a practical background. I excelled from another country didn’t matter. now what their options are, to help them at Concordia because with the case- Concordia provided me with the realize their potential. method system we were confronted with equipment and tools to be ready for a When I was growing up, my father problems to solve. These business cases male-dominated society. I believe that would teach me mathematical equations were an excellent way to prepare you for we all became whoever we are because of and then show how these could apply business. I thrived on that and loved the possibilities and opportunities given in everyday life. Concordia does that. every minute of it. to us during our education.” It takes an education and helps you I had a production professor who said, apply it to everyday life.” ‘Machines depreciate, people appreciate — invest in people.’ That’s what we’re “I saw a presentation PETER WEBSTER about to do with this campaign — it’s CHAIRMAN OF THE an investment in the future.” by some Concordia BOARD, R. HOWARD WEBSTER FOUNDATION students who were HONORARY VICE- CHAIR, WEST COAST, taking moisture THE CAMPAIGN out of the air in FOR CONCORDIA the desert to allow “When we went as a board to visit the PERFORM Centre on the Loyola plants to grow. Now Campus, it was absolutely an eye-opener if that isn’t thinking to see what was going on and to see the huge co-operation it has with the way out there, community. The end goal is to make society better. I saw a presentation by I don’t know what is.” some Concordia students who were taking moisture out of the air in the desert to allow plants to grow. Now if that isn’t thinking way out there, I don’t know what is.”

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 27 CHRISTOPHE GUY SUPPORT FOR CONCORDIA VICE-PRESIDENT, RESEARCH AND IS SUPPORT FOR SOCIETY GRADUATE STUDIES “The Campaign for Concordia MEMBERS OF CONCORDIA’S SENIOR ADMINISTRATION WHO OVERSEE AREAS will support THAT WILL EXPERIENCE THE DIRECT BENEFITS OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR investigations and discoveries that CONCORDIA DESCRIBE WHAT THE CAMPAIGN MEANS TO THEM AND HOW IT WILL DEFINE THE UNIVERSITY FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. are transdisciplinary, collaborative and impactful in the sense that the knowledge uncovered by our researchers will inform both government policy and BRAM FREEDMAN We have truly gifted faculty, dedicated society as a whole. VICE-PRESIDENT, staff, exciting students from almost Investing in next-generation re- ADVANCEMENT every country in the world, and search will allow Concordia to continue AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS formidable partners in the private, strengthening the training that we of- public and not-for-profit realms. Yet to fer students through a research-based “As our most truly unleash all that capacity, to enable education. The invaluable foundation ambitious Concordia to reach its full potential, that students gain through their work fundraising campaign to date, the we need generous gifts that match here in methods and methodology will Campaign for Concordia will support the passion of our donors with the ultimately lead them to becoming better our nine bold strategic directions. To knowledge, action and creativity of professionals, transferring their knowl- fuel its growth — especially in teaching our community. It isn’t just Concordia edge to the workplace. and high-tech research — Concordia that will benefit. Nor is it just our The Campaign for Concordia will must continue to stand out. students. It’s Montreal, Quebec, contribute greatly to the university’s The Campaign for Concordia is a call Canada and the world. Double Our Research strategic direc- to our alumni, faculty, staff and friends This campaign comes at a pivotal tion. That, for me, has much to do with to give to our university to support juncture in the university’s history. leveraging the responsiveness and our growth. We have just embarked on an ambitious flexibility of both Concordia’s faculty It is through our diversity that we are pathway to realize a set of strategic members and state-of-the-art facili- able to innovate for the future. We live directions that will define Concordia’s ties. I also hope that connections made in a technological age where the pace future and set the tone and tempo for during the campaign will pave the way of change is increasing. The Campaign what a next-generation university for partnerships with both the public for Concordia will support our students can and should be. Never before has and private sectors, providing us with a and researchers. We build think tanks, our community had so much to be solid framework for growth.” institutes and research centres to bring enthusiastic about. together experts in knowledge hubs that Students from all over Quebec and PAULA will improve society.” the world are aspiring to study here. We WOOD-ADAMS are committed to creating novel, flex- DEAN, GRADUATE GRAHAM CARR ible spaces where creativity, research STUDIES PROVOST AND and the development of new ideas can VICE-PRESIDENT, flourish. Our research output is growing “As a university with ACADEMIC AFFAIRS at record levels and Concordia is known a growing graduate “Above all, the nationally and internationally as a true student population, our most important Campaign for leader in many fields. The campaign mandate is training the leaders of Concordia provides us is perfectly timed to tap into, feed and tomorrow by giving them the means to with the opportunity to support exciting nourish that optimism, that belief in push the boundaries of their disciplines. initiatives that we otherwise couldn’t the possibility of positive change. The campaign is a way for us to get out afford, but that will lift our academic As a young university with proud there and let our communities know that enterprise to a new level. We’re already roots, we’re on the cusp of taking a giant big things are happening here, things doing many incredible things at the step into the future. And the campaign that will make a change in their everyday university in terms of our programs, will be a critical enabler of our vision lives, whether through new technologies support for students, connections to and goals.” or different ways of approaching community and research. pressing challenges.

28 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine I am confident that the campaign ANNE-MARIE university, and more research-creation will translate into new opportunities CROTEAU, BSC 86 projects with major partners like the for overall recruitment. We’ll be able to DEAN, JOHN Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal reach even more top-tier students and MOLSON SCHOOL and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. OF BUSINESS faculty members to join our labs and We’re one of the largest comprehen- classrooms. More awareness also means “As a proud sive fine arts institutions in all of North more collaboration and, consequently, graduate and America. We will always be a faculty more innovation.” long-time faculty member, I have seen where scholarly, visual, performing, Concordia change in so many wonderful cinematic, design and digital arts thrive. AMIR ASIF ways over the years. And we want to share what we do with an DEAN, FACULTY OF In my new role as dean of the John ever-larger community of people who ENGINEERING AND Molson School of Business, I regularly meet can wrap their arms around real initia- COMPUTER SCIENCE alumni whose sons and daughters are now tives that benefit society. “Concordia is studying here. A second generation of stu- The campaign is a rare opportu- recognized for its dents now calls Concordia home. nity for us collectively to reflect on the commitment to Our community’s financial support, kind of university we want to build for accessibility and social responsibility. through the Campaign for Concordia, will the future. It’s a significant move for Many of our graduates were first- equip the university with the means to Concordia to transform its ideas for new generation university students. provide this generation with an outstand- directions into real proposals that say The Campaign for Concordia will ing educational experience — one that will to the larger community, ‘Yes! This is enable the Faculty of Engineering prepare them for a meaningful career and what we want. This is what we believe in. and Computer Science (ENCS) to for having a positive impact on society.” Follow us and support us!’” reaffirm the university’s aspirations and make ENCS a reality for bright, REBECCA DUCLOS ANDRÉ ROY hardworking young people. DEAN, FACULTY DEAN, FACULTY OF It will help us train students OF FINE ARTS ARTS AND SCIENCE with skills to design next-gen technologies in a socially responsible “I see a huge role in “This campaign manner. It empowers us to retain the future Concordia represents an faculty members who are leaders in for experimental immense opportunity their field, who are passionate about and experiential pedagogical to inspire people with the bold and educating young minds and who are practices that the Faculty of Fine Arts creative initiatives our faculty is pursuing cutting-edge research. has long embraced. pursuing in various fields, such as It will allow us to develop student For the faculty, this campaign is about preventive health, global environmental spaces, hands-on teaching labs and building the infrastructure to share our change, human rights and genomics. state-of-the-art facilities on campus, material and methodological practices The emphasis of the campaign on in- infrastructure that facilitates learning both inside and outside the university. vesting in top talent will help us advance and research of the highest quality. We want more support for all students, our innovative and interdisciplinary The campaign will inspire the more STEAM [science, technology, academic project and realize our goals ENCS community to be the best that engineering, arts and mathematics] for the coming years, as outlined in our we can be.” collaborations across the whole faculty’s strategic plan, FAS 2025. This campaign embodies our uni- versity’s shared ambitions, including Indigenous advancement, inclusive- “To enable Concordia to reach its full ness, cutting-edge pedagogy, student potential, we need generous gifts that match success and community engagement. We all have a role to play as champions the passion of our donors with the knowledge, for this cause, and it is my hope that our action and creativity of our community.” collective efforts throughout the cam- paign will see professors, students, staff and alumni finding new and unexpected ways to work together as a team, with a combined desire and determination to be the next-generation university.”

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 29 1

CHANCELLOR’S BUILDERS CIRCLE AND FRIENDS DINNER LAUNCHES THE CAMPAIGN FOR CONCORDIA: NEXT-GEN. NOW. 2

Concordia’s staunchest ambassadors Bram Freedman, Concordia’s vice- Concordia’s PERFORM Centre. learned how philanthropy is providing president of Advancement and External The evening featured presentations by momentum to Canada’s next-generation Relations, introduced the campaign’s co- two Concordia researchers. Ana Maria university to teach for tomorrow and chairs, Andrew Molson (right), partner Medina Ramirez, MASc (mech. eng.) double its research at the Chancellor’s and chairman of RES PUBLICA Consulting 17, who placed second in the Canadian Builders Circle and Friends Dinner on Group, and Lino Saputo Jr. (left), 5 BA finals of the 2016 Three-Minute Thesis November 1, 2017. 1 89, chairman of the board and chief exec- and Project Competition, demonstrated Concordia Chancellor Jonathan utive officer of Saputo. Molson and Saputo how she’s improving car safety. Medina Wener, 2 BComm 71, Norman Hébert explained how this will be most ambi- Ramirez is pictured with Christine Jr., 3 BComm 77, chair of the Board tious campaign in the university’s history, Lengvari, BSc 72, 7 president and chief of Governors, and Concordia President with a $250-million goal, and will support executive officer of Lengvari Financial. Alan Shepard 4 welcomed more Concordia’s nine strategic directions. Among the other guests were Gina than 150 members and friends of the CTV Montreal chief news anchor Cody, 8 MEng 81, PhD 89, executive Chancellor’s Builders Circle at the and campaign honorary chair Mutsumi chair of McIntosh Perry, Edith Molière, elegant Cirque Éloize in Montreal. Takahashi (right), BA 79, MBA 95, LLD 9 vice-president of the Naim S. Mahlab The event also marked the launch 13, emceed the event. She’s pictured with Foundation, and Gail and Stephen of the Campaign for Concordia: Jennifer McGrath, 6 chair of Childhood Jarislowsky, 10 LLD 03, founder, director Next-Gen. Now. Preventive Health and Data Science at and chairman of Jarislowsky Fraser & Co.

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concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 31 THE Concordia’s Genome Foundry is helping the university become a leader in synthetic biology research SYNTHETIC IS REAL

32 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine SIMONA RABINOVITCH

t Concordia’s new high-tech Genome Foundry, Arobotics, automation and interdisciplinary research are helping make the university a leader in niversity

the process of designing U ordia

and building DNA and c on

biological systems. C “My objective is to make VINCENT MARTIN IS PROFESSOR IN CONCORDIA’S DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY AND CO-DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE FOR APPLIED SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY. this platform central to what we’re doing at Concordia,” In 2012, Martin co-founded “to design and build biologi- “A genome is so says Vincent Martin, pro- the CASB with Nawwaf cal systems that are beneficial complicated — it’s made fessor in Concordia’s Kharma, MSc 16, associate to society.” While its appli- of tens of thousands of Department of Biology. professor in the Department cations are many, synthetic genes,” says Martin, who is Inaugurated in 2017 with of Electrical and Computer biology allows scientists to also Concordia University the support of a $2.4-million Engineering. Martin and “go outside the boundaries Research Chair in Microbial grant from the Canada Kharma serve as the cen- of what nature has handed Engineering and Synthetic THE Foundation for Innovation tre’s co-directors. “In years you and create something Biology. “It’s a problem (CFI), the Genome Foundry is to come, we want the Genome that’s new to nature,” Martin that’s way too complex for a shared facility housed at the Foundry to become a pro- says. “A vaccine is an exam- individuals to figure out, so Centre for Applied Synthetic vincial or national platform ple — fighting infections and you need robotics, machines Biology (CASB). The foundry, for people from outside of pathogens — and producing and a lot of computational like the CASB, is the first of Concordia to come and build antibiotics.” Its many other power. That’s one aspect its kind in Canada. It brings their genomes,” Martin says. applications include environ- of the foundry that we’re together interdisciplinary As described on the CASB’s mental protection, sustainable building up.” teams from biology, website (concordia.ca/casb), manufacturing, agriculture biochemistry, journalism, synthetic biology involves and food production. communication studies the genetic modification of and electrical, computer, micro-organisms in order SYNTHETIC mechanical, industrial and IS REAL chemical engineering.

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 33 Martin reports that new “In years to come, we want the hire Michael Hallett, a pro- fessor in the Department of Genome Foundry to become a Biology, will be exploring provincial or national platform for machine learning and ar- tificial intelligence. “If you people from outside of Concordia generate enough informa- tion about how the different to come and build their genomes.” parts of the genome work to- gether, you can start making From manipulating Functional Genomics. He predictions and extrapolat- computer chips and gears says the foundry’s automation ing further about specific and knobs for a car, we’re allows researchers to changes in the genome and actually recreating DNA.” potentially conduct thousands what the outcome would be,” At the Genome Foundry, of experiments at the same Martin adds. “We’re trying research by Aashiq H. time. That’s much more to create a system that you Kachroo, assistant profes- quickly than the traditional can tinker with and generate sor in the Department of method of “doing it by hand enough information to make Biology, is doing just that. on the bench,” explains Kwan, the systems predictable. His work attempts to en- who arrived at Concordia in Right now in biology gineer human biological 2016. “This takes a lot of the we can’t do that. It’s a systems “in simple cells like monotonous and repetitive lot of trial and error.” baker’s yeast,” research that labour away from the research, could be applied to “under- and frees up researchers and RECREATING DNA standing basic biology such students to come up with new That trial and error is where as evolution and applied ideas and ways to apply these automation, systems and sciences like fighting techniques and approaches.” engineering come in. “It’s disease,” Kachroo explains. That will in turn benefit the time to industrialize building He came to Concordia in “broader aims” of the research things out of DNA,” Martin 2017 and his research fo- experiments, he adds. says. “We industrialized cuses on humanizing genetic “Engineering strains is building things of steel, systems in yeast. “Where I a considerable effort that cars, computers. That’s think we can excel is to use involves much trial and er- what engineers do. With the Genome Foundry to ror,” says Steve Shih, a CASB techniques and methods, build human biological sys- researcher and assistant pro- they make models, so tems, not just one gene but fessor in the Department every time they build a multiple genes,” he says. of Electrical and Computer bridge they know it’s not “What we’ve done so far is Engineering. “You build the going to fall, every time replace one human gene at a circuit and then you test the they build a car they know time. That is where the chal- circuit. With the cell, we have it’s going to drive properly. lenge is: can we build larger to go into the code, test the Let’s bring that discipline complexes? Some of these cell, see if it’s what we want to biology and genomes. are 30 to 40 genes at a time and, if not, we’ve got to go back and we can use the foundry and rewrite the code. With all to assemble and build those the equipment we have, the systems. The foundry will be Genome Foundry helps us au- immensely useful because it tomate this process.” has robots, so we can do the process significantly faster BRIDGING THE GAP and on a much larger scale.” The foundry also encourages The scientists agree that collaboration. “I’m trained such speed offers many as an interdisciplinary niversity

U advantages. David Kwan is scientist and having a ordia

c assistant professor in the genome foundry promotes on

C Department of Biology and that,” says Shih, who also AASHIQ H. KACHROO, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY, IS LOOKING affiliated with the CASB and joined Concordia in 2016. TO ENGINEER HUMAN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS IN SIMPLE CELLS LIKE BAKER’S YEAST. Centre for Structural and “We’re bridging the gap

34 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine between engineering, onto a credit card-shaped Ideally, to quickly go through biology, chemistry and device. By doing that, we can all the different combina- physics; all these science integrate all the biological tions such that it is easy and and engineering fields or chemical processes that possibly could be done in are coming together in go on in those laboratories less than a day or two.” this foundry. Beside me I on a miniaturized scale. As for Kwan, his synthetic can talk to a biologist or, When I was in the lab, I used biology interests include such if I had a question about to try to do one, maybe two questions as, “Can we en- chemistry, someone would experiments at one time. But gineer biological systems to be there. It’s a nice little hub now, with this device, you’re produce medicines? Biofuels? where all these scientists capable of doing thousands. Biorenewables? Or common can come together, a really And if you’re really good, if products like plastics, which special place.” He also says you’re really clever with your by conventional means are not the foundry is great for designs, you can do millions produced sustainably?” collaborations, citing a new of experiments at once.” His focus is on fine-tuning DNA writing project on proteins, to “hone them into which he, Kwan and Martin MANY ADVANTAGES precision tools.” That in- are beginning to work. The miniature scale of volves protein engineering Kwan agrees. “Having microfluidics offers other centred on enzymes that, he a place to gather minds advantages. “For example, explains, are proteins cata- from different disciplines by going to that scale we can lyzing chemical reactions. and sharing these kinds of track and analyze cancer “These are proteins encod- resources, cool toys and high- cells and see what’s going ed in genes that came from niversity tech instruments is really on genetically with them. nature, and that evolved in U ordia

conducive to collaboration, We’re currently writing up a nature to do something else, c on getting people together and publication where we could to help the organisms they C co-operating,” he says. go into a cancer cell and come from survive,” he says. DAVID KWAN (RIGHT) IS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF One example is another knock out specific genes “We can try to copy what BIOLOGY AND A RESEARCHER AT THE joint effort between Kwan related to cancer and prevent nature does and try to do CENTRE FOR APPLIED SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY AND CENTRE FOR STRUCTURAL AND and Shih. Their infra- the growth of those cancer evolution in the lab to per- FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS. structure project combines cells,” Shih says. fect these proteins as parts STEVE SHIH IS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND engineering and biology to Using microfluidics to ex- of our synthetic biology sys- COMPUTER ENGINEERING. KWAN AND SHIH develop small, hand-held pedite the synthetic biology tems. This involves making RECEIVED A $100,000 INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT FROM THE CANADA FOUNDATION automation technology. cycle is another application, changes to genes that encode FOR INNOVATION’S JOHN R. EVANS LEADERS FUND AND $150,000 IN OTHER “Specifically, we’re looking one of which he’s particularly these proteins, in order to FUNDING, INCLUDING $100,000 FROM THE at sugars that are related to proud. “We would engineer evolve the proteins.” PROVINCE OF QUEBEC, IN 2017. cancer,” says Shih. a cell, meaning we would Martin anticipates Beyond their shared work, go into the cell and write or that the next big step in Shih’s areas of interest include modify specific DNA code the international field of biofuel production, trying to so it could produce valuable synthetic biology might be understand the genetics be- products like biofuel, pos- to synthesize the human hind cancer and expediting sibly biochemicals, or even genome. He references a the synthetic biology cycle. novel therapeutics like spe- major research project out Research at his microfluidics cialized antibiotics,” he says. of the United States called laboratory has applications for “If you want to create a the Genome Project-write, health and energy. specific drug from a bacte- or GP-write. “They’re “Microfluidics are rial cell, there are just so trying to do ‘the grand essentially a lab-on-chip many variations in the ge- challenge’ of the human technology,” he explains. netic code, three billion or genome sequence, to actually “The traditional scientific so. Imagine your boss tell- synthesize the genome laboratory contains ing you, ‘Go in there and from scratch,” he says. benches, beakers, with a try to find the perfect com- “The ‘grand challenge’ is how bunch of scientists working bination.’ That would be to do this: the technology, away and doing all these impossible!” he says. “We’re the ethics — all of that.” experiments. Now, think using microfluidics to try —Simona Rabinovitch is a of miniaturizing all that and automate that process. Montreal freelance writer.

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 35 WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES?

DANIEL BARTLETT digital media,” says Then, three years ago, The discussion would Lewis, who is Concordia Lewis, Skawennati and a lead to the establishment of hen Jason Edward University Research Chair team of academics, artists the Indigenous Futures re- Lewis and in Computational Media and technologists got to- search cluster at Concordia’s Skawennati, BFA and the Indigenous Future gether to discuss the future Milieux Institute for Arts, W92, GrDip 96, established Imaginary. of Aboriginal communities Culture and Technology Aboriginal Territories in More than a decade later, in Canada and the world. (milieux.concordia.ca/ Cyberspace (AbTeC) in 2005, AbTeC continues to create “We decided to develop a indigenous-futures), as the research network’s aim cultural works that introduce framework and structure to well as the Initiative for was to encourage Indigenous practices of mentorship, encourage Native individu- Indigenous Futures, fund- individuals to create and education and collaboration als and communities to think ed by a seven-year Social engage with Aboriginally to Indigenous communities, concretely about the future,” Sciences and Humanities determined web pages, particularly young people. says Lewis, also professor Research Council of Canada online games and virtual A sample of the network’s in Concordia’s Department (SSHRC) Partnership Grant. environments. ongoing activities includes of Design and Computation “We pulled together a the Skins Workshops on Arts. “When we say ‘future,’ “AN INDIGENOUS group of people interest- Aboriginal Storytelling we don’t mean the next polit- WAY OF THINKING” ed in thinking about how and Video Game Design, ical mandate or even the next Founded in March 2016, Indigenous communi- art production and artist generation — we’re thinking the Indigenous Futures ties were working with residencies. seven generations out.” research cluster explores

36 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES?

Milieux’s Indigenous Futures research cluster brings together artists, scholars and community partners to develop visions of Indigenous peoples’ tomorrows abs L bx O

how Indigenous people are the future. There are lots of perspectives, especially when food sovereignty movement, imagining the future of their other people who are think- coming from an Indigenous we need to see ourselves families and communities ing about these things and context. “These clean divisions in law making, we need to through various narratives, we want to be in conversation between science, engineering, see ourselves in society frameworks and technologies. with them,” Lewis explains. art and the humanities are not more broadly — it’s just Lewis and Heather Igloliorte, The Indigenous Futures clean at all,” he says. imperative,” she says. assistant professor in the Research Cluster Presents For Skawennati, an Igloliorte agrees and Department of Art History, is the latest initiative to try artist and activist, multi- draws parallels between the serve as co-directors, and and spark those discussions. disciplinary approaches to ways the research cluster Skawennati acts as the part- Described as a series of talks, Indigenous futurism are and Indigenous commu- nership coordinator. performances, exhibitions so important because “we nities operate in general. Whereas AbTeC focuses and other public engagement need to see ourselves in ev- “Multidisciplinarity, or even mostly on artists and activities, during the 2017-18 ery part of the future,” she non-disciplinarity, is an research-creation from a academic year it will include says. She adds that it is only Indigenous way of thinking First Nations context, the presentations by artists, by envisioning strong, thriv- about the world,” she says. Indigenous Futures research performers, composers ing Indigenous individuals “It’s the way our research is cluster takes a multidisci- and academics. and societies that communi- going because it is a more ho- plinary approach to the time Lewis believes it essential ties will be able to address listic way of working. For me, to come. “It’s not just artists to examine forward-looking the challenges of today. “We it’s really satisfying to see how who have things to say about work from multidisciplinary need to see ourselves in the everything fits together.”

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 37 “When we say ‘future,’ we don’t mean the next political mandate or even the next generation — we’re thinking seven generations out.”

THE INITIATIVE FOR questions was how do we The IIF residence program at our communities 150 INDIGENOUS FUTURES get more people using this offers Indigenous artists, years into the future,” Most of the Concordia- technology,” Lewis recalls. writers, activists and think- says Benesiinaabandan. based Indigenous Futures “We brainstormed a bunch ers an opportunity to explore The narrative nature of research cluster’s activities of different ideas but we kept Indigenous futures at AbTeC language is what served as are currently focused on coming back to video games, headquarters in Concordia’s his inspiration. “Language the broader Initiative for because it was just clear to us Engineering, Computer encapsulates all things. It Indigenous Futures (IIF), a that that’d be a much more Science and Visual Arts is the most important piece $2.5-million collaboration attractive way of pulling Integrated Complex. Lewis of culture and determines between universities, arts everybody in.” jokes that the project offers how culture gets propagated institutions, community Based on the responses residents so much leeway that into the future. Language is a organizations and industry he’s received, Lewis thinks they often do not believe what foundational element,” he says. partners in five provinces the workshops have been a they are being asked. “They The VR commission and territories. Among the success, especially when he write a one-page proposal also marked the first time project’s aims are to provide considers that neither he nor that includes a budget and Benesiinaabandan worked Aboriginal youth with critical Skawennati had any experi- if our committee feels con- with the medium. While he cultural and digital media ence in video game design fident that it’s a worthwhile admits that the work is a per- tools that empower them to when they first started. venture, then they come and sonal exploration of how he craft a destiny of their own The activity’s storytelling hopefully do some interesting considers language, he hopes choosing, and to develop element also ensures that work,” he says. viewers take away a “visceral multiple visions of Indigenous what is designed usually Scott Benesiinaabandan sense of being in a different peoples’ tomorrows. stands out from typical video is the project’s long-term world,” he says. “I use a lot of Lewis is the principal in- game fare. “We have elders artist-in-residence. He pro- digital media, so this artwork vestigator, while Skawennati come in and tell stories, duced a virtual reality (VR) was just another explora- and Igloliorte work as the and then we talk about why work, Blueberry Pie Under the tion into that. It was a great IIF’s partnership coordi- stories are important and Martian Sky, that was shown learning opportunity too, nator and co-investigator, how they are structured,” at Concordia’s Leonard and because now I have a back- respectively. The project is says Lewis. “The participants Bina Ellen Art Gallery in ground in VR.” funded by SSHRC until 2022 devise a story that they are fall 2017. The exhibition, While Lewis is happy with and made up of workshops, going to use the video game Owerà:ke Non Aié:nahne / the work the IIF and its part- residencies, symposia and a to tell. They almost always Combler les espaces vides / ners are doing, he wants to media archive, including the take ingredients from Filling in the Blank Spaces, expand the conversation Skins Workshops conducted different stories they’ve was a joint creative project by to include members of the by AbTeC. been telling and talking Lewis and Skawennati. public. That is the idea be- “When we first started about and remixing them “The whole premise hind the Symposium on the AbTeC, one of the into an interactive form.” of the piece was looking Future Imaginary, which

38 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine abs L bx O

JASON EDWARD LEWIS (RIGHT), IS PROFESSOR IN CONCORDIA’S DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN AND COMPUTATION ARTS, CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CHAIR IN COMPUTATIONAL MEDIA AND THE INDIGENOUS FUTURE IMAGINARY, AND CO- DIRECTOR OF THE INDIGENOUS FUTURES RESEARCH CLUSTER. SKAWENNATI (LEFT), IS THE PARTNERSHIP COORDINATOR FOR CONCORDIA’S INITIATIVE FOR INDIGENOUS FUTURES, HOUSED IN THE INDIGENOUS FUTURES RESEARCH CLUSTER. IN 2017 THE ARTIST COMPLETED THREE MAJOR PROJECTS, INCLUDING A PUBLIC ART PROJECT AND TWO MACHINIMAS — MOVIES MADE IN VIRTUAL WORLDS — SHE FALLS FOR AGES AND THE PEACEMAKER RETURNS. wrapped up its third edition began to notice how few of historical research. Her involvement in the at the Winnipeg Art Gallery Indigenous people actually Imagining Indians starts in Indigenous Futures research in December 2017. populate the genre. 1490 — two years before cluster aligns with the group’s “We’ve made a significant This realization is what the arrival of Christopher seven-generation principle, difference in growing that propelled Skawennati to ex- Columbus — and ends in yet she also wants to keep an conversation through the amine what lies ahead for 2490. It’s one millennium eye on the next decade to en- symposium because each First Nations people more but only half of it is in the fu- sure the Inuit take charge of one is videotaped and posted closely. “I really felt I needed ture,” Skawennati explains. their artistic futures. “This is online,” he says. “One of the to do something useful and I Igloliorte also likes sci- a very strange phenomenon big commitments we made couldn’t just make art that was ence fiction literature and to have in Canada,” she says. at the beginning of the grant pretty,” recalls Skawennati. film, although her engage- “What is the future of Inuit art that gets carried out through “A lot of the Native art in the ment with Indigenous if it’s not led by Inuit?” the cluster is to record as late ’90s was about being a futures came about after she For Benesiinaabandan, his much as we can and get it victim and I wasn’t interested realized that the Inuit were interest in Indigenous futures online so people can see it.” in being a victim.” not taking on leadership started with the elders’ Lewis is pleased the sym- The first artwork in which roles in the art world. She is stories he heard as a child. posium has grown since it she decidedly envisioned interested in both the dis- “Even though I like science was first held in Toronto in Indigenous people in the tant and immediate futures fiction, I’m not particularly 2015. Still, it is also clear that future was an online paper- for Inuit. driven by that,” he says. its success does not lie solely doll/time-travel journal “Inuit art contrib- “When we talk to our elders, on the shoulders of the IIF called Imagining Indians in utes $87.5 million to the there’s always a consideration team. “It’s not just because the 25th Century. The proj- Canadian economy annu- of the future. We are always of what we’re doing,” he says. ect’s timeline takes place ally, and still there are very talking about the future in “There are other people who over a millennium and sees few Inuit curators; there are one way or another.” are doing work in what they the main character visit 10 no permanent museum staff, The Indigenous Futures call Indigenous Futurisms events over the course of and few Inuit are even work- research cluster is currently that are really helping break that time. Skawennati cre- ing with our collections,” looking for students interested open the conversation.” ated a different costume for Igloliorte says. “Here we in doing archival work as the character to wear at each have this vast artistic pro- well as postdoctoral fellows. RESEARCH INSPIRED event, along with 10 separate duction by numerous artists Students are asked to contact BY SCI-FI, ART, ELDERS journal entries. — the highest percent- Jason Edward Lewis at Both Lewis and Skawennati The project is not only age of artists per capita in [email protected] for grew up with a love for set in the future, though. the country — and yet there more information. science fiction. But after “I don’t want to pretend I’m aren’t nearly enough Inuit —Daniel Bartlett, BA years and years of reading a historian, but I’m an art- leading that movement or (comm. studies & journ.) 08, science fiction novels, they ist who does a good amount writing our art history.” is a Montreal freelance writer.

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 39 FAR-FLUNGALUMNI

Meet seven Concordians whose careers have taken them across the world k c here’s no denying Montreal’s hinksto

T charms. The city was again ranked number one in 2017 by QS Best StudentT Cities, for instance. Close to three quarters of Concordia’s 200,000-plus alumni call it home. Yet for a variety of reasons many alums move elsewhere after graduation — and some quite far away. More than 5,000 Concordians are settled outside of Canada and the United States, scattered around the globe in 150 countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Of those international alumni, about one third reside in Europe, 20 per cent in the Middle East and 15 per cent in China. We introduce you to seven internationally based Concordia alumni.

40 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine Concordia champion forged deep links with the community in He became the founding president in Hong Kong Montreal, including as a founding mem- of the Concordia University Hong Kong ber of the Corporation of the Montreal Foundation in 1999. “Since then, we n the half century since he graduated Chinese Hospital, which continues to have provided 110 scholarships to kids from Sir George Williams University, serve the local Chinese community today. from mainland China and Hong Kong to one of Concordia’s founding He started up the real estate devel- study at Concordia, in all faculties, in- Iinstitutions, William Yip, BA 67, opment company Canada Land Ltd. in cluding in master’s programs,” he says. LLD 98, has witnessed tectonic 1972. While building it into a power- “And we’ll continue to provide scholar- changes in the way the university house in the nearby mainland Chinese ships to needy students.” goes about welcoming and educating city of Guangzhou, he found time to Now Yip is closely involved with the foreign students. Now, following a support and raise Canada’s profile newly launched Campaign for Concordia: successful decades-long career as as an academic destination for Next-Gen. Now, as the Asia division’s a real estate developer based in his young Hongkongers. honorary vice-chair. His plans include native Hong Kong, it’s his goal to raising the university’s international make sure those changes continue HONOURED profile among an already crowded field of their positive momentum. Yip — who was awarded an honorary Canadian and other Western universities When Yip arrived in Montreal in the degree by Concordia in 1998 — has been hoping to attract mainland Chinese and early 1960s, he knew very little about the chairman of the board of governors of Hong Kong students. He’s confident institution he would call home for the the Canadian University Association Concordia’s strengths will make it stand next several years. “In those old days, we (Hong Kong) since 1984, having served out. “As I see the John Molson School of didn’t have systems like the internet,” the six previous years as its president. Business giving a very strong background to he says. “We just had word of mouth In 1998-2000, Yip served as the Canadian as well as international students, from some senior people who went to president of the Canadian Chamber of many of our kids from mainland China or the school or came from Hong Kong.” Commerce in Hong Kong, the largest Hong Kong want to get into the school to Faced with a lack of opportunity chamber outside Canada. prepare for their careers,” Yip says. back home, Yip and thousands of other —Patrick Lejtenyi, GrDip 99 young, ambitious Hong Kong residents hoping to carve a future for themselves went abroad for their studies. All he knew about Sir George Williams was its “We have provided reputation as a good business school. 110 scholarships to Navigating life at a new school, in a new city and in a country half a world kids from mainland away from home was a challenge for bewildered foreign students. “There China and Hong were very few of us at the time. I believe Kong to study at that we had about 200 students at Sir George from Hong Kong in my time,” Concordia, and we’ll he says. “They had many other students continue to provide from other countries, including local students. They were very busy. We had scholarships to to overcome many difficulties.” Yip graduated in 1967 and soon re- needy students.” turned home to Hong Kong. Yet he had WILLIAM YIP IS GENERATING BUZZ ABOUT CONCORDIA ACROSS GREATER CHINA AND BEYOND.

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 41 “The album started getting some buzz, and then all of a sudden I’m sitting between Lady Gaga and the Scissor Sisters on the charts.”

As Jackson In 1999, Jackson followed her puts it: “The album husband to London with their two started getting kids and put her PR career on hold to some buzz, and focus on music. then all of a sudden I’m sitting between STAYING FIT Lady Gaga and the Another of Jackson’s long-time passions Scissor Sisters on is fitness. She taught aerobics through the charts.” Since the 1980s and 1990s and has now then, her career developed her own “StaePumped” music has included a tapes she hopes will encourage people to chart-topping move, as well as a line of fitness apparel, single with gangsta StaeFit. rap legend Snoop “Everyone these days is wearing fit- Dogg, “Live It Up,” ness clothes as a fashion item,” Jackson toddart S and six subsequent says. “If you want your stuff to sell, not ohn

J top-10 chart hits. only do you have to solve a problem but MUSICIAN AND FITNESS ENTHUSIAST STACEY JACKSON Jackson says you have to make people want to wear it GOT THE SHOWBIZ BREAK MOST PEOPLE CAN ONLY DREAM OF WHILE IN HER 40S. her Concordia to pick up their kids as well.” education helped her get the initial buzz Jackson designs eye-catching clothes going for Upside Down. Back in the 1990s, that also have major functional advan- while pursuing her BA in communication tages: they’re moisture-phobic and Boogying to the beat studies, she interned at CBS News in New full-coverage. Her brassiere-built-in of her own music York City. “After that internship, I started tops attach from the front — “no more building up my contacts in entertainment wrestling matches with sweaty clothes,” o you believe in fame after 40? and public relations,” Jackson says. “That Jackson says. Having acquired the patent Stacey Jackson, BA (comm. opened up new avenues for my career for her front-closing tops, she’s focus- studies) 91, sure does. when I entered the workforce.” ing on diversifying her brand. DA number of Jackson’s songs have hit Soon after her graduation, New York At first, Jackson says, her children the United Kingdom dance charts, the City’s Lifetime Television sponsored were a little bit embarrassed about her first of which, “Band of Gold,” made it her to come work as their publicist. new fame. Yet it’s been nearly a decade in 2010 — after her 40th birthday. That Five years later, she left to start her own since their mom’s music started playing tune was the lead single from Jackson’s company, Stacey Jackson Publicity. She around the country and they’re used to album Upside Down, a collaboration ran it successfully for three years until it. Jackson ventures they might even like with underprivileged children from her former boss at CBS, Tom Goodman, it. “Now my sons are in college in the the U.K.-based arts charity Music for reached out, asking her to be a founding States,” she reports. “When I went and Youth. They reprised some of the catchi- partner at his nascent PR firm Goodman visited them, one told me, ‘Mom, all my est Motown hits of the 1960s and 1970s, Media in 1998. girlfriends want to meet you. They think with their version of “Gold” reaching While climbing the New York public you’re so inspirational.’” number 17 on the U.K. Commercial Pop relations ladder, Jackson never stopped —Lucas Napier-Macdonald, GrDip 17 Club chart in 2010. Their take on The making music. “I was still performing Supremes’ 1966 “I Hear a Symphony” around the city in my own Motown band reached number nine. called Fuzzy Dice,” she says.

42 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine Finding ways to support 1979, due to immigra- HONG KONG future grads tion rules at the time, PRESENCE Chan had to return to As his career evolved, hen deciding which Canadian Hong Kong and reapply work took Chan to the university to attend, Hong from there to be United States, Canada Kong native Dennis Chan, allowed back in and Singapore from WBComm 77, says he was attracted by the Canada to work. his base in Hong Kong. strong reputation of the business school Instead of return- Although he remained at Sir George Williams University, one ing, he found a job at DENNIS CHAN KEEPS CONCORDIA’S busy working for HONG KONG-BASED GRADS IN TOUCH of Concordia’s founding institutions. Hong Kong’s Universal AND WORKS TOWARDS ADDING TO listed and non-listed A particular strength of the faculty, Furniture Ltd. He be- THEIR NUMBERS. international companies now known as the John Molson School came involved in putting until 2007, when he set of Business (JMSB), was its accounting together the first initial public offer- up his own consultancy firm specializing program. ing (IPO) of an Asia-based company on in financial advisory, accountancy and Montreal’s unique character as a the NASDAQ exchange in 1982. Chan corporate secretarial services, he always city arguably in its heyday in the mid- says he was almost uniquely equipped to kept Concordia close. 1970s also played a role. “We were told guide the delicate process thanks to the In 1979, soon after his return from that Montreal was a very cultural city, education he received at Concordia. Canada, Chan co-founded the Concordia a very distinct community in North “Not too many people knew about University Alumni Association’s Hong America with French cultural heritage,” U.S. general accounting principles in Kong chapter and in 1999 he co-found- he says. “We all knew it would be a very Hong Kong at that time,” he says. “The ed the Concordia University Hong Kong different experience than other major company went very well and I worked Foundation. He has created a $5,000 Canadian cities.” there for 12 years before I moved on. At annual scholarship in addition to mak- He admits that his decision was also the time of its first IPO, the company’s ing gifts to JMSB and the Concordia based on the most practical of consid- revenue was [US]$100 million. Revenue Library. “Since the start of the Hong erations. “At that time there was no fee rose to [US]$650 million in 12 years. Kong Foundation, I’ve regularly donated differential between foreign students Working there gave me very good to help students from Hong Kong and and local students,” he says. “We were professional business experience in mainland China study at Concordia,” all being charged at the same rate.” handling different types of people in he says. The decision was one he came to 13 different jurisdictions, and gave Having stayed in touch with the uni- greatly appreciate. me a very good chance to advance my versity over the decades through his After completing his major in busi- professional career.” philanthropic and other ventures, Chan ness management with is now vice-chair of the a minor in account- Asia division (Hong Kong) ing, Chan went on to “We were told that Montreal was a for the newly launched earn a graduate diploma Campaign for Concordia: in public accountancy very cultural city. We all knew it would Next-Gen. Now. and his chartered ac- be a very different experience than —Patrick Lejtenyi, GrDip 99 countant designation at McGill University. In other major Canadian cities.”

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 43 How Geneviève Tremblay parlayed a journalism degree into an international career

hen Geneviève Tremblay, BA 97, was contemplating career paths, she toyed with the idea Wof studying law. However, she eventually decided to enrol in Concordia’s Department of Journalism because its writing component won her over. MADRID-BASED GENEVIÈVE TREMBLAY SAYS THE WRITING SKILLS SHE LEARNED WHILE IN Two decades later, Tremblay is now CONCORDIA’S JOURNALISM PROGRAM HAVE SERVED HER WELL THROUGHOUT HER CAREER. responsible for sustainable develop- ment and external communications at Feeling the need to broaden her the people around me, the different Madrid-based LafargeHolcim Spain, education, she returned to Montreal languages, how better integrated part of the global construction materials and went back to school and in 2006 immigrants are in Canada,” she and solutions company. graduated with an MSc in Management says. “Living away from Montreal, She has nothing but good words about from HEC Montréal. In 2007, homesickness will always be a factor, but her time at Concordia. “Thanks to the Tremblay arrived in Madrid as head it fluctuates depending on the time of program being quite small at the time, of Corporate Social Responsibility for year. It may sound surprising, but I do the directors [Lindsay Crysler and Enn LafargeHolcim, where she managed miss the snow!” Raudsepp] were very ‘hands-on’ and I stakeholder relations, social projects As the political and social climate in felt like the professors and my fellow and sustainability reporting. Spain has become more complicated, classmates were part of a small, infor- the current crisis has, in turn, somewhat mal family,” Tremblay says. “The older LANGUAGES OFFER AN EDGE affected her work environment. “Like students would get involved and often Tremblay attributes much of her early many employees of companies around mentor the younger students, and success and access to opportunities to the world, when layoffs occur, we are ex- I found the atmosphere at school very the fact that she was bilingual. The now- pected to do more with less,” Tremblay inspiring. It was an excellent program.” trilingual Montrealer — she’s added explains. “In a way, I’ve come full circle. After graduating Tremblay travelled to Spanish to her arsenal — recognizes Once again, I’m being asked to use my Africa, which inspired her to immerse that not many francophones were in communications skills for the compa- herself in project management and the journalism program at the time, ny’s media relations and social media. sustainable development for non- giving her an edge when internships at I’m always ready to use those tools and governmental organizations. She French-language daily La Presse came that has always given me an edge.” later travelled to Switzerland to work along. “As a francophone studying in an Tremblay adds, “Throughout my ca- in communications, planning and English school, it really benefited me a reer, I have always been able to draw implementing media strategies for lot,” she says. on my ability to write, and I owe that to the World Business Council for Having lived abroad on and off for Concordia’s journalism program.” Sustainable Development. about 15 years, Tremblay readily admits —Toula Drimonis, BA 93 to craving Montreal’s diversity. “I miss “I felt like the the variety of ethnic backgrounds in professors and my fellow classmates were part of a small, informal family.”

44 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine From marketing of a culture shock for Cohen due to his — helping companies move forward in Montreal to Jewish background and his knowledge and take risks and mentoring start-ups,” of Hebrew, it was still in many ways like he says. entrepreneurship starting from scratch. He believes his time at Concordia in Israel His first few years were exploratory was extremely well spent. “The market- ones, learning to understand how the ing portion really helped me with my hile studying marketing and corporate culture worked there. “In business ventures. It taught me how to economics at Concordia, 2002, I had a unique opportunity to present myself and my vision to custom- Doron Cohen, attendee 94, combine my education and my expe- ers,” Cohen says. “Economics gave me Wnaturally gravitated towards business rience to work with an Israeli-based, very important tools that complemented and enjoyed the thrill and excitement London-traded company,” he says. the hands-on experience I was already of entrepreneurship. “My mother “I was able to work in a variety of sectors getting every day at work. I appreciate it wanted me to become a dentist,” Cohen like telecom, gaming, the mobile sector, even more now that I see how valuable admits. “But once I became involved health care and so on.” that education was. Concordia was a fan- in the family business [clothing, Over the past 15 years based in Tel tastic platform for me and I met many manufacturing and, later, optical Aviv, Cohen has founded and managed interesting people.” accessories], I was hooked. I really several technology and service compa- The businessman continues to be just liked that path.” nies, two of which were acquired. Today as excited by the next entrepreneurial Cohen was already working full time he’s CEO and managing partner of in- venture around the corner. He admits to during his stint at what is now the John vestment bank A-Labs Ventures and BII always looking for the next opportunity, Molson School of Business, from 1992 Holdings, which provide banking and travels a lot for work — “My Canadian to 1994. “In hindsight I wish I had corporate advisory services, as well as passport comes in handy,” he points completed my studies,” admits Cohen. consulting, business development and out — and would love the opportunity to That hasn’t seemed to have held him investment services for start-ups and mentor Concordia students. back too much, though. His career has high-tech companies. What does he miss most about been a steady mix of accomplishments Montreal now that he’s been living and successes across a number of INVESTOR AND MENTOR abroad for 20 years? “You’ll laugh, but business sectors. Cohen has now reached the point in apart from my family, I miss the cold, In 1997 Cohen moved to Israel in his career where he feels he can use the snow and easy access to skiing,” part to accommodate his wife, an Israeli his extensive experience to help other Cohen admits. “It’s nice having four who was having difficulty adjusting to companies go public and support their seasons and a wardrobe that changes the harsh Canadian winters. While the entrepreneurial ventures. with it. You don’t get that in Israel.” transition to Israel wasn’t that much “It’s really where my passion lies —Toula Drimonis, BA 93

“I appreciate it even more now that I see how valuable that education was. Concordia was a fantastic platform for me.”

MONTREAL NATIVE DORON COHEN HAS BEEN AN ENTREPRENEUR IN ISRAEL FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 45 Man on the move settling in Toronto to work for Hewlett- although he also works with his team on Packard Canada, yet remained restless: student recruitment and helping Alberta y his own recognition, Winston he’d never lost his ambition to work companies do business in China. Kan, BAdmin 81, could have internationally. Kan’s latest endeavour will involve spent more time paying Answering a blind ad in the Toronto fundraising for Concordia out of Beijing. Battention in class. His impressive list Star in 1992, he took a chance on a One of the challenges, he says, is to of extra-curricular student activities company unknown to him based out help build the Concordia brand with while at Concordia between 1978 and of nearby Oshawa, Ont. It turned out his fellow alumni against many other 1981 includes the local chapter of AISEC to be EHC Global, one of the world's Canadian and international universities — the International Association of largest manufacturers of escalator active in China. Students in Economics and Commerce rubber handrails — which today has “I owe a lot to Concordia,” he says. — and getting elected to the Student a 40 per cent global market share “It taught me how to be independent, Senate and as the representative for the and was looking to further expand in to learn things no matter how hard it is. Commerce and Administration faculty Asia. Despite the benefits offered by a My career was in different industries. council to the university’s Senate. That Fortune 100 company like HP, Kan left, I never repeated the same position from didn’t leave too much time for studying. and his international business career one company to the other. I focused on “I must say, I wasn’t really a good took off. business development, networking and student,” Kan admits. “I managed to That career would take him travelling interpersonal skills, which I learned graduate, but I wasn’t top of my class.” to Asia, predominantly to China. at Concordia.” Certainly his career didn’t suffer. He moved from one job to another, Kan adds, “My time in Montreal really Since he graduated, Kan has had a work- working for the Royal Canadian Mint helped me — I had no relatives there, ing life best described as nomadic. His and later Export Development Canada, not a lot of friends. It helped me to be first year post-Concordia was spent in where he was finally posted to China. independent and learn a lot.” Ireland and London. Upon his return to —Patrick Lejtenyi, GrDip 99 Canada he pursued his passion for poli- ALBERTA REP tics by volunteering for a local Liberal After some four years Party of Canada riding association in the in Hong Kong working Ottawa area, where his parents lived, in executive search, while taking extra university courses fo- Kan is now based in cusing on international business. Beijing, where he’s the By 1984, Kan was working on the Government of Alberta’s Liberal Party leadership campaign and representative, based out eventually, though briefly, in the Prime of the Canadian embassy. Minister’s Office under John Turner. His days are mostly spent He continued doing political work for promoting the province’s some years afterwards, yet was even- agriculture, education, tually drawn back to the private sector technology, tourism and, — and to his native Hong Kong, where of course, energy sectors. he worked long enough to meet his Trade and investment are WINSTON KAN HAS SEEN HIS CAREER BOUNCE FROM CANADA TO CHINA REPEATEDLY, YET ALWAYS wife. He then moved back to Canada, his main priority areas, WITH A WARM SPOT RESERVED FOR MONTREAL.

“Concordia taught me how to be independent, to learn things no matter how hard it is.”

46 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine Former Bahraini minister Fatima Albalooshi considers hers a FATIMA ALBALOOSHI IS PICTURED WITH KING HAMAD BIN ISA AL KHALIFA OF BAHRAIN IN 2012, WHEN SHE WAS MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTER OF HEALTH. FORBES MAGAZINE NAMED “Concordia family” ALBALOOSHI THE FOURTH MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMAN IN GOVERNMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST IN 2014.

atima Albalooshi, BSc 84, was only Albalooshi was appointed Minister IMPRESSIVE CAREER TRAJECTORY 16 years old when she moved from of Social Development by King Hamad Albalooshi was recently appointed Bahrain to Montreal to attend bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain in 2005, chairman of the board of trustees for the FConcordia. The young woman was one of and she served until 2014. During that Bahrain Trust Foundation, a non-profit many taking advantage of her country’s time she developed and supported organization that develops practical initiative to send students abroad to community centres that focused on models to make education and health receive an education since, at the time, family counselling services and shelters services accessible to people in refugee Bahrain did not have a university. She for abused women and for the homeless. camps and disaster areas. Because of chose Canada because she was intrigued Albalooshi established Family Bank — her long-standing humanitarian work by the possibility of living in a place so the first Islamic microfinance bank in and community involvement, as well different from her home. the world — as well as children’s and as being the longest-serving female “It was only while I was making my eldercare services and more. She also minister in the Bahraini government, way from the airport to the campus that worked tirelessly to establish close ties Forbes magazine named her the fourth I saw all the French street signs and between the government and various most influential woman in government realized this was a predominantly fran- non-governmental organizations on in the Middle East in 2014. cophone city — and I didn’t speak the the ground. Montreal was where she lay the language,” she admits. During that decade, she also served groundwork for her impressive career. Things worked out well, though. at one point as Minister of Health. “It was in this city that I truly matured “My time at Concordia was the best “Although I was only Minister of Health and grew up, became exposed to many time of my life,” Albalooshi says. for a year and during rough political cultures and learned to rely on myself,” “The friends I made there are still my times, I was able to implement major im- Albalooshi says. “Montreal will always friends today. I lived at Langley Hall provements in the ministry,” she says. have a special place in my heart, and and beautiful Loyola Campus was where Albalooshi now is CEO of onegcc. Concordia holds the best memories for I mostly took classes.” com, a private firm that creates me. After all, we’re a Concordia family. Albalooshi originally intended to innovative, effective, and sustainable My husband, Abdulrahman Alatawi [BSc study biology and eventually medi- solutions for Bahrain nationals. 83] studied here, and that’s where we cine. Instead, after graduating from “Onegcc is the first digital platform met. Our son Alharith also graduated Concordia, she headed to New York’s for the nationalization of GCC [Gulf in 2009 from the John Molson School Columbia University, where she earned Cooperation Council] jobs, and the first of Business.” a PhD of Education in instructional dedicated talent pool for GCC nationals –Toula Drimonis, BA 93 technology and media in 1991. that helps to empower them and realize She then returned home to Bahrain their ambitions to pursue a successful and entered academia. Albalooshi career,” explains Albalooshi. “It’s a job later served as dean of the College of board that helps revolutionize the way Education at the University of Bahrain. GCC HR managers recruit.”

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 47 FACULTY SPOTLIGHT FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

1 CHING YEE SUEN CONDUCTING RESEARCH ON A COMPUTERIZED READING AID FOR THE BLIND AS A PHD STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA IN 1968.

2 CHING YEE SUEN IS DIRECTOR OF CONCORDIA’S CENTRE FOR PATTERN RECOGNITION AND MACHINE INTELLIGENCE. HANDWRITING ANALYSIS AT CENPARMI CAN UNCOVER KEY PERSONALITY TRAITS OF THE WRITER.

Building a community of AI researchers, one stroke at a time

RENÉE DUNK, G r C e r t 07

ith the news that several tech 1 2 W giants — namely Facebook, Google and Microsoft — have recently PDP-9 processor and only 16 kilobytes The science behind Suen’s success may established artificial intelligence (AI) of memory, and magnetic tapes. Suen seem simple, yet it has taken him close labs in Montreal, it may seem that the notes that the machine was miniatur- to 40 years to perfect. In building and city is only recently a burgeoning hub ized using integrated circuits and then refining an extensive database, he has for structured learning. Yet researchers put to good use at organizations like essentially shown computers how to ana- at Concordia have been paving the the Canadian National Institute for the lyze a single handwriting stroke, which way for this latest wave in machine Blind (CNIB). leads to further identification of charac- intelligence — pattern recognition, ters, then words and, finally, sentences. visual computing, natural language COLLABORATING “It’s been lifetime of work,” he says. processing and more — for decades. FOR SUCCESS At this point in its development, ast-forward six years to 1978 and Suen’s pattern-recognition software EARLY BEGINNINGS F the birth of Concordia’s Centre can analyze key personality traits of a n 1972, an emerging researcher named for Pattern Recognition and Machine hand-writer, based on past results and IChing Yee Suen joined Concordia as Intelligence (CENPARMI). The research correlations. From W.B. Yeats to Bill an assistant professor in the Faculty of unit, of which Suen is founding director, Gates, Suen and his team can make rea- Engineering and Computer Science. is dedicated to advancing investigations sonable assessments about a person’s Having recently completed his doctoral into artificial intelligence technologies. emotional state, mood, self-confidence, research project — building a platform Pattern-recognition and machine- coherence of thought and organization to “teach” computers to read multi-font intelligence techniques have many based on his or her handwriting. documents with a voice output for the scientific, business, military and other Other applications of the Concordia- blind — he was fascinated by letters and applications, including character created technology include automatic characters. “Our machine was one of recognition, fingerprint identification mail-sorting services and financial the first of its kind to scan documents and weather-pattern prediction, Suen industry security. With research asso- and read characters,” Suen says. “This explains. “After my initial work in ciates from within the university and invention stimulated subsequent print materials, I turned my attention from other Montreal institutions, such research in the pattern-recognition to the research and development of as École de technologie supérieure field, and the industry grew from there.” handwriting-recognition platforms,” he and École Polytechnique de Montréal, The Honorary Concordia University says. “Much of my career has been spent Suen has been able to apply his innova- Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence in this area of computer science, and the tion to the identification of counterfeit and Pattern Recognition recalls that the culture at Concordia, in the Faculty of currency as well as facial-recognition contraption consisted predominantly of Engineering and Computer Science, software and symbol analysis for use in a photocell scanner, a computer with a has allowed me to contribute so much.” the transportation industry.

48 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine He notes that research partner- major projects include building ships, both within the university and computers that mimic human vision; outside Concordia’s walls, have con- Tristan Glatard and Marta Kersten- stituted principal components of the Oertel, both of whom are involved research centre. Suen says that the wide in medical image analysis; Nawwaf scope of CENPARMI’s research, cou- Kharma, MSc 16, a specialist in nature- pled with the talents and expertise of inspired computing; Tiberiu Popa and the centre’s members and staff, have Charalambos Poullis, leaders in visual provided a stimulating environment in computing; and Leila Kossem, a natural which to work on challenges in theoreti- language-processing expert who is the cal and experimental computer science current vice-president of the Canadian and engineering. Artificial Intelligence Association. Suen points out that the centre’s AN AI HUB 30 YEARS work has recently tapped into the IN THE MAKING global Zeitgeist of machine learning ow celebrating a milestone 30th and performance. Yet as he tells it, this N anniversary, CENPARMI has discipline of study has been around become a local hub of innovation and since long before this most recent tech collaboration over the decades — and boom. “At its core, artificial intelligence boasts the membership of several is transferring human knowledge to prominent Concordia researchers and computers so that they can perform important industry partners. human functions,” he says. CENPARMI’s achievements along the In addition to his work in this anni- way have been impressive. Suen him- versary year, the director of CENPARMI self has published 14 books and more says he’s been completely swept up in than 500 papers, and many of these organizing the inaugural International have been widely cited. Others’ find- Conference on Pattern Recognition and ings have been applied in practical Artificial Intelligence, which will be environments involving handwriting held at Concordia in May 2018. recognition, thinning methodologies, Suen reports that he’s assembled a font analysis and multiple classifiers. “dream team” of speakers on the sub- Suen has supervised well over 100 grad- ject of AI, including renowned forensic uate students — alumni of note include scientist Henry Lee — whom Suen calls Nenghong Fu, MCSc 04, principal sci- the “Sherlock Holmes of the United entist of enterprise application at the States” — and Patrick H. Winston, Ford software company SAP; Chun Lei He, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and MCSc 05, PhD 10, a data scientist at Computer Science at the Massachusetts Manulife Financial; Yan Zhang, BCSc Institute of Technology, among 03, MCSc 06, quality assurance man- many others. ager at Nuance Communications; Muna He’s also organized a special lecture Khayyat, PhD 13, a technology associate on the subject of deep learning, to fa- at investment bank Morgan Stanley; and miliarize the public with how he goes Didier Guillevic, PhD 95, a Government about “teaching” a computer to learn of Canada scientist. to sift through knowledge databases to Many other Concordia research- identify objects — the very basis of AI. ers with expertise in AI-related fields The International Conference on Pattern are also associated with CENPARMI, Recognition and Artificial Intelligence’s including Sabine Bergler, who inves- free public lecture will be held May 13, tigates meaning and context behind 2018, from 2 to 4 p.m., in the Sir George words; Adam Krzyzak, who conducts Williams University Alumni Auditorium, research on handwriting analysis and H-110, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W. Visit facial recognition; Tien Bui, whose icprai2018.com for more information.

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 49 HONORARY DOCTORATES

Three new honorary degrees bestowed at Concordia’s fall 2017 convocation ceremonies

LUCAS NAPIER-MACDONALD 2

oncordia awarded honorary niversity C degrees to three distinguished U individuals at the Faculty of Arts and ordia c

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Science, Faculty of Engineering and C Computer Science and John Molson School of Business convocations on Kon Leong, BComm 79, LLD 17, November 20, 2017. The honourees founded ZL Technologies, Inc., based urged the 1,000 emerging Concordia in the San Francisco Bay area, Calif., in graduates to become their best selves 1999. The enterprise provides massive- and, of course, to go out and change the scale data management services to world. The remarks are excerpted below, large enterprises, supplying companies 3 along with a short biography of each like Toyota, Wells Fargo, Allstate and recipient. For the full speeches, visit Sony. Leong was born in China and Canada’s first female ambassador to concordia.ca/graduation-convocation/ raised in India. After graduating from France, Isabelle Hudon, LLD 17, had ceremonies/past. Concordia in 1979, he moved on to already had an illustrious business Wall Street investment banking for a career before she moved to diplomacy. A renowned explorer and mountaineer, decade, becoming vice-president of She was executive chair of Sun Life Bernard Voyer, LLD 17, pictured with mergers and acquisitions at Deutsche Financial Quebec and, before that, Concordia President Alan Shepard, Bank. Leong, now highly sought-after senior vice-president of Client has compiled an incredible catalogue for his business acumen, has guest- Solutions for Sun Life Financial Canada. of daring adventures. He’s stood on the lectured at many institutions, including Hudon has devoted much of her career North Pole and South Pole, ascended the University of Pennsylvania in to advancing women’s causes. In 2016, Mount Everest and was the first North Philadelphia and Santa Clara University she won the Medal of the National American to climb the highest peak on in California. He is a long-standing Assembly for her commitment to female every continent in the world. In 2002, member of Concordia’s Faculty of ambition in business. She belonged for his exploits, the Governor General of Engineering and Computer Science’s to an advisory council to the federal Canada named him one of the greatest Advisory Council. Leong is pictured government that promotes women’s Canadians of the past 50 years. He is with Amir Asif, dean of the Faculty of participation on corporate boards, and devoted to a number of humanitarian Engineering and Computer Science. she founded L’Effet A, a foundation causes, working closely with young “One lesson I would recommend to empower women to pursue their people from Nunavik, for instance, as is to experiment. Experiment early. professional goals. honorary lieutenant-colonel of the 2nd Experiment often. You have a grace pe- “I’m a true believer that courage is Canadian Ranger Patrol Group. riod early on where you can find out much more about persistence than “Yes, you will have some storms. where your place in the sun is. Now is a bravery. It isn’t about doing what’s dif- Headwinds. But you must always re- time of great change. But as the Chinese ficult, but about doing what’s right. It’s member that it is only from peaks that say, it’s also a time of great opportunity. about following one’s principles and you can see other peaks. Success allows The education at Concordia gives you being faithful to one’s commitments. you to see far and to find your own way a very strong platform. The rest is up In fact, I would say there is no courage in your life.” 1 to you.” 2 without personal integrity.” 3

50 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine The Concordia University Alumni Association lets you: • Keep in touch with fellow graduates • Enjoy exciting programs and activities • Take advantage of special benefits and savings

Find out more: concordia.ca/alumni

VPAA-T18-41409-Ad-CUAA-Concordia Magazine Fall 2017.indd 1 06/09/2017 1:05:04 PM ALUMNI NEWS

For news on the full slate of recent and future Concordia Advancement and Alumni Relations events in Montreal, across Canada and the world over, visit concordia.ca/alumni.

To listen to podcasts or watch videos of Advancement and Alumni Relations events, please visit concordia.ca/alumni/podcasts and concordia.ca/alumni/videos.

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CONCORDIANS RETURN alumni, students, faculty and staff Beatles fans enjoyed a dynamic presen- FOR HOMECOMING 2017 complimentary access to the museum. tation by Craig Morrison, PhD 00, 5 on oncordia alumni, faculty, staff and Joanna Berzowska, BFA 95, the the Fab Four’s presence in the city at The Cfriends returned to Concordia’s faculty’s associate dean of Research, Beatles and the Montreal Connection. campuses for a full slate of emotional and Janis Timm-Bottos, associate CEED (Community, Empowerment, reunions and informative and professor in the Department of Education, Development) students and entertaining events at Homecoming, Creative Arts Therapies and founder alumni showcased their most recent held from September 12 to 17, 2017. of the Art Hives Initiative, enlightened achievements in Gulu, Uganda, to the Faculty of Fine Arts alumni at CU@ Montreal community. SEPTEMBER 12 MBAM. Pictured are Anna Timm- At the Concordia University Alumni Bottos, MA 17, Arrien Weeks, SEPTEMBER 16 Association annual general meeting, BFA 06, and Rachel Chainey. 2 Loyola Campus — 100 Years in NDG the executive summarized the Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournal- included a Heritage Montreal-run tour, accomplishments of the association ist Barbara Davidson (left), BFA 90, a celebratory mass at Loyola Chapel and representing the university’s 200,000 delivered the inspiring Homecoming a brunch at the Loyola Jesuit Hall and alumni worldwide. Keynote Lecture, “Leap of faith: a pho- Conference Centre. tojournalist’s journey.” CTV Montreal Concordia Stingers fans gathered SEPTEMBER 13 News reporter Aphrodite Salas, MA 99, at the Alumni Zone before the The university’s first Queer moderated the talk. 3 Homecoming Football Game at Loyola Homecoming, emceed by Richard Campus. The Stingers handily defeated Burnett, BA 88, featured Mambo SEPTEMBER 15 the McGill Redmen 68-16. Among the Italiano’s Steve Galluccio, BA 82, Talk Shop With Top Alumni: Alumni exuberant crowd were football members comedian Tranna Wintour, BA 10, 1 Roundtables at Homecoming brought of the 1967-1972 Georgian teams, Anne Whitelaw, BFA 87, GrDip 92, some of the university’s most who celebrated the 50th anniversary PhD 96, Concordia’s vice-provost of accomplished graduates to share of the football program with a series of Planning and Positioning, Concordia their experiences and expertise reunion activities. 6 President Alan Shepard and Kimberley at roundtable discussions and a At Innovating Change: 15 Years of Manning, principal of the Simone de networking breakfast. Sustainability at Concordia, Sustainable Beauvoir Institute. The 28th Shuffle — Concordia’s Concordia celebrated its important envi- annual walkathon from Sir George ronmental contributions with panellists SEPTEMBER 14 Williams Campus to Loyola Campus — Chantal Forgues, MBA 09, MEnv 13, Concordia Day at the Montreal raised a record $104,000 for student Faisal Shennib, MEng 10, Jenn Davis, Museum of Fine Arts provided scholarships and bursaries. 4 BA 12, and Geneva Guerin, BA 06.

52 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine To listen to podcasts or watch videos of Advancement and Alumni Relations events, please visit concordia.ca/alumni/podcasts and concordia.ca/alumni/videos.

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Mario Ciaramicoli, BEng 02, moderated the Engineering and 11 Computer Science Alumni: Artificial Intelligence discussion between MBA 13, and a friend. 8 SEPTEMBER 17 Anne Martel, BFA 09, and Sabine At the President’s Homecoming The Sports Hall of Fame Induction Bergler, professor in the Department Dinner, Concordia President Alan Ceremony recognized athletes of Computer Science and Software Shepard honoured the university and teams that made outstanding Engineering. Pictured are Carolyn community, the 1957 and 1967 contributions to athletics at Concordia Phan, Claire Kapusta and Corinne graduation classes — who were and Sir George Williams University. Charette, BSc 75, LLD 11. 7 celebrating special anniversaries — The inductees were: Tom Smith, BA 81, The John Molson School of Business and Loyola Campus’s 100th rugby (builder); Michel Blais, BSc 79, Alumni: Elite Networking Cocktail wel- anniversary in NDG. Jamie Orchard, hockey (athlete); Sommer Christie, comed Montreal Networking Group’s BA 91 9 , senior anchor for Global BSc 03, rugby (athlete); Greg Miller Billy Markoglou, BComm 05, and Ali Montreal’s Evening News, emceed BA 86, football (athlete); the Sir George Mohammadi, BComm 01, and JMSB’s the event. Pictured are Honora Williams 1961-62 men’s basketball new dean Anne-Marie Croteau, BSc 86. Shaughnessy, BA 71, and Brian team; and Concordia’s 1998 women’s Pictured are Rajib Sadhukha, BEng 08, Marcil, BComm 71. 10 rugby team. 11

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 53 ALUMNI NEWS

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LOYOLA MEDAL Young Alumni networking event at Concordia University Research Chair oncordia bestowed the 2017 Loyola Montreal’s Hôtel Le Crystal on October in Anxiety and Related Disorders, were CMedal to physician, humanitarian 25, 2017. 2 among the speakers at the National activist, author and leading scholar on Arts Centre in Ottawa. Alan Shepard global health James Orbinski. The former WALRUS TALKS DISRUPTION welcomed alumni, including Anthony international president of Médecins Sans Concordia participated in the 2017 Skucas, BEng 77, to a reception before Frontières accepted the Nobel Peace Prize Walrus Talks Disruption events, the event. 4 in 1999 on behalf of the organization. which gathered experts in three At Calgary’s Theatre Junction The Loyola Medal is Concordia’s highest Canadian cities in October to discuss Grand, speakers included Concordians non-academic award, presented to the changing landscape of cities and Steve Shih, assistant professor in the an individual whose contribution has health care. Rilla Khaled, director of Department of Electrical and Computer enriched the heritage of Canada and Concordia’s TAG Lab, and Karen Li, Engineering, and pk langshaw, pro- humanity. Pictured at the Loyola Jesuit professor in Concordia’s Department fessor in the Department of Design Hall and Conference Centre on September of Psychology, were among the and Computation Arts. Before the talk, 28 are Bram Freedman, Concordia’s vice- speakers at Toronto’s Victoria College Bram Freedman and Graham Carr, president of Advancement and External Building on October 10. Alumni and Concordia’s provost and vice-president Relations, John Limeburner, BComm 68, friends, including J. Roy Firth, of Academic Affairs, joined a cocktail James Orbinski and Concordia President BComm 75, and Elaine Casavant, reception for alumni. Carr is pictured Alan Shepard. 1 joined Alan Shepard and Bram with Patrick Curti, BA 89. 5 Freedman at an alumni reception YOUNG ALUMNI before the event. 3 MEN’S HOCKEY Nikolas Alejandro Romero Serra, BA Jennifer McGrath, PERFORM chair Alumni of the Sir George Williams 17, and Roxana Reyes-Peralta, MEng of Childhood Preventive Health and Georgians, Loyola Warriors and 17, were among guests at the Concordia Data Science, and Adam Radomsky, Concordia Stingers men’s hockey teams

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gathered for a reunion in Toronto principal of Concordia’s Simone de READER’S DIGEST ANNUAL on October 27, 2017. Pictured are Beauvoir Institute; moderator Vanmala PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES Marc-André Élement, BA 11, current Subramaniam, GrDip 10, money and IN JOURNALISM Stingers men’s hockey head coach, economics editor at VICE Media; and Baseball analyst and New York Times and Jean-François Boucher, BA 09. 6 Andrea Bolger, MBA 86, corporate best-selling author Jonah Keri (seated director and former financial right), BA 97, delivered the Reader’s WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP services executive. 7 Digest Annual Public Lecture Series in The Concordia Alumni Women and At a sold-out event at the Loews Journalism at Concordia’s D.B. Clarke Leadership program brings together Hotel Vogue in Montreal on November Theatre on November 16. In his talk, female graduates to share professional 15, Christine Lengvari, BSc 72, chair Up, up, & away: A journey into sports experiences and expertise and learn of Concordia’s Advisory Council journalism, Keri touched on varied from each other. In fall 2017 Concordia on Women and Leadership, joined topics, including the Montreal Expos hosted two Women and Leadership Kimberley Manning, principal of the and the changing media landscape. events, called the Anatomy of Failure, Simone de Beauvoir Institute, Mackie He was joined on stage by moderator which featured diverse groups of Vadacchino, BComm 82, MBA 84, CEO Arpon Basu (seated left), GrDip 00, Concordians who shared lessons they of Bioforce Canada Inc., moderator editor-in-chief of The Athletic Montreal, had learned about risk, failure and Sudha Krishnan, BA 99, producer/ Dave Secko, chair of Concordia’s business success. anchor/reporter for CBC Montreal News, Department of Journalism, and At Toronto’s Vantage Venues on Madeleine Féquière, BA 85, director Concordia professor emeritus October 26, the speakers were Gaëtane of Corporate Credit Risk Management Enn Raudsepp. 9 Verna, BComm 89, director of the at Domtar Inc., and Anna Martini, Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery; BComm 85, GrDip 86, executive VP and Sharon Neiss, BA 93, CEO and founder chief financial officer of Club de Hockey of Day Ja View; Kimberley Manning, Canadien, Inc. and Evenko. 8

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 55 ALUMNI UPDATES

Alumni with more than one degree Fame in 1991, and Canada’s Oncology at the Tom Baker of the hotel industry and from Concordia, Sir George Williams Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. Cancer Centre in Calgary. Barry tourism in the demographic and/or Loyola are listed under was inducted into the Alberta clusters metro-Vancouver versus their earliest graduation year. Barry Bultz, BA Order of Excellence in 2016 for the alpine-resort Whistler. 69 (psych.) 69, holds the his pioneering cancer work. Robert (Bob) Bédard, Daniel Family Leadership Mohan Munasinghe, 51 BA, was a member of the Chair in Psychosocial Oncology Leonard J. van der 75 MA (econ.), was named Canadian team that won silver and is professor and head of 71 Heyden, BComm, an Officer of the National at the 2017 International Tennis the Division of Psychosocial MBA 75, earned a Doctor of Order of the Legion of Honour, Federation Super-Seniors Oncology at the Cumming Business Administration from the highest French national World Team Championships in School of Medicine at the the University of Bradford in decoration for meritorious Orlando, Fla., in the 85-and- University of Calgary. He is also England in 2017. His thesis and exceptional contributions older category. Bob, the director of the Department of was The 2010 Winter Olympics: to humanity, in October top-ranked Canadian tennis Psychosocial and Rehabilitation A mixed methods investigation 2017. Mohan was honoured player in singles from 1955 to for his outstanding work on 1965, was inducted into the sustainable development and Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame 2 climate change, for sharing and Quebec Sports Hall of in the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize and for promoting friendship and co-operation between 1 Sri Lanka and France.

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56 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine 40TH REUNION producer, at Radio-Canada William (Bill) 30TH REUNION in Moncton, N.B. “I am 84 Chambers, BSc, Peter Kruyt, BComm, now living on a few acres was named president Jacques Goulet, BSc, 78 was named chairman of of forested land in Cap de and CEO of Save the Children 88 was appointed president the board of directors of the Cocagne, N.B., close to nature Canada in October 2017. of Sun Life Financial Canada McGill University Health Centre and not far from the water.” Based in Toronto, Save in December 2017. Jacques in September 2017. Peter was the Children Canada is joined Sun Life Financial from chair of Concordia’s Board of Nancy Prince, BA an international non- Mercer, where he had been Governors from 2006 to 2012. 82 (urban studies) was governmental organization president of Health and Wealth. recently appointed chief of that promotes children’s At Sun Life Financial Canada, Kevin Quinn, BA (econ. & landscape architecture at NYC rights, provides relief and Jacques will be responsible for poli. sci.), recently joined 3M Parks in Flushing, N.Y. “I am helps support children in the company’s group benefits, Health Information Systems responsible for the work of 90 developing countries. group retirement services, as a senior health economist, in-house landscape architects individual wealth, insurance working on methods that and a dozen multidisciplinary Madeleine Féquière, and investment management bring value purchasing to consultant firms working on 85 BA, was named businesses in Canada. health care in the United the redesign of public parks president of the Montreal States and elsewhere. Kevin and open spaces in the five chapter of the International Sophie Jodoin, BFA, a lives in Helena, Mont., boroughs of New York City. Women’s Forum in August Montreal-based artist, won with his wife, Candida. We have lots of exciting work 2017. She has been director the Prix Louis-Comtois in focused on transforming parks of Corporate Credit at December 2017. The prize Roger Yuen, BComm, MBA in underserved neighborhoods. Domtar since 2008. recognizes the work of an 84, received an honorary I think often of my friends and artist in the contemporary art fellowship from Lingnan colleagues in urban studies and Donald Kamenz, BEng, scene with more than 15 years University in Hong Kong in geography at Concordia and the was named senior VP of sales of professional experience. October 2017. Roger is head great education I received.” at C&L Aerospace, based in of business development for Bangor, Maine, in October 2017. John Sicard, BCSc, is Greater China for the Bank of president and CEO of Kinaxis East Asia, Ltd., in Hong Kong. 35TH REUNION Gregory Thompson, MBA, Inc. in Ottawa. In October joined Focus Asset Management 2018 John was named EY Pierre LeBlanc, BA Ian Clarke, BComm, in Toronto as a senior member Entrepreneur of the Year 79 (cinema & French), 83 GrDip 84, was appointed in September 2017. He was 2017 for Ontario. Kinaxis GrDip (comm. studies) 84, chief financial officer of the previously executive VP delivers cloud-based solutions recently retired after working Greater Toronto Airports and managing director at for the world’s largest 28 years, mostly as a television Authority in November 2017. National Bank Financial. manufacturing companies.

1 Claudine Ascher, BFA 83, MA (art ed.) 06, curated a group show to mark Canada’s 6 Joanne Kielo, GrDip (art therapy) 88, MA 88, participated in a group show, “Inspired by 150th and Montreal’s 375th anniversaries, “Lattices and Interstices,” at the Galerie de la Ville Leonard,” at the Biblio Rigaud in Rigaud, Que., from December 2017 to January 2018. 6) Close in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., from October to November 2017. The show included works by 30 to the Bone Concordia alumni. 1) Street Musician by Josette Wecsu, BA 03 7 Maria Jankovics, BFA (studio art) 89, exhibited two large collagraphy prints in a 2 Raymonde Jodoin, BFA 83, participated in “Underpinnings: NSCAD Alumni Exhibition,” group show, organized by the Canadian-Hungarian Artists Collective, commemorating Canada’s which celebrated the 130th anniversary of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, from 150th anniversary, at the International Pavilion in Ottawa from September to October 2017. 7) November to December 2017. 2) Efface # 1 [Eraser] Egyptian Uprising

3 Rochelle Mayer, BComm 83, BFA (studio art) 10, was awarded fourth prize in the 8 Shelley Freeman, BFA (studio art) 99, will be having a solo exhibition at the Maison painting category for her artwork Jean de la lune at the “25th Expo-concours de La Prairie,” de la culture Villebon in Beloeil, Que., from February 7 to March 4, 2018. shelleyfreeman. held at Centre multifonctionnel Guy-Dupré in La Prairie, Que., in November 2017. Her artwork ca 8) Brink was also shown at the Centre’s “Lauréate 2017 Exhibition” from November 2017 to January 2018. 3) Jean de la lune 9 Constant Albertson, PhD (phil. of ed.) 01, is holding a solo exhibit, “Medicine and Magic,” at the Clarion University Art Gallery in Pennsylvania until March 17, 2018. It is also an 4 Hoda Ackad Wenger, BComm 81, BFA (studio art) 01, won a Merit Award for her official exhibition concurrent with the March conference of the National Council on Education painting Butterfly Etc…, which was shown at the “26th Annual Experimental Art Exhibit” in for the Ceramic Arts. constantalbertson.com 9) Désolé Sanibel, Fla., from October to November 2017. hodaackad.com 4) Butterfly Etc… 10 Khadija Baker, BFA (painting & drawing) 07, MFA (studio art) 13, held a solo exhibit at 5 Sylvie Adams, BFA 87, is holding a solo exhibit of her work, “The Time, the Mark, the the Karsh-Masson Gallery in Ottawa from November to December 2017 and participated in the Space,” at Maison de la culture Marie-Uguay in Montreal until March 25, 2018. sylvieadams. Biennale of Contemporary Art in Lebanon from September to December 2017. khadijabaker. com 5) Close Call info 10) Behind Walls/Maps

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 57 ALUMNI UPDATES

Patricia Wenzel, Chrissy Cheung, 90 BComm, and her husband, 00 BFA (design art), will David Ades, are the new owners be curating an exhibition, of the Willow Inn in Hudson, “Sliver,” for her painting group, Que. Known for its spectacular PAINTER8, at the Charles waterfront views, the Willow Inn Clark Gallery in Vancouver re-opened in October 2017 and from April 5 to 29, 2018. offers a British-inspired menu using locally sourced products. Josianne Mailloux, 01 BFA (film studies), writes, “After working 15 years in 25TH REUNION the film industry, three years

ago I started zipOrange.com, a ees W Naveed Irshad, BSc, Florida travel resource centre l hae c became head of the North for Canadians, based out of i 93 M America Legacy Business of Montreal. We recently launched Manulife Financial in January travelngear.com, an online retail The immersive installation Scintillements | 1001 Lights by filmmakers 2018. Naveed was previously store that offers travel products Marlene Millar, BFA (cinema) 90, and Philip Szporer, BA CEO of Manulife Singapore. for business and leisure.” (Eng.) 79, GrDip (comm. studies) 82, of Mouvement Perpétuel, is being featured in the ongoing exhibition series “Rituals// Natalie Zur Nedden, Fragments” at the Museum of Jewish Montreal. The exhibit, 95 BEd (TESL), writes, “After 10TH REUNION which runs until March 22, focuses on the timelessness and graduating from Concordia, I intimacy of the Shabbat candle-lighting ritual. imjm.ca left for Japan to teach English, Gabriel Bran Lopez, and continued teaching 08 BA (comm. studies), won when I returned to Canada. I a 2017 Marcel Coté Award, pursued my graduate studies given by the Public Policy at U of T. I wrote my PhD Forum to young Quebecers for thesis on a Canadian woman their extraordinary leadership. who challenged the status Gabriel is founding president quo in education and work. of Youth Fusion, a Montreal- After teaching at university based charity that works to and college, I returned to my lower school dropout rates. roots of teaching ESL/EFL to newcomers who need to pass Celia Perrin-Sidarous, BFA a language proficiency test (photo.), MFA (studio art) to gain permanent residence 15, won the Prix Pierre-Ayot, in Canada. I love what I do. which promotes excellence I can honestly say that my among Montreal’s new visual BEd in TESL gave me a solid arts creators, in December foundation to do my work.” 2017. Celia is a Montreal- based photographer. Steve Cohen, BSc, was 96 appointed in October Daniel Chammas, to the newly created role of 16 BSc (exer. sci.), is an senior vice-president and chief assistant athletic therapist underwriting officer at RSA with the Montreal Alouettes. Canada, a Canadian general insurer based in Toronto. Steve Benjamin Goldman, BFA will be responsible for head (music), was awarded a SOCAN office underwriting, pricing Foundation Award for Emerging and reinsurance across both Audio-Visual Composers for personal and commercial Best Original Score — Non- insurance portfolios. Fiction, for his work on the Bell Nadine Champagne Gundry-White, BEd (TESL) 11, won the Media/Handel Productions film Toastmasters District 61 English Humorous Speech Contest, held Pearl Harbor: The Accused. The documentary chronicles the at the Sheraton Laval Hotel in Laval, Que., in November 2017. attack on the United States naval Nadine’s victorious speech was entitled “Not lost in translation.” base in Hawaii in 1941 through District 61 has more than 4,000 members from 195 Toastmasters rare archival footage of the day. clubs across eastern Ontario, Quebec and northern New York State.

58 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine o l a -M hard uc o B

u athie M

Maryse Goudreau, BFA (art ed.) 11, MFA (studio art) 17, received Dipti Gupta, GrDip (comm. studies) 94, MA (media studies) the first Prix Lynne-Cohen in December 2017. The new biennial 98, is a part-time instructor in Concordia’s Department of award, worth $10,000, supports up-and-coming Quebec visual Communication Studies and director of the South Asian Film artists/photographers. Maryse, based in Montreal, takes a post- Festival in Montreal. The festival’s seventh edition was held from documentary approach to her processes, which include photography, October to November 2017, and featured an eclectic mix of award- archives, video, installations and performance and participatory art. winning films from the Indian subcontinent and its diaspora.

Vincent Beaulne, BFA (music theory) 86, Montreal-based leader of the group Blues Delight and director of the Blues Camp at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, has released Marc Maziade, BFA (jazz studies) 06, is leader of the band MAZ. his first solo album, The Voice is Mine (available through Their latest album, ID, was nominated in 2017 for Traditional Album iTunes, Apple Music and other outlets). The record includes of the Year by the Association québécoise de l’industrie du disque, an impassioned guitar-voice duet with Quebec blues veteran du spectacle et de la vidéo (ADISQ) and World Group of the Year Nanette Workman on “The House of the Rising Sun.” by the Canadian Folk Music Awards. MAZ also played at the World Music Expo in Katowice, Poland, in October 2017. espacemaz.ca/en

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 59 KUDOS IN MEMORIAM

1 2

3 4

Janet Mrenica, BA 84, BComm 92, was named a Fellow of Father Emmett “Pops” Johns, BA 74, LLD 97, died in the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, the highest Montreal on January 13, 2018. He was 89. distinction that CPA Ontario confers upon its members, in If all priests took the words of Jesus to feed the poor and house November 2017. Janet is director of Program Compliance, the homeless as literally as did Father Johns, the world would Community Infrastructure Branch, Regional Operations Sector likely be a much better place. of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada in Ottawa. 1 At 60, after 40 years of serving as a priest in various Montreal parishes and at a time when most people are preparing for Order of Canada retirement, Father Johns borrowed $10,000, bought a second- Three Concordia alumni were among those appointed as Members hand Winnebago and hit the streets to hand out food and comfort of the Order of Canada by Her Excellency the Right Honourable to those who needed it. Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, on December 29, 2017. Today, close to 30 years after the Concordia graduate founded Le bon dieu dans la rue — known as Dans la rue — the ecumenical Norman Hébert Jr., BComm 77, is chair of the university’s organization is thriving as an emergency shelter, youth centre, Board of Governors and is president and chief executive officer medical clinic, school and 17-unit apartment building. It provides of Montreal's Groupe Park Avenue Inc., one of Canada’s first counselling to young parents, psychological help, employment multi-franchise automobile dealership operations. He was guidance and, perhaps most importantly, friendship. It has literally appointed “for his leadership as an entrepreneur in the automobile saved thousands of lives. industry and for his support of various charitable causes.” 2 “Father Johns was certainly a Great Concordian — and also a great Montrealer and Canadian, a truly inspirational figure,” says Sylvia Sweeney, attendee 77, is executive producer of Elitha Concordia President Alan Shepard. “He selflessly committed Peterson Productions Inc. and president of ArtsGames in himself to the less advantaged. Over nearly three decades, tens Toronto and a member of the Culture and Olympic Heritage of thousands of young people have benefited from Father Johns’s Commission of the International Olympic Committee. The former vision and commitment to the community.” Olympian was appointed “for her long-standing commitment “Father Johns took the Jesuit educational philosophy of ‘a to and creative leadership at the nexus of art and sport through man for others’ to a higher level. We all mourn his loss,” says her documentaries and world-stage productions.” 3 Bram Freedman, Concordia’s vice-president of Advancement and External Relations. “Although he has sadly passed on, fortunately Nancy Neamtan, LLD 15, is strategic advisor at Montreal- his outstanding legacy will continue.” based Territoires innovants en économie sociale et solidaire He earned his BA in theological studies in 1974 from Loyola (TIESS). Neamtan was appointed “for her devotion to social College, one of Concordia’s founding institutions. When Concordia and economic advocacy in Quebec, notably as founding granted him an honorary degree in 1997, he said he was “delighted president of the Chantier de l’économie social.” 4 from the tips of the little bit of hair that I have down to my toes.” —Sue Montgomery

60 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine Morris Sinuk, BA 51, July 22, Raven Spanier, BEng 84, July Jeanette Echenberg, BSc 62, Ronald Flejszon, BComm 78, 2017, Toronto. 17, 2017, Cocagne, N.B. He was 56. April 5, 2017, Sainte-Agathe- May 31, 2017, Montreal. des-Monts, Que. She was 77. Benjamin Tryansky, BSc 52, Audrey Louise Crocker Karl Langton, BSc 79, April 2, July 17, 2017, Montreal. Cadieux, BFA 89, Cert 03, July Steve Czapalay, BSc 63, 2017, Brantford, Ont. He was 64. 14, 2017, Montreal. She was 80. March 16, 2017, Springhill, N.S. Bruce English, BA 54, July 6, He was 82. Karen Heather Blauer, BFA 2017, Pointe-Claire, Que. D. Wayne Bichard, BSc 91, July 9, 80, GrDip 8, April 13, 2017, He was 82. 2017, Vankleek Hill, Ont. He was 61. Jonathan “Jon” M. Feldman, Montreal. She was 60. BA 64, March 21, 2017, Montreal. Patrick Baker, BComm 57, Dionysia Moshonas, BA 93, Arjan ‘John’ Sakhrani, BA 58, July 15, 2017, Cert 95, July 16, 2017. She was 47. Erma F.A. (Johnstone) BComm 80, April 21, 2017, Beaconsfield, Que. Scrimgeour, BA 66, May 28, Montreal. He was 62. Marge (Herscovici) 2017, Montreal. She was 79. Mortimer Constantine, Lazarovitz, BA 94, July 17, Anne F. (Wayman) BComm 57, July 24, 2017, 2017. She was 99. Paul W. Rhodes, BSc 66, May Reinhold, BA 81, May 6, 2017, Montreal. He was 80. 18, 2017, Montreal. He was 73. Hudson, Que. She was 71. Rémi Longtin, BSc 03, June Karleen Middleton Quin 19, 2017, Toronto. He was 37. Ashton J. Lewis, BA 67, Agnes (Judge) Simoneau, Murphy, BA 58, July 23, 2017. May 18, 2017, Brossard, Que. BEd 81, June 18, 2017, Montreal. She was 81. Jacques V. Marchessault, He was 83. She was 79. BA 47, March 8, 2017, Pointe- Charles Cameron Ancrum, Claire, Que. He was 90. Klara Elster, BA 69, April 6, Frank J. Meduri, attendee BComm 59, July 8, 2017, 2017, Montreal. 83, March 29, 2017, Montreal. Pointe-Claire, Que. He was 82. Dorothy M. (Sokolyk) He was 72. Clark, BA 49, May 19, 2017, Thaddeus Wyka, BA 69, Frederick Douglas Cooper, Montreal. She was 94. April 15, 2017, Toronto, Calvin S. Hugman, BComm BA 62, July 9, 2017, Victoria. 86, May 23, 2017, Kirkland, Que. He was 84. Terence Murphy, BSc 49, David Saskin, BA 74, EMBA He was 61. BComm 57, June 3, 2017, 92, May 10, 2017, Montreal. Paul Callaghan, BComm 65, Mississauga, Ont. He was 89. He was 66. Stephen J. Sura, EMBA 88, July 1, 2017, Saint-Bruno, Que. June 4, 2017, Montreal. He was 82. He was 85. Donald G.M. Ballantyne, Allan A.E. Seddon, BSc 74, BSc 51, March 10, 2017, MTM 82, March 31, 2017, Long John A. Dabarno, BComm Daphne Joan Townsend Cobourg, Ont. He was 93. Sault, Ont. He was 78. 89, April 28, 2017. Montreal. He Dale-Bentley, BA 66, May 15, was 55. 2017, Montreal. Sydney (Chechick) Chesick, Gary Tierney, BA 74, BComm 51, March 12, 2017, June 16, 2017, High River, Alta. Adella (Alleyne) Drayton, Elizabeth (Robson) Vancouver. He was 89. He was 69. BA 94, May 29, 2017, Montreal. Redwood, BA 67, July 6, 2017, She was 92. Westmount, Que. She was 81. Ronald H. Boucher, BComm Gerard Jules Sullivan, 53, April 19, 2017, Pointe-Claire, BA 75, May 14, 2017, Montreal. Philip John Mrenica, Olaf Tomiuk, BA 70, July 30, Que. He was 87. He was 63. BComm 94, April 8, 2017, 2017, Montreal. He was 73. Pointe-Claire, Que. He was 47. Roberta Cameron, BA 53, Michael C. Whitcomb, John Leonard McMullan, PhD 97, May 12, 2017, Cleveland, BComm 75, June 6, 2017, Catherine Bezpalko, BComm BA 72, MA 73, July 13, 2017, Que. She was 96. Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que. 95, June 9, 2017, Montreal. She Halifax. He was 68. was 54. Robert “Bob” E. Flynn, Gary Zwecker, BEng 76, Paul McMenamin, BSc 75, BSc 55, April 16, 2017, Evanston, March 18, 2017, Montreal. Marc Floréa, BA 12, April 23 Hilton Head, S.C., May 6, 2017. Ill. He was 83. 2017, Montreal. He was 30. He was 63. George Christie Jr., BComm Elize Meindersma, BSc 60, 78, April 15, 2017, Montreal. Kevin Butterfill, BA 13, April Tilya Helfield, BFA 83, July April 25, 2017, Rawdon, Que. He was 62. 20, 2017, Montreal. He was 29. 29, 2017, Toronto. She was 84. He was 94.

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 61 WORDS & MUSIC

Secret deals, NHL memories and street art

MATTHEW SCRIBNER in corporate intrigue and there are some just not 90, reveals how a Swiss AND HOWARD forced to turn to Bank, her known, period. The Dusty Jewish rescue committee BOKSER ex-boyfriend, to solve the Bookcase (Biblioasis, $22.95) fooled Himmler into mak- problem. Parker, though, has is an exploration of these ing the edict. The scheme raffiti may still carry secrets of her own. The novel unknowns by Brian Busby, by the committee, led by G an aura of subversion, is set in Mississauga, Ont., BA (Eng.) 87, developed an Orthodox Jewish woman yet with works by the British where Usypchuk lives. from his column at Canadian named Recha Sternbuch and graffiti artist Banksy selling Notes & Queries and his blog. her husband, Isaac, spared as for six or even seven figures, Montrealer Barbara Busby, who lives in St. Marys, many as 300,000 Jews. The perhaps the world is ready Rudnicka, BEd 82, has ed- Ont., tackles everything from book was named to the long- to embrace street art. If ited two recent releases. In political manifestos with list for the 2018 RBC Taylor so, Montreal has much to Richmond, Now and Then: wildly incorrect predictions Prize for non-fiction.

contribute, according to An Anecdotal History to unjustly forgotten gothic Two new graphic nov- Archie Fineberg, BComm (Baraka Books, $24.95), classics with a discerning eye els by Cecil Castellucci, 66, MBA 73, BA 16. His new author Nick Fonda vividly that neither romanticizes BFA (film prod.) 93, are book, Montreal’s Street Art captures the colourful histo- nor chastises Canada’s past set to bolster her reputa- Gallery: The Best of the ry of the town of Richmond, literary tastes. tion as an insightful writer City’s Graffiti and Wall-Art Que., through a series of an- of coming-of-age stories. (Independent, $30), contains ecdotes. Mick Lowe’s novel In November 1944, six Shade, The Changing Girl, dozens of high-quality Wintersong (Baraka Books, months before VE Day, Nazi Vol. 1: Earth Girl Made Easy photographs of street art. The $19.95), co-edited by Robin SS Chief Heinrich Himmler (DC Comics, 2017 $22.95) book is available in select Philpot, examines the dra- ordered the destruction of sees Castellucci teaming outlets around Montreal. matic repercussions of the the Auschwitz gas cham- up with inventive artists to 1978 labour strike at Inco in bers and crematoria, where create a modern and psy- Dirty Little S.E.C.R.E.T.S. Sudbury, Ont. on the min- more than 1.1 million, mostly chedelic tale that combines (Independent, $18.50) is the ers and smelter and refinery Jewish, inmates had been sci-fi adventure with teen second Stewart Bank mystery workers and their families. murdered. In In the Name of drama. Castellucci and art- novel by Cindy Usypchuk, Humanity: The Secret Deal ist Jose Pimienta strike a BA (comm. studies) 84, There are some Canadian to End the Holocaust (Allen gentler note with Soupy writing as C.D. Nolan. This literature names known Lane Canada, $32), New York Leaves Home (Dark Horse, novel tells the story of Sophie around the world and some Times best-selling author $19.99), in which a girl runs Parker, who is caught up known only at home. And Max Wallace, BA (journ.) away from home and travels

62 | winter 2018 concordia university magazine across 1930s United States the Hockey Hall of Fame Haddad Loves Joanasi business practices and then disguised as a male hobo (Griffintown Media, $49.95), Maqaittik (Baraka Books, advances a more innovative named Soupy. co-authors Jim Hynes, $24.95), follows a young model. Sonokpon, who lives in BA (journ.) 95, and Phil Syrian-Canadian woman as Montreal, discusses the psy- Young baseball fans — or Pritchard provide the stories she heads to a teaching post chological principles needed fans of Montreal history, that accompany 130 classic in the fictional northern to achieve positive customer humour and tender writing black-and-white and co- Quebec village of Saqijuvik. experiences and, thus, healthy — will find much to cher- lour photos from the Hockey Souaid doesn’t shy from de- profit margins. ish in Clutch (Red Deer Hall of Fame that help illus- picting the contradictions Press, $12.95), the debut trate Canada’s national game. found in the north, a mix In Griffintown: Identity and novel by Heather Camlot, Hynes is a freelance writer in of igloos and pool halls, the Memory in an Irish Diaspora BA (comm. studies) 94. The Ithaca, N.Y. Inuit goddess Sedna and Neighbourhood (UBC Press,

youth fiction, set in 1946 For French writers who be- Jesus, raw caribou and al- $29.95), Matthew Barlow, Montreal, follows a 12-year- lieve they’re funny — but have cohol. The Montreal-based PhD (hist.) 09, presents old Jewish boy from the trouble convincing others — author taught in Nunavik a vibrant biography of the Plateau neighbourhood, comes Écrire l’humour, c’est during the 1980s and now Montreal inner-city neigh- while on the other side of pas des farces ! (Éditions works as an academic coun- bourhood Griffintown. town Jackie Robinson is Druide, $19.95). Authors sellor to Inuit students who Barlow recounts the Irish breaking baseball’s colour Sylvie Ouellette, BA 95, come south to attend college. Catholic quarter’s heyday, barrier with the Montreal BSc 17, and Christiane Vien economic decline and recent Royals. Camlot is an editor instruct readers how to chan- Airlines have the reputation renewal. Barlow is a history and translator who lives nel their inner funny bone, as slow to evolve and not par- instructor at John Abbott in Toronto. offering advice on how to find ticularly friendly to customers. College in Ste-Anne-de- the right tone of humour and Kofi Sonokpon, AMBA 03, Bellevue, Que. A series of 21 The Hockey Hall of Fame in words. Montrealer Ouellette is working to change that short films at griffintowntour. Toronto is home to a trove has enjoyed a career in sci- with Airlines for Business: com by G. Scott MacLeod, of priceless artifacts and ence communications and A Customer-Centric and BFA 03, MA 13, accompany memorabilia — and more fiction writing. Profitable Model for the 21st the book. than three million images Century Airline (Temeris — from the sport’s rich his- The debut novel by poet Aviation Publications, tory. In A Century of NHL Carolyn Marie Souaid, US$29.95). The book trac- Memories: Rare Photos from MA (Eng.) 95, Yasmeen es traditional industry

concordia university magazine winter 2018 | 63 ENOUGH SAID

Bitten

URSULA LEONOWICZ, BA 97

riting is my outlet. Whether I’m feeling heartbroken, deliriously happy or just Wsimply bored, it’s the one thing I do that makes me feel most like myself. ino

It’s the reason I decided to pursue a lucc o

BA in journalism and political science C rank

at Concordia. F I was bitten by the creative bug at an URSULA LEONOWICZ’S RECENT DIAGNOSIS OF LYME DISEASE HAS HELPED HER REFOCUS HER LIFE. early age. I always knew that I would use my love of writing not only to make a included chronic fatigue, recurring school, is power, and finding out that living but also try and make the world a infections, pain and irritable bowel I have Lyme was one of the best things better place. I figured I could combine syndrome, as well as depression and — if not the best thing — that’s ever my passions to try and right/write the anxiety. Over the years I often wondered happened to me. Since getting my wrongs of the world and help create a how much longer I could go on living official diagnosis I’ve used the tools more just place. with whatever was making me so sick I learned at Concordia, like conducting Unknown to me, however, was that I that I found it nearly impossible to get interviews and doing research, to try was bitten by another kind of bug as well out of bed on most days. and get healthy again. — a tick — when I was around 10 years When I was finally diagnosed after There are no doctors in Quebec old, at my grandfather’s cottage in the years of seeing doctors who told me considered “Lyme literate” by the Montpellier, Que., region. absolutely nothing was wrong with me, International Lyme and Associated I didn’t realize it at the time — the bite everything became clear — including Diseases Society. I’ve therefore had mark was on my forehead and I thought why I hadn’t been able to hold down a to rely on myself since getting my it was a pimple, to be honest. Yet that bite job in the field that I loved so much. diagnosis. So far homeopathy and Reiki would drastically alter my life and even I consider myself extremely lucky to treatments have helped me the most, as threaten the thing I love most: writing. have found a doctor who took the time to well as trying to eliminate as much stress I was diagnosed with Lyme disease in get to know me and my case, and who had as possible from my life. Becoming a June 2017, more than 30 years after get- me take the necessary immunology tests. freelance writer allows me to pursue ting bitten by a tick infested with the Thanks to that doctor I not only found my passion without being bound by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. During that out that I have Lyme but also discovered daily grind of a regular job. time I went from being a healthy kid to a that I had experienced a stroke, which I still want to change the world, sick young lady to a gravely ill woman. explained why I was having such a tough though, as well as make it a better place. I won’t get into the lengthy list of time remembering things and, most im- I envision a book about my personal symptoms I experienced on a near daily portantly, writing. struggle with the disease in my future basis, but some of the most challenging Knowledge, as I learned in journalism and, if I’m lucky enough to make it happen, I’ll have writing and everything I learned at Concordia to thank. “I didn’t realize it at the time — yet that They say that sometimes what bite would drastically alter my life and even doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Since being diagnosed, I’ve faced the threaten the thing I love most: writing.” darkest parts of myself and confronted some of my biggest demons, so I know it has for me.

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