SPRING 2015
MAKING NEWCOMERS FEEL AT HOME Concordia experts examine emerging issues faced by immigrants to Canada
UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
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Hamelin-Martineau Inc. • 505, boul. de Maisonneuve O, Bureau 300 • Montréal (Québec) H3A 3C2 • T : 514 842-4416 C : [email protected] ATTENTION : MERCI DE VÉRIFIER ATTENTIVEMENT CETTE ÉPREUVE AFIN D’ÉVITER TOUTE ERREUR/PLEASE CHECK THIS PROOF FOR ERRORS 16 THROWING THEIR HATS INto THE RING GREAT CONCORDIANS As Canada prepares to vote in the The university community fall, these alumni vie for their first can be proud of their House of Commons seats — and association with these aim to make a difference. four exemplary alumni. 20 By Isaac Olson
VICTIMS NO MORE ROLOFF BENY Concordia experts FOUNDATION examine the evolving FELLOWSHIP IN challenges of — and PHOTOGRAPHY solutions to — bullying. By Eugénie Cliche By Julie Gedeon 26 32
IMMIGRATION NATION CONCORDIA FOODIES Canada’s population is increasingly From specialty wines to being augmented by those born American-style baked elsewhere. University researchers goodies, alumni are cooking look at the special challenges up new ways to share their created by that reality. passion for food and drink. By Beverly Akerman 34 40 By Maeve Haldane 48 FacULTY SPOTLIGHT: ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE Engineering and Computer Science students make impressive showings at competitions. By Laurence Miall
spring 2015 volume 39 number 1 concordia.ca/magazine
Cover credit: Thinkstock 3 Editor’s Voice 4 concordia news 14 from the archives This publication is printed on 100% recycled paper, 50 ALUMNI News including 20% post-consumer waste. Each ton of recycled paper that displaces a ton of virgin paper reduces total 56 Class Acts energy consumption by 27%, greenhouse gas emissions by 47%, particulate emissions by 28%, wastewater by 33%, 62 words & music solid waste by 54% and wood use by 100%. 64 enough said setting an example
A tribute to Mom “My mother Alice is really smart. Had she had We created the Alice LeCouvie Bursary in her the opportunity, she probably would have gone name to support newly admitted students who are on to university as a much younger woman, but also single parents. circumstance dictated a different path. It was a very emotional moment when we She became a single mother when my father presented a bursary certificate to Mom at died and my brothers and I were very young. Christmas. She was moved to tears. She is so Working as a school nurse, proud and delighted that the she supported us through our bursary will help people in childhood and teenage years. situations similar to her own After my brothers left home for so many years ago. university, she decided to go back to school, too. Mom always used to say to me, ‘A woman needs Mom is naturally curious and education because you never always wants to learn more. know what’s going to happen.’ She’s adventurous and loves to She always felt greatly relieved be challenged. So she enrolled at that she never had to depend Concordia, taking night classes on anybody else. in science as a part-time student, Not only did I want to make a while she worked full time ENBERg during the day. meaningful gift to my mother — who has inspired me so Rut LINdA Remembering how hard she CloCkwise, from top left: leisha leCouvie and much — as Concordia’s new worked — the number of her family, emily, aliCe and lily senior director of Alumni Sundays she spent shut in her room studying — Relations, I wanted to lead by example and make a and how she was inspired by what she was gift to the university that will have a lasting impact.” learning, I decided with my daughters Emily and Lily to honour my mother, their grandmother, — Leisha LeCouvie, senior director of with a special gift. Alumni Relations, Concordia University
#CUgiving Find out how to join Leisha LeCouvie in contributing to Concordia. Info: concordia.ca/giving | 54-848-2424, ext. 4856 | -888-777-3330, ext. 4856 | [email protected]
Concordia Magazine - Ad - Setting an Example2.indd 1 23/04/2015 2:54:39 PM EDITOR'S VOICE
A matter of trust
Howard Bokser, MBA 85
t can’t be easy being a politician — I being the butt of jokes and snide remarks are among the many hazards. In a 2014 survey conducted by Ryerson University’s Jim Pattison, politics ranked ninth out of 10 professions listed when Canadians were asked, “In general, how much do you trust members of the following professions to live up to both public and professional standards in fulfilling their duties?” Only 13 per cent said they trust politicians. (Doctors ranked at the This issue features many Concordians political stripe, we can entrust them to top, with 78 per cent of Canadians making an impact in their own ways, seek the best answers to our national giving them thumbs up, while lobbyists from alumni in the food and drink in- questions. scraped the bottom.) dustry (see “Concordia foodies” on So why do so many people still strive page 40) to researchers trying to un- for public office? Clearly the pros out- derstand the immigrant experience weigh the cons for most. (“Immigration nation” on page 34) and At the federal level the money isn’t help youth who are verbally and psycho- bad, but the appeal to run for public logically abused (“Victims no more” on office clearly is more than monetary — page 26). And then we have an individ- top-level corporate jobs offer a lot more, ual — another politician — who certainly Concordia University Magazine welcomes readers’ comments. Letters should include for instance. It’s safe to say that most had an impact on our country. We cover the writer’s full name, address, school(s), candidates looking to be elected to the the lecture delivered by Jean Chrétien, degree(s) and year(s) of graduation for alumni. Letters may be edited for length and House of Commons really are trying to LLD 10, Canada’s 20th prime minister, clarity. No letter will be published without the make our country a better place. In the who entertained and informed an au- full name of the correspondent. article “Throwing their hats into the dience of 750 at Concordia on March 4 Concordia University Magazine is published three times a year for alumni and friends of ring” (page 20), five Concordia alumni (see “Concordia news” on page 6). Concordia University. Opinions expressed representing the three major parties Years ago I read that when Canadians herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the alumni association or of the university. explain why they’re taking their best were asked if they trusted life insurance Please address editorial correspondence to: shot at becoming first-time Members agents, they responded quite negatively. The Editor, Howard Bokser Concordia University Magazine of Parliament. (There are currently four Yet when asked if they trusted their life 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W. sitting alumni MPs.) Journalist Jennifer insurance agent, the confidence level FB 520, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8 Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 3826 Hollett, BA 97, sums up the sentiments shot way up. I suspect the same is true email: [email protected] of the others when she says, “I got into for elected officials — we may not have For advertising information, call journalism to make a difference and faith in politicians in general, but we do 514-848-2424, ext. 3876. Editorial contributor: Leslie Schachter realized I wasn’t making enough of an for our own. Student interns: Salim Valji, Antoni Nerestant impact, so I decided to move from ask- And Concordia alumni politicians Design: University Communications Services T15-24667 ing questions to finding answers.” are indeed our own. No matter their
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 3 CONCORDIA NEWS ner d res D oseph J
Bram Freedman is the university’s top representative to alumni and donors.
How has the university changed since you first started Meet Concordia friendraiser in 1992? Bram Freedman BF: “There have been many changes since then, but the big- gest difference is simply our sheer size and magnitude. We’ve Concordia’s vice-president of Development and External Relations, grown exponentially in 20 years. With a community of 46,000 and Secretary-General, describes the art of overseeing Advancement students plus 7,000 faculty and staff, we’re the size of a mid- and Alumni Relations sized Canadian city.”
ram Freedman wears many hats at Concordia. In July A fter nearly two decades at Concordia, what do you love 2013, his portfolio expanded to the Advancement most about the university? What makes it special? and Alumni Relations sector and he now serves as BF: “Without a doubt, I love Concordia’s diversity and dyna- Bvice-president of Development and External Relations, and mism. This is a fascinating and complex place. I like action Secretary-General. and I am a firm believer that the biggest curse is being bored. Pivoting between his responsibilities with ease, Freedman That’s never a problem here! What makes it special is our also oversees external relations and university governance, unique DNA — the combination of the Jesuit liberal arts tradi- legal affairs, institutional records management and ar- tion from Loyola College and the YMCA tradition behind Sir chives, translation services and the Office of Rights and George Williams University, which started as a night school for Responsibilities, as well as the Ombuds Office. working people.” Up at 6 a.m. to hit the treadmill, Freedman is a family man who is out and about, as he says, nurturing strategic relation- In 2013, your responsibilities grew to include overseeing ships with donors, potential donors and alumni. Aside from Concordia’s Advancement and Alumni Relations (AAR). a brief hiatus at the Federation Combined Jewish Appeal Please describe your role. between 2003 and 2008, the McGill University law school BF: “I’m Concordia’s top representative to alumni, manag- graduate has been at Concordia for nearly 20 years. ing the planning and execution of all fundraising activities and campaigns and alumni stewardship, as well as the cultivation of A fter law school, what brought you to work in university donors. I oversee a great AAR team ranging from fundraisers to administration? alumni relations officers and all the “back office” people in be- Bram Freedman: “My father was dean of medicine and then tween who actually make the place run! I also serve as president provost at McGill, so I like to joke that I went into the family of the Concordia University Foundation, which manages funds business. Public service and making a contribution to society is donated to the university. It’s a big ship. something that I was raised with, so it seemed a natural fit.” As well as overseeing AAR, I have a number of other
4 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine responsibilities as secretary-general. The only way I can man- What opportunities are on the horizon? age it all is because of my great team of directors who support BF: “Because Concordia is a pioneer in online education, with me and do a great job every day.” the founding of eConcordia in 2000, we can continue to take the lead in the delivery of online education in Canada.” What has impressed you most in your dealings with alumni and donors? Can you describe your fundraising expectations of the next BF: “They’re so accomplished in their respective fields. few years? Whether they’re working on Wall Street, on Bay Street, in the BF: “We’re currently planning our next comprehensive cam- oil industry, at The New York Times or in the arts, they’re doing paign. To do that, we create a table of needs and priorities, fascinating things. It’s extremely gratifying. I’m also impressed working closely with the deans, provost and vice-president of by their affection and affinity for Concordia. Many of them research as well as the president. I’m pleased to say that our found their life partner at Concordia, or they found their call- fundraising numbers are up significantly in the last couple of ing or a mentor who changed their lives.” years. I credit President Alan Shepard with a lot of that. He has really invigorated Concordia. I think Concordia is more and What have been Concordia’s greatest challenges? more on people’s minds and they’re more and more comfort- BF: “The biggest challenge has been the Quebec funding mod- able supporting Concordia financially.” el for universities and the difficult financial situation that the current Quebec government finds itself in, leading to re- What are your current fundraising priorities? ductions in government support. I believe we get — and will BF: “While they’re still under development, it’s safe to say probably continue to get — enough money from the province to our priorities will include greatly enhancing student financial be a good university, but we want to be a great university. That support at both the undergraduate and graduate level (both means we have to look at alternative sources of funding, such merit-based and needs-based), as well as support for innova- as philanthropy and private giving. We’re focusing our efforts tive programs such as our District 3 Centre for Innovation and more and more in that direction. Entrepreneurship and our PERFORM Centre.” At AAR, we’re in the people business. With 193,000 alumni, it takes people to How are you and your team working make personal contacts with alumni and “We’ve undersold our to reach these fundraising goals? donors, and finding enough time to make excellence in the past. BF: “For the last year and a half since I those contacts is always a challenge but came on duty at AAR, we’ve been build- one that we relish.” That’s changing. It’s ing a really top-notch team. We’ve also ramped up our visits to donors and Is there a secondary challenge? time to stand up and alumni, doing whatever we can to get BF: “Yes. We strive to maintain a sense say that unabashedly.” the Concordia story out there.” of community and culture when we’re large. We’ve been successful by insist- You work closely with Concordia ing on smaller class sizes whenever possible. Plus, we have the President Alan Shepard. What’s that like? college model, meaning the Liberal Arts College, the Simone BF: “My colleagues at other institutions are envious because de Beauvoir Institute, the Loyola College of Diversity and I’m fortunate to have a president who is unbelievably enthu- Sustainability, for example. The colleges allow students to siastic about fundraising. He’s tireless, taking trips to meet identify with and become part of a smaller group.” alumni, attending functions and hosting events at his home as often as twice a week. We’re constantly in touch over the phone, How do you see the university changing over the next by email or by texting and have an excellent relationship. decade? What will be the challenges? That’s critical in this job. BF: “With the funding model that exists, we have to ask our- selves, will we be able to do everything that we’re doing now in What are Concordia’s strongest selling points? the next 10 years? I’m not sure. We’ll have to do things differ- BF: “The way we balance our tradition of accessibility with ently Concordia is well positioned to take advantage of these our commitment to excellence. We’ve undersold our excel- coming changes because, as universities go, we’re actually re- lence in the past. That’s changing. Our John Molson School of markably unbureaucratic and we leave room for individual Business is second to none. Our Faculty of Fine Arts is world innovation. Plus we have a reputation for being well managed, renowned. In the faculties of Arts and Science and Engineering with one of the smallest deficits of any Quebec university. That and Computer Science, we have excellent programs and means we can adapt more easily than more entrenched, slow- produce agile thinkers. It’s time to stand up and say that moving bureaucracies.” unabashedly.” —Joanne Latimer
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 5 CONCORDIA NEWS
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1 Jean Chrétien was interviewed by Mutsumi Takahashi, chief news anchor of CTV Montreal News. 2 Former Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien spoke powerfully — and often humorously — at the Henri P. Habib Distinguished Speakers’ Series lecture at Concordia on March 4. 3 From left: Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins, director of communications, Advancement and Alumni Relations, Jean Chrétien, Mutsumi Takahashi, Aline Chrétien and Bram Freedman, vice-president of Development and External Relations, and Secretary-General.
Jean Chrétien delivers memorable talk at Concordia
efore Jean Chrétien, LLD 10, served as Canada’s 20th cold, but it was very warm in our hearts because we had our prime minister from 1993 to 2003, he had already flag, at long last.” gained a reputation as one of the country’s most He said he was gratified by Canada’s world standing dur- Bpassionate, colourful and outspoken public figures. ing his tenure. “The United Nations had a report every year On March 4, in front of a packed Sir George Williams on the quality of life in Canada. We were always number one, University Alumni Auditorium in Concordia’s Henry F. Hall but one time we dropped to number three — and The Globe and Building, Chrétien proved his wisdom and wit are as sharp and Mail gave me hell,” he said. “And now we’re number nine, 10, biting as ever. The audience of 750 included Concordians as 11,” he added. It was one of several pokes he took at the current well as several Members of Parliament, candidates for the up- Conservative government, although never by name — revealing coming federal election, journalists and other guests. his continued loyalty to the Liberal Party. Chrétien delivered a lecture called “Canada: Its own flag. Its Chrétien recalled going to Europe and listening to the other own destiny.” for the Henri P. Habib Distinguished Speakers’ leaders discuss their problems with immigration: “I was proud Series on Peace, Conflict and Global Politics in the 21st to tell them I don’t have any problem with immigration in Century. It was followed by a Q&A with Mutsumi Takahashi, BA Canada. For me an immigrant is not a problem, an immigrant 79, MBA 95, LLD 13, chief news anchor of CTV Montreal News. is an asset.” Chrétien provided his take on a number of historic Canadian The lively Q&A with Takahashi included a discussion about moments to an exuberant audience, which gave him four the 1995 Quebec referendum, which was narrowly won by the standing ovations. “non” side. First elected as Liberal MP in 1963, Chrétien recounted Chrétien admitted he had underestimated the “oui” side af- his feelings when the Canadian flag was officially adopted in ter the arrival of Lucien Bouchard as negotiator, shortly before February 1965. “It was a great day on Parliament Hill. It was the vote. “Of course, the question was so confusing… It was 90
6 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine 2 3
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4 Members of Concordia’s Garnet Key Society meet with the former prime minister (from left): Dave Oram, Veronica Tamburro, Alexandra Buonanno, Alexandra Miekleham, Patricia Hachey, Jean Chrétien, Leo Collard, Noor Mady, Oreoluwa Ajayi, Rémi Mireault and Juan Wong. 5 From left: Henri P. Habib, distinguished professor emeritus in Concordia’s Department of Political Science, Jean Chrétien and André Roy, dean of Concordia’s Faculty of Arts and Science.
words, something like that. ‘Do you want happiness?’ It was The lecture was organized by Concordia’s Advancement difficult to vote no,” he quipped. “After that I said, ‘This will and Alumni Relations in collaboration with the Department not happen anymore.’ And we passed the law that we called the of Political Science. Bram Freedman, vice-president of Clarity Act. There would be no negotiation according to this Development and External Relations, and Secretary-General, law if the question is not clear,” Chrétien said. “‘Do you want to served as master of ceremonies, and Marlene Sokolon, pro- separate from Canada? Yes or no.’” fessor and chair of the Department of Political Science, also The Henri P. Habib Distinguished Speakers’ Series on Peace, addressed the audience. Conflict and Global Politics in the 21st Century was established in 2005 in honour of Distinguished Professor Emeritus Henri Habib, To view and share photos, listen to and share our podcast, who founded Concordia’s Department of Political Science and view and share our video or peruse our social media coverage, served as chair for 24 years. Past speakers include former Liberal visit concordia.ca/jean-chretien-2015. Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and former Canadian —Howard Bokser ambassador Raymond Chrétien, Jean Chrétien’s nephew.
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concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 7
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D A t ConcORDIA for the February 5 gift announcement (from left): Katherine Yutong Liu, MBA student; Steve Harvey, dean of the John Molson School of Business; Sebastian van Berkom, BComm 69, president and CEO of Van Berkom and Associates; Concordia President Alan Shepard; and Bram Freedman, Concordia vice- oseph
J president, Development and External Relations, and Secretary-General. Dean Harvey holds a commemorative recreation of student newspaper The Georgian.
Van Berkom invests in his alma mater
s a young child of Dutch immigrants, J. Sebastian van permanently acquire a popular bright yellow blown-glass Berkom, BComm 69, came from humble beginnings. sculpture — The Sun — by American artist Dale Chihuly. The Decades later, he’s happily investing a tidy sum in his decision, van Berkom says, was a no-brainer. “My father was Aalma mater. a commercial artist through whom I learned to love art. I saw Through a $1 million donation, the Montreal investment this as a great opportunity to save The Sun for the museum and manager will help top-rated John Molson School of Business Montrealers.” (JMSB) students manage small-cap portfolios — with real Back in the 1950s, when van Berkom’s family emigrat- money. Van Berkom’s transformational gift will establish the ed from the Netherlands, cash flow was tighter. “We were Van Berkom Small-Cap Investment Management Program, poor,” he recalls. “If I needed something I had to make where eight students per year will manage funds with a view to the money myself.” achieving above-average returns long term. That work ethic resonates with Steve Harvey, dean of the Why give to his alma mater? “It’s pretty simple,” says JMSB, who calls van Berkom ethical, hardworking and com- van Berkom, whose companies Van Berkom and Associates mitted. “Sebastian represents what we want our students to be Inc. (Canada) and Van Berkom Golden Dragon Limited when they graduate,” Harvey says. “He appreciates the sup- (Hong Kong) employ 20 people and manage a portfolio of port he received at Concordia. One of the best ways to thank his international small-cap stocks worth $4 billion. “Sir George supporters — and to ensure support continues for others — accepted me as a student and I’ve done tremendously well has been for Sebastian to give back.” ever since.” Van Berkom has to date donated $2.3 million to Van Berkom learned the value of a dollar growing up Concordia. “There’s only a certain amount of money one needs in Rosemère, Que. He shovelled driveways and delivered in life,” he says. “After that, I believe in giving back to society.” newspapers. “I needed money to go to dances on Saturday His gifts at Concordia support the Van Berkom Chair in nights,” he says. Small-Cap Equities Endowment, the Van Berkom JMSB Small- As an entrepreneurial undergraduate, van Berkom and Cap Case Competition, the Van Berkom and Associates Inc. classmate Danny Rafman, BComm 69, sold shirts in the Bursary, the Frederick Lowy Scholars Endowment and now the corridors of the Henry F. Hall Building. Profits from their Van Berkom Small-Cap Investment Management Program. garments funded van Berkom’s commerce degree. “Sebastian’s latest contribution to the John Molson School of He’s grateful to Concordia. “I was a terrible high school stu- Business builds on a legacy of tremendous generosity towards his dent. I did everything but study.” Yet the day came, van Berkom alma mater,” says Concordia President Alan Shepard. “Students recalls, “I wondered where I was going in life.” He applied to will gain exceptional experience — knowledge that opens doors to Sir George Williams University, one of Concordia’s founding careers in global capital markets, thanks to his remarkable gift.” institutions. Gumption won him a place as a marketing major. A champion of healthcare and the arts, van Berkom made “The admissions officer said: ‘Mr. van Berkom, we’re going to headlines last November when his $500,000 gift to the give you a chance.’ I was ecstatic. I graduated with top marks. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts enabled the institution to My professor said, ‘Sebastian, you’ve got to go to Harvard.’
8 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine find a direction.” At CN he got wind of seven years,” van Berkom recalls. “We an opening at Bell and, by 28, was run- grew it substantially. I made a lot of ning the Canadian equity portfolio of money. However, my love for small-cap the firm’s pension fund. “We worked investing and being a master of my own 18-hour days,” van Berkom recalls. It destiny became so compelling that I was at Bell where Scott Fraser, a men- quit Montrusco to start Van Berkom and tor, offered him a partnership in LRM Associates Inc. in 1991 to concentrate Investment Management. “Scotty really my efforts solely on small-caps.” Sebastian van Berkom, BComm 69 loved the way I chose stocks.” Three years ago, van Berkom founded Irrepressible, van Berkom grew Van Berkom Golden Dragon Limited, in I said, ‘I don’t have the money, I’m go- frustrated. “We had only $200 million Hong Kong, to begin investing in Asian ing to work.’” in assets under management,” he says. small-cap equities. Van Berkom landed a job at DuPont “I wanted to build this investment The future? “My dream is to build a Canada in 1969. Incredibly, he wanted counselling firm into something big.” global small-cap equity management to be president from day one. “I wanted The growth he sought came in the firm,” van Berkom says, adding that he to run the show.” Instead, he left for form of Montrusco, an investment plans to retire at 80. “Eighty is the a marketing job at CN. “I had to find management company that grew out new 60. I think if you stop working the right place where I could do what of Montreal Trust. “I was one of the you die.” I wanted to do — put things together, founding partners and I did that for —Scott McCulloch
CQG donates $1.6 million of software
ohn Molson School of Business “We are grateful for CQG’s investment students will benefit annually and gain a (JMSB) students will learn to in the John Molson School of Business,” competitive edge in financial services job trade like pros thanks to a $1.6 says Concordia President Alan Shepard. markets. JMSB Dean Steve Harvey says Jmillion software gift from data analytics “This gift will allow our finance students the software will give students a leg up and trading technology provider CQG. to apply what they learn in the classroom in the business world. “By providing our Denver-based CQG has donated 24 to real-market situations, giving them students access to professional trading licenses of its Integrated Client, high an edge as they transition from their technology and learning opportunities, tech software designed for charting and studies to the business world.” CQG is increasing their ability to com- analyzing derivatives markets. About 150 Department of Finance pete in the financial sector,” he says. Concordia is the first Montreal-based university to possess the technology to be used in the John Dobson – Formula Growth Investment Room. “This soft- ware is great for research. It provides students with data on foreign ex- change rates, stock prices, bond prices and commodity prices,” says Thomas Walker, associate professor in JMSB’s Department of Finance. “This type of software is typically used by financial traders. They can look for price patterns that help them make trading decisions,” adds CQG vice- president Brian Vancil. “Professors can show the price history of the financial ner d markets and how prices move. It’s a res D great educational tool.” oseph
J —James Gibbons and Scott McCulloch P aTRICk Kenny, vice-president, Client Relationships, CQG, and Christina Fatsis, senior account manager, CQG, at the January 12 gift announcement at Concordia.
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 9 Concordian-powered online gift service gets Silicon Valley support
n terms of prestige, it’s equivalent I to getting the call-up from the NHL. A team of Concordia alumni, coached by experts in Concordia’s District 3 Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, has received backing from Y Combinator, the world’s biggest business accelerator. Charles-Éric Gascon, BComm 12, Mikhail Levkovsky, BEng 13, and Cristian Asenjo, BEng 13, started work on Spoil, an online gift con- cierge, in September 2014. They’d already developed quite a different application called Airborne, but were ner not satisfied with its pace of growth. d res
Spoil seemed to be headed for D
greater things when, after they de- oseph J veloped the initial coding during a Sopoil’s c -founders (from left): James Traf, Cristian weekend “hackathon,” 50 subscrib- Asenjo, Charles-Eric Gascon and Mikhail Levkovsky. ers signed up immediately. In November, the founders applied to Y Spoil’s founders had only 10 min- Combinator. The idea behind the accelerator utes to make a good impression with Y is to vastly speed up the process of taking busi- Combinator. Yet District 3 coaching and the ness ideas to the market. Y Combinator invests founders’ innate talents clinched the deal, $120,000 in startups in exchange for a 7 per cent and within weeks, the team had relocated to share in equity. More than 500 companies have Mountain View, Calif., a requirement of the ac- received close to $60 billion in investment so far. celerator’s program. They are now working around the clock to build a company that can deliver results. “We live next to the office, and we work seven days a week,” Gascon says. “We’ve been given three months to show investors some- Keep in touch thing wicked.” So what exactly is Spoil? In short, it takes the “hunt” out of New job? Just moved? Just married? Or just want to let your gift giving. You visit the site, describe the person you’re buy- former classmates know what you’ve been up to? Visit ing for and where he or she lives, pick a price point, and Spoil does the rest. The eventual gift will be a surprise to both parties concordia.ca/keepintouch — the “spoiler” and the “spoilee.” The company filled a large Or mail or email us any information about yourself — don’t be shy — number of orders in the lead-up to Christmas, selling out of you’d like to appear in Class Acts. inventory by December 19. Spoil curates gifts in two ways. First comes the number- Please include: your name (including name at graduation); year(s) crunching phase, during which marketing information of graduation and degree(s) from Concordia, Loyola or Sir George, provided by Spoil’s suppliers gets processed. The second filter and other universities; street address, phone number(s) and email is the human touch: Spoil has identified expert bloggers in sev- address; and any other relevant personal or business info. eral gift categories who make the final picks on what gifts are By email: [email protected] available. Subject: Class Acts The process clearly works, since Spoil has seen very few gifts returned. By mail: Class Acts, Advancement and Alumni Relations, “It’s nice to have stories like ours,” Gascon says. “We’re def- Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., initely on the right road, and Concordia helped us every step of FB 520, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8 the way.” Search for the Concordia University Alumni Association group on — Laurence Miall LinkedIn.
10 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine Sstudent at the 2014 Workshops on Social Science Research at Concordia.
W orkshops on Social Science Research goes into seventh year
Antoni Nerestant their solutions. This year’s lineup in- methodology, serving as a welcome cludes former Members of Parliament complement to participants’ conven- he seventh edition of the Workshops Bob Rae, Stéphane Dion and Stockwell tional training in these areas. For the Ton Social Science Research (WSSR), Day, as well as prominent public ser- first time, the WSSR has also collabo- taking place at Concordia from May 4 vants such as Graham Fraser, Canada’s rated with the European Consortium for to June 29, will once again provide an Commissioner of Official Languages. Political Research. extraordinary opportunity to hear from Through the speakers’ frontline ac- These workshops are open to ev- those who have lived and experienced the counts, attendees develop critical eryone, including students, faculty and world of public policy and governance. thinking skills needed to find 21st-cen- the general public. Undergraduate and WSSR participants gain access to tury solutions to 21st-century problems. graduate students from across Canada current and former public figures and Launched in 2008 with one workshop, who attend workshops can earn up to prominent academics speaking open- this year’s WSSR features more than three credits towards their degrees. ly about their personal experiences, 35 workshops that focus on democratic For more information or to register, the problems they’ve encountered and governance, public policy and research visit concordia.ca/wssr.
Department of Psychology Associate Professor Jennifer McGrath will host the International Network for Research on Inequalities in Child Health Workshop June 26, 2015, 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Loyola Campus Join us for a conversation on social equity with special guests Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, authors of The Spirit Level: Kate Pickett Richard Wilkinson Why Equality is Better for Everyone. The authors’ discussion will follow presentations by key speakers. Open to the public, registration required.
For more information, contact [email protected]. #CUtalks
AdvertisementBook_FINAL.indd 1 23/04/2015 12:53:44 PM concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 11 Business leader and philanthropist Norman D. Hébert, Sr., passes away
uebec philanthropist, business Concordia’s dean of the Faculty of Q pioneer and friend of Concordia Engineering and Computer Science Norman D. Hébert, Sr., LLD 05, passed (ENCS) affirms the magnitude of away on March 16, 2015. He was 89 years Hébert’s support. “The biggest meeting old. room ENCS has is named after Hébert Over the past two decades, the au- for a very good reason,” says Amir Asif. tomotive industry titan and his family “He was instrumental in securing an $8 have fostered student advancement million donation from Hydro-Québec through over $1 million in scholarships for the faculty.” As well, Asif says Hébert at Concordia, including the Norman was behind the largest undergraduate D. Hébert Engineering Scholarship scholarship in Canada — at the time of and the Norman D. Hébert Business its initial offering — for Concordia Scholarship. He also funded the ENCS students. Norman D. Hébert, Sr. Norman D. Hébert Master’s Fellowship Concordia recognized Hébert with for research in automotive engineering. presence at university events, such as an honorary doctorate in 2005 for As well as his legacy at Concordia, donor student awards, attests to his his achievements as an entrepreneur Hébert inaugurated the Montreal Auto Show commitment.” and devotion to higher education. He in 1969, the first auto show in Canada. An astute businessperson, Hébert was also named a Great Concordian “He was a devoted member of the bought Park Avenue Chevrolet in 1959 (concordia.ca/greatconcordians). His Concordia community,” says Bram — then a fledgling business. From there, son, Norman E. Hébert, Jr., BComm Freedman, Concordia’s vice-president he developed an expansive and success- 77, is chair of Concordia’s Board of of Development and External Relations, ful network of dealerships, collectively Governors. and Secretary-General. “His recurring called Groupe Park Avenue. —James Gibbons
Concordia mourns passing of Robert J. Brodrick
obert J. Brodrick, BA 43, LLD 87, Montreal Expos as medical director for R doctor, lecturer, athlete and former the newly formed Major League Baseball member of the Loyola College Board of expansion team. He also became Governors, died on February 22, 2015. president of the league’s Physicians’ He was 92. Association. He worked as a physician A distinguished college athlete, at Montreal’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital Brodrick received the Loyola and Canadair. Sportsmanship Trophy and was among An active Concordia alumnus, he
the first 10 inductees into the Loyola hotography served on Loyola College’s Board of P Sports Hall of Fame (now the Concordia Governors and as president of the PBL University Sports Hall of Fame) in 1967. / Loyola Alumni Association. He co-wrote lau B After Loyola College he enrolled at the criteria for the Loyola Medal, a prize yan
McGill University, where he earned his R awarded to outstanding Concordians Dtr. Rober J. Brodrick medical degree specializing in internal who enrich Canadian society. medicine and radiology in 1947. 1951, Brodrick wrote Ice Hockey, a book In 1987, Concordia bestowed an hon- While at McGill Brodrick cap- that was used for several years as a hock- orary doctorate upon Brodrick, calling tained the Redmen to the 1945-46 ey reference by Encyclopaedia Britannica. him a “distinguished athlete, commu- Intercollegiate Hockey Championship. Brodrick combined his love for ath- nity leader and lifelong friend.” He went on to play for the Montreal letics and his medical expertise before —Scott McCulloch Royals and South London’s Streatham sports medicine formally emerged as Hockey Club in the United Kingdom. In a distinct field. In 1969, he joined the
12 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine TRY ONE MONTH ENJOY FULL DIGITAL ACCESS TRY ONE MONTH ENJOYTO THEFULL GLOBE DIGITAL AND ACCESS MAIL FORFOR JUST JUST TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL 9999¢¢ GLOBEGLOBE $19.99/month thereafter* UNLIMITED $19.99/month thereafter* UNLIMITED
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*Plus applicable taxes. All prices in Canadian dollars. **BC and Ontario residents only. Restrictions apply. From the archives
Looking back at a half century of Communication Studies at Concordia
Leslie Schachter 3 he first of its kind at any university in TCanada, Concordia’s Department of Communication Studies celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. A variety of special events throughout the 2015-16 academic year are being planned, starting with the kick-off during Homecoming 2015 week- end September 24-27, an open house on September 26 that will highlight the last five decades and a media gallery show for the fall 2015 semester.
Hopeful attendees include the Reverend John O’Brien, BA 45, who founded the Department of Communication Arts 1 — renamed Communication Studies in 1975 — at Loyola College, one of Concordia’s founding institutions. 4
Retired professor Dennis Murphy, BA 67, also plans to be there. Murphy was a faculty member in the department for 40 years until 2010 and continues to teach an online course on propaganda at Concordia.
He came into the program by chance af- ter taking Father O’Brien’s Overview of Communications course in 1965. “I found it to be my passion,” says Murphy of his 2 5 then-newfound love of media. He went on to become part of its first graduating class in 1967. “What made it special is that it of- fered people a chance to produce material for media and also offered a chance to ana- lyze and think about it,” he says. “It was the ves i h c
integration of theory and practice, philoso- r A
ty
phy and ethical understanding that didn’t i vers exist in other schools in North America.” i n U
a di or
For more information on the Department c on
of Communication Studies’ 50th anniver- : C sary celebrations, watch for updates on
mages 6 I concordia.ca/alumni-friends/events and 1 Loyola College’s Department of Communication Arts ad in Time magazine, June 9, 1967 concordia.ca/homecoming. 2 Film editing lab at Communication Arts Open House, March 1974 3 Sound lab at Communication Arts Open House, March 1974 4 Communication Studies students, 1979 5 Communication Studies studio, c. 1980 6 Communication Studies studio, 1990
14 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine CONCORDIA ININ GRAPHICSGRAPHICS
very spring Concordia welcomes more than 5,000 new graduates into its alumni family. With this year’s Enew cohort, there are now 93,000 alumni worldwide. Here is a snapshot of where you’ll find Concordia alumni (for those whose addresses are known) around the globe. 93,000 CONCORDIANS! A SAMPLING OF WHERE OUR GRADUATES LIVE
North America Europe Asia Total: 36,500 Total: , 25 Total: ,040
Canada: 3 ,000 UK: 390 Russia: 0 U.S.A.: 5,500 France: 350 China: 570 Switzerland: 00 Japan: 95 Spain: 50 South Korea: 40 Italy: 55 India: 90 Greece: 80 Taiwan: 40 Singapore: 90 Australia: 05
South America Africa Middle East Total: 325 Total: 35 Total: 445
Mexico: 70 Egypt: 45 Lebanon: 80 Bahamas: 60 Nigeria: 50 Israel: 70 Trinidad & Tobago: 20 Kenya: 20 Saudi Arabia: 85 Venezuela: 5 South Africa: 20 UAE: 2 0 Brazil: 30 Peru: 0 Chile: 20
VPAA-T15-24695-Concordia Magazine - Infographic.indd 2 22/04/2015 9:33:46 AM great C oncORDIANS
Meet four more outstanding members of the university family
he university began to share
its impressive list of Great
Concordians in fall 2014
—T one each week over 40 weeks — as
part of the celebration to mark its 40th
anniversary.
We once again present four more in-
spiring Concordians who have shone
in various fields. For the fully updated
Great Concordians list and more details
on each individual, visit concordia.ca/
greatconcordians.
16 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine Maziar Bahari: Régine Chassagne: Heroic storyteller Lighting a fire
ilmmaker and journalist Maziar Bahari, BA 93, emerged ontreal-born Régine Chassagne, BA 98, is a multi- F from unbearable duress to continue to spread his message M instrumentalist and founding member of indie rock of justice and human rights. band Arcade Fire. Since its inception in 2001, the band has Iranian-born Bahari moved to Canada to study at Concordia achieved international stardom and picked up numerous in the late 1980s. Soon after graduating he embarked on a ca- awards, including two Grammys and eight Junos. reer directing documentary films. He also served as Newsweek Chassagne told Concordia University Magazine in 2006 that magazine’s Iran correspondent between 1998 and 2011. Iain Cook, BA 93, MA 97, sound composition instructor in Bahari was in Tehran during the 2009 civil uprising follow- Concordia’s Department of Communication Studies, played a ing the disputed presidential election victory of Mahmoud role in her decision to carve her own musical path. “I loved the Ahmadinejad. On June 21, Bahari was arrested and incarcer- fact that he gave us specific assignments but let each of us come ated under charges of espionage. For 118 days he was held in up with the answer in our own style,” she said. solitary confinement, tortured and submitted to constant in- Chassagne’s parents emigrated from Haiti during the dicta- terrogation. He was released at the end of October. torship of François Duvalier. She continues her work as grand He swiftly fled the country and reunited with his pregnant ambassador and sits on the board of directors of KANPE, an wife in London. Bahari was subsequently tried in absentia and organization she co-founded in 2010 to “play an integral part sentenced for crimes he did not commit. in the fight to help Haiti break free from a vicious cycle of Bahari retold his story in the New York Times bestseller poverty.” Then They Came for Me (2011), described by The Guardian as “a She is also a member of the board of trustees of Partners in unique achievement” and The New Republic as an “important Health, an organization that helps treat the sick and prevent and elegant book.” His memoir was the subject of Rosewater diseases throughout Haiti. With Arcade Fire, Chassagne has (2014), a movie directed by political satirist and television host helped raised more than $500,000 for the two organizations. Jon Stewart.
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 17 Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli: Louise Archambault: “No excuses, no limits” Homegrown filmmaker
ith his brilliant breakdancing performance, Montreal’s ward-winning filmmakerLe ouis Archambault, BFA 93, W Lauc “Lazylegz” Patuelli, BComm 09, was one of the A MFA 00, began her career in the Quebec film industry shining stars of the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics Opening holding a variety of posts, including still photographer, line Ceremonies. In 2013, he performed on the Ellen DeGeneres producer and assistant director. Show and received a standing ovation. She started work on her own creations in the late 1990s while Patuelli was born with a rare condition known as arthrogry- completing a graduate degree at the Mel Hoppenheim School of posis, a disorder characterized by joint contractures and a lack Cinema. Her artistic vision materialized through a steady out- of muscle development. It affected his lower body but didn’t put of short documentary and fiction films. prevent him from taking on skateboarding. Archambault’s brilliant foray into the world of commer- When knee surgery forced Patuelli to abandon the sport in cial cinema, Familia (2005), was followed by Gabrielle (2013), his mid-teens, he turned to breakdancing — using his strong a multi-award-winning production. A touching and mesmer- upper body and crutches to assert himself on dance floors izing film, it introduces the talented Gabrielle Marion-Rivard, across the city, the country and the world. a young actress and singer with Williams syndrome. It won He joined the Illmatic Styles in 2004 and performed with prizes at the Locarno International Film Festival, the Festival the group on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Patuelli then travelled International du Film Francophone de Namur and the Festival incessantly as he refined and expanded his inventory of dance du film canadien de Dieppe. moves. In 2007, he founded ILL-Abilities (illabilities.com), a Gabrielle then received multiple honours at home: Best crew of differently-abled dancers from the Netherlands, Chile Picture and Best Actress at the Canadian Screen Awards and and the United States. five awards, including best director, at the 16th Soirée des prix Patuelli’s unflinching drive also helped him complete an Jutra. undergraduate degree at Concordia’s John Molson School of “A success like Louise Archambault’s Gabrielle really inspires Business. He also is co-founder of Project RAD, a Montreal- everyone here — students, staff and professors — to maintain based organization that offers dance programs for kids with that tradition of excellence,” said Daniel Cross, BFA 91, MFA disabilities. 98, chair of Concordia’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema.
Discover what Concordia achieved first in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and the world at concordia.ca/concordiafirsts.
18 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine “ I CONTACTED PLANNED GIVING TO ESTABLISH A BURSARY TO HELP WOMEN LIKE MY MOTHER WHO CHOOSE TO RETURN TO SCHOOL IN LATER YEARS. I HOPE THAT THE FUTURE RECIPIENTS OF THIS BURSARY WILL UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH THEIR EFFORTS ARE APPRECIATED. Tania Shamy’s mother, EDUCATION WILL Yolande Tomiuk, BA 70 BROADEN THEIR HORIZONS, BETTER THEIR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF THEIR FAMILIES.” – Tania Shamy, BFA 69, GrDip 72, MA 84
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 sta can meet your unique fi nancial needs.
CALL 5 4-848-2424, ext. 8945, OR -888-777-3330, ext. 8945.
#CUgiving concordia.ca/plannedgiving concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 19
Tania Advertisement.indd 1 22/04/2015 4:32:50 PM wing their h Thro ats
into the ring
lumni vie to becom rdia a e firs nco t-tim e Co e M Fiv Ps regory G
am S : 20 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine hoto P Isaac Olson
oters across the country will be hitting the polls for Canada’s 42nd general election on October 19, 2015, unless the Governor General of Canada makes the call for a federal election in the coming months, which is highly unlikely, or the V current Conservative government led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper opts for an early election. Concordia alumni have long been active in politics at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. There are currently four Concordia alumni who are Members of Parliament: Gordon O’Connor, BSc 65, Costas Menegakis, BComm 82, Massimo Pacetti, BComm 84, and Francis Scarpaleggia, MBA 84. As of early April, the leading political parties haven’t yet chosen candidates in all of Canada’s 338 federal electoral districts (30 more than the 2011 election). Those that have been nominated are already gearing up for what will likely be another hard- fought, closely matched battle for the House of Commons. The candidates include five Concordia graduates making their first run for a parliamentary seat in Ottawa. Concordia University Magazine asked each rookie candidate five questions about their initial foray into federal politics.
What steps should the How do you plan to address BRENDA government take to national security concerns? SHANAHAN, improve the national BS: “National security in economy? Canada is a concern of each MBA 88 BS: “My particular con- and every one of us and I Brenda Shanahan has been nomi- cern is at the individual, would like to fos- nated by the Liberal Party to run in the personal level. To help ter more awareness Châteauguay–Lacolle riding south of people do better, we amongst citizens Montreal. She earned an MBA in 1988 need people to be Brenda Shanahan is the Liberal Party candidate about how we can from what is now the John Molson School better educated in the Quebec riding of Châteauguay–Lacolle. mutually improve of Business (JMSB). She is now a finan- with financial our public security. cial educator, investment advisor and and economic skills. I would start with Public security is not just about laws and columnist for a variety of Montreal-based a national financial education program. police and armed personnel. It’s about publications, including the Montreal That’s on my wish list. It would help each and every one of us looking out for Gazette. Shanahan is also a renowned people to have the knowledge, the skills our neighbours and being vigilant about public speaker who hosts conferences on and the confidence to better manage our mutual security.” financial literacy while continuing to their own finances and to take advan- counsel individuals and families in per- tage of programs and benefits that are How did your Concordia experience sonal finance management. offered by the different levels of gov- prepare you for political leadership? ernment. At the same time, the federal BS: “I was an inadvertent MBA. I was a Wy h are you running for federal office? government, in conjunction with the free spirit doing non-profit work with BS: “Because it is an opportunity to get provinces, has a duty to ensure that the Amnesty International. Life was great my ideas out on the national stage — my playing field is level for everyone. That’s and then I became a single parent. Life ideas about financial education, income where we need to look at the consumer got very serious all of a sudden. I went security and wealth distribution. I would protection laws and ensure ordinary to Concordia, to one of the counsellors, like to see every Canadian have access Canadians are getting a fair deal.” and asked what certificate I could get to the kind of independent, financial to get a better job. It was that counsel- education that fosters economic oppor- Is Canada doing enough to address global lor who gave me a competency test and tunity and, at the same time, I would like climate change? told me I could do an MBA. Nobody had to see a fairer ‘leveling of the playing BS: “No. Absolutely not. Nowhere near ever said that to me — said that I could field’ so that more Canadians can enjoy a enough. It’s been well reported that do better than what I was doing. That’s measure of income security and a share the current government has neglected what got me into the MBA program. It of our nation’s wealth.” to address climate change and that is showed me that anything is possible in something that the Liberal Party will Canada and, while I never thought I’d address in collaboration with the prov- get into politics, it gave me the confi- inces so that we can once again be a dence to say, ‘I can do this. I can use my leader in this area.” skills and make a difference for other people.’ I was given that opportunity. I can make that happen for other people.” regory G am S : concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 21 hoto P JENNIFER What steps should the government take to How do you plan to address national HOLLETT, improve the national economy? security concerns? JH: “The NDP believes a strong econo- JH: “Canadians know that Bill C-51 BA 97 my depends on strategic investments in [the government’s proposed anti-ter- A long-time television personality, jour- both physical and social infrastructure ror legislation] is campaigning on fear nalist and political activist, Jennifer as well as proper regulation with a sus- and it goes far beyond security. It’s Hollett is representing the New Democratic tainable, long-term threatening our privacy, our Party (NDP) in the Ontario-based economic-growth freedom, our human rights, University–Rosedale riding. Back in 1997, strategy. Along with and these are things that we’re Hollett earned her bachelor’s degree from investing in cities, very proud of as Canadians. Concordia in journalism and communica- we are also proposing We do have real terror threats tion studies. She is now a digital strategist, tax cuts for small busi- right now, but we don’t have to showing businesses and organizations how nesses as well as a plan choose between security and to use digital tools like social media to cre- to support precarious our rights. Right now we ate engagement, share stories and take their workers, which have to protect both. work online. is becoming the Existing measures are new normal for already sufficient to ad- Jennifer Hollett will represent the NDP in Wy h are you running for federal office? Canadians.” the Ontario riding of University–Rosedale. dress suspected threats. JH: “I am worried about Canada. More resources can be Working as a journalist for the last 15 Is Canada doing enough to address global provided to support police and security years, my job has been to cover the world climate change? agencies in their work, but we need to around me and ask questions. I discov- JH: “No. Canada is moving backwards. protect our civil liberties.” ered issues like climate change, political Climate change is a defining issue of our apathy, human rights and rising in- time. I think, around the world, when How did your Concordia experience equality. One of the challenges, working people think of Canada, they think of prepare you for political leadership? as a TV reporter, is that you get, at best, our environment. Stephen Harper has JH: “Concordia really provided me with a minute and a half to cover a story and really damaged our international repu- a hands-on education and student ex- then you move on. I got into journal- tation on this issue. The NDP’s Climate perience and that’s the style of politics ism to make a difference and realized I Change Accountability Act, which is we need more of. Hands on, getting in- wasn’t making enough of an impact, so I supported by all the opposition parties, volved, direct face-to-face, going out decided to move from asking questions is a law that would reduce greenhouse there and doing it. The biggest thing to finding answers.” gas emissions and hold the government that Concordia taught me was to get out accountable. We need to be reducing there, and that’s the biggest job as a our emissions by a third over the next politician — to get out there, knock on decade. We also need to be investing in doors and connect with voters. We work renewable energy projects and clean for voters.” technology. This is a top priority for our country.”
“Concordia taught me to get out there, and that’s the biggest job as a politician — to get out there, knock on doors and connect with voters. We work for voters.” arty P
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n i ust ourtesy c : D 22 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine hoto hoto P P “I believe the education that I received ANTHONY HOUSEFATHER, at Concordia was a great assistance not MBA 02 only in my work for my company, Now representing the Liberal Party in the but in my political role as well.” west-end Montreal riding of Mount Royal, Anthony Housefather earned his MBA from the JMSB in 2002. He is executive vice-pres- Is Canada doing enough to address global How did your Concordia experience ident corporate affairs and general counsel climate change? prepare you for political leadership? for Dialogic Corporation in Montreal. AH: “I think most environmental ex- AH: “The multifaceted education Housefather has been active in municipal perts are saying that Canada, under the I received in areas such as finance, politics for more than 20 years in a variety Harper government, has not done very marketing and organization has as- of roles. Since 2005 he’s been mayor of the much in regards to climate change and sisted me in running a city as mayor City of Côte Saint-Luc, Que., a Montreal has not been a leader when it comes to because, essentially, the job of mayor suburb of 32,000 people. environmental issues. In fact, we have is like that of a company’s CEO. You been almost nonexistent in terms of have to budget, spend your resources Wy h are you running for federal office? trying to protect the environment and in the most efficient way possible and AH: “After 20 years in office at the mu- this is certainly something, if we want deliver the greatest possible return to nicipal level, I think that, because of my to protect our globe, that we need to fo- your residents who are essentially your experience and background, there’s a cus on. I would say the answer to that is shareholders. I believe the education lot I can contribute at the federal level. ‘no.’” that I received at Concordia was a great There have been a number of issues at assistance not only in my work for the municipal level related to infra- How do you plan to my company, but in my structure and transport that I would like address national security political role as well.” to see resolved at the federal level. I have concerns? developed a very keen sense of and ap- AH: “We support Bill preciation for the needs of Mount Royal C-51. We think one of the
riding residents and I would like to work most sacred duties of a Liberal Party delegates from Montreal’s Mount Royal riding on addressing those needs at the federal country is to pro- chose Anthony Housefather as level.” tect its citizens its candidate for the upcoming federal election. and residents What steps should the government take to against terror at- improve the national economy? tacks. We disagree on AH: “Given the recent fall in the price Bill C-51 where there is a lack of of oil, we’ve again seen the perils of not parliamentary oversight and some of having a diversified economy and ig- the definitions are too broad. There has noring our manufacturing sector. While to be some sort of sunset clause where we’re very lucky as a country to have nat- there is a commitment to review the law ural resources such as oil and timber, we within a certain period. There has to be need to ensure that we have a diversified coordination between all the different economy with a strong manufactur- agencies, municipal, provincial, RCMP ing sector that can give reliable jobs to and CSIS.” people outside of the natural resource areas so we don’t have a budgetary cri- sis when oil prices go down. We want to arty P have economic policies tailored towards beral i the average Canadian.” L n the i ab of
R n i ust ourtesy c : D concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 23 hoto hoto P P communicating to their constituents How do you plan to address national BENJAMIN about federal funding opportunities security concerns? WOODMAN, that are available to them. For example, BW: “The priority of any government there’s Canada Summer Jobs and the should be to protect its people and that BA 10 government recently announced a new is exactly what the government is do- Benjamin Woodman, a reservist with Canada Apprentice Loan program [esdc. ing with Bill C-51. It proposes measures the Canadian Armed Forces, is flying gc.ca/en/esdc/initiatives/apprenticeship]. which stop terrorist activities before the Conservative Party banner in west- Programs like that can have a big impact they’re acted upon. Bill C-51 doesn’t ern Quebec’s Pontiac riding. He earned a on local communities.” give new powers to police or intelligence Concordia BA in political science in 2010. agencies, but rather to judges and courts He has since held a variety of roles in Is Canada doing enough to address who can order the detention of a sus- federal politics ranging from his earlier global climate change? pected terrorist for up to seven days. days as an intern to his more recent work BW: “I think we are because one of the I’m certainly on board with that.” in the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, where strongest areas of the Conservative he earned the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond platform is one that you don’t neces- How did your Concordia experience Jubilee medal. sarily hear of all the time. Since 2005, prepare you for political leadership? BW: “I was VP of the Conservative “I spent most of my life in my riding and I wanted Concordia club right when we were get- ting it off the ground around 2008 and, to use the skillset that I have to do my best for through that club, it was nice to debate and converse with people that shared the region that helped raise me.” an interest in politics. For me, I was a poli-sci major and I had some re- ally exceptional professors like Marvin Wy h are you running for federal Canadian Hershorn and Marcel Danis, a former office? greenhouse member of parliament. The club and BW: “Well, I spent most of my life gases have de- professors certainly helped cultivate my in my riding. I grew up in Pontiac. creased by about love for politics.” I was supported very well and I want 5.1 per cent and, at to support it right now. I want- the same time, the ed to use the skillset that I economy has grown have now to do my best for by 10.6 per the region that helped raise cent [as re-
me.” Benjamin Woodman is running for the ported on the Conservative Party in Quebec’s Pontiac riding. Government What steps should the of Canada government take to improve the website, Canada’s Action on Climate national economy? Change, climatechange.gc.ca]. We see BW: “The economy is my biggest pri- the reduction of emissions while the ority and the Conservative Party is the economy has actually grown. The sec- only party that is committed to keep- tor-by-sector approach the government ing federal taxes low. I think people are has taken towards greenhouse gas emis-
much better at managing their money sions has proven to be very effective.” on i at
than governments are. More money ci sso A
in the pockets of the population is al- ve ways a good thing. Politicians can do i a lot to stimulate local economies by onservat C c a i ont P
i the
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am d ourtesy A c : 24 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine hoto hoto P P “My family has a long history of service. My father was a firefighter and my husband was a firefighter. SHERRY My two sons both serve in the Canadian Armed ROMANADO, Forces. So I thought it was my turn.” EMBA 11 Currently the assistant director of continuing that, if you’re going to How do you plan to address national education at Champlain make one initiative in security concerns? College in Saint-Lambert, one area, you need to SR: “I think we need to be working Que., and a lecturer at have the system and in- lockstep not only with our Canadian McGill University’s School of frastructure in place to forces, but also our local forces and Continuing Studies, Sherry support it. If you’re go- the RCMP to identify and mitigate Romanado is the Liberal Party ing to be, for example, risks while keeping in mind the candidate vying for the focusing on a rights of Canadians.” Longueuil–Charles- manufactur- LeMoyne riding south ing strategy, you How did your Concordia experience of Montreal. She Sherry Romanado is the Liberal Party need to have the prepare you for political leadership? candidate for the Montreal south shore completed Concordia’s riding of Longueuil–Charles-LeMoyne. education system SR: “Completing an Executive MBA Executive MBA program working with you with 24 brilliant, Type-A personali- in 2011. Along with her busy career to make sure there is enough manpower ties, you have to find your space and and work as a community volunteer, to go into that area. It seems to be, be- make sure you have a voice. Teamwork Romanado is the vice-president of the cause of the disconnect between federal, was one of the most important lessons Laporte Provincial Liberal Association and provincial and municipal governments I learned in the program. It’s a very in- the Longueuil Charles-LeMoyne Federal that ideas are not being executed be- tensive, full-time program, and while Liberal Association. cause all the partners aren’t around the most people are working full time, as table to bring it to fruition.” I was, while raising a family and so on, Wy h are you running for federal office? you learn you cannot do it on your own. SR: “My family has a long history of ser- Is Canada doing enough to address global You learn that you have to trust your col- vice. My father was a firefighter for the climate change? leagues. You bring others to the table local community and my husband was SR: “No. In a recent article in The Globe in areas that you might not be as strong a firefighter for the local community. and Mail (March 18), a group of academ- at so, in working together, you’re able My two sons both serve in the Canadian ics were saying that Canada can really to achieve a lot more than you would on Armed Forces. So I thought it was my shift to renewable sources of technol- your own. The program really did drive turn.” ogy by 2025 and eliminate 80 per cent that home.” of greenhouse gas emissions by mid- What steps should the government take to century. It was quite an interesting —Isaac Olson is a Montreal freelance writer. improve the national economy? article and I think that is something we SR: “I think we need to be looking at should be looking at. We should be look- our economy in a very different way. In ing at alternative energy sources and we
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am d ourtesy A c : concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 25 hoto hoto P P Victims NO MORE CONCORDIA RESEARCHERS AIM TO REDUCE BULLYING AMONG CANADIAN YOUTH
26 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine JULIE GEDEON
ullying has existed for centuries yet only began to receive serious academic research attention in the 1970s. While our society now encourages individuals who don’t fit into majority norms to be B themselves, they often face verbal and/or physical confrontation from others who feel threatened by increasingly liberalized social values or don’t realize the potentially serious consequences of their picking on differences. Social media plays an increasingly key role. Facebook, Twitter and other platforms often work towards positive change by connecting individuals who form a minority and giving them a louder social voice. The internet, however, can just as readily be used to increase or magnify victimization. Media reports about teen suicides related at least in part to social-media bullying have emphasized the need for action. To help address these issues, Concordia co-hosted an anti-bullying symposium for teachers and school administrators in November 2014. As Concordia President Alan Shepard told guests, a number of faculty are spearheading important research aimed at making it easier for all children to grow up in a world that embraces differences rather than targeting and victimizing individuals. As Shepard said, “Bullying research is the perfect example of knowledge translation helping make an immediate difference on the front lines.”
or aggressive tend to run a greater risk who feel victimized often have much of being victimized. “People don’t like higher levels of anxiety, which can make to hear this because they think you’re them hypersensitive to an experience blaming the victim, which is not the that isn’t totally positive, while other case,” he emphasizes. “What they also individuals will more readily dismiss don’t like to hear is that people who are what happened.” victimized are often victimizing others What many people may find even niversity U as well.” more surprising about the new research ordia c Bukowski’s latest research indicates is that being excluded — denied access to on C that children who are picked on but a group and its resources — has a much have friends don’t suffer feelings of greater and lasting negative impact depression or withdrawal to the same than being victimized. “We are social extent. “Given that it’s difficult if not animals,” Bukowski explains. “Except impossible to eliminate all the reasons perhaps for the last 600 years, being WILLIAM BUKOWSKI, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE FOR RESEARCH IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, CONDUCTS that youths bully or victimize others, excluded meant almost certain death. RESEARCH ON YOUTH PEER RELATIONSHIPS. ONE OF HIS STUDIES LOOKS AT ELEMENTARY AND HIGH-SCHOOL this new research is encouraging in that So it doesn’t surprise me that being STUDENTS’ LEVEL OF EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND FEELINGS OF VICTIMIZATION AND EXCLUSION. it shows that we can take real steps to excluded would have a larger negative minimize the impact,” Bukowski says. impact than being treated badly.”
MAKING FRIENDS “A few studies indicate that you can riends can make a world of implement a very time-consuming set of Fdifference for coping with verbal aggression, according to William M. procedures to reduce bullying, or simply Bukowski, a Concordia University arrange to have a bully and victim sit next Research Chair in Psychology (Tier 1) and director of the Centre for Research to each other in class.” in Human Development. Students with close friends tend to get over an episode of bullying or victimization more quickly He’s now looking at other factors Being disliked by some or all is than individuals who feel isolated. affecting those feeling victimized. tough, yet being cut off by a group and Longstanding research indicates that “Our current study — which has yet to its resources is often more devastating. individuals who are withdrawn and/ be published — indicates that people “The best predictor of negative
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 27 outcomes is exclusion,” Bukowski victim sit next to each other in class,” “We looked at what the impact is reports. “Someone who is excluded at Bukowski says. “When the bully and of a school having an explicit anti- any particular time — even after you victim have to co-exist under a relatively homophobic policy as well as a factor in victimization — is going to well-monitored situation, they begin to Gay-Straight Alliance [GSA], which show higher levels of depression than get to see each other differently.” is a student-run club where everyone children who have not been excluded. Bukowski is impressed with how is welcomed regardless of sexual An excluded child will also show higher teachers at one Montreal school orientation,” Rose explains. “So there levels of lingering distress up to two dedicate substantial time to group are members who are straight allies months later.” activities during the initial weeks of of the gay kids and help normalize The research further indicates why it each school year so students can bond being a member of a sexual-minority is so difficult to pinpoint a single cause to some extent. “This kind of getting orientation or transgendered within the of bullying or victimization for most to know each other builds empathy school.” of the tragic cases of youth suicide that that helps to minimize victimization,” The research will help address the capture media attention. “These are he says. need for Canadian data that has largely always terrible occurrences, no matter been lacking about heterosexual and what the circumstances,” Bukowski says. lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered “However, it is often difficult to learn and questioning (LGBTQ) youth to from these tragic cases because they are date. The project forms part of a five- often also excluded from their peers and year initiative that has Canadian and tend to have very bad family relations.” international researchers focusing on While having a network of friends bullying, victimization and suicide, as is a powerful ally, just getting students well as health inequalities in sexual-
to know each other to some extent can resdner minority youth. In 2012 the Canadian D significantly improve circumstances. Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) oseph “A few studies done by my colleagues J provided a $2 million grant, the largest- in the Netherlands indicate that you ever such grant given by CIHR. can implement a very expensive, Rose’s research indicates that schools complicated and time-consuming set that have a clear anti-homophobic of procedures to reduce bullying, or you policy and a GSA club not only helped to can simply arrange to have a bully and protect LGBTQ youth against bullying, HILARY ROSE, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN CONCORDIA’S DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED HUMAN SCIENCES, IS harassment and suicidal thoughts or INVOLVED IN A CANADIAN INSTITUTES OF HEALTH attempts, but also straight kids. RESEARCH-FUNDED PROJECT THAT IS SURVEYING 146 Concordia students and professors CANADIAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO SEE HOW THEY’RE “When a school had this kind of policy DEALING WITH ISSUES INVOLVING HOMOPHOBIA. recorded a video called Bullying and a well-established GSA club for a hurts… Education makes it better to period longer than three years, they build on the It Gets Better Project, influenced the overall school climate,” a social movement that advocates THE IMPORTANCE Rose says. “They send a real message against the bullying of LGBTQ youth. OF GAY-STRAIGHT to all the students at the school that it The 2010 video was the first of its ALLIANCES is a more accepting place, which can kind from a Canadian university. To reduce the stigma for heterosexual watch the video, visit itgetsbetter. ilary Rose, an associate professor boys who don’t fit the usual stereotypes org and search for “bullying hurts.” Hin Concordia’s Department of for masculinity,” Rose explains. “In Applied Human Sciences, has been general, boys are more likely than girls examining how bullying, harassment to be teased about being gay, even if and other kinds of victimization can lead they aren’t.” to suicidal thoughts and even attempts. With about 90 per cent of most Rose is a member of the research team student populations being heterosexual, being led by Elizabeth Saewyc at the the number of straight males who are University of British Columbia. The teased for not conforming to traditional team is using survey data collected by ideas about masculinity is usually quite the McCreary Centre Society of more large. “We found in our study that than 23,000 B.C. high-school students 385 heterosexual boys were teased or — a large enough sample to adequately bullied about being gay even though represent lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. they weren’t — compared to 181 gay
28 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine “We found that 385 heterosexual boys were teased about being gay even though they weren’t — compared to 181 gay and bisexual boys. So it’s about who is perceived to be gay.”
and bisexual boys,” Rose states. “So information and acceptance. it’s not just about who is gay but who is “This is not merely observational perceived to be gay.” research,” Émond says. “It’s proactive Anti-homophobic policies and to establish what there is and where the GSAs therefore help a wider student holes in the system continue to exist, niversity population at a school. A survey U so that we can address them.”
conducted by the Égale Canada Human ordia Once the inventory is completed, c on
Rights Trust found that 90 per cent of C efforts will be made to find ways to high-school kids hear the terms “you’re integrate the highly effective resources so gay” or “that’s so gay” regularly, of existing community organizations with approximately 70 per cent of them into programs and perhaps speaker hearing it daily. And 80 per cent of tours to help address homophobia high-schoolers regularly hear pejorative among students and make LGBTQ youth DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED HUMAN SCIENCE ASSOCIATE words such as faggot, queer, lesbo or PROFESSOR GILBERT ÉMOND WORRIES ABOUT feel welcome at school. YOUTH AT SCHOOLS WHERE HOMOPHOBIC ACTS dyke — 50 per cent of them daily. In GO UNPUNISHED. “THEY HAVE THEIR BRAND-NAME Émond notes that some of the addition to the LGBTQ youth, a majority CLOTHING OR SHOES TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM. IN school boards have clearly refused to SOME CASES, THESE ITEMS ARE BURNT.” — 60 per cent — of the heterosexual participate. Others stated they were survey respondents found these overwhelmed with administrative homophobic comments disturbing. responsibilities and therefore did not The Égale Canada data indicates COUNTERING have the time or resources to answer. that one in four heterosexual students DISCRIMINATION “If some do not want to answer these is teased about how they convey their basic questions under the protection masculinity or femininity. “They are ose is collaborating with Gilbert of anonymity, I think it says a lot about more likely to be teased about their RÉmond, associate professor in the their avoidance of the entire topic,” gender expression than about their Department of Applied Human Science, he states. perceived sexual orientation,” Rose as well as colleagues at other universities Quebec’s education law actually notes. “It really comes back to boys on another aspect of the CIHR initiative. requires school boards to have policies facing harassment if they don’t fit The project involves virtually every to address homophobia in their schools, society’s expectations of masculinity. school board in Canada asking what but the refusal to address the subject And boys are under much greater each of them has in place in terms of indicates that a lot of work remains to be pressure about their body image programs and resources to help teachers done towards having effective policies than ever.” and school administrators relate LGBTQ implemented everywhere.
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 29 have further negative implications. “If some [school boards] do not want “When you have a school or a hospital where people are permitted to say to answer these basic questions under the things like, ‘That’s so gay,’ it sends protection of anonymity, I think it says a lot out a message that homophobic discrimination is permitted and it about their avoidance of the entire topic.” warns individuals that they may not be welcomed if they give any indications of being different from the majority.” Émond is also looking to determine previous HIV studies. “A lot of people The discrimination at schools where how to reduce stigma and promote only went to the hospital when they were homophobic remarks go unchecked resilience for LBGTQ youth regarding already dying from AIDS because they often results in LBGTQ youth being health interventions. “If you feel feared being ostracized if others found aggressively targeted. Émond still discriminated against, you’re less out that they had HIV,” he says. worries about a 13-year-old who related likely to disclose information that A major difference in overall being shoved into a locker, where might be important to your health,” societal attitudes can start at schools. he remained trapped for two hours he explains. “This could be relevant “What students learn to be acceptable until a janitor overheard his attempts to a person’s treatment or protection behaviour in their school is often what to get out. “He did not attend school against particular sexually transmitted they take with them as acceptable afterwards, which can have a profoundly diseases.” elsewhere, too,” Émond says. His negative impact,” Émond recalls. Émond has witnessed the dire previous studies reveal how casual consequences of homophobia during his remarks in schools and elsewhere can
30 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine hter c portal, ha c S the ie l es L
PHD CANDIDATE JIHAN RABAH IS WORKING ON A DOCUMENTARY THAT WILL REVEAL THE EXPERIENCES OF INDIVIDUALS MARGINALIZED ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
CYBER- MARGINALIZATION
he lack of face-to-face Tcommunication on social media is researchers one of the reasons that cyber-bullying are embarking has proliferated. Jihan Rabah, a doctoral on individual candidate in Educational Studies, is a projects to expand and co-investigator on a two-year project improve existing curriculum funded by Public Safety Canada to resources regarding online research hate speech on social media, victimization for use with high school, with the goal of developing educational college and/or university students. materials about online violence among “I am also involved in making a Canadian youth. documentary about the dark side of victimized. A number of “We’re aiming to collect and develop social media,” says Rabah about the individuals have already signed up curriculum materials that encourage project she is doing in collaboration for the project. “People want to talk the use of social media to counteract with the principal investigator, Adeela about how they have been excluded or online hate speech,” says Rabah, who Arshad-Ayaz, assistant professor in marginalized,” Rabah says. “They say that it’s important for others to know that while social media is an important “People want others to know that while tool for empowerment, it can also be used as a means to marginalize social media is an important tool people.” for empowerment, it can also be used As a mother, the potential negative impacts of social media particularly as a means to marginalize people.” concern Rabah. She has to remind her own children that texting messages to friends or posting Facebook statuses is collaborating with Department of the Department of Education. “The is not the same as casually talking Education associate professor Vivek objective is to explore and make evident with friends in person. “They think Venkatesh, assistant professor Robert the effects of hate speech through social being online is just another ordinary McGray from Brock University, doctoral media.” conversation,” she notes. “They don’t candidate Tieja Thomas and 11 other The documentary will relate what it realize how they are documenting their Canadian academics. feels like to be victimized or excluded lives and how that information can Along with identifying and by hate speech on social media. Actors be spread.” coordinating the best current will portray the individuals and leave out —Julie Gedeon, BA 81, BA 89, MA 09, information to share via an online details that can identify those who were is a Montreal freelance writer.
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 31 Leslie Schachter
Photography by Eugénie Cliche, MFA 15
ach year, the Concordia Department of Studio Arts’ photography program awards the Roloff Beny Foundation Fellowship in Photography to a Egraduate student for their outstanding artistic and academic achievement.
MFA student Eugénie Cliche received the fellowship, worth $10,000, in 2013. With those funds, the photographer/videog- rapher and multidisciplinary artist headed to an all-inclusive
y resort in Cuba with her family, where she produced a series of satirical images that play on the theme of fairy tales and challenge the idea of the contemporary nuclear family. The re- sulting work, a combination of photographs and embroidery, will be on display at the Maison de la Culture Côte-des-Neiges in Montreal in fall 2015.
“I already knew that my family was unconventional,” says Cliche. “And especially multigenerational: Max, 42; Eugénie, 34; Elfi, 22; Rose, 14; Lio, 4; Roméo, 3. It reflects a surprising array of ages, a cross-section of modern society.”
Cliche describes the project: “It talks about the family in itself, playing a role among your own family, being yourself, being the mother, being the artist. When you are in a family you are ex- pected to behave in a certain way. But you also play a role within that family. It’s all about confronting stereotypes which exist in mass culture.”
Cliche earned a BFA in Visual Arts at Université Laval in 2003
hotograph and completed her MFA this spring at Concordia. Her work has appeared in galleries across Canada as well as in the United 1 States and Europe. P
Roloff Beny Foundation Fellowship in Photography: Eugénie Cliche
1 Eugénie Cliche 2 Family 3 orSt y 4 Univers périlleux 3 (embroidery and mixed media on paper) 5 Univers périlleux 1 (embroidery and mixed media on paper) 6 L’arCHE (embroidery on linen)
32 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine 2
3 4
5
6 34 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine Concordia experts examine social, psychological and political implications of Canada’s growing number of new arrivals
BEVERLY AKERMAN
hen former Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien spoke at Concordia on March 4 (see the story on page 6), he showed that time has diminished none Wof his style or pith. Chrétien told the audience packed into the Sir George Williams Alumni Auditorium: “I was proud to tell [European leaders] I don’t have any problem with immigration in Canada. For me an immigrant is not a problem, an immigrant is an asset.” The venue was an appropriate place to relate that story, because a number of Concordia faculty across departments are addressing the challenges and opportunities that form part of the Canadian immigrant experience.
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 35 PROFESSOR DEATH METAL The vision: “To build awareness, create space for dialogue and combat online hate.” An online portal of learning materials ivek Venkatesh, MA 03, PhD 08, is one busy guy. He’s — multimedia, digital and social — will be created to sensitize Vassociate dean, Academic Programs and Development, at Canadian students, parents, teachers and the general public Concordia’s School of Graduate Studies, acting director of the and designed to prevent hate speech inciting violence and Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance, director of violent extremism. The goal is to foster resilience and develop the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching and associate digital literacy and critical thinking. The developed material — professor in the Department of Education. blogs, podcasts, videos, comic books, graphics and other media Originally from India, Venkatesh came to Canada by way of — will help educators, community members and government Singapore. He has a layered understanding of what it means to stakeholders encourage the use of social media to counter move between countries, languages and cultures. He studied hate speech. French as a schoolboy, married a woman from Paris and is now pleasantly surprised to discover himself able to deliver keynote addresses and white papers in la langue de Molière. “I’m an “We need to better understand unabashed proponent of the interculturalism Quebec is known how hateful messages are for,” he says. As successful as his personal immigration experience has propagated and interpreted been, some of his research looks at the flip side. “It focuses on by various members of how digital media is used in the creation, dissemination and propagation of online hate including misogyny, homophobia these music scenes.” and racism in multicultural societies,” he says. Venkatesh wants to “sensitize Canadians to the deleterious The project brings together principal investigators from effects of hate speech,” he says. To this end, he received a each of Concordia’s four faculties and other Canadian- and two-year Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada American-based researchers. Collaborators include experts in grant — under their Kanishka Project, a five-year $10 million consumer consumption and cultural theory, peace education, initiative to invest in research on terrorism and counter- terrorism risk assessment, textual analysis, psychoanalytics, terrorism, including how to prevent and counter violent feminism and a host of other specialties. extremism. SOMEONE grew out of concerns about social media and the Venkatesh and his team are championing the SOMEONE propagation of hate online — an awareness that arose during project, an acronym for SOcial MEdia educatiON Every day. some of Venkatesh’s other research on extreme metal music. Venkatesh stresses the fine line that exists between building a culture of respect for civil liberties and freedom of expression and an anything-goes mentality. Currently he’s become interested in how elements of Nordic culture, Canadian history and assimilation stories are incorporated in the extreme metal art form. Racist ideals are propagated through the metal scene, and so linguistic analysis of Reddit and Facebook chatter is in his sights. Which means among his latest collaborators are people who study online discourses, as well as the history of societies in Scandinavia and North America. “I’ve been a metalhead as long as I can consciously remember, probably 30 years,” he says. “We need to better understand how
niversity hateful messages U are propagated and ordia c
on interpreted by various C members of these ONE RESEARCH FOCUS OF VIVEK VENKATESH, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (AMONG OTHER ROLES), IS MESSAGES OF HATE FOUND IN music scenes.” METAL MUSIC CULTURE. HE RECENTLY SPOKE AT THE INDUSTRY CONFERENCE OF THE INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL NORWAY.
36 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine THE WAY OF ALL FLESH
orna Roth, BA 72, PhD 94, professor in Concordia’s LDepartment of Communication Studies and fellow in the School of Community and Public Affairs and Simone de Beauvoir Institute, has been deeply concerned with minority communications and cultural rights throughout her wide and varied career. Her work over the years with Aboriginal groups eventually led to the creation of the Aboriginal People’s Television Network in 1999. Since finishing her book on the history of First Peoples media in Canada in 2005, she has been working on two research trajectories. Roth was a member of the Montreal Life Stories Project team at Concordia (2007–2013), which produced oral histories of 500 Montrealers who emigrated ard to escape from mass violence and conflicts in their home W avid countries. She and Caroline Kunzle, MA 03, compared D the impact of video (as opposed to audio-only) recording DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES PROFESSOR LORNA ROTH IS IN THE PROCESS OF WRITING AN E-BOOK, COLOUR BALANCE: SKIN TONES TECHNOLOGIES of oral histories in the “About Face” project. “What are the PRODUCT. IT WILL EXAMINE THE HISTORY OF THE COLOUR “FLESH,” ITS MULTIPLE reasons you would or would not want to show your face?” MEANINGS AND COMPLEX PLACE IN SOCIETIES. Roth questions. Crayola’s ‘flesh’ coloured crayons to the film industry’s Shirley colour-balance cards used in the calibration of photo prints “People tend to assume (which had been dominantly white until the mid-nineties), to that the product designs ‘nude’ pantyhose designed for Caucasian skin, to the colours of makeup, mannequins, dolls and Band-Aids, not to mention are deliberately racist. the colour correction and adjustment processes inherent in But people emerge video and filmmaking.” To complement her case studies, Roth has formulated a out of a context, framework to analyze the emergent theoretical questions from her material evidence and international interviewees. “People a time, a history.” tend to assume that the product designs are deliberately racist,” she says. “But I’m not certain how skin colour- Her second research focus has shifted to one “much more conscious manufacturers have been. People emerge out of subtle and nuanced,” she says. “I consider the ways in which a context, a time, a history; these products began appearing skin colour is embedded in manufactured products, and the prior to the civil rights movements around the world.” She recognition by designers and producers that not all skin is light favours the term dysconsciousness, “a low level of awareness that in colour.” such issues exist,” and a more nuanced interpretation of the Roth is interested in understanding what goes into design typical embedded racial bias. She goes on: “Nonetheless, these decisions affecting various products one wouldn’t immediately products have had major consequences on the development of associate with race. Kodak stock photographic film was a classic a colour complex for peoples with darker skin colours.” example: it was developed for light skin colour. Surprisingly, Beginning in the early 1990s, many product designers her research indicated that problems associated with this became more inclusive of all skin tones, Roth notes. “The weren’t pointed out by people with darker skin but by change is fairly recent, and it’s not quite fast enough for me, advertisers, such as those manufacturing wood-grained but it is happening,” she says. “I’m looking for a different kind products who couldn’t get properly exposed “photographs of equity, not based on statistics, policies, or legislation, but of their beautiful furniture,” she says. rather on the embeddedness of a range of skin tones in all the Over the years, she discovered much international products and technologies that I have been studying.” evidence that confirmed the light flesh bias in stock Roth remains devoted to the push for inclusiveness, for films of all brands. Roth notes, “Once you start social justice. “It’s very important,” she says. “All visual aspects researching, these concerns become ubiquitous: from of our environment, for kids especially, should be equitable.”
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 37 Ryder is looking at the way immigrants at various points along the journey of becoming Canadian adjust their values, emotions and attitudes. In collaboration with psychology professor Catherine Amiot of Université de Québec à Montréal, Ryder is working on a multi-year Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada project on how international students adjust to Montreal. The students come with differing goals, running the gamut from those who intend to immigrate to those who only want to spend a short period abroad. “They’re eager to access the blend of English and French, the unique urban context,” he says. “People see the Montreal identity as a discrete, salient thing,” Ryder reports. There’s an initial excitement that lasts until “a dip at midterms,” which tends to pick up as the one-year mark approaches. “Newcomers adjust in terms of their comfort and
resdner confidence. It’s about practical and emotional things, their D interpersonal competence, comfort using a new language,” oseph
J he says.
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ANDREW RYDER IS ALSO AN Social networks are especially important — “the entry to a AFFILIATE RESEARCHER WITHIN THE CULTURE AND MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH UNIT AT MONTREAL’S JEWISH GENERAL HOSPITAL. HIS RESEARCH INCLUDES LOOKING AT real social life,” Ryder explains. “The single best way to learn THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR CULTURAL CONTEXT. a language is to speak it, but how are you going to convince people you are worth talking to? Studying their social networks DEPRESSION AND NEWCOMERS lets us predict the degree of high-level comfort in the language, the difference between someone who can use new language ow do newcomers make the psychological adjustment skills to get what she/he needs and someone who can go out Hwhen they arrive in Montreal? and share a few beers and talk hockey.” That’s one of the areas of research for Andrew Ryder, He explains that different groups experience psychological associate professor in the Department of Psychology and a symptoms in different ways; for example, among some licensed clinical psychologist. Ryder looks at the relationship groups stress and depression is experienced more in between individuals and their cultural context and how this physical symptoms such as fatigue while others emphasize affects mental health — for example, recent findings showed psychological symptoms such as guilt. that minority groups in the United States are less likely to Being in Montreal has advantages in Ryder’s field of study. receive treatment for personality disorder, possibly due to While Toronto is more culturally diverse on certain technical their socioeconomic status. measures, “Montreal is one of the two or three best centres in His current work explores differences in how Chinese- the world for the study of immigrant acculturation and mental and Euro-Canadians present depression, as well as research healthcare,” he says. into immigration and acculturation. “I’m interested in the psychological processes that people experience as they shift cultural environments,” he says.
“Studying their social networks lets us predict the difference between someone who can use new language skills to get what she/he needs and someone who can share a few beers and talk hockey.”
38 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine LOOKING AT IMMIGRATION POLICY demographic and population renewal are all important drivers of immigration policy across Canada, Paquet says. ireille Paquet, assistant professor in Concordia’s Overall, though, she says: “The message our country MDepartment of Political Science, researches and teaches broadcasts is, ‘Canada is open to immigration, but we expect immigration, public policy and public administration. you to access employment very quickly.’ Economic integration Co-founder of Concordia’s Centre for the Evaluation of is a primary goal.” Immigration Policies (CEIP), her current research focuses She points to the federal government’s new Express on the governance of immigration in federal countries and Entry program, which matches qualified and semi-qualified the roles bureaucrats play in formulating immigration and immigrants with employers to generate job offers prior to integration policies. immigrants’ arrival in Canada. “It used to be that immigrants Her research demonstrates that all Canadian provinces were looked upon in human capital terms, they were bringing are largely on the same page. “The kind of message that Mr. in their education and experience, and were expected to Chrétien put forward in his talk at Concordia of immigrants integrate easily. But these newer programs address real hurdles as an asset, starting in about the mid ’90s, diffused out of the that exist in getting into the job market,” she says. federal government,” she says. “It’s become extremely popular These barriers include difficulty having foreign credentials in all 10 provinces. This whole idea that we need immigrants, recognized by Canadian organizations and professional they’re needed for the economy, they’re needed for our associations and “the refusal of some Canadian employers demography, they’re needed because they’re educated, really to hire immigrants lacking Canadian job experience,” she began to motivate provincial governments to develop new adds. “Canada sends a strong message: we recruit based on immigration policies during this time period.” qualifications. But then qualifications aren’t recognized. This is unfair.” Problems associated with racism and ethnocentrism remain, too. “This whole idea that In her book, Paquet finds many similarities in policies we need immigrants among all provinces, although there are differences related to language concerns, of course. Overall, Quebec takes a larger [in the ’90s] really began role in the provision of direct services to new immigrants. The to motivate provincial other provinces are more likely to provide funds to community groups to accomplish similar goals. “Employment is the big governments to develop thing,” she says. new immigration policies —Beverly Akerman is a Montreal freelance writer. during this time period.”
Prior to that, Paquet notes, only the Quebec government was really active in this domain. Immigrant selection was devolved to the province in 1991, as was responsibility for integration. Now Quebec is no longer the sole province having “unlimited selection capacity,” she says. For the longest time, Quebec immigration policy was mostly driven by concerns about the need to secure the French language. She reports that since the 1990s this has gradually changed, with economic consideration now also on top of the province’s immigration agenda. Over the past two decades, Paquet has found that economic hter c
concerns have been paramount for the provinces. Her ha c S
findings feature prominently in her upcoming book, ie l es
Les provinces et la fédéralisation de l’immigration L au Canada 1990-2010 (Presses de MIREILLE PAQUET, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN CONCORDIA’S DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, LOOKS AT CANADIAN IMMIGRATION POLICIES. SHE’S CO-DIRECTOR OF THE l’Université de Montréal). The need to UNIVERSITY’S CENTRE FOR THE EVALUATION OF IMMIGRATION POLICIES, CREATED buttress economic growth, to ensure IN 2013. “WE’RE NOT INTERESTED IN WHETHER A POLICY IS ‘GOOD’ OR ‘BAD,’ BUT IN STUDYING WHAT GOVERNMENTS ACTUALLY DO, AND HOW TO MEASURE THE IMPACTS a strong population base for taxation, OF THESE POLICY CHANGES.”
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 39 foodies Concordia ie T hese alumni have dturned their passion for food and drink foointo thriving careerss
40 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine Maeve Haldane
The food industry is fickle, tough and, for those who succeed at it, tremendously rewarding. To pro- vide a transporting — albeit fleeting — gastronomic experience requires determination and a profound respect for the value of the evanescent. The following Concordia graduates have the acumen and good taste to thrive in their businesses — and educate our palates in the process.
Jaq c ueline Berman: easy as pie hter
ven on a cold day, the warm homey c ha c
smell of good baking wafts down S
e E i Notre-Dame St. in Montreal’s St-Henri esl district. That’s thanks to Jacqueline L J aCQUELINE Berman in her Rustique Pies bakery. “Concordia gave me a good sense of small business. Berman, BComm 11, co-owner of I really learned a lot about the value of doing research.” Rustique Pies (rustiquepiekitchen.com), which is, at heart, a country pie stand in a dearth of homemade, American-style “We didn’t anticipate how quickly things the city. With a dozen pie offerings, plus treats. “Everything is made here, by would take off,” Berman says. It was other tasty treats, Rustique has a fervent hand, on site, every single day,” she says hard to keep on top of inventory, from following for their classic pies like the of Rustique. “We peel our apples, juice ingredients to packaging to take-away apple, as well as the renowned lemon our lemons. Montreal is a place that un- cups. They aim to be as environmentally meringue, and the addiction-friendly derstands and appreciates that.” friendly as possible in the packaging, flavours like bonfire (topped with giant Rustique exults in the local and seasonal, too, while maintaining the integrity of homemade marshmallows) and peanut roasting pumpkins in fall, selling the product. butter cup. strawberry-rhubarb pie in summer. Despite the amount of work, Berman Three years ago, Berman was in- “Whenever we have access to what Quebec sees the reward. “You can learn a lot more e vited by Ryan Bloom and Tamera Clark has to offer, we go for it!” she says. as an entrepreneur than you would in a to join a business venture inspired by Berman was diagnosed with celiac more traditional job,” Berman believes. their meeting in the Cayman “And for a lot of entrepreneurs, Islands, where he was de- “We peel our apples, juice our the harder you work, the better veloping real estate and she lemons. Montreal is a place that off you are.” was working as a pastry chef. Berman’s husband, David Berman had been working in understands and appreciates that.” Bloom, BComm 08 (see his marketing for a law firm for a story on page 42), Ryan’s year and a half, was ready for a change — disease four years ago, so she offers glu- brother, owns the restaurant Sumac, a and appreciates the value of dessert. ten-free options, even if they can’t be few blocks away. Jacqueline met David The trio decided to “pick one thing advertised as such due to the possibility through a third Bloom brother, Jon, who and do it well,” Berman says. The bakery of cross-contamination with the regular owns Tuck Shop across the street from offers not just traditionally sized pies flour dusting around the kitchen. “Our Rustique. They all hope that the stretch but also four-inch personal size pies, coconut macaroons are seriously the of Notre-Dame St. between the two mini pies and even pies-as-lollipops. best macaroons you’ve ever eaten,” she establishments becomes a walking des- Roughly a third of the business is cater- swears, and their divine chocolate spar- tination for locals and tourists. ing for weddings and special events, and kle cookies are made with almond flour. Berman credits David for fostering sthey are expanding the space to include People often underestimate the her passion for food. “Their mom did a showroom next door. amount of work and challenges that go us wives a wonderful service by having Berman points out that while Montreal into starting a business, says Berman, them involved in the kitchen,” she says. boasts fabulous French pastries, there’s who was 25 when Rustique opened.
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 41 D avid Bloom and basketball team for six years. Yet he has Now the room is warm and welcom- Raquel Zagury: always had a passion for food, too, and ing, beautiful with exposed brick walls Mid-east tastes saw a gap in the market for good meals and high ceilings. It looks so organi- served up in a place that was neither too cally comfortable that one doesn’t think umac (sumacrestaurant.com) on casual nor that qualified as fine dining. of the difficulties that went into its SNotre-Dame St. in Montreal has Bloom had worked at many restau- creation. been open for less than a year, yet it’s rants, including Monkland Tavern with “Everything’s a challenge in the be- already known as a great mid-priced his brother, Jon. That’s where he first ginning,” Bloom says, from finding the spot with easy, flavourful fare, plus asked out Jacqueline Berman (see story right location, financing, construction possibly the best falafel in town. The on page 41), who co-owns Rustique Pie and “just getting everybody to show up restaurant is co-owned by D avid Bloom, Kitchen with his other brother, Ryan. on time and do quality work.” Overall, BComm 08, and chef Raquel Zagury, Now married, Bloom and Berman live Bloom considers himself and Zagury BFA 01. Both have family in the Middle in the up-and-coming neighbourhood lucky. “We got our permits relatively East and are keen to expand quickly and there were no the palates of Montrealers. “I’m from a sports background so I huge nightmares,” he says. While doing his degree at like the competitive nature, the fast The owners embrace the Concordia’s John Molson role that Sumac places in School of Business, Bloom pace of the restaurant industry.” culinary education. Many knew he eventually wanted to Montrealers know Middle be a small-business owner, though he of St-Henri, so when he got the itch to Eastern food from late night shish taouk wasn’t necessarily thinking of a restau- open a restaurant he looked for a sandwiches, and probably haven’t even rant. Upon graduation, he followed his locale there. heard of some of the spices or dishes passion for sport and became the as- A large open space that used to be a at Sumac. “We’re not doing anything sistant coach for Concordia’s men’s reptile wholesaler became available. incredibly avant-garde, but we’re add- ing to the dialogue with Middle Eastern D aVID Bloom co-owns Sumac in Montreal. Bloom says of his days at Concordia: “It was fun to be with food,” he says. people with a variety of backgrounds and experiences, to get to know them and build relationships with them.” Preserved lemons, smoked papri- ka and cumin are unusual enough, but dukkah and s’rug generally require ex- planations (a savoury Egyptian spice mix and a Yemeni hot sauce, respectively). Bloom heartily encourages customers to explore, and often recommends sabich, a combination of hard-boiled egg, fried eggplant, and fermented mango sauce called amba. They often fall in love with the Iraqi street food. And, a bonus for some, everything except the pita is glu- ten free. The hectic multitasking of the busi- ness doesn’t faze Bloom. “I’m from a sports background so I like the com- petitive nature, the fast pace of the restaurant industry,” he says. He’s con- vinced that Concordia schooled him well in the field, particularly in his favourite classes that analyzed real businesses, their problems and successes.
hter For now, Bloom is happy to be firmly c ha
c establishing Sumac with Zagury as a des- S
e i tination restaurant. He fervently hopes esl L to travel more in the Middle East, which will no doubt bring an even wider range of tastes to the restaurant.
42 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine painting and drawing at Concordia, then earned her MFA in sculpture. “Because I travelled a lot, I entertained a lot and learned about food in many different countries,” Keller says. “I’ve been in- fluenced by so many things, so many cultures, languages and ways of living. And of course food was part of that.” She keeps a fine balance between giving classes and having time for her own art, though Keller definitely sees parallels between the two. “It’s about being creative with materials,” she says. “And my teaching experience comes in handy because I’m able to delegate and make people feel comfortable around the kitchen, which is what you do when you teach somebody painting or draw- ing. You have to have a knack for making people understand it’s not as hard as they think it is.” Keller is keen on demystifying food hter
c from different countries, teaching peo- ha c
S ple how to use unfamiliar ingredients,
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esl and urging them to support local grocery L
Cooking teacher Juliana España Keller started small but went bigger upon moving to her current stores. She imparts the skills of bringing loft-style apartment. Word of mouth and media coverage bring her clients. the food to the table at the right times, how to work as a team and to clean as you Juliana España cooking soirées. Having agreed before- go. She wants cooking to be about pre- Keller: The art hand on the type of food, she divides paring healthy foods, bringing together of cooking a group of students into teams: one family, sharing recipes and passing on station works on appetizers, one on en- good habits to kids. As a child, Keller’s all, tattooed, with long black hair and trées and another on dessert. “I wanted Spanish chef father introduced her to Tan easy authority, Juliana España to create an original format where the rarities such as asparagus and pome- Keller, BFA 00, MFA 03 (cargocollective. person who’s hosting invites their own granates. Her summers were spent in com/CGEL), is quite comfortable friends, for an occasion,” she says. Spain next to the sea and watching her providing direction. Keller is a part- Birthday parties are popular, as are aunts cook paella and calamari. time studio arts professor at Concordia holiday times, and she’s held a class for And she desperately wants people to and a part-time get out of culinary ruts. cooking instructor “I’m able to delegate and make people feel “We always tend to eat out of her home. comfortable around the kitchen. You have to the same things,” Keller Keller’s vast decries, citing the gam- loft apartment in have a knack for making people understand ut of veggie burgers in Montreal’s Mile End her hood, or the trend district has a com- it’s not as hard as they think it is.” of bacon on everything. munity dining table “Bacon is the next best that comfortably seats 16 and a kitch- Ubisoft workers from France who want- thing in Canada. I don’t know why ev- en island that can easily accommodate ed to learn English cooking terms. eryone’s infatuated with bacon. Not that a small horde of eager culinarians. The multilingual Keller was born in it’s not tasty, just that there’s so much Large contemporary photos and paint- England, lived in and was married in more variety out there. There are things ings hang about the bright room, which New York City and moved to Venezuela, you can make that are just as easy but seems designed to foster creativity and where her daughters were born. Her way more interesting in terms of flavour open minds. husband’s work led them to Montreal and texture and all the rest.” Recently, Keller has taken on evening in 1991, and Keller eventually studied
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 43 Robert Kauffman After graduating, Kauffman came policies in place for staff to be under- and Gabriel up with the idea for Chef on Call, and standing when they’re not. Malbogat: Malbogat came on board along with three Kauffman and Malbogat are also proud Delivering close friends. Now just Kauffman and of their donation campaign. Each month top quality Malbogat own Chef on Call, with two cor- one dollar from a specialty burger goes porate locations — one near McGill, one to a community-based non-profit group obert Kauffman, BComm 08, near Concordia’s Sir George Williams such as Dans La Rue, school programs and Gabriel Malbogat, BA Campus — and a central kitchen in Old and Head and Hands. “We wanted to 09,R had eaten more than their fair Montreal. They have 40 to 50 part-time connect with the local community and share of mediocre delivery food as employees, and franchising is available. were at a point where we can give back,” undergraduates. Not only was the The top sellers are chicken tenders says Malbogat. Not only do they mar- food usually previously frozen and (“hand-breaded every day,” boasts ket test new combos but also support lacklustre, the phone service was Kauffman) and burgers. Milkshakes are causes close to their hearts. Malbogat was in after-school programs as a child and remembers how badly governmental budget cuts affected them. The cramped basement location near McGill gets hectic when orders come in at the rate of 60 an hour during prime times. Kauffman and Malbogat are look- ing for a nearby space to move to that could also house the off-site kitchen and accommodate walk-ins. As for the vagaries of running a busi- ness, “Nothing surprises us anymore,” Kauffman says. Electricity goes out, wa- ter gets cut and when the internet goes down, he admits, “we’re paralyzed.” Yet they have not only worked smoothly to- gether the past six years — they were also roommates for four of them. During school, Kauffman ran a busi- ness installing security cameras for retail businesses. His dad worked in the clothing industry so, as Malbogat jokes, Kauffman was “an entrepreneur from hter c
ha day one” — although his food industry c S
e Gabriel Malbogat and Robert Kauffman at their Chef on Call premises. i experience was “just the eating side,” esl
L Kauffman concedes. “We didn’t work one shift in a restaurant before. We just rushed. So they knew the hungry “We didn’t work one shift in took a dive in the deep end.” masses would appreciate fresh, Malbogat, however, says food quality meals brought to their doors, a restaurant before. We just is in his bloodline. His Italian and in 2009 started up Chef on Call took a dive in the deep end.” grandmother opened a delivery (chefoncalldelivery.com), billed as a restaurant in Montreal’s Little home-cooked delivery service. Italy in the 1940s. “When I first Kauffman and Malbogat met through popular and come in flavours from mint moved here I visited my grandma of- their work as promoters, having seen to marshmallow. If you’re seeking perk- ten,” he says. “She’d put one thing in the each other around the neighbourhood up nutrients over late-night comfort, pot and it’d taste way better than any- and at the DJ parties they marketed. salads are vivid with dried cranberries thing else I tasted. She always wanted Although each went to Concordia, they and toasted walnuts, or cherry tomatoes me to open up a restaurant.” Though lived in the McGill University ghetto and red onions. she’s no longer around, he adds, “She (Montreal’s Milton Parc district). Prices are reasonable. Though stu- passed knowing I did what she wanted dents are good tippers, there are me to do.”
44 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine Penelope Yotis: She met her husband at En Cachette. family photos. They’d been guerrillas Prohibition-era Yotis loves the history behind cock- in Greece and fled for their safety to good times tails. When people made their own the former Soviet Union after the hooch during the prohibition era, the Second World War. Yotis’s parents here’s a sweet-secret feel to the results weren’t exactly smooth, so they’d were born there before making their T subterranean bar En Cachette add different mixes to cover up the taste. way to Montreal. Speakeasy (encachette.ca), like a wink To go with the branding of the bar, Yotis Yotis feels her education helps from a stranger. With a prohibition-era “keeps to the classics” with simple reci- her to connect to others. “You know vibe and good classic cocktails, the bar pes done well that are easy to teach to people when you know their history,” has been drawing habitués from all over new staff. She’s partial to rye-based Old she says. Such interpersonal skills are Montreal since it opened in 2012. Owner Fashioneds. “Rye is such an old man’s invaluable for a bar, especially one for Penelope Yotis, BA 10, may have studied drink, but I find it really good compared which blatant marketing tactics are political science and history yet she says to blended scotches or harsh bourbons,” antithetical to its underground image. she’s “an entrepreneur at heart.” she says. When En Cachette opened, Yotis relied While a Concordia student, Yotis and She grew up steeped in political heavily on word of mouth, social media, her mother ran the well-established discourse and could talk for hours on her network of friends who would host Greek restaurant Rodos in Montreal’s the subject; her communist Greek celebrations at En Cachette — and her Côte-des-Neiges district for the last grandparents hung pictures of Che, reputation. “I was a party girl,” she seven of its 30 years. When the landlord Marx and Lenin on the wall in lieu of laughs, “I throw a good party.” bulldozed it illegally to build condos, Yotis decid- “I find [rye] really good compared to Penelope Yotis owns En Cachette ed to look for a business Speakeasy bar in Montreal. She’s always blended scotches or harsh bourbons.” been open to experimenting. “AT THE elsewhere instead of get- BEGINNING, YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO ting mired in costly and draining legal WORK. YOUR COCKTAILS, EVERYTHING.” proceedings. Before long she was look- ing at a space that used to be a Polish restaurant with a liquor license, central- ly located on St. Denis St. Since she felt that bars make more money than res- taurants and are a little less competitive, she chose to open a speakeasy-styled place, inspired loosely by some of her favourite haunts in New York City. Her handyman father helped renovate, keeping the old stone walls and some wood banisters, adding flocked wallpaper and building a wood bar from scratch. Her mother works part time in the kitchen, ensuring “the best calamari in town,” Yotis swears, for the 5-à-7 crowd. “You can’t be static when it comes to improving,” Yotis says. She experi- mented with menus and being open for lunch before settling into a groove. En Cachette now attracts the pre-theatre and post-work crowd and really picks up after 10 p.m. Priced for young professionals, the customers are heavily multiracial and from as far as the West Island and South Shore, lured by the quality music spun by well-known DJs. “I’ve heard us called the ‘ethnic’ bar,” says Yotis, because of the diverse, mostly Anglophone crowd. hter c ha c S
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esl concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 45 L Thomas Bachelder essential characteristics of their grape’s America’s west coast and Mary Delaney: homeland and climate so a drinker can to help start Lemelson Vineyards. Triple-threat compare among regions. Then in 2003 Bachelder got the call winemakers Bachelder, a wine journalist and ace to be the winemaker for the new enter- home winemaker, applied for wine prise of Le Clos Jordanne in the Niagara lthough they make wine that school in 1991, just two years after he Valley. “When you’re a Quebecer you A is praised by internationally and Delaney were married. They took don’t want to take the 401 and just go acclaimed critic Jancis Robinson, the plunge to change their lives and for opportunity in Ontario. You think Thomas Bachelder, BA 81, and Mary moved to Burgundy, where they’d hon- it’s going to be Americanized. But af- Delaney, BFA 91, don’t own their own eymooned. “All I wanted to do was live ter leaving the real America for Ontario, vineyard. Instead, they are what are in France,” he says. Many friends vis- you find it profoundly Tim-Horton’s- called micro-négociants, or small-scale ited, and Bachelder likes to say it was Canadian,” he says. By now, the couple wine producers (thomasbachelder.com). there that pinot noir and chardonnay had two young daughters that they Bachelder and Delaney buy grapes grapes chose him. But work beckoned. wished to send to French school, and (organic when possible) in three re- They moved to Oregon to work on Ponzi realized that Niagara is a seven-hour gions — Burgundy, Oregon and the Vineyards, then returned to Burgundy drive to Montreal, a seven-hour flight Niagara Valley, Ont. — and turn them to join Meursault, then bounced back to to France and just another handy flight into wine using the very same in the other direction to techniques, style and mind- “[Concordia] was a great fermenting Oregon. They’ve stayed in set for each. Focusing on pinot the region since, establish- noir and chardonnay, they rent ground. Half the students were ing Bachelder wines with equipment and cellars in each French and half English, half were the 2009 vintage. country, create the same condi- Before this life of wine, tions and use the same barrel men and half women. The degree Delaney’s degree was in art stock for aging. The substantive gave me a framework on how history, which was well suit- change is the terroir (roughly, ed for taking over her father sense of place), which allows to approach the world.” Dan Delaney’s Westmount, for each wine to truly show the Que., art gallery. Bachelder says Delaney has “business in her veins,” evident not only in their shared operations but also in her sideline of
Thomas Bachelder and Mary selling barrels to winemakers. Delaney buy grapes for their Bachelder did a communication stud- wines in Burgundy, Oregon and the Niagara Valley. “We ies major because he loved TV and radio, thought we’d want to buy our own winery someday, but we like and a music minor (he played jazz gui- working in the three regions.” tar). Graduating in the recession of 1981 meant that the coveted CBC and Radio- Canada jobs were just out of reach and he did corporate communications for some years. “I had to learn about busi- ness, spreadsheets, Excel, delivering a production on budget,” he says. He became comfortable around powerful people, useful for when he had to ap- proach investors for his business. Bachelder says his professors instilled critical thinking and taught him well, on everything from the Gutenberg galaxy to modern merchandising. “It was a great fermenting ground. Half the students were French and half English, half were men and half women,” he says. “The hter c
ha degree gave me a framework on how to c S
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i approach the world.” esl
L — Maeve Haldane, BFA 91, is a Montreal freelance writer.
46 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine Embark on an adventure of a lifetime! 205 Concordia University Alumni Travel Program
Enjoy an unforgettable trip to one of our spectacular destinations, carefully selected and designed for inquisitive travellers. Relish these reasonably paced, supremely comfortable journeys!
Provence Grand Danube Passage, featuring June 2 to 0, 205 Sofia and Prague August 22 to September 5, 205 The Great Journey Through Europe: The Netherlands/Germany/France/Switzerland Waterways of Russia: St. Petersburg to Moscow June 27 to July 7, 205 August 28 to September 7, 205 Ireland Greek Isles Odyssey June 28 to July 8, 205 September 26 to October 5, 205 Baltic Marvels Mediterranean Mosaic August 3 to 2, 205 October 4 to 3, 205 Sicily October 6 to 25, 205
For more information or to be added to the travel program mailing list, visit: concordia.ca/alumni/travel Email: [email protected] Phone: 54-848-2424, ext. 389
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TravelAd_April2015.indd 1 14/04/2015 11:37:35 AM faculty spotlight engineering and computer science
Cool cities and 1 2 star students 3 4
ashem Akbari is on a mission to That means if Montreal resurfaced 60 Hchange the world. The professor in per cent of the island’s 500 square kilo- Concordia’s Department of Building, metres with reflective materials, the city Civil and Environmental Engineering alone could offset over 12 million metric wants to transform the City of tons of CO2. Montreal’s roofs and pavement into Other Concordia researchers are ap- white or lighter colours. White reflects proaching the problem of heat islands a good portion of the sun’s rays and from a different perspective. Extreme helps prevent what are known as heat temperatures aren’t just hard on hu- islands — an intense build-up of heat in mans — buildings suffer too. The effects urban areas. This afflicts northern cities of high temperatures on buildings can such as Montreal as much as it does any be enormous, creating rapid demands southern city. on air conditioning and other systems “For me, I don’t measure the success that consume lots of energy. of my work just in terms of the number Under the supervision of Fariborz measured as a whole when it comes to of research papers published,” Akbari Haghighat, a professor in the how much heat they give off,” Olsthoorn says. “I measure it in terms of number Department of Building, Civil and says. “But as we know, neighbourhoods of kilowatt-hours of energy saved.” Environmental Engineering, two under- can be vastly different from one another. In 2010, in collaboration with lead- graduate students, Michael Torjan and Things like green space, wind and prox- ing experts and colleagues, Akbari Dave Olsthoorn, are hoping to create a imity to water act as variables. That’s why founded the non-profit foundation predictive tool that can help municipali- it’s important to create tools that can Global Cool Cities Alliance, whose man- ties better strategize how to reduce the gauge heat on a more local scale.” date is to work with cities and countries impact of urban heat islands on build- —Laurence Miall worldwide to adopt relatively inexpen- ings. The students’ work was supported sive measures against heat islands. The by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Quebec Engineering group cultivates relationships with gov- Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Games success ernments and provides the necessary summer scholarships program and the oncordia’s 40-member tools to help with the implementation of NSERC Collaborative Research and Cdelegation returned from the technology and new techniques. Training Experience Program. Quebec Engineering Games, hosted In most cities, pavement and roofs In summer 2014, the students used by Université de Sherbrooke from together comprise over 60 per cent of pre-existing data that measured the January 3 to 7, with its best competition urban surfaces. Akbari has calculated indoor temperature of 55 buildings results in over a decade. The team that replacing 10 square metres of dark in Montreal and created a model that finished third overall and first in several roofing with white roofing can offset one would predict future temperatures in categories. metric ton of CO2. In other words, the buildings based on surrounding neigh- James Fradette, a fourth-year build- temperature reduction due to radiation bourhood characteristics. ing engineering student and president not being absorbed by the earth is equal During an early September heat wave, of the delegation’s executive, attributes to the increase in temperature caused by they tested this model and were able to the success to the intelligence and dedi- one metric ton of CO2 in the atmosphere, predict building temperatures within cation of the students and their diversity effectively counterbalancing any change. 1.5 C°. “Until now, municipalities are of skills, not to mention several years of
48 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine 2 4 1 Hashem Akbari, professor in Concordia’s Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering. 2 ConcORDIA research is looking for ways to reduce heat buildup in the City of Montreal. .C
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contest experience. “It was fantastic,” “We were 100 per cent prepared when had managed to hit the target. “Many he says. “We have a real feeling of being we got there,” says Kyle Petrunik, a teams’ aircrafts struggled to fly at all and like a family.” first-year student in the Department of most could not climb to 100 feet,” says Also on the executive planning team Mechanical Engineering and the coor- Concordia’s advanced team leader Elias was second-year mechanical engineer- dinator of Concordia’s SAE aero design Clark, a fourth-year mechanical engi- ing student Carole-Anne Trudel. “You team (sae.encs.concordia.ca). neering student. “It was looking like it have to be outgoing,” she says. “The The team decided to enter planes in would only take one good drop from us games are a lot about team spirit.” She’s both the regular and advanced classes to take home the gold.” proud that the students were able to in this year’s competition, held March In the next round, both the Georgia raise more than $20,000 from sponsors 13 to 15 in Lakeland, Fla. They built two Institute of Technology and Concordia to support their equipment, transporta- airframes for each class, then drove to hit the target – then Concordia again hit tion and registration costs. Georgia for several days of warm-weath- the mark, but Georgia missed. —Laurence Miall er testing prior to the event. In the end Concordia’s overall score, By the time the Concordia contin- which included points for its design Two podium spots at SAE gent arrived in Florida they had worked report and oral presentation, earned Aero Design Competition out any technical issues and felt more them second place in the advanced hen a team of Concordia engi- than ready to battle it out with the oth- class behind the Georgia Institute of Wneering students ventured down er 75 competing teams. “Every person Technology. to Florida last year to test their abilities had their job to do and we worked like a Planes in the regular class are judged to design and build high-performance, well-oiled machine,” Petrunik says. by how much weight they are able to lift remote-controlled airplanes at the an- In the advanced class, competitors are while observing power, length, width nual SAE (Society of Automotive Engi- faced with designing an aircraft capable and height requirements. Concordia’s neers) Aero Design Competition — their of accurately dropping a three-pound team finished in third place overall hopes and dreams ended in pieces by (1.3 kg) humanitarian-aid package behind University of Cincinnati and the runway. This year they were deter- from a minimum height of 100 feet (30 Brazil’s University Federal de Itajubá. mined not to let that happen. m). After two rounds, not one team —Tom Peacock
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 49 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 ner ner d d res res D D
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To listen to podcasts or watch videos of these and other Advancement and Alumni Relations events, please visit reporter Sue Montgomery (at left, concordia.ca/alumni/podcasts. with Pelletier), 2 co-creator of the #BeenRapedNeverReported hashtag, able to take a break from my work as a which achieved 10 million postings. Donor and Student Awards psychotherapist and devote all my ener- A veteran journalist and filmmaker, Celebration unites benefactors gy to my PhD research,” Rwandan-born Pelletier traced feminism’s rocky road and students Ndejuru said. “A lot of what goes on at — from its labelling as “dangerous” by oncordia’s hard-working students Concordia these days is about look- detractors in the 1980s to its nadir in the Cand the generous donors who fund ing for creative ways to fit together the 1990s when the movement “had become their awards got better acquainted on puzzle piece in new ways. That’s what I a bit of an F-word,” she said. “Despite March 31 at the Donor and Student do all day long. It would not be possible visible progress, the past 25 years have Awards Celebration at the Hilton without support like yours.” not been that kind to women,” said Montreal Bonaventure Hotel. Bram Freedman, vice-president of Pelletier. “After Polytechnique, the The annual gathering, organized by Development and External Relations, feminist revolution — not only here in Advancement and Alumni Relations in and Secretary-General, acted as master Quebec but elsewhere as well — defi- partnership with Concordia’s Financial of ceremonies. nitely stalled.” Aid and Awards Office, welcomed 300 —Scott McCulloch Pelletier ran the gamut of feminist guests who took in stirring videos and themes, from the media’s “hypersexual- speeches on the values of philanthro- Reader’s Digest Lecture ization” of women to allegations against py. “All of you in this room, our award Series in Journalism welcomes Jian Ghomeshi, the fired CBC radio winners and donors, are Concordia’s Francine Pelletier host. She grimly noted that sexual ha- leaders into the next generation,” said n the 25 years that have passed since rassment, violence against women and Concordia President Alan Shepard. IMontreal’s École Polytechnique misogyny are alive and well. “That’s bad Howard Davidson, BComm 80, massacre, when 14 women were killed news.” The good news? “Feminism is president of the R. Howard Webster because of their gender, Francine coming back because of it.” Foundation, wove a similar narrative. Pelletier wonders whether feminism The sell-out lecture at Concordia’s “Everyone has potential given a chance,” has truly progressed. John Molson School of Business he said. “I encourage you to give back On March 27, Pelletier delivered Building was organized by Concordia’s so Concordia can move into the fu- a talk called “Breaking the silence Advancement and Alumni Relations in ture stronger than ever.” R. Howard 25 years after École Polytechnique: collaboration with the Department of Webster Foundation doctoral fellow Lisa women, violence and media” as part Journalism. Brian Gabrial, chair of the Ndejuru 1 thanked Davidson’s philan- of the Reader’s Digest Lecture Series Department of Journalism, served as thropic organization. “In my case, the in Journalism. It was followed by a master of ceremonies. support I’ve received has meant being Q&A with former Montreal Gazette —Scott McCulloch
50 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine Eight to be honoured with Honorary Life Membership: team for 26 seasons, and took them to Alumni Recognition Awards Nick Tedeschi the national championships 13 times. ith this year’s slate of Alumni Nick Tedeschi is the proprietor of a In addition to leading several nation- WRecognition Award winners Montreal-based construction com- al teams, he is also a past president of come distinguished alumni, faculty, pany and owner of Parisian Laundry, the National Association of Basketball staff, students and volunteers who an art gallery in Montreal’s St-Henri Coaches of Canada and was an inter- have made significant contributions to neighbourhood. Through a $1 mil- national committee member of the the Concordia community locally and lion donation in 2006, he established National Association of Basketball abroad. Their efforts will be formally the Dale and Nick Tedeschi Studio Arts Coaches, U.S.A. recognized at a banquet sponsored Fellowships to benefit graduate students Outstanding Student Award: by the Concordia University Alumni in Concordia’s Department of Studio Alexandra Meikleham Association (CUAA) and organized by Arts. Alexandra Meikleham entered Advancement and Alumni Relations at Humberto Santos Award of Merit: Concordia in 2012 to pursue a degree in the Westin Montreal on May 26. These Xavier-Henri Hervé, BEng 87, LLD 11 the Department of Civil Engineering. are the 2015 honourees: Xavier-Henri Hervé is a co-founder She recently represented the university Alumna of the Year: of Mechtronix Inc., a Montreal-based at the Engineering and Commerce Case Lauren Small, MA 97, BA 95 flight-simulation technology company. Competition, where her team placed Lauren Small joined the federal pub- Hervé also founded District 3, an inno- first out of 11 universities from around lic service in 1997 and has served vation centre at Concordia that brings the world. In 2014 Meikleham led the in both science and international together student and alumni entrepre- development of the Global Engineering portfolios. She is currently senior man- neurs from a variety of disciplines. In Initiative — the first phase of a net- ager of International Relations for the 2011 he was awarded an honorary doc- worked learning platform. She is also Canadian Space Agency. Small has been torate from the university’s Faculty of actively involved in the 57th Garnet Key instrumental in three major legisla- Engineering and Computer Science in Society at Concordia. tive projects, including the Canadian recognition of his contribution to inno- Young Alumnus of the Year: Awel Environmental Protection Act, the vation in the aviation community. Uwihanganye, BA 08 Species at Risk Act and the Remote Outstanding Staff Award: Awel Uwihanganye is co-owner and Sensing Space Systems Act. John Dore, BSc 75 managing director of Silverback Travel Alumni Award for Excellence in John Dore was head coach of the Company, which specializes in safari Teaching: Rhona Richman Kenneally Concordia Stingers men’s basketball tours in Uganda. He recently served as Rhona Richman Kenneally is a pro- fessor and immediate past chair in Concordia’s Department of Design and Computation Arts, and a fellow of the School of Canadian Irish Studies. She is also editor of the Canadian Journal of Irish Studies. She holds a BA in English Literature, an MA in Canadian history and a PhD in architecture. Benoît Pelland Distinguished Service Award: Francesco Ciampini, BA 72 Francesco Ciampini opened his law practice in 1982. In addition to volun- teering as a legal counsel he is also very active in the Montreal Italian communi- ty, serving on the executive boards of the National Congress of Italian Canadians, the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association and A.L.M.A. Canada Inc. Ciampini has been the aro d CUAA’s corporate secretary since 1998 o T and its representative to Concordia’s
regory 3 Board of Governors since 2008. G
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 51 CEO of the Uganda National Chamber a published book of their work and a function of the archive, Grauerholz has of Commerce and Industry. A social major solo exhibition at the Ryerson approached the value that photographs entrepreneur, he initiated the Young Image Centre, in next year’s Scotiabank retain to memory through a uniquely Achievers Award in Uganda and the CONTACT Photography Festival. The two personal and philosophical insight.” Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program others receive prizes of $10,000 each. A veteran photographer, Grauerholz and is founder and CEO of LéO Africa This is Grauerholz’s second time on the has worked at Université du Québec Forum, an organization promoting re- shortlist; she was also a finalist in 2013. à Montréal since 1988. Her photos sponsible leadership and building a Her co-finalists for the 2015 award are are exhibited and collected nationally strong voice for Africa around the globe. Isabelle Hayeur and Rafael Goldchain. and internationally, and she has rep- —Leslie Schachter Juror Robert Bean described resented Canada at contemporary art Grauerholz’s contribution to the con- exhibitions worldwide, including the Stingers men’s basketball temporary history of the medium as Sydney Biennale in Australia. Just last coach says farewell “evocative and thoughtful.” “Her explo- year, Grauerholz received a Governor he 500 fans packing the Stingers rations of the materiality and contexts of General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts Tgym for the game against McGill images have renewed our aesthetic and from the Canada Council for the Arts. University on February 22 were there cultural understanding of photographs,” Pictured is Grauerholz’s Travellers for more than just basketball. Many in he said. “Utilizing genres that include (1987). 5 the crowd — former players, alumni and vernacular photographs as well as the —Jasmine Stuart friends — wanted to pay tribute to head coach John Dore, BSc 75, in his last home game before retirement. Dore held the position for the past 26 seasons, and through the course of his career led the Stingers on 13 trips to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championship tournament. He won the title in 1990 and placed sec- ond in 1995 and 2005. In 1991, he was rts A named CIS Coach of the Year. the Before Saturday’s game, Patrick for
Boivin, l Concordia’s director of ci
Recreation and Athletics, presented oun C a Dore (left) 3 with a plaque to com- d ana
memorate his time as the Stingers’ head , C
pman coach. Fans in the gym gave Dore a i L
n standing ovation as he headed back to i
art 4 the bench.The Stingers went on to beat M McGill 69-61. After the win, Dore found himself at a surprise event in his hon- our. Among the guests were friends, old colleagues and former players who came from all over Canada to attend. Gregory Todaro
Angela Grauerholz shortlisted for Scotiabank Photography Award ngela Grauerholz, MFA 82, 4 Ajoined an elite group of three finalists in March for the 2015 st Scotiabank Photography Award, one of i art Canada’s largest art prizes. the
The winner of the annual peer- of reviewed national award, to be be
ourtesy 5 announced May 6, will land $50,000, C
52 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine Alumna’s healthy aging tips creative writing and sound mixing hough people are living longer than are needed to help create a series of Tever, are they living better? web-based videos over the spring and The topic is explored by Arezou summer to promote the changes coming Azarani, BSc 92, 6 and her hus- to the way we’ll look at the Stingers. band Mehrdad Ayati, a medical doctor. Londono had a chance to play around Together, the duo wrote Paths to Healthy with digital photography right af- Aging (self-published, 2014). The book ter graduation while developing the is a guide to quality of life for older photography side of Concordia’s adults. “We wanted to write something Creative Media Services (CMS), a part the general public could understand,” of Instructional says Azarani. “The majority of books on and Information the subject are too technical.” Technology Services. The San Francisco resident says the CMS began when work took over a year to produce. “Our i there was a need to
knowledge is quite complementary,” zaran film classes and cre- A says Azarani on teaming up with her ate videos that would rezou A husband, who specializes in geriatrics. be embedded in class of Azarani holds a PhD in physiology from websites, but the
McGill University and completed post- ourtesy 6 team became bigger doctoral fellowships at Université de C and started to do pro- Montréal and Stanford University. protein — warning against di- motional videos for At Concordia, Azarani studied bio- ets that eliminate one of these different departments chemistry and took advantage of the groups. and various campus university’s Institute for Co-operative Finally, Azarani advises choosing events. Londono worked to create an Education. “It was wonderful. Concordia a physician wisely. “You should find image bank of Concordia for the univer- is my favourite university,” says Azarani. someone you trust, who cares about your sity to use. The Concordian offers four tips for specific needs,” says Azarani. She notes After about a year, Londono bought healthy aging. Be wary of marketing, she that in the U.S. it can be difficult to find his own digital camera and started free- says. “Vitamins and over-the-counter a primary care physician. lancing. “There was a mental wall I had supplements have millions of dollars of —James Gibbons to cross, and it was right when I finished advertising behind them. Data suggests school,” he says. “For a lot of people, most people get everything they need In search of a new look it’s their first and most important re- from a balanced diet.” Azarani notes the for the Stingers ality check. You can be very successful same can be said of exercise: “Fitness is hether or not you recognize his in academics and very successful in a highly commercialized. We’re encour- Wname, odds are you’ve seen the department, but if you’re studying to aged to join gyms, buy equipment and work of John Londono, BFA 11: from his become an artist it’s another ballgame workout strenuously. Moderate exercise award-winning advertising photography to face reality and to work without obli- is usually enough.” for Adidas to his work shooting bands gation or the support of a department. Too much medication is a problem. like Oasis or Arcade Fire and even The main stress was that.” “As we age, we deal with multiple chron- the cover of Elle Quebec, Londono has Londono will give students who ic illnesses,” says Azarani. “As a result, been building a notable career since come aboard this new project a chance lots of medications are prescribed.” his graduation from Concordia’s to learn the reality of the business by Citing the United States as an example, Photography program. He’s shot for working directly with him. Student in- nearly 40 per cent of seniors take over many companies during his career, volvement is needed at all stages of five medications. Drug interactions and including Montreal-based apparel and production during the summer. The side effects can be fatal, Azarani adds. fashion company Rudsak. 7 selected students could be involved in She warns to think about nutrition. Now, Londono and locally based in- some or all stages of production, de- “With age, we lose our appetites and ternational marketing company Cossette pending on their availability. taste buds. The amount of muscle we are coming together to help revamp the To apply to participate in this histor- have decreases,” says Azarani. “The Concordia Stingers brand and they’re ic Stingers rebranding project, or to find best practice is to eat a range of foods looking for students to help in the out more information, send an email to that we enjoy and that are healthy.” The process. [email protected]. book itself emphasizes the importance Students with a passion for film- —Gregory Todaro of consuming fats, carbohydrates and making, music, photography, design,
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 53 alumni NEWS
become socially responsible and foster positive change both locally and glob- ally. “Now we are working on having a transitional shelter for sexually abused young girls,” she says. “We’re also initi- ating a drug prevention program where we’re hoping to go into schools.” —Leslie Schachter ono d The Secret of Giving on L he Council for Advancement and ohn 7 J TSupport of Education, District 1, and Concordia co-hosted a panel discussion Much more than a beauty queen Engagement in 2011, which featured on March 31 called “The Secret of Giving: tephanie Siriwardhana, BA11, prominent speakers including Free Why people donate — from boomers S 8 never imagined she could the Children youth advocate Craig to millennials.” It was moderated by become Miss Sri Lanka, much less a Kielburger. Caroline Van Vlaardingen (inset), contestant for Miss Universe. Like After hearing Kielburger’s talk, BA 84, CTV Montreal News reporter and many, she considered beauty pageants Siriwardhana decided to get involved lecturer in Concordia’s Department of to be a vain pursuit. Yet when she was in a similar pursuit. After graduating, Journalism. The panel featured Howard crowned Miss Sri Lanka in 2011, it gave she returned to her family in Sri Lanka. Davidson, BComm 80, president of her the opportunity to help others in a The unexpected Miss Sri Lanka pageant the R. Howard Webster Foundation, meaningful way. victory slowed her down, but only a bit. Elizabeth Gomery, co-founder of While completing her undergraduate “Now that I suddenly had a crown on consulting firm Philanthropica, and degree in journalism, communica- my head, people actually wanted to hear (from left) Niamh Leonard, member tion studies and political science at what I was saying,” Siriwardhana says. of the board of directors of Apathy is Concordia, Siriwardhana became in- During her year as Miss Sri Lanka, Boring, and Michèle Paulin, professor volved in student politics. She also she founded the Stephanie Siriwardhana in the Department of Marketing at helped organize Living Your Legacy: Foundation, whose goal is to inspire, Concordia’s John Molson School of A Youth Summit on Community educate and empower individuals to Business. 9
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54 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine HOMECOMING20 5 Celebrating years Save the Date: September 24-27, 20 5 Visit concordia.ca/homecoming for more info and updates. For questions or to update your contact information: [email protected], 5�4-848-2424, ext. 5647, or toll-free: �-888-777-3330. 25
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 20 5 Engineering and Computer Science Reunion Commemorative Ceremony Engineering and Computer Science alumni from pre- 964 and Chancellor Jonathan Wener and President Alan Shepard will years ending in zero and fi ve (’65, ’70, ’75, ’80 … ’95, 2000, etc.) confer honorary Concordia University degrees on Sir George will be celebrated. Williams University and Loyola College alumni. President’s Homecoming Dinner FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 20 5 Concordia President Alan Shepard honours alumni who graduated Shu e 26 in years zero and fi ve (’65, ’70, ’75, ’80 … ’95, 2000, etc.) and Join the Concordia community for the 26th annual walkathon from departments celebrating an anniversary. Sir George Williams Campus to Loyola Campus to raise funds for SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 20 5 student scholarships and bursaries. Visit concordia.ca/shu e. Concordia University Sports Hall of Fame Induction SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 20 5 Ceremony 20 5 inductees: Celebratory Service • Gary Cummings, builder Loyola Chapel, 7 4 Sherbrooke St. W. • Gilles Hébert, BEng 83, EMBA 89, Concordia men’s hockey Alumni Zone pre-game party • Maureen Maloney (Kearns), BA 84, Concordia women’s hockey and Homecoming football game • Arthur Niederbuhl, BA 75, Loyola football Concordia Stingers vs. 20 4 Vanier Cup Champions Univérsité de Montréal Carabins | Concordia Stadium, • �973-74 Sir George Williams men’s hockey team Loyola Campus, 7200 Sherbrooke St. W. • �980-8� Concordia women’s hockey team
Department of Communication Studies’ Mount Royal Guided Tour & Lunch 50th Anniversary | Department of Journalism’s Enjoy a guided 3.5-km walk atop Mount Royal followed by a 40th Anniversary | Institute for Co-Operative meal at the scenic Pavillon du Lac-aux-Castors. Education’s 35th Anniversary Alumni, faculty, sta and students are invited to celebrate their special anniversaries at an open house, special cocktail Check out concordia.ca/homecoming receptions and the President’s Homecoming Dinner. for programming updates.
VPAA-T15-25021-Concordia Magazine - Ad - Homecoming.indd 1 22/04/2015 4:35:16 PM class acts
Alumni with more than one degree Research at Canada’s Bedford 2012. Its well-written accounts years as director of Finance from Concordia, Sir George Williams Institute of Oceanography. David and over 500 illustrations (most and Operations with the and/or Loyola are listed under writes: “It is a fascinating in colour) will appeal to a broad College of Audiologists and their earliest graduation year. review of the history and marine readership. To order the book, Speech-Language Pathologists research accomplishments at visit bio-oa.ca or send an email of Ontario. After earning an Canada’s premier oceanographic to [email protected].” MBA, Gregory spent the first 50TH REUNION laboratory, the Bedford Institute 10 years of his career with of Oceanography (BIO). The Gregory P. Katchin, KPMG in Toronto, where D avid N. Nettleship, book features the history of 69 BSc (bio. & chem.), he obtained his chartered 65 BSc, is editor-in-chief of Canadian oceanography before retired in January after a 43- accountancy designation. He the recently published Voyage BIO and a broad cross-section of year professional career in and his wife plan to relocate of Discovery: Fifty Years of Marine the institute’s work from 1962 to Toronto. He recently spent 10 this summer to southwestern
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56 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine Ontario to spend more time Affairs Canada in Ottawa. Cyd, a budgets and finance at Baruch 5TH REUNION with their grandchildren. medical doctor, was also recently College of City University appointed as chief medical of New York, Division of Katie Nolan, BFA officer for the department. Enrollment Management & 10 (theatre), is co-writer 40TH REUNION Strategic Academic Initiatives. and co-founder of the creative Ariel Fielding, BA (rel. collective Babe Nation, which Corinne Charette, 93 & women’s studies), is a is looking for funding for a 75 BSc, LLD 11, recently cultural producer, administrator 15TH REUNION full web series, Sugar Sisters. joined Industry Canada and documentarian. She works The series, whose trailer is as senior assistant deputy as the marketing director Liz Lautard, MA (soc.), available on YouTube, looks at minister of Spectrum, at Duke Performances, the 00 lives in Fredericton, N.B. the world of sugar dating — an Information Technologies professional performing arts “I now work with the Women’s arrangement where a younger and Telecommunications. presenting organization at Equality Branch (of the New woman agrees to date a wealthy Before that, she had been chief Duke University in Durham, Brunswick government), and (and usually older) man who in information officer of the N.C. Her documentary work on my little guy recently turned turn gives gifts and/or money. Government of Canada, Treasury alternative school teachers and four. More reasons to hit the Board Secretariat, since 2009. graduates, with photographer trails for a run! Please keep in Riddhi Jhunjhunwala, Corinne was recently named a Michael Barker, has been touch: [email protected].” 13 BComm, writes, “I recently Great Concordian (concordia.ca/ covered by Huffington Post, launched a start-up called Your greatconcordians). Toronto Star, Yahoo, Daily Mail, K ofi Sonokpon, Local Cousin [YourLocalCousin. National Post and CBC Radio, 03 AMBA, is head of com], which connects travellers and can be viewed online programs and editor of Airline with local experts in cities Cyd Courchesne, BSc at notesfromthefield.ca. Profits, an aviation-industry around the world. We have a 81 (bio-phys. ed.), recently magazine devoted to airline network of over 300 experts retired from the Canadian Mohammed Nasirul profitability launched in globally and are expanding Armed Forces after a 30-year 97 Islam, BComm. (int’l. February. airlineprofits.com. our customer base each day. career. She has accepted the bus.), earned an MBA in Our service helps travellers position of director general finance from Wayne State plan a unique vacation with of Health Professionals with University in Detroit, Mich., a local in city who provides the Department of Veterans in 2001. He is now director of tailor-made travel advice.”
1 Peggy Curran, BA (Eng. & hist.) 78, and Susan Semenak, BA (journ.) 82, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., from February 14 to March 15. 3) Contemplating Breakfast by participated in a group exhibition, “5,” at Galerie Espace in Montreal from April 9 to 12. Peggy Diane Collet. and Susan displayed their mosaic art. During the show, visitors helped construct a communal version of the Montreal skyline for the city’s 375th anniversary in 2017. 1) Blue Plate Special #4 4 L eslie Schachter, BA 03, GrDip (journ.) 13, held his first solo photography exhibit, by Peggy Curran “The Maple Palace,” at Boulangerie Chez Fred in Montreal from April 4 to May 1. 4) Tap
2 Ann McCall, BFA 78, held a solo exhibition of collagraphs, “Configuration,” at the Fine 5 Me arie-Ev Martel, BFA (painting & drawing) 06, held her master's exhibition, Art printmaking centre Open Studio in Toronto from April 10 to May 9. 2) Dualité “Beinecke,” at Université du Québec à Montréal’s La Gallerie from January 9 to February 21. 5) Installation view of “Beinecke” 3 Diane Collet, MA (art ed.) 03, Joseph Dunlap, MA (art ed.) 09, Roxanne Dyer, BFA (studio art) 98, Branka Marinkovic, MA (art ed.) 12, and Georgia Priniotakis, 6 R aymonde Jodoin, BFA 83, participated in a group exhibition, “Parle-moi d’amour,” at BSc 72, participated in the group exhibition “Through the Artist’s Eye” at Galerie de la ville in Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur in Montreal from February 5 to March 18. 6) Shima # 2
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concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 57 V ittorio Rossi, BFA 85, a prolific Montreal-born playwright, wrote and directed The Envelope, which ran at Montreal’s Centaur Theatre from March 24 to April 19. The comedy, set in an Italian restaurant, features two producers jockeying for the film rights to a new play by a talented local playwright. The writer must decide between big-budget mediocrity or small-budget artistry. The Envelope also starred (pictured above, from left) Guido Cocomello, BComm 10, Mélanie Sirois and D avid Gow, attendee 86.
Michael Rose, BA (Eng.) 77, writes, “I’m happy to report that the three books in my Frank Delaney spy thriller series — The Mazovia Legacy, The Burma Effect and The Tsunami File — are now available again and have been re-launched by Momentum Books, a division of Pan. They each have great new covers. The Mazovia Legacy was named Book of the Week on iBooks on February 2.” michaelrosemedia.com
Save the Date C oncordia Co-op’s 35th anniversary Concordia’s Institute for Co-operative Education is proudly celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2015. Nearly 2,800 alumni have walked through Concordia Co-op’s doors and are now pursuing exciting careers. Keep an eye open for updates on the celebratory cocktail reception during Homecoming 2015 at Concordia.ca/homecoming.
Save the Date E mma Tibaldo, BA 93, BFA (theatre) 99, is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada’s directing program, where Department of Journalism she continues to be a guest artist. She is the artistic and executive 40th anniversary director of Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal. Emma is a founding member of Talisman Theatre, where she recently directed the Join us as the Department of Journalism celebrates META (Montreal English Theatre Award) nominated The Medea 40 years of educating great Canadian and Quebec journalists. Effect by Suzie Bastien, at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts Watch for updates on the celebratory cocktail reception during in Montreal from February 3 to 7 (pictured above, with Jennifer Homecoming 2015 at Concordia.ca/homecoming. Morehouse). Emma also recently directed The Flood Thereafter by Sarah Berthiaume, which was nominated for three Mecca Awards.
58 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine ksudo
Christine Lengvari, BSc 72, was recently selected by trade magazine The Insurance and Investment Journal as one of the top 50 women of influence in the Canadian life insurance industry, based on her pioneering and precedent-setting work in the field. Christine is president and CEO of Montreal-based Lengvari Financial Inc, an insurance brokerage that specializes in retirement and estate planning. Among a number of volunteer engagements, she served on Concordia’s Board of Governors from 1998 to 2007 and now sits on the Concordia University Foundation board. She is also chair of the Kenneth Woods Portfolio Management Program Client Committee at Concordia’s John Molson School of Business.
Kakim Goh, BFA (painting & drawing) 09, is the curator and R afael Lozano-Hemmer, vice-president of the board of directors of the Festival Accès Asie. BSc (phys. chem.) 89, was The 20th Festival Accès Asie will be held in Montreal from May named one of the recipients of a 1 to 24 (accesasie.com). The festival promotes Asian art, culture prestigious Governor General’s and history through a diversity of artistic disciplines. It has an Award in Visual and Media Arts extensive history of providing opportunities for emerging and on March 24. Born in Mexico professional Asian Canadian artists, including a number of Concordia City, Rafael’s artistic pedigree alumni, faculty and students such as award-winning filmmaker and his drive for innovation are Yung Chang, BFA 99, and Alice Ming Wai Jim, MFA 96, associate rivalled by his sense of social professor in Concordia’s Department of Art History. Kakim is responsibility. One such example curating two exhibitions associated with the festival, “Checkpoints” is Level of Confidence (Nivel de and “The State of Origin: REEL & IMAGINED,” at Maison de la Confianza), which uses a face-recognition camera on the faces of culture de Côte-des-Neiges in Montreal from May 9 to June 14. 43 students from a teacher training college in Ayotzinapa, Mexico, who disappeared in September. Rafael’s work is featured in the collections of many institutions. His show, “Level of Confidence,” was exhibited at Concordia’s FOFA Gallery from March 27 to April 10 to commemorate the six-month anniversary of the disappearances.
Alice Ming Wai Jim, MFA (art hist.) 96, received the Artexte Prize for Research in Contemporary Art in March. Alice is associate professor and graduate program director in Concordia’s Department of Art History. She earned the Artexte Prize, which was established in 2012, in recognition of her contribution to the study of contemporary art in Canada. Alice’s work focuses on contemporary Asian art and Asian Canadian art; she is co-editor of the Journal of Asian Diasporic Visual Cultures and the Americas.
Patricia Chica, BFA (film prod.) 95, directed the short film Serpent’s Lullaby, which screened as part of the Little Terrors Short Film Showcase in Toronto on January 28. Serpent’s Lullaby has had a successful run of screenings that started at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. American film critic Jay Kay of The Horror Happens Radio Show included Serpent’s Lullaby in his Top List of the Best Shorts of 2014.
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 59 IN MEMORIAM
Murray Bertram Shantz, Walter Bidler, BSc 64, Hymie Milberg, BA 73, Chaia Libstug, BA 84, January BA 43, January 11, 2015, St. December 25, 2014, Pointe- December 1, 2014, Dollard-des- 6, 2015, Montreal. She was 81. Catharines, Ont. He was 93. Claire, Que. Ormeaux, Que. He was 67. Diane Ellen Cruickshank, BA Gerald J. Sarwer-Foner, BA Kent D. J. Garrett, BA 64, Theresa Monahan, BA 73, 85, January 2, 2015, Montreal. 45, February 7, 2015, Montreal. January 3, 2015, Woodstock, December 24, 2014, Sutton, She was 53. He was 90. Ont. He was 77. Que. She was 62. Tieman Korvemaker, Cert John (Jack) Leslie Harrison, Claude Levy, BA 65, February Roman Jaskolski, BComm 74, 85, October 21, 2014, Morin- BA 49, October 1, 2014, Toronto. 15, 2015, Victoria. January 7, 2015, Montreal. Heights, Que. He was 59. He was 95. He was 63. Bryan L. Volstad, BComm 65, Francine M. Perkal, BA 85, Peter Paley, BSc 52, January December 22, 2014, Calgary. Susan B. Mowat Perry, December 21, 2014, Montreal. 21, 2015, LaSalle, Que. He was He was 72. BComm 75, February 9, 2015, She was 52. 83. Mississauga, Ont. She was 62. Stephen David Hart, BA 67, David G. Johnston, BA 86, Thomas Alec Whyte, BSc 52, February 2015, Westmount, Allan John Lavoie, BA 76, January 22, 2015, Montreal. November 2, 2014, Pointe- Que. January 11, 2015, London, Ont. He was 58. Claire, Que. He was 93. He was 71. John D. Persaud, BComm 67, Velma M. (McEvoy) Valleau, Maxwell Shenker, BA 53, December 2, 2014, Montreal. Mary I. Galarneau, BA 77, BA 86, January 6, 2015, Pointe- January 6, 2015, Montreal. He was 80. February 13, 2015, LaSalle, Que. Claire, Que. She was 85. He was 83. She was 85. Michael V. Cromie, BA 68, Drew MacCandlish, BA 90, Robert Gaudet, attendee 54, February 15, 2015, Kanata, Ont. Clifton A. Jones, BComm 77, November 27, 2014, Kirkland, November 7, 2014, Toronto. He was 81. January 13, 2015, Montreal. Que. He was 55. He was 83. He was 60. Ryna Levin Pinsky, BA 68, Nancy Anne Skelly, BFA 91, William P. Lonc, BSc 54, November 21, 2014, Montreal. Antoine Bassal, BEd 78, January 12, 2015, Lachine, Que. December 2, 2014, Pickering, She was 86. December 25, 2014, Montreal. She was 70. Ont. He was 84. He was 83. Catherine Mary Scerbo, BA Rona Violet Leacock, BA 92, Karl J. Petruch, BComm 56, 68, February 9, 2015, Montreal. Peter Mayer, BComm 78, December 20, 2014, Montreal. January 21, 2015, Montreal. January 7, 2015, Montreal. She was 80. He was 86. Karyna Swinarska, BA 68, He was 60. November 4, 2014, Montreal. Genevieve Marilley, BA 95, Stewart S. Sutcliffe, attendee She was 68. Nina Paperman, BA 79, October 26, 2014, Derry, 59, October 22, 2014, October 21, 2014, Montreal. Northern Ireland. She was 44. Mississauga, Ont. He was 76. Stephen Sugar, BA 70, She was 97. December 16, 2014, Montreal. David M. Aronson, BFA 96, Helen Mavis (McNicoll) He was 71. Georgina Fahrer, BComm 80, January 10, 2015, Montreal. Dubeau, BSc 61, February 8, February 9, 2015, Hollywood, He was 47. 2015, Guelph, Ont. She was 74. Guy Zenaitis, MTM 70, Fla. She was 60. January 19, 2015, Montreal. Naomi Kahane, BA 97, MA 99, Peter David Yuile, BComm 61, He was 77. Rev. Thomas E. Furlong, February 20, 2015, Montreal. December 1, 2014, Victoria. GrDip 81, December 10, 2013, She was 82. He was 76. Joseph Zaganczyk, BA 71, Bradenton, Fla. He was 86. January 9, 2015, Woodbridge, Kathy Felli, BComm 98, Dieter Loerick, BComm 62, BA Va. He was 65. Orysia Papadatos, BComm January 5, 2015, Montreal. 67, February 18, 2015, Montreal. 81, MBA 90, January 10, 2015, She was 45. He was 74. Emese M. Lehotay, BA 72, Toronto. She was 56. Cert 92, December 24, 2014, Elizabeth Munn, PhD 99, William T. West, BA 62, Kingston, Ont. She was 73. Edward Humphrys, BSc 84, November 23, 2014, Windsor, November 30, 2014, Toronto. November 25, 2014, LaSalle, Ont. She was 56. He was 84. Que. He was 75.
60 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine YOU’RE A MEMBER ENJOY THE PRIVILEGES
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VPAA-T15-25020-Concordia Magazine - Ad - CUAA.indd 1 21/04/2015 10:22:13 AM words & music
Paradoxes, Habitats and Paradise
Antoni NERESTANT with dialogue between two bullies. After her accident, and Onno. Guttman is a pro- groundbreaking American she is transported to a sur- fessor of English at Hamilton ictor Teboul, BA artists, painter Georgia real world where she meets College in Clinton, N.Y. Her (Fr.) 69, explores O’Keeffe and photogra- Kim, who died seven years first book of poems, Reasons the suppression pher Alfred Stieglitz, who before. Convinced she is only for Winter (1991), won the Vof critical thinking in were married to each other. dreaming, and desperate A.M. Klein Award for Poetry. Quebec and Canada in The book features a collage to return to her former life, his new French-language of snippets of their corre- this encounter is the start of Bernard Paul Glover, BA book, Libérons-nous de la spondence — encompassing a journey in which Paige un- (psych.) 86, brings read- mentalité d’assiégé (Accent art and desire — capturing covers part of her past and ers into a world where Grave, $19.95). Highlighting O’Keeffe and Stieglitz’s com- her identity. McNicoll, a catastrophic mistakes can the debate around Quebec’s plex relationship. Garebian resident of Burlington, Ont., be undone by going back
proposed Charter of (stageandpage.com) is the has won numerous awards in time. In Local Paradox Values, Teboul believes author of five other poetry for her work, including the (self-published, $16), Roy that attempts to promote collections including Frida: Burlington Creative Artist Brannock accidentally killed secularism were falsely Paint Me As a Volcano (2004). award for Literary Arts in the woman he loved. When interpreted as an attack 2011. he gets a chance to go back on the rights of various Best Friends Through in time and make it right, his ethnic groups. He provides Eternity (Tundra Books, Through her novella-in- plan is to kill his younger self examples to show that $11.99) is a young-adult nov- verse, The Banquet of Donny to guarantee that the two of this siege mentality is not el inspired by the true story & Ari: Scenes from the them never meet. The novel specific to any nationality, of a teen who was killed at Opera (Brick Books, $20), follows Brannock’s paradox ethnicity or religion. Teboul a railway crossing. Much- Naomi Guttman, BFA 85, and how it will alter the fab- (victorteboul.com) is the published young-adult fiction juxtaposes the challenges ric of time and space. Glover, founding editor of the online author Sylvia McNicoll, of family life with a pend- formerly of Concordia’s magazine Tolerance.ca. BA (Eng.) 78 (sylviamc- ing environmental disaster. Multi-Faith Chaplaincy, nicoll.com), tells the story of Set in Montreal, this collec- was ordained in 2011 to In Georgia and Alfred 14-year-old Paige, who is tion of poems delves into the the permanent diaconate (Quattro Poetry, $18), Keith tragically hit by a train after myriad of emotions felt by by Jean-Claude Cardinal Garebian, MA 71, seam- she takes a shortcut along- Donny and Aria and its im- Turcotte of the Catholic lessly blends his poetry side the tracks to avoid school pact on their sons, Stephan Church of Montreal.
62 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine In Reconciling and on Gender-Responsive a mix of humorous and with elements of folk, Rehumanizing Indigenous- Human Security (Ashgate, thought-provoking tales indie rock and psychedelic Settler Relations (Lexington $119.95), a collection that for readers aged eight to 12 undertones.” Sunfields Books, $96), Nadia Ferrara, traces the evolution of the about the food we eat. Hoyte (sunfieldsband.com) have BA (child studies) 89, human security agenda is the creator and co-edi- toured England and played in presents a rich and honest from a gender perspective. tor of the award-winning showcases in New York City account of her experience Drawing from cases from international children’s an- and Paris, and they continue working with Canada’s throughout the world, the thology And the Crowd Goes to tour Quebec and Ontario. indigenous peoples as a cli- book offers a critical look Wild: A Global Gathering of nician, university professor at the concept of the human Sports Poems (2012). The Promise of Paradise and public servant. Through security agenda and an anal- (Vij Books India Private her stories, Ferrara high- ysis of initiatives for peace Montreal-based band Ltd., $19.95) is a collection lights the importance for and justice. Boyd is an Sunfields was the brainchild of Persian-language poems all North Americans to ac- independent researcher, of Jason Kent, BFA (art by L ina Rozbih, BA (poli.
knowledge the injustices writer and lecturer based hist.) 01, and includes Chris sci.) 03, that chronicles from the past and present in Montreal and affiliated Roberts, BFA (int. mus. the hardships that imposed that continue to affect the with McGill University. studies) 99, Philip Burns and conflicts have inflicted on land’s original peoples. Her research and publica- Michael B.B. Wright. They the people of Aghanistan. The book stresses self- tions focus primarily on describe their style of music The collection largely draws reflection, open dialogue conflict situations, gender, as “acid-laced pop.” While from Rozbih’s personal and collaborating toward a labour, globalization and the band was formed in struggles as an Afghan better future. Ferrara is the human rights. 2009, three of its members refugee in Iran and Pakistan senior policy manager in have been intermittently and relates it to the overall the Government of Canada’s Canadian children’s playing together for nearly plight of the Afghan people, Department of Aboriginal poet Carol-Ann Hoyte, two decades. Sunfields’ latest especially women, over Affairs and Northern BA (jour.) 97, is the edi- release is Habitat (available the last decade. Rozbih is Development Canada. tor of Dear Tomato: An to download through an acclaimed and award- International Crop of Food bandcamp or iTunes, $8.99). winning writer and poet in R osalind Boyd, PhD and Agriculture Poems The music, according to the the Dari language and is the (hum.) 95, is the editor of (self-published, $8.46). band, “draws on dreamy main news anchor for the and a contributor to The The collection of 51 poems lyrics, disarming melodies, Voice of America on the Dari Search for Lasting Peace: penned by 34 writers from moody instrumentation Ashna Television network. Critical Perspectives seven countries provides and sonic undercurrents
concordia university magazine spring 2015 | 63 enough said
Getting to the right place Build Coar le Dastous, BA (soc.) dreams 81, BA (phil.) 84, MA (phil.) 93 astous D arole
t took me a while to get there, but C then I always say to myself, “Better After a series of professional stops and starts, Carole Dastous late than never.” made a career change into journalism in her 50s. I I graduated three times from still without a clear idea of my career, journalism, and to see how good a writer Concordia. After my first degree, in I drove to Calgary in search of a new life you really are,” I thought to myself. “You sociology, I wasn’t sure where I was and job and to ski in Banff. were good at Concordia, you should be headed with my studies or with life in In June 1998, I wrote a story about good there too.” I was admitted and general but I knew one thing for certain: my drive cross-country and my settling began in September 2010. I was 51. I liked to study and I liked to write. I down in Calgary. I sent the story to the My first few weeks at SAIT were a took a couple of courses with Professor Calgary Herald. As I never expected it succession of Eureka moments: at last, Bogdan Czarnocki, who was the first to to be published, I didn’t put much ef- I was (again) in a place where words compliment me on my writing. fort into polishing it. Lo and behold, and ideas mattered, and in the company Another compliment later came the Herald gave my story the headline of people for whom those things from Professor Martin Reidy, who some “Westward Ho!” and published it that mattered too. of us nicknamed “Running Shoes Reidy” June. The next month my story also I graduated from SAIT in May 2012 for his footwear choice in class. After appeared in the and spent the next two one of my mid-terms, he observed to Montreal Gazette. years at weekly news- me, “Writing comes easily to you, Today, I know better In 1998, I got a hint papers in small towns Miss Dastous.” than to send pub- in northern Alberta. ALUMNI INSURANCE PLANS During my undergraduate studies lishers anything less of what I ought As I write this, I am in philosophy, I shadowed Professor than my best effort! to be doing for a making plans to take Vladimir Zeman, the Kant and Hegel So, in 1998, I got my better-late-than- We are all bound by familiar milestones in life — and the financial expert at the time. He was my guide a hint of where I be- living, but I didn’t never career back to responsibilities that come with them. Whether you’re raising a family or a roof over through my difficult exploration of the longed and what pay attention. All I Calgary to, I hope, role of ideas in society. I had hoped to I ought to be do- a new job in com- your head, make sure you’ve got the right insurance plan in place for your family. do my MA thesis on this until Professor ing for a living, or did was frame the munications, and to Find out how Alumni Insurance Plans can help. Zeman advised me that such an ambi- at least for a hobby, Herald and Gazette jumpstart a freelance- tious and nebulous topic would be more but I didn’t pay at- writing career (the Term Life Insurance • Income Protection Disability Insurance suited to a PhD thesis than to an MA. tention. All I did was clippings on a wall. latter as part of my He was right. frame the Herald and retirement plan). • Health & Dental Insurance • Major Accident Protection After my final graduation from Gazette clippings on At the end of the Concordia in 1993, still not sure what a wall. day, all the writing, research and think- To learn more visit manulife.com/alumnimilestones or call toll-free 1-888-913-6333 to do, I carried on with lifeguard For the next decade I worked at a ing I did while at Concordia helped jobs, moved back in with my father in series of unrelated jobs. But after being prepare me for SAIT and for work that Outremont, joined the Canadian Ski laid off by Bell, I decided to apply to the I enjoy so much that it doesn’t really Patrol as a volunteer weekend patroller journalism program at the Southern feel like work. I’m not a square peg in and the Canadian Armed Forces’ reserve Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). a round hole anymore. army as a medic. In September 1997, “This is your chance to look into Better late than never, indeed. Underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company. Manulife and the Block Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and by its affiliates under license. 64 | spring 2015 concordia university magazine © 2015 The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Manulife). All rights reserved. Manulife, PO Box 4213, Stn A, Toronto, ON M5W 5M3. Build dreams
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Underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company. Manulife and the Block Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and by its affiliates under license. © 2015 The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Manulife). All rights reserved. Manulife, PO Box 4213, Stn A, Toronto, ON M5W 5M3. REIMAGINED foR LATE NIGHTS
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