WINTERF A L L 2011/12 2 0 1 1

CONDUCTING RESEARCH Sandeep Bhagwati, one of Concordia’s score of research chairs

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HELPING UGANDANS HELP THEMSELVES The Concordia Volunteer Abroad Program allows SITTING PRETTY: students to lend a hand to African development. RESEARCH CHAIRS By Chris Hanna OF DISTINCTION Meet four Concordia research 8 chairs, part of a crop of exceptional professors delving into a range of academic topics. 4 By Patrick McDonagh 16 ALUMNUS PROFILE: NET RESULTS An intrepid Concordia grad muses on life as a goalie. 12 By Frederic Serre

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE INVISIBLE— The resurgent Concordia FIVE DAYS AT A TIME Institute of Aerospace Concordia students walk the walk to help raise Design and Innovation. consciousness and money for Montreal homeless youth. By Cléa Desjardins 20 By Jennifer Charlebois

winter 2011/12 volume 35 number 4 magazine.concordia.ca

Cover: Sandeep Bhagwati, Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Inter-X 2 EDITOR’S VOICE Art Practice and Theory, in matralab in Concordia’s Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex. 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Credit: Christian Fleury 22 HOMECOMING 2011

This publication is printed on 100% recycled paper, including 26 ALUMNI NEWS 20% post consumer waste. For each ton of recycled paper that displaces a ton of virgin paper, it reduces total energy 30 CLASS ACTS consumption by 27%, greenhouse gas emissions by 47%, particulate emissions by 28%, wastewater by 33%, solid 38 WORDS & MUSIC waste by 54% and wood use by 100%. 04 ENOUGH SAID E D I TO R ’S VOICE

Millennial commitment

recently had a discussion Reaching Up, Reaching Out with a friend who’s a and adopted in 2009, spells I Concordia professor. He told out one of Concordia’s goals me he’s observed differences as “Community Engagement in the values and habits—some and Social Responsibility.” better, some not so much—of Furthermore, the newly today’s students compared with approved academic plan those of the past. But one area encourages students to take in which he feels the present these responsibilities seri- cohort outshines its elders is ously. In his message on page social awareness: young people 3, Concordia President and across the board now seem Vice-Chancellor Frederick keenly aware of such issues as Lowy further explains this sustainability, human rights philosophy and why he and and economic inequality, the university actively support among others, and are ready to volunteerism. do something about it. A more traditional role This Concordia University Magazine Molson School of Business alumni, that universities play to help society volume supports my professor-friend’s Josh Redler and Kristina Partsinevelos, tackle challenges is through research thesis. In “Helping Ugandans help them- organize a five-day homeless stint for and teaching. Our cover story, “Sitting selves” (page 4), Chris Hanna outlines students to raise money and awareness Pretty: Research Chairs of Distinction” how former Political Science students for the plight of dispossessed youth. (page 16), profiles four Concordia Awel Uwihanganye and Peter Schiefke Since 2008, Concordia’s 5 Days for the research chairs whose widely diver- launched the Concordia Volunteer Homeless campaign has raised in excess gent fields of study—alternative energy Abroad Program in 2006. Since then, of $170,000—and has sensitized many sources, lactating mothers, small- several hundred young Concordians have to the hardships of living without a roof, capital equities and technology and travelled to Gulu in northern Uganda to especially during Montreal winters. music—exemplify the disparate ways help locals improve their housing and In other words, the societal commit- academia can better our daily lives. health care—and transfer knowledge so ment of so-called millennials (those “Sitting Pretty” was written by Patrick Ugandans can grab the reins of their own now in their early 20s) augurs well for McDonagh, one of our long-time development. Concordia—and everyone else. freelance writers. Probably the only In “Shedding light on the invisible— Those running things at Concordia freelancer more senior to Patrick at five days at a time” (page 8), Jennifer share these ideals. That’s why the uni- Concordia University Magazine is Frederic Charlebois describes how two John versity’s five-year strategic plan, called Serre, the author and illustrator of the feature article, “Net results” (page 12). Fred’s cartoons have been a fixture on Concordia University Magazine this editorial page longer than I’ve been 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West, here (that is, a long time). In this issue, FB 520, Montreal, QC H3G 1M8 Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 3826 we provide him a few pages to spread Concordia University Magazine welcomes readers’ email: [email protected] comments. Letters should include the writer’s full his wings—or goalie pads, since he ex- name, address, school(s), degree(s) and year(s) For advertising information, call pounds on his goaltending career that of graduation for alumni. Letters may be edited 514-848-2424, ext. 3819. for length and clarity. No letter will be published started at Concordia. Fred may save without the full name of the correspondent. Editorial Board: Howard Bokser, editor and chair. more pucks than lives (though he’s done Concordia University Magazine is published Members: Sami Antaki, John Aylen, Aaron Derfel, that too; read the story for more), but four times a year for alumni and friends of Susan Elias, Scott McCulloch, Johanne Pelletier, Concordia University. Opinions expressed herein Donna Varrica and Nancy Wood. his work brightens our days—certainly do not necessarily reflect the views of the alumni a valuable contribution to society! associations or of the University. Editorial contributor: Liz Crompton.

Please address editorial correspondence to: Design: University Communications Services Howard Bokser, MBA 85 The Editor, Howard Bokser T12-4869 Editor

2 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Volunteerism: a vital part of a university student’s development

anada’s universities and their communities are linked C in many ways, and one of the most vital and dynamic connections is volunteerism. This is especially true of Concordia. universities were founded by individuals Since it opened in August 2010, the If our communities are to remain or groups who devoted their personal, Concordia LIVE (Leadership Initiative viable and thrive in the face of changing professional and financial resources and Volunteer Engagement) Centre economic, demographic and societal to supporting education. has connected with more than 1,200 challenges, then volunteerism by the At Concordia, giving of time with- students seeking information about students, faculty members, staff and out remuneration is a longstanding volunteer opportunities. alumni of Canada’s universities must core value, beginning with our found- In this 10th anniversary of the UN’s be a growing part of the solution. There ing institutions, Sir George Williams Year of the Volunteer, one challenge for is considerable room for broadening University and Loyola College, whose Canada’s universities and their support- volunteerism in Canada, particularly histories and positive social impacts ers and partners is to be as adaptable, among our youth. stretch back to the late 1800s. We be- accessible and creative as possible in Surveys show that just under half of lieve that teaching and learning should making volunteerism a natural part of Canadians volunteer in some way, but be infused with a sense of social com- our students’ development. a small minority account for the bulk of mitment, purpose and responsibility. The corporate sector, for example, hours contributed each year. Much of Our new Academic Plan, recently can help with targeted scholarships that that effort is being made by a cohort of approved by the Senate, puts a special help ease a student’s transition into super volunteers who are in large part emphasis on encouraging students to lifelong volunteering. Governments can retiring and ready to pass the torch to take advantage of volunteer opportuni- provide innovative funding incentives subsequent generations. ties, especially those that correlate with such as loan offsets that reward students A 2010 pan-Canadian research study, their academic program objectives. This for their commitment to volunteerism. “Bridging the Gap,” revealed that the can be done through initiatives such Non-governmental organizations can goals of the upcoming generation of as problem-based service learning for develop project-based programs and volunteers are likely to be quite dif- academic credit and by including volun- leadership circles that help students ferent from those who preceded them. teerism in a co-curricular transcript or find their way to volunteering. The younger generation represented diploma supplement. The relationship between Canada’s by our students—many of whom are Concordia’s Co-Curricular Record, universities and our several com- juggling school, job and family obliga- for example, is an official document that munities—local and global—can be tions—seems to want more flexibility, formally recognizes a student’s volun- strengthened and deepened through shorter-term opportunities, group ac- teer experience through extracurricular volunteerism that has deep roots and tivities and volunteer tasks that are involvement, leadership accomplish- good prospects of growing strongly in different from daily work or study life. ments and community service activities. the years ahead. We plan to emphasize Canada’s Governor General and long- It was instituted in September 2010, this further at Concordia. time university president, the Right making Concordia the first Quebec Honourable David Johnston, is encour- university to offer such a record. aging the country’s youth to be more Coaching is vital, so we also teach active in volunteering, and our uni- interested students how to be effec- versities can be natural leaders in that tive volunteers and we try to match Frederick Lowy movement. In fact, many of Canada’s them with the opportunities available. President and Vice-Chancellor

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 3 STUDENTS FROM THE CONCORDIA

VOLUNTEER ABROAD PROGRAM

TRAVEL TO THE AFRICAN COUNTRY

TO LEND A WELCOME HAND. by Chris Hanna HELPING U G A N D A N S HELP THEMSELVES

4 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine here’s an old African proverb that founded the Mercy Project—in the lit- to Concordia, they launched a campaign says, “If you want to go quickly, tle girl’s memory—which focuses on asking students to approve a 35-cent- T go alone; if you want to go far, healthcare assistance. Its current proj- per-credit fee levy to fund CVAP. That go together.” ect is a collaboration with Gulu’s St. Jude amounts to around $5 per semester for a That’s the motto of the Concordia Children’s Home, a residence that can full-time student—or the cost of a beer, Volunteer Abroad Program (CVAP). accommodate more than 100 orphaned, as Robinson puts it. The students over- Each May and July, CVAP sends 40 stu- abandoned or disabled young Ugandans. whelmingly supported the initiative. dent volunteers for a two-month stint “The issue for the people who run St. Uwihanganye and Schiefke launched to Gulu, a city 320 kilometres north of Jude was to outsource their health care,” the program in 2005 and Schiefke be- Kampala, the capital of Uganda. CVAP explains Robinson, who’s now CVAP’s came CVAP’s executive director. The partners with established Ugandan or- executive director. “Every time a child program quickly took off. Robinson ganizations to help those still affected by was sick, they had to take them to the says: “Most of the students will never two decades of civil war in the northern hospital. With a limited staff and lim- get to go to Gulu and will never partici- part of Uganda. ited resources, they were spending a lot pate in the program themselves, but CVAP volunteers work on projects of money and not getting exactly what they have shown a dedication to another ranging from housing to health care. they needed. We made an agreement community so far away.” Andrea Clarke, BSc 09, a 2009 partici- with them where they built a clinic, and pant, recalls making “row upon row” of CVAP and the Mercy Project supplied PRE-DEPARTURE bricks, working with locals who knew the nurse and medicine, so that it was an CVAP’s participants are required the perfect earth-to-cement ratio need- equal investment.” The project is now in to attend pre-departure meetings, ed for the building blocks. Then it was its second year. during which guest speakers and past days of moulding, shovelling, mixing “We work with organizations that volunteers describe what to expect. and pressing the concoction into bricks, are meeting the needs of the commu- The students are also taught some which eventually went into the Sports nity, so it helps us reach more people,” of Uganda’s history (see sidebar Outreach Ministry’s construction of a Robinson reports. “If we support a on page 7, “Uganda: a history of home for a woman who took care of her larger organization in meeting its goals, defiance”) and possible dangers of grandchildren. CVAP often works with we’re expanding the work to possibly travelling to the country. The Canadian the Sports Outreach Ministry, which hundreds or thousands of people.” government advises visitors to avoid also offers trauma counselling, live- all non-essential travel to districts stock programs and business training IN THE BEGINNING like Gulu, which borders Sudan and to villagers to whom they grant loans. CVAP was the brainchild of then- the Democratic Republic of Congo. CVAP sometimes covers the applica- Concordia students Awel Uwihanganye, “The reality is that a lot of places that tion and borrowing costs for local loan BA 08, and Peter Schiefke, BA 07. are very much in need of help are applicants. The two political science majors were under travel advisories, and that’s In 2008, Jamie Robinson, BA 08, inspired after hearing former Canadian partly a consequence of poverty,” says and Daniel Lavigueur, BA 08, worked ambassador to the United Nations Robinson. with children at the Mango Tree day- Stephen Lewis speak at Concordia in The organizers take every precaution care in Gulu every day for over a month. 2004. The humanitarian and then-UN and discuss the region’s safety and secu- One morning, a four-year-old named Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa rity situation with its partners in Gulu. They’re people who really can inspire the youth of Gulu. The leadership for change in Africa is in Africa.

Mercy didn’t show up. Robinson and (2001-2006) urged students to stand up Robinson notes: “The border is actually Lavigueur later learned she had died for something they believed in and take 12 hours away from Gulu, but it means from malaria—a common affliction in responsibility for some of the problems that the district borders what has obvi- Uganda—even though it costs less than they saw in the world. ously been quite a tumultuous area. But $10 to treat. “We were a little disturbed Uwihanganye and Schiefke, who was it’s a bit like when the G20 is happening by that, considering there are over the Concordia Student Union’s VP of in Toronto: you really would never think 200 registered NGOs in Gulu Town,” Student Life, visited Gulu for the first that it would affect Montreal.” Lavigueur says with some bitterness. time that year. “It was the biggest eye- Volunteers also get “what felt like “They still seemed to not be covering the opener of my life,” Schiefke says about 100 vaccines,” as Clarke puts it, and are basics of medical care.” witnessing the plight of the region’s 1.5 reminded to purchase malaria medica- Therefore, Lavigueur and Robinson million refugees. Soon after returning tion. Robinson adds: “You also have to

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 5 buy sunscreen because they don’t sell organization’s costs considerably. It also inside of the huts is really fine crafts- that there.” sends a message to the Ugandans about manship,” Robinson says about the CVAP’s long-term commitment. traditional Acholi housing. “We wanted to CVAP IN UGANDA The summer 2011 participants were embrace the culture and not just live as if The students’ fee levy provides CVAP the first to live on CVAP’s property. “We we weren’t in Gulu. Typically, a family of an annual operating budget of around wanted to have something that was ap- eight could live in a hut. It’s just a place to $250,000, depending on Concordia propriate and that worked with the store your stuff and sleep. And it’s so gor- student enrolment. Volunteers pay ethic of the program, so these houses geous out,” she says. “One of the hardest their own transportation to Uganda do not have electricity,” Robinson says. things about coming back to Montreal is and fundraise an additional $500 each “Obviously, we’re not kidding our- that you have to do everything inside, es- before their departure, which allows selves; students are living much better pecially during the winter.” the organization to focus on giving than people in the community. But at Robinson describes the feeling of more support to its Uganda community the same time, they’re meant to give the returning home as reverse culture partners like the Sports Outreach students a sense that a lot of the things shock, and past volunteers also no- Ministry and St. Jude Children’s Home. they take for granted as necessities are ticed the drastic differences between CVAP also recently built a permanent actually luxuries. They’re not things that Montrealers’ and Ugandans’ ways of life. office and living complex for its vol- most people in the world have.” “People in Uganda don’t have much, unteers. Robinson says the $125,000 Up to 24 people can sleep in CVAP’s but everyone has a huge smile on their construction project will offset the four huts. “The braiding work on the face,” says Lavigueur. “You come back

CONCORDIA VOLUNTEER ABROAD PROGRAM (CVAP) VOLUNTEERS AND LOCALS IN GULU, UGANDA. THE PRESENCE OF CVAP’S NEW PERMANENT OFFICES AND RESIDENCE SEND A MESSAGE THAT THE PROGRAM WILL BE AROUND FOR SOME TIME.

People in Uganda don’t have much, but everyone has a huge smile on their face. I spent months in Gulu without hearing anyone complain.

6 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine to Montreal and people are complaining about this and that. I spent months in UGANDA: A HISTORY OF DEFIANCE Gulu without hearing anyone complain.” Clarke echoes those sentiments. “We’re Uganda gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. Its first election was unhappy with our three-storey homes won by an alliance between the Uganda People’s Congress and monarchist party Kabaka and our cars and all of the food we eat. Yekka. In 1966, its parliament drafted a new constitution and executive prime minis- They’re not living the way we live, but ter Milton Obote was declared executive president. Obote remained until a 1971 coup they’re living happily,” she says. d’état by General Idi Amin. Amin’s presidency was marred by human rights abuses and When Robinson first volunteered for economic mismanagement. According to Amnesty International, Amin’s army killed CVAP in 2008, she says she wanted to 500,000 Ugandans. learn more about development work and the continent because “there are so Amin was ousted in 1979 and Obote reclaimed the presidency. In 1985, General many images of poverty in Africa.” She Tito Okello staged another coup but was deposed six months later by the National went for two months and was so tak- Resistance Army, led by current president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Museveni has been en that she extended her trip by three re-elected several times in his 25-year tenure, but opponents claimed the February 2011 months and continued living in Gulu. elections were rigged. “The work was so amazing,” Robinson recalls. “To this day, I’ve never seen Museveni has been credited with en- people working so well together on a abling Uganda’s economic growth after holistic approach and prioritizing their decades of oppression, but he has not community, but maintaining them- been able to stop the Lord’s Resistance selves.” Back in Montreal from her first Army’s (LRA) terror. Since 1987, the trip, all Robinson wanted to do was go violent LRA has operated in Northern back to Gulu. She became CVAP’s ad- Uganda and neighbouring Sudan and ministrative assistant and replaced the Democratic Republic of Congo. Schiefke as executive director in 2009. Led by guerrilla leader Joseph Kony, This past July, she made her fourth trip the LRA seeks to establish a theo- to Uganda. cratic government based on the Ten Commandments. The group has been GULU THEN AND NOW accused of killing thousands of people For Robinson, what has changed the and recruiting child soldiers. The LRA most over the course of her involvement remains active even though its bases with CVAP is Gulu itself. “When I first in Northern Uganda and South Sudan went three years ago, there were still have been destroyed. internally displaced people’s camps,” she remembers. “When they closed, it changed the landscape, because these camps all of a sudden were gone; they CAPITAL: were actually being demolished.” KAMPALA Schiefke, who’s now the national di- them to meet the needs of their commu- TOTAL AREA: rector of the Canadian branch of the nity,” says Robinson. “I don’t need to go 214,038 SQ KM Climate Reality Project (which was there and be handing out food to people POPULATION: founded by former United States Vice in poverty. It’s better if we strengthen 34,612,250 President Al Gore), continues to ad- the relationships that our community LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH: vise CVAP. He’s also observed dramatic partners have with their beneficiaries. 53.24 YEARS changes in Uganda over the past few They’re people who really can inspire MEDIAN AGE: years, including the advent of HIV- the youth of Gulu. The leadership for 15.1 YEARS awareness programs and homes for change in Africa is in Africa.” FERTILITY RATE: orphans. “The difference is tangible,” 6.69 CHILDREN BORN/WOMAN he says. For more information about the Concordia HIV/AIDS ADULT PREVALENCE RATE: An essential element of CVAP’s mis- Volunteer Abroad Program or to get 6.5 PER CENT sion is to help the local population learn involved, visit concordiavolunteers.org. ANNUAL HIV/AIDS-RELATED DEATHS: about and contribute to the develop- 64,000 (2009 EST.) ment process. “There are qualified Chris Hanna is a Concordia Ugandan adults, and we’re working with Journalism student.

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 7 SITTING PRETTY:

hat do generating energy created the Concordia University through osmosis, analyzing RESEARCH CHAIRS Research Chair (CURC) program to re- W the performance of small- tain high-profile academics already on capital equities, exploring hormonal OF DISTINCTION board. The program mirrors CRC’s two shifts during lactation and developing tiers (albeit with less money) and cur- software that can learn to improvise rently supports 44 chairholders. (With a specific styles of music have in com- fixed amount of funding, the number of mon? If you guessed that all are areas of chairs shifts according to how many are academic interest for Concordia profes- Canada Research Chair (CRC) program, Tier 1 and 2.) sors, you are, of course, correct. But the launched in 1999 to attract top schol- In addition, Industrial Research full answer is that the faculty members ars to Canadian universities and to keep Chairs are sponsored by the Natural in question all hold prestigious research them there, Concordia is allotted 28 Sciences and Engineering Resource chairs that support their investigations. chairs, divided into two categories: Tier Council in collaboration with indus- “Research chairs help provide re- 1, which funds $200,000 annually for a try partners; currently, Concordia has sources, manpower and opportunities seven-year term, for senior researchers; one NSERC-IRC (as they are known)— for professional exchanges that fa- and Tier 2, which funds $100,000 annu- Electrical and Computer Engineering cilitate exploration and discovery, ally for five years, for researchers earlier professor Pragasen Pillay (see his pro- and they are unbelievably important in their careers. file on page 10)—and plans are in the to Concordia’s research profile,” says Concordia committed its CRC pro- works for more. Finally, endowed chairs Kristina Ohrvall, associate director of gram to attract new faculty members. are created by independent donors Research Development in Concordia’s Therefore, in 2000 the university wishing to support research in specific Office of Research. “Chairholders areas; the number of these also varies, as represent our top researchers, in many of the endowed chairs are limited terms of publications, training of stu- to terms of five, seven or 10 years, with dents and contributions to advancing Concordia’s research chair funding levels negotiated between the knowledge.” programs—funded by government, donor and the university. Research chairs come in different fla- the university or donors—play We profile four of Concordia’s vours. Under the federal government’s a key role in attracting and retaining research chairs. top scholars working on diverse and important projects. We introduce you to four of Concordia’s finest.

By Patrick McDonagh

8 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine leury F hristian C

SANDEEP BHAGWATI, IN THE MATRALAB, IS A COMPOSER, THEATRE DIRECTOR AND CONCEPTUAL ARTIST. HE SPENT MUCH OF THE PAST FALL COMPOSING A SYMPHONIC, 45-MINUTE WORK FOR SIX SINGERS AND LARGE ORCHESTRA FOR THE 2012 ECLAT FESTIVAL IN STUTTGART, GERMANY, AND THIS WINTER HE WILL CREATE THE 2012 SYMPHONIES PORTUAIRES, MONTREAL’S ANNUAL HARBOUR SYMPHONY FOR SHIPS.

INTER-X MAN: One product of Bhagwati’s research so that it learns different styles, allowing SANDEEP BHAGWATI is an interactive music environment Bhagwati and his collaborators to create ’m interested in work that is dubbed Native Alien, based on software a catalogue of compositional strategies. interdisciplinary, intermedia, developed at the Paris-based Institut de The process reflects what Bhagwati calls “I intercultural and interactive. Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/ “comprovisation,” a fusion of compo- Hence the ‘Inter-X’ in my chair’s title,” Musique (IRCAM). The software ana- sition and improvisation that informs explains Sandeep Bhagwati, who came lyzes the patterns of musicians as they much of the matralab’s research. “We to Concordia in 2006 as the Canada improvise, and in a few minutes is able are looking for new ways to create fluid Research Chair (Tier 2) in Inter-X Art Practice and Theory. His CRC has just The software makes music in its raw state, a bit been renewed for a second five-year term. Bhagwati, a professor cross-appoint- like a pasta machine that produces an endless ed to the departments of Theatre and stream of flat lasagna. We’re looking at ways Music in the Faculty of Fine Arts, carries out much of his research on new artistic to shape musical dramaturgies on the fly— practices in the matralab, a high-tech facility in the Engineering, Computer more interesting forms of noodles, if you will. Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex. He says the lab, established to emulate them, essentially turning the architectures of sound or art,” he says. with financial help from his CRC, “has computer into an improvisation partner. “ ‘Comprovisation’ can prompt [live] made a huge difference to the scope of “The IRCAM software makes music in performers to come up with music and the projects I can pursue. Graduate and its raw state, a bit like a pasta machine stories they would never have imagined post-doctoral students from around the that produces an endless stream of flat themselves—something you don’t usu- world, as well as internationally known lasagna,” Bhagwati says. “In Native Alien, ally get in free improvisation.” artists and musicians, want to come here we’re looking at ways to shape musical Native Alien will enjoy its public because the matralab provides a nexus dramaturgies on the fly—more interest- debut in January at the Western Front between art and research. There are a lot ing forms of noodles, if you will.” in Vancouver. (Check out the Native of technology labs around, but not many His work involves inviting world- Alien video on matralab’s website at where you can create art in new ways.” class virtuosos to play with the software matralab.hexagram.ca.)

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 9 NOT ON AUTOPILOT: PRAGASEN PILLAY ixty percent of the power Hydro-Québec generates “S goes through an electric motor of some sort,” says Electrical and Computer Engineering professor Pragasen Pillay, holder of the NSERC- Hydro-Québec Senior Industrial hy Research Chair. “So improving p

the efficiency of these machines is hotogra p important.” Pillay’s team collaborates L with Institut de recherche d’Hydro- /PB lau

Québec labs in Shawinigan and B yan Varennes to explore doing just that. R PRAGASEN PILLAY IN HIS LAB IN THE ENGINEERING, COMPUTER SCIENCE AND VISUAL ARTS INTEGRATED COMPLEX. The chair’s total annual funding of IN LINE WITH HIS RESEARCH ON IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY, PILLAY’S STUDENTS HAVE DESIGNED A SYSTEM FOR $400,000 come equally from NSERC PROCESSING THE WASTE FROM CONCORDIA’S STUDENT CAFETERIA TO OFFSET SOME OF THE ENERGY NEEDS OF THE HENRY F. HALL BUILDING. and Hydro-Québec, and supports graduate students and technicians, that are difficult to serve through the factors such as wind gusts or still peri- equipment and software, as well as travel conventional electrical grid. “In some ods might be accommodated within the to conferences and other professional rural areas, you might have considerable mini-grid. activities. waste coming from dairy cows, which While osmotic, biomass and wind Pillay’s research also explores al- could be a problem but can become a so- energy seem distinct, there are funda- ternative energies, including wind, lution to energy costs,” he explains. mental similarities. “We are generating biomass and osmotic power. The latter In addition, Quebec’s remote north- power and then connecting it to the grid, is an especially novel approach, gener- ern communities are often powered by which requires electrical machines. But ating power though the osmotic process diesel fuel, which requires expensive how should we bring this power into the that occurs where fresh water meets salt transport. Wind energy could reduce grid most efficiently for each source? water. “This is a new idea, with “Osmotic power might require the world’s only prototype in one approach, wind power in a Norway,” Pillay says. “Quebec Our goal is to leave this planet remote community might need has very large water resources, better than we found it. another,” he explains. “Our so this can have significant po- work focuses on the customer tential. Our job is to calculate system this reliance, so Pillay’s lab is modelling side of the grid, to improve efficiency designs and perform feasibility studies.” a system of wind turbines to learn how and develop alternate sources of pow- Energy sources like biomass and wind it might work in conjunction with die- er generation. Our goal is to leave this can be especially helpful in remote areas sel and to better understand how such planet better than we found it.”

FROM NEURAL PATHWAYS the neurological mechanisms that allow TO NURSING MOTHERS: mothers to cope with the energy demands BARBARA WOODSIDE and changes in energy balance connected rofessor of Psychology Barbara to providing food for their young. Woodside has a high regard for “Lactating mothers have to eat and drink P new moms. “Lactating mothers more, and that excess energy must be have to produce an immense amount channelled for the milk,” she explains. of energy in the form of milk. It’s really “This requires changes in the brain quite a heroic act,” says Woodside, mechanisms that control food intake.” holder of a Tier 1 Concordia University An increase of the hormone prolac- Research Chair. Her research explores tin—an increase stimulated by the act of erg b BARBARA WOODSIDE IN HER LAB IN THE RICHARD J. RENAUD SCIENCE COMPLEX. HER RESEARCH uten

R FOCUSES ON HOW LACTATING MOTHERS PROCESS THEIR FOOD FOR ENERGY. WOODSIDE HAS WELCOMED VISITING SCHOLARS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES, INCLUDING FROM BRAZIL AND INDIA,

inda HELPING BUILD PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS WHILE ADDING TO THE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE. L

10 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine BIG IDEAS FOR SMALL-CAPS: that, over the long haul, small-cap com- with Switzer, includes studies looking LORNE SWITZER panies outpace their bigger peers. But at small-cap portfolio managers. While uring the initial studies of small- there are provisos. “If we look at the much financial analysis over the years capital equities in the early business cycle, small caps do better has focused strictly on the numbers, D1980s, researchers noticed an coming out of recessions,” he reports. Switzer notes that today researchers are anomaly: small-cap companies—that is, “But going into recessions, it is a increasingly considering behavioural companies (mainly new or young ones) different story, and it looks like we and psychological issues. “What makes whose overall market capitalization is are heading into another one now. a good small-cap manager?” he asks. relatively small—seemed to outperform The time to start thinking things are “The main answer is experience. While larger ones over the years. “At first, getting better will be when the small- gender doesn’t make a difference [to the many people thought an improper cap premium rises.” bottom line], we did find that women measurement of risk lay at the heart With the aim of supporting studies generally make more aggressive manag- of this anomaly,” says Lorne Switzer, in this area, Sebastian van Berkom, ers, taking more risks.” His latest work professor of Finance in the John Molson S BComm 69, president and CEO of Van explores the intangibles of small-cap School of Business and the Van Berkom Berkom and Associates, endowed funds portfolio management. “We’re trying to Endowed Chair in Small-Cap Equities. in 2003 to support the chair for seven capture the real world of dynamics and “Then another theory argued that small- years, and recently renewed the com- interactions,” he says. “We’re not look- caps actually underperform.” mitment for a second seven-year term ing at performance alone, but in line Switzer analyzed data going back to for Switzer. The chair’s research, often with risk, portfolio turnover, fees and the start of the 20th century to confirm involving graduate students working other issues.” Switzer meets regularly with Van Berkom, and a number of his academic papers are posted on Van Berkom and Associates’ website (vbassociates.com). “Sebastian has a wealth of knowledge and ideas about problems facing man- agers, and will point to issues we should consider looking into,” says Switzer. “And dealing with real-world problems keeps the research grounded.” erg b uten R Patrick McDonagh, PhD 98, is a Montreal- inda

L based freelance writer.

LORNE SWITZER, IN THE FINANCE LAB IN THE JOHN MOLSON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS BUILDING, EXAMINES HOW SMALLER COMPANIES FARE IN FINANCIAL MARKETS RELATIVE TO LARGER ONES. HE SAYS HIS ANALYSIS For a full list and description of Concordia’s SHOWS THAT SMALL-CAP EQUITIES RECOVER FASTER AFTER BAD PERIODS BUT SLOWER AFTER GOOD ONES. research chairs, visit vprgs.concordia.ca.

nursing—means that lactating mothers their nursing young. “We found that have led to other fruitful lines of inqui- become less sensitive to signals from if you restrict food intake during lacta- ry. “We developed a project looking at other hormones that would normally tion, the mothers will use up all their the impact of obesity-immune respons- shut down food intake and more sensi- own body fat to make milk for their es of pregnant females, and then took tive to those that would increase it. In offspring,” she says. “But if they have a it to the logical next step to consider other words, their hormones change lot of body fat going in, they don’t [use males and non-reproductive females.” their eating behaviours. all the fat to make milk]. In fact, obese Because it required several years from Woodside’s research uses rats as animals don’t lactate as well—and this the initial experiments to confirm that models to focus on the changes in the also applies to humans.” This research this was a viable line of research—to neural pathways that affect how the sheds further light on how the brain the point where Woodside and her col- body takes in food, allowing the female works, and especially on questions of laborators could get funding—the early to obtain enough energy to feed her neuroplasticity—that is, how the brain studies were supported by CURC mon- young. She also explores the mecha- changes. ey. “The CURC has really allowed me to nisms that determine how to divide Woodside’s observations on the rela- broaden my research,” she says. “It has caloric energy between mothers and tionship between obesity and lactation given me extra freedom.”

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 11 ALUMNI PROFILE

Net results

t 48 years of age, and on this jet-lagged squad and I hadn’t done the of stopping pucks. The next day, my in- chilly mid-April evening, I’m maple leaf proud, getting mercilessly jured wrist and I will face Team Russia, A fulfilling every hockey goalie’s trounced by Russia and Finland. But before moving on to Helsinki and then fantasy. I’ve been standing on my tonight, inside the cavernous Tampere to Sweden for another tournament. In head the past two and a half periods, Ice Hall, Team Canada is moments away the end, we will win our divisional titles miraculously stopping just about from upsetting Finland in the Tampere and come home proud of our exploit. everything the other team has shot Classic’s 23rd annual international old- The sore wrist is history. at me. What makes this pure fantasy timers’ ice hockey tournament. Three months later, back in Montreal, material is that my team is Team Canada, The score is 5-3 for the good guys, I’m asked to be one of the goaltenders the opposing side is Team Finland, and and I’m between the pipes, playing with for the seventh annual Just For Laughs I am playing in Tampere, Finland, with a slightly fractured right wrist—cour- Reebok Ball Hockey Cup game. This a group of Canadian military personnel tesy of a bullet fired by former Montreal much-anticipated matchup, held each as part of an 11-day tournament tour Canadiens defenceman Jyrki Lumme summer during the comedy festival, pits through Finland and Sweden. And I two games earlier. But no matter. In a crew of comedians against entertain- happen to be the oldest player in our a few moments, the game will be over ment industry suits, including head Just lineup. and I’ll be named MVP for my some- For Laughs honcho Bruce Hills, attend- Two games into the tournament, my what unorthodox—yet successful—style ee (mktg.) 90. The game takes place at

12 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine How an invitation to join Concordia’s intramural ball hockey league in 1986 opened the door to fulfilled goaltending fantasies, many against fellow Concordia alumni.

Text and illustration by Frederic Serre • Photographs by Andrew Dobrowolskyj

FREDERIC SERRE ON THE ICE IN APRIL IN TAMPERE, FINLAND (FAR LEFT), AND MAKING STOPS AT THE JUST FOR LAUGHS REEBOK BALL HOCKEY CUP GAME IN MONTREAL IN JULY (ABOVE). the Pointe St. Charles Arena on July 30, of the past 25 years of my life. And with university’s Department of Recreation with the temperature at 26° C. that realization, one name comes up: and Athletics. When I track him down Deep into the second period, comedi- Vladimir Pavlicik, DSA 80, GrDip 93. to report on my journey as a hockey ans Sugar Sammy and Freddie James are goalie, he remains as philosophical as passing the ball to each other in my end, VLAD’S SUGGESTION ever. “There is much joy in play, and pressing the play before James fires a It is because of Pavlicik that I am a hockey we are quite lucky, or blessed, to have shot, which bounces off my pad and out nut. He’s the man who, in 1986, convinced an opportunity to be involved with of danger. me to join the Concordia intramural ball play,” says Pavlicik. “I just try to share Legendary NHL referee Kerry Fraser, hockey program that he was running at this passion or joy, or the likelihood who, along with Ray Kirkwood, BA 88, the Loyola arena (now the Ed Meagher of such, with those around me. Playing and Vikram Chitra, BComm 02, are offi- Arena). I had just graduated from the a team game, even for a moment, al- ciating today’s game, saunters over with journalism program and it’d been years lows us to imagine things that would a big smile. “Nice stop! Did you know since I had donned any hockey gear. After otherwise not at all be possible. It is a that Tony Esposito used to put Teflon I visited him at the arena one afternoon, physical language that the whole world on his pads to make the pucks bounce he suggested I join his intramural league. understands and shares.” farther out?” Fraser tells me, before “Try it, you might like it,” I recall him Since that fateful spring of 1986, running to the other end of the rink. saying. “And get your brother to play, too!” I have played in countless garage As the play intensifies at the other And so while Jyrki Lumme was be- leagues and, in January 2009, partici- end, I pause for a bit of reflection. Wow, ing drafted by the Montreal Canadiens pated in an 11-day ball hockey cruise I think to myself. Here I am, playing in the spring of 1986, I found some old in the Caribbean, playing on a boarded ball hockey with comedians, hanging goalie gear, pulled my 1974 goalie mask hockey surface on the top deck of the out with Kerry Fraser, mere months out of retirement and began playing at 5,000-passenger Freedom of the Seas. after playing in Scandinavia against for- Loyola for a ragtag team, captained by Our 17-member group played on the mer professional hockey players. That’s my brother, Eric Serre, BFA 84. high seas and faced a squad of Canadian when I realize that hockey—both ice and Today, Pavlicik is associate direc- ex-pats in Grand Cayman in a game that ball—has been a huge and colourful part tor of Campus Recreation with the made the local TV news.

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 13 ABOVE LEFT, FREDERIC SERRE DONNING HIS EQUIPMENT; ABOVE RIGHT, SERRE AND COMEDIAN SUMI SHAN AND BELOW, COMEDIAN MIKE PATERSON (LEFT) AND FORMER NHL REFEREE KERRY FRASER GET IN THE SPIRIT BEFORE THE JUST FOR LAUGHS REEBOK BALL HOCKEY CUP.

CONCORDIANS ON ICE moments before the vehicle was totally Another hockey freak is David And no matter where I play, I always end engulfed by flames. Newman, BA 96, who plays every up bumping into a member of the great All this to show that even the unex- Saturday morning with me in a Just For Concordia family. pected can be expected when it comes Laughs-launched ball hockey league I think of Brenda O’Farrell, BA 86, to hockey—and that would include in Montreal that has, in its six years, who, in 2006 with Peter Wheeland, one Concordia journalism graduate rounded up some 400 players. Newman launched the co-ed Slap Shots Hockey (O’Farrell) scoring against another (me). so loves the game that in 2009 he and League in Saint-Lazare, a town located It’s something that O’Farrell remem- league organizer Brent Schiess created about 50 kilometres west of Montreal. bers fondly. “The best moments, I have a series of hockey cards for each league The weekly event featured questionable to admit, were when I headed down the player, featuring a photo of the player in hockey talent and plenty of post-game ice toward the opposing net, where you action and individual statistics. bragging rights over beers and wings. waited, ready to make the save,” she From stopping pucks in Finland to Each Wednesday between 2006 and tells me during a recent interview. “I looking up during a break in action and 2009, I would drive to Saint-Lazare, where secretly always hoped that you would seeing a butterfly fluttering near my I saw lots of rubber during the game, while make the stop. I really did. Because af- head while aboard a cruise ship docked putting my new gear (formerly owned by ter almost every Fred Serre save there in Haiti, my hockey goaltending jour- NHL goalie Sébastien Caron) to the test. was the promise of a rebound. While ney is filled with outstanding memories. The 10:30 p.m. opening faceoff meant I you flailed and flopped in the crease, I’m glad I took up Vladimir Pavlicik’s wouldn’t crawl into bed until at least 4 a.m. and as I caught up to the play, the puck invitation more than 25 years ago. It’s Interestingly, it was while driving to could be mine. With you down, out of certainly brought me net results. a Slap Shots hockey game in February position, laughing, I had a chance at 2007 when, on Highway 20, I teamed up hockey glory. It didn’t matter how un- Frederic Serre, BA (journ.) 86, is a with another motorist to pull a trapped steady, weak or ungraceful the wrist Montreal-based writer, translator, man out of his burning car—mere shot, I could score.” illustrator–and freelance goalie.

14 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 15 Shedding light on the invisible—five days at a time

5 DAYS FOR THE HOMELESS VOLUNTEERS, IN THEIR SIGNATURE ORANGE T-SHIRTS, OUTSIDE CONCORDIA’S HALL BUILDING. JOSH REDLER (FAR RIGHT, AT LEFT) SAYS, “IT’S REALLY GREAT TO SEE HOW THE MONTREAL COMMUNITY STAYS INVOLVED AND REALLY WANTS TO JOIN IN ANY WAY THEY CAN, FROM DONATING SPARE CHANGE TO GIVING US FOOD, TO COLLECTING AT WORK, OR JUST SPREADING THE WORD.”

16 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine osh Redler, BComm 08, now the innovative idea, begun in 2005. Gold for an emergency meal if needed. understands—to some extent— and Chungwing returned inspired and, Student participants must remain on J how a homeless person is treated. with Redler and Partsinevelos, helped campus and are required to attend all “Sometimes people will indirectly insult launch the campaign in Montreal. regular classes and complete academic you. Or talk about you behind your responsibilities. Many participants also back—but right in front of you. Or they TAKING IT TO THE STREETS juggle work. just ignore you,” he reveals. “A lot of Concordia’s 5 Days participants, who Importantly, proceeds for Concordia’s people will would walk by and say, include students and other volunteers, 5 Days for the Homeless campaign go to ‘Get a job.’ ” spend a week each March outside the Dans la Rue, a local charity founded in Neither Redler nor Kristina Henry F. Hall Building on the corner 1988 by Father Emmett “Pops” Johns, L Partsinevelos, BComm 08, ever imag- of Mackay Street and De Maisonneuve BA 74, LLD 97, to help homeless youth. ined they would find themselves living Boulevard. (The original location was “It just made sense for us,” says Redler. on the street, panhandling. But in- a block away, outside the Guy Metro “It’s like kids helping kids.” deed they do—for five days each March. This winter will mark the fifth year that I’m not asking everyone to sleep outside, the John Molson School of Business (JMSB) alumni will be involved in 5 and I’m not asking everyone to donate Days for the Homeless, a national ini- money. Just acknowledging that there tiative in which students (and others) live and sleep outdoors for a week to is a problem is the first step. raise awareness and money for local charities. Building.) They must sleep outdoors Dorothy Massimo, BFA 87, is Concordia’s 5 Days for the Homeless without such comforts as warm showers, the director of Development and campaign began in 2008. That year, a change of clothes or their own Communications at Dans la Rue. She says Redler and Partsinevelos’s JMSB class- money. They can only eat and drink one of the important goals of the 5 Days mates Adam Gold, BComm 09, and Brian what they receive from individuals’ for the Homeless campaign is to sensi- Chungwing, BComm 08, attended a con- donations. Those staying overnight tize the public: “We have loyal donors. ference at the University of Alberta’s are provided sleeping bags or pillows But half of the problem is that much of School of Business, where they learned of and blankets, which can be exchanged the population doesn’t understand youth

For the fifth year, students and others will gather outside Concordia for one week in March to Shedding light on the emulate the lives of Montreal homeless youth, as part of a campaign to raise money and awareness invisible—five days at a time By Jennifer Charlebois

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 17 5 DAYS FOR THE HOMELESS ORGANIZERS RECEIVE SOME CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP, WHICH HELPS PROVIDE THEIR T-SHIRTS AND SLEEPING BAGS. BUT KRISTINA PARTSINEVELOS (PICTURED FAR RIGHT WITH JOSH REDLER) SAYS, “THE MAJORITY OF OUR DONATIONS COME FROM PANHANDLING AND ONLINE DONATIONS, AND I THINK THE GRASSROOTS APPROACH IS WHAT REALLY RESONATES.”

homelessness. Most people don’t want to see it. They just don’t get it.” The traffic, the noise . . . But the worst part 5 Days for the Homeless, Massimo was the fact that people ignore you. The idea explains, helps educate the public and attract new donors. The money raised that I could be faceless really stuck with me. supports Dans la Rue initiatives in- cluding its outreach and intervention people who were supposed to deliver the community joined in. By the end, programs, youth work program and pro- sleeping bags were stuck in Toronto. So, Concordia’s 5 Days for the Homeless viding hot meals. “5 Days is a catalyst of I built a quinzhee [snow shelter] for us.” campaign more than doubled its goal change,” she says. “It helps us towards However, at about 3 a.m. Concordia and raised over $37,000. our ultimate goal, which is to let these security came by. “They knocked on Since that first cold night and its young people know that there are other my little cardboard door and told me I humble beginnings, support for the options for them.” Massimo adds, “Last couldn’t sleep in the quinzhee,” Redler initiative has expanded to include stu- year was the first year I slept outside. says. “Finally, I signed a sheet that dents from HEC (the Université de One of the wonderful things about it is waived my rights and they let us sleep Montréal’s École des Hautes Études they make a fun time of it, even though it there that night, but that was it. Luckily Commerciales), McGill University and is a grim issue.” the sleeping bags arrived the next day.” ESG (Université du Québec à Montréal’s Lucky indeed. Sleeping outside is not École des sciences de la gestion), and HUMBLING BEGINNINGS easy—very little sleeping actually occurs. has collected over $170,000. In 2011, Redler, Chungwing, Gold, then-CSU “It was really hard,” Redler admits. “I’ve Concordia raised about $39,000 out of president Angelica Novoa, BSc 08, done winter camping before, but [with $59,000 in total from all schools. The and former Management professor 5 Days] you’re lying down and you close next Concordia 5 Days for the Homeless Martin Martens slept outside the first your eyes and you forget that you are in will be held March 13-18, 2012. Redler night of the initial campaign. “The first the middle of the street until you hear is hoping to kick off the 2012 campaign year, we didn’t really know what we people walking by,” he says. “They could with a street ball-hockey tournament. were doing,” Redler says with a laugh. be 10 feet away, but the crunching of the The Otis Grant & Friends Foundation snow resonates right next to your ear FIVE YEARS AND GOING STRONG (begun by former middleweight boxing and you think they are right beside you. Partsinevelos has found that the project champion Otis Grant, BA 93) provided That was the hard part about the first helps bring diverse people, schools and sleeping bags—which didn’t arrive on night: closing your eyes and just trusting communities together. “I’ve spoken to time. “The Saturday before, there was a that nothing is going to happen to you.” homeless people, people from other massive snowstorm and the entire city Throughout the week, various other schools and other departments, and now was blanketed,” Redler recalls. “The students and members of the Montreal people across Canada. These are people

18 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine I might have never otherwise crossed Senecal herself has slept outside one they will teach students at a community paths with,” she says. night for each of the past two years. “It college in Salt Lake City, Utah, about the The shared experience also creates a was very discomforting,” she reveals. initiative. They also have a friend who is special camaraderie. “It was like we be- “The traffic, the noise . . . But the worst hoping to kickstart the campaign at the came a family. Nobody else can really part was the fact that people ignore you. Massachusetts Institute of Technology understand what we are going through,” The idea that I could be faceless really in Boston. Partsinevelos adds. “Some people say, stuck with me.” There are many ways to help. “People ‘You have sleeping bags and donated Mahesh Sharma, associate professor can donate whatever they are comfort- food, and homeless people don’t have at JMSB’s Department of Decision able with,” Redler says. “You can sit with that,’ which is true. But we are trying to Sciences/MIS, who will turn 75 this us for an hour at lunchtime or sleep all emulate the lives of the homeless to the spring, is the only Concordia faculty five nights. I think that’s why it’s been best of our ability. It’s obviously hard on member who has joined the homeless so successful in Montreal. We’re very the body, mentally and physically drain- students since the first year. “I generally open to everyone.” ing, but I never imagined I would have don’t sleep much, I wear my big coat “We’re trying to get people out of their such a good time.” and I just lie down,” he says of the own world,” adds Partsinevelos. “I’m Redler and Partsinevelos say they experience. “But it’s a lot of fun also. not asking everyone to sleep outside, couldn’t survive the week without their You are surrounded by young people and I’m not asking everyone to donate resident 5 Day “moms.” Mona Senecal, and they make jokes. It’s a good thing.” money. Just acknowledging that there is a receptionist at JMSB, and Murielle Sharma adds: “I just do it because the a problem is the first step.” Salari, assistant to JMSB’s Associate poor people deserve it. Every little bit Redler stresses that it’s not the only Dean of Undergraduate Programs, helps.” step needed to solve the problem of have provided warm, home-cooked youth homelessness: “Even though breakfasts and treats to the campaign ON THE HORIZON we do it for five days of the year, you participants. “When anyone is not in Redler has become the Quebec 5 Days shouldn’t forget the other 360 days of a good position, the best thing you can for the Homeless regional director and the year. It doesn’t end there.” do is show them kindness,” Senecal Partsinevelos holds the same position says. “So, since the very first year, we’ve for Eastern Canada, championing the Concordia 5 Days for the Homeless will be made them breakfast in the mornings. cause at Carlton University in Ottawa, held March 13-18, 2012. For more informa- And I thought, if I had been outside all where she is pursuing a master’s degree tion, visit 5days.ca or the 5 Days for the night, what is the first thing that I would in Journalism. Homeless in Montreal Facebook page. want? So I gave them warm face cloths.” They also have their sights on inter- Sometimes, it’s the little things that national expansion, starting with our Jennifer Charlebois, GrDip (journ.) 11, is a mean the most. southern neighbours. In November, Montreal-based freelance writer.

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 19 FACULTY SPOTLIGHT ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

CIADI: THE NEXT GENERATION

THE CONCORDIA INSTITUTE OF AEROSPACE DESIGN AND INNOVATION REINVENTS ITSELF

BY CLÉA DESJARDINS

s one of the few places on the planet where an aircraft its new director, Robert Fews, supported by associate director can be built from start to finish, Montreal represents Nadia Bhuiyan and CIADI administrator Jayne Claassen, and A the ideal locus for advanced aerospace research and with the full backing of the faculty, CIADI is expanding to be- teaching. The city is home to every manufacturing component— come what will truly be a full-fledged aerospace institute. including aerostructures, engines, landing gear, avionics and The next three years are set to be CIADI’s busiest ever, with systems—necessary to put an airplane together. What’s more, plans to offer a Bachelor of Aerospace, an Executive Master the aerospace industry employs about 41,000 people locally. of Aerospace (targeted mainly to new recruits within industry Concordia’s Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science who would spend three weeks on the job for every one week in has long recognized the importance of its existence within class during the two-year program), and a PhD in Aerospace Montreal and has come to provide a strong educational and Engineering. Key cross-institutional partnerships are also research presence in the aerospace industry. In order to sup- being established and dual degrees could eventually be port this important relationship between the industrial and offered jointly through Concordia, in partnership with university sectors, the faculty established the Concordia prominent international aerospace universities in Europe, Institute of Aerospace Design and Innovation (CIADI) in 2001. India and Australia. CIADI’s original focus was to recruit students with a keen in- Throughout its rebirth, CIADI will continue to operate terest in aerospace and place them in industrial internships, as it always has, working to promote awareness and provide where they would work on real-world research projects. Over leading-edge know-how to students in aerospace design the past decade, this program has helped many of its students and innovation. To enhance and complement the education go on to promising careers. of undergraduate students, CIADI will continue to conduct As CIADI celebrates its tenth anniversary, the faculty is aim- collaborative, industry-driven design and research ing to turn Concordia into Canada’s preeminent provider of internships. With the crop of 2011 students already selected aerospace education and research. To achieve this goal, CIADI and internships underway, the future is certainly bright for is undergoing a renaissance of sorts. Under the leadership of CIADI—and for the aerospace industry itself.

20 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT FACULTY MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

HANDS-ON LEARNING: RESEARCH IN ACTION: SAMI GIRGIS, LUIS RODRIGUES, BENG 89, MBA 98 ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, ELECTRICAL AND rom an early age, Sami COMPUTER ENGINEERING Girgis couldn’t wait F to get his hands on his might surprise something to find out how you, but more it worked. That mechanical “T than 75 per cent inclination eventually led of commercial flight time him to choose Concordia worldwide is performed to pursue his Bachelor of on autopilot,” says Luis ier ier Engineering. “From all c Rodrigues, an associate c our our B B of the things I had heard c professor in Concordia’s c ar ar about Concordia, I knew M Department of Electrical M SAMI GIRGIS IS MANAGER OF INSTALLATION THE RESEARCH OF ELECTRICAL AND it was more of a hands-on AND TURBINE AERODYNAMICS AT PRATT & and Computer Engineering. COMPUTER ENGINEERING ASSOCIATE engineering program,” he WHITNEY CANADA. “That sounds dangerous,” he PROFESSOR LUIS RODRIGUES WILL MAKE AUTOPILOT TECHNOLOGY says. “That was really the path that led me here.” continues, but “the reaction MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY EFFICIENT. That same path would guide him toward a career in indus- time of an autopilot and try that has now spanned more than two decades. By the end its ability to perform fine-tuned manoeuvres is significantly of his second year at the university, Girgis had started working better than what a human can do.” closely with a few professors who had solid connections with Rodrigues, whose goal is to revolutionize the aerospace aerospace companies, particularly Pratt & Whitney Canada industry through his unprecedented work in control and auto- (PWC). With the help of his professors, Girgis landed a sum- mation, points out that improved flight performance is just one mer internship at PWC and returned to the company when he potential benefit arising from the use of autopilots in commer- graduated two years later. cial airliners. Through computer-based analysis of data such as It wasn’t long before Girgis was back at Concordia to ac- wind speed, angles of roll and pitch, trajectory and velocity, au- quire additional applied skills. “I was starting to think I should topilots can be programmed to make tiny adjustments that add branch out and cover the business side,” he explains. “So I up to significant energy savings. Rodrigues’s research is taking started the MBA program at Concordia. I took a course here, a autopilot technology beyond merely giving pilots a bit of “time course there, and by 1998, I finished it. That same year, I be- off” to significantly reducing the currently enormous carbon came a manager within the company [PWC] and found myself footprint of commercial airliners. much better equipped to han- “If you multiply the amount dle the challenges.” I knew it was more of a hands-on of flight time by the number Today, Girgis is PWC’s man- engineering program. That was of flights per year, there is a ager of Installation and Turbine lot you could save in terms of Aerodynamics, responsible really the path that led me here. emissions—even if it’s only for all aspects related to the a reduction of one per cent,” concept design, technology development and performance Rodrigues explains. “Aerospace corporations are currently fo- development of inlets, exhausts and turbine components. As cused on producing the next generation of aircraft, but those he reflects on his career route, he recognizes that Concordia won’t be commercially available for another 10, 20 or 30 years. faculty members’ solid industry connections guided his way. My research looks at what we can do in the short term to make “Professors in this faculty know what the needs of the outside the aerospace industry more environmentally friendly.” world are for future graduates—and I think that’s probably one of the biggest strengths of Concordia’s Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science.”

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 21 HOMECOMING ’11

1 AbitibiBowater Lecture

HOMECOMING ’11 FEATURED A TRIO OF OUTSTANDING PUBLIC LECTURES AND A HOST OF SUCCESSFUL ACTIVITIES FOR THE CONCORDIA AND MONTREAL COMMUNITIES.

FOR FULL DETAILS AND MORE PHOTOS, VISIT HOMECOMING.CONCORDIA.CA

PHOTOS BY RYAN BLAU/PBL PHOTOGRAPHY

SEPTEMBER 15 After a short address, Dryden (right) Budget Planning and Control, Shuffler sat down for a 45-minute discussion of the Year for his 19 years of dedicated ABITIBIBOWATER LECTURE with moderator Mutsumi Takahashi, participation. 2 No Canadian can claim to match Ken BA 79, MBA 95 (left), news anchor for Dryden’s accomplishments, which CTV Montreal. 1 SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION include six Stanley Cups with the CEREMONY AND BANQUET Montreal Canadiens, membership SEPTEMBER 16 The Department of Recreation and in the NHL Hall of Fame, and being a Athletics inducted the newest members Liberal Member of Parliament from SHUFFLE 22 of the Concordia Sports Hall of Fame 2004 to 2011 and author of five books. At the 22nd annual Shuffle, hundreds of at a ceremony under the Homecoming Dryden touched upon aspects of these Concordians raised more than $50,000 tent on Loyola Campus. The individual achievements in front of a nearly and pushed the cumulative total raised 2011 inductees (from left) are: George capacity crowd of 370 at the D.B. Clarke for student scholarships and bursaries Lengvari, L BA 63, Loyola men’s Theatre in Concordia’s Henry F. Hall since the fundraiser began in 1990 basketball; Richard Freitag, S BSc 59, Building at the AbitibiBowater Lecture, past the $1-million mark. Concordia Sir George Williams men’s basketball; called “A Canadie/an Life.” President and Vice-Chancellor Alexandra Jones, BA 92, women’s Dryden revealed that when he was Frederick Lowy announced the success soccer; George Springate, S BA 65, an undergrad at Cornell University (in of their mission while Shufflers were Sir George Williams builder; Stingers Ithaca, N.Y.), he had no idea where his enjoying the President’s Picnic after men’s hockey coach Kevin Figsby, who life would take him—and that’s true completing the 6.5-kilometre walk represented the Heritage recipients: for most university students. “If we’re from the Sir George Williams Campus Harry Trihey, Jack Brannen and lucky, our path will change and we’ll end to the Loyola Campus. Shuffle Advisory Arthur Farrell, Montreal Shamrocks up doing things more interesting than Committee chair Jang Kwon (left) (posthumous); and Paul Palma, what we set out to do,” he said. named Irvin Dudeck (right), director of attendee 83, football. 3 The provincial

22 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine 2 Shuffle 22 3 Sports Hall of Fame HOMECOMING ’11 RECAP

4 Homecoming Football Game 5 Engineering and Computer Science Alumni

champion 1988 Stinger’s women’s memories over a drink or two at the BFA 96, also spoke. “Class reunions soccer team was also inducted. alumni reunion cocktail. ”The facilities are wonderfully nostalgic affairs,” said have changed so much that it makes President Lowy, addressing his captive SEPTEMBER 17 me want to go back to school all over audience. “We reminisce about bygone again!” said Shun-Hui Yang, BEng days and we look to the future.” HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME 91, pictured (second from right) with The Concordia Stingers were not (from left) Ida Kos, BEng 91, Chantal SEPTEMBER 18 very welcoming to the St. Francis Chabot, BEng 94, and Kathleen Xavier X-Men at the Homecoming McKenna. 5 A highlight was the FAMILY FAIR DAY Football Game, trouncing the visitors speech by Denis Kefallinos, BEng 91, A record-breaking 2,500 people came 55-9 before 2,300 fans at Concordia who said the goal of the evening was “to to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Stadium. Concordia President and honour the connection we all have to Family Fair Day. The perfect fall day no Vice-Chancellor Frederick Lowy this institution, which made the many doubt helped encourage members of the (left) and Katie Sheahan, BA (soc.) experiences we enjoyed possible.” Concordia and Montreal communities 78, Concordia’s director of Recreation to head to the Recreation and Athletics and Athletics (right), flankGerry PRESIDENT’S REUNION DINNER Complex on Loyola Campus to take Sam McGee, L BSc 51, who made the The nostalgia and cheer was palpable in the wide range of family-themed ceremonial opening kickoff. 4 as kindred spirits—drawn to their alma activities and performances, including mater—gathered for the President’s face painting, BMX bike stunts and a ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER Reunion Dinner at Sir George Williams Circus Montreal act. 6 SCIENCE ALUMNI REUNION COCKTAIL Campus. It was a golden anniversary Faculty of Engineering and Computer of sorts for Holocaust survivor and Sir SEPTEMBER 19 Science alumni from the classes of George Williams graduate Fred Fiksel, 1961 and earlier, 1966, 1971, 1976, S BA 60, S BSc 61, who told guests he TALKING TO BOOKS: THE LIVRES 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006 immigrated to Canada in 1950 “with D’ARTISTES OF THE SYLVIA AND returned to Concordia for Homecoming no money and an unfulfilled passion” IRVING CAMLOT COLLECTION celebrations. The festivities involved for education. “Sir George Williams Visitors celebrated the recent donation a campus tour, demos by students enriched my life and opened my of a collection of livres d’artistes by and professors, glimpses of new mind.” Anca Ivanov, BComm 02, André Sylvia Camlot from the Sylvia and equipment and the chance to relive old Bandrauk, L BSc 61, and Kim Fuller, Irving Camlot Collection to Concordia

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 23 6 Family Fair Day 7 Career Speed-Networking

8 Henri Habib Distinguished Lecture 9 Up Close and Personal

Libraries. The 16-volume Livres and eventually spirited them out of SEPTEMBER 22 d’artistes combines 20th-century fiction the country to safety. When the news and poetry from Quebec writers with broke, Taylor became a Canadian—and UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL the original artwork of emerging and American—hero. (The exploits are UN deputy special envoy to Haiti Paul established Quebec artists. recounted in Our Man in Tehran: Ken Farmer has been lauded for his global Taylor, the CIA and the Iran Hostage Crisis, lifesaving work and in Tracy Kidder’s SEPTEMBER 20 AND 22 by Robert Wright, 2010.) widely admired book, Mountains Taylor related his views on the Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul CAREER SPEED-NETWORKING revolution and myriad other topics sur- Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure Once again, Concordia graduates from rounding past and present Iran and the the World (2003). various professional backgrounds shared Middle East to 250 Concordia alumni, Farmer was part of Concordia’s Up career-related stories and job tips students, faculty members and others at Close and Personal: A Panel Discussion with current students in an interactive the D.B. Clarke Theatre. His talk, called on Engagement in Haiti event, which environment. This year, the highly “Iran – The Middle East Power,” was helped cap off the Homecoming ’11 successful event was split into two nights: part of the Henri Habib Distinguished celebrations. While cautioning that September 20 focused on engineering, Lecture Series. The revolution “stunned “Haiti is a very fraught problem,” the computer science and business students everyone,” Taylor admitted, and it Harvard Medical School professor and professionals, such as JMSB student “introduced a hybrid: a republic and praised Montreal’s own Haitian popu- Chanele Parent (left) and Nisreen Islamic government.” lace as an area of hope for the devastated Kapasi, BA 11 (right), assistant manager, Shortly after a question-and-answer nation. “The diaspora has a huge role to Credit Quality, Royal Bank of Canada; 7 session moderated by Concordia play,” said Farmer. September 22 featured careers in arts, Political Science professor and chair In front of a capacity crowd of 380 humanities and sciences. Csaba Nikolenyi, about 40 guests at Concordia’s D.B. Clarke Theatre, gathered for a cocktail reception in Stéphane Brutus (left), Management SEPTEMBER 21 the Engineering, Computer Science professor and chair, moderated the pan- and Visual Arts Integrated Complex. el, which included (from left) Farmer, HENRI HABIB DISTINGUISHED LECTURE Pictured at the reception are (from Régine Chassagne, BA 98, of Montreal- During the Iranian Revolution in 1979, left) Distinguished Professor Emeritus based indie rock group Arcade Fire, and after a group of students forcibly took Henri Habib, Claire Kruyt, Kenneth Domtar executive Madeleine Féquière, over the American embassy in Tehran, D. Taylor and Peter Kruyt, BComm BA 85. 9 Canadian ambassador Kenneth D. 78, chair of Concordia’s Board of Taylor helped hide six Americans Governors. 8

24 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine SETTING AN EXAMPLE Concordia’s diplomat Even though I was born and raised in Jakarta, giving—no matter the amount—and let potential Indonesia, in 2007 I travelled half-way around donors know they can direct their gifts to any the globe to attend Concordia. I was attracted by area they feel passionate about. its Political Science program and to the City of Montreal, since I wanted to learn French during my Working as a student caller made me feel com- studies. I loved my Concordia experience, both for pelled to give, too (even in a small way). So last the formal education and the diverse friends I made. spring I decided to support the graduating class gift campaign, which raised enough money for 17 While at the university, I was fortunate—and grate- new bursaries—an achievement that’s extremely ful—to receive an International Student Bursary for meaningful to me as a former bursary recipient. two years. Because tuition fees for international Now that I’ve graduated, I remain committed to students are higher than for Quebec or Canadian helping students and continue the cycle of giving. residents, those bursaries meant a great deal to me (as they do to other international students). I’m currently pursuing a master’s in Global Political Economy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. I added to my Concordia experience through vol- I plan to gain some work experience and then apply unteering, including for the International Students for positions in international organizations, such Office and at the university’s Open House. As well, as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and in 2009 I began work at Concordia’s call centre, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, because it’s where students phone graduates and friends and always been my dream to be a diplomat—which is ask them to support the university. I thoroughly why I’m proud to be an ambassador for Concordia. enjoyed sharing my thoughts on the institution and its developments directly with alumni and friends, Bessie Lucas, BA (poli. sci.) 11 and being able to talk about the importance of Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China How to make a difference As a volunteer or donor to Concordia, you too can make a difference. To donate, visit giving.concordia.ca or tear off and return the reply form below. # I am giving as a: o Graduate o Concordia parent o Student o Faculty/Staff o None of the above Name: o Here is my one-time gift of $______Address: o I will give $______by credit card every month until: City: o I notify the university o month:_____ year:_____ Province: Postal Code: Country: o Enclosed is my cheque payable to Concordia University Phone: o Charge my: o Visa o MasterCard o American Express Email: Degree and Year (if applicable): ______o CAD o USD

Designate my gift to: Exp. ___ / ___ Signature ______o Concordia’s Greatest Needs o Loyola Refectory Refurbishment o Faculty/School of o Sir George Williams Initiatives o Concordia Libraries Please complete and return to: o Recreation and Athletics o Undergraduate Student Support Advancement and Alumni Relations, Concordia University o Graduate Student Support 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., FB 520, OR Montreal, QC, Canada H3G 1M8 o With a three-year commitment of at least $500 per year, I would like Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 3884 to create an Adopt-A-Student bursary, scholarship or fellowship. (Donors Email: [email protected] choosing this option will be contacted for additional information.) Website: giving.concordia.ca Registration 1069 6 6591 RR0001 AssociationA LU M N I NEWSNews videos, an interactive projection and all of the original drawings by Caro Caron from Who Is Ana Mendieta?

John Molson School of Business More than 55 JMSB alumni, graduate students and staff gathered at Bistro L’Aromate on September 27 for the first JMSB Alumni Chapter Gastronomic Pub Night of the academic year. They mingled and networked over drinks and canapés. They also met the alumni chapter’s four hy p executive members and learned how to get involved in chapter activities. hotogra

P A second Montreal gastronomic pub L night was held November 22 at Le Pois /PB lau Penché and two more are planned for B

yan this academic year: February 7 at the Irish R 1 Loyola Medal Embassy and April 24 at Boris Bistro. Watch your inbox for an email invitation Loyola Medal Reverend Bernard Lonergan (1971) and or check alumni.concordia.ca closer to the Friends, colleagues and alumni gathered the late Governor General of Canada, dates to register. on October 18 for the 2011 Loyola Georges P. Vanier, L BA 06 (1963). Medal presentation to Distinguished Father O’Brien (right) is pictured Faculty Showcase Professor Emeritus Father John (Jack) receiving the Loyola Medal from Donal This year’s Faculty Showcase, called E. O’Brien, S.J., L BA 45. After he Ryan, L BComm 67, president of the “Excellence in Research,” was held graduated from Loyola College, Father Loyola Alumni Association. 1 October 22 in the J.W. McConnell O’Brien joined the Society of Jesus and Building. The series of discussions was ordained in 1957, earned a PhD in Fine Arts featured professors from Concordia’s Communication from the University of At Concordia’s FOFA Gallery on four academic faculties. Southern California, returned to Loyola September 24, Christine Redfern, BFA Fine Arts: “Music Therapy for Health and in 1965 founded the Department 89, and Caro Caron launched their and Wellness” Sandra Curtis, Professor of Communication Arts, Canada’s first graphic novella, Who Is Ana Mendieta?, and Graduate Music Therapy Program department dedicated to the study of about artist and Cuban expatriate Ana Coordinator, described the diversity communications. The program evolved Mendieta (see page 39). A concurrent of music therapy research and practice to become Concordia’s acclaimed exhibit at the FOFA Gallery, Anima, through an overview of recent research Department of Communication Studies. was curated by Redfern and presented in the areas of hospice and work with In his acceptance speech, Father selected filmworks by Ana Mendieta, survivors of violence. O’Brien reflected upon the highlights of his career, emphasizing it was about “being at the right time and at the right place” and being “supported by people who were with me and enjoyed what they were doing.” The Loyola Medal was conceived in 1961 by the Loyola Alumni Association and the administration of Loyola College as a tribute to outstanding leader- ship and contribution to society. It is one of the highest honours awarded by Concordia University. Father O’Brien joins a distinguished group of past recipients that includes Canadian astro- naut Roberta Bondar (2009), Senator and Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire (Ret.) (2006), fellow Jesuit the late 2 Ed Tech

26 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine ALUMNI.CONCORDIA.CA

3 Ottawa Chapter 4 Toronto Chapter

Engineering and Computer Science: Daniel Dupont, a consultant in training “The Constant Challenge of Digital and organizational development; Security” Mourad Debbabi, Professor, Patrick Devey, BSc 98, GrDip 00, Director of the CIISE Institute and MA 02, PhD 09, chief learning officer Concordia Research Chair (Tier 1), at Knowledge One; and Audrey demonstrated how easily one can perpe- McGoldrick, an online high school trate online attacks, focusing primarily math teacher. 2 The discussion on what are called botnets. focused on past assumptions and John Molson School of Business: new findings structured around three “Buying Less, Consuming More – themes: educational neuroscience Collaborative Redistribution for and neuropsychology, learning Sustainable Consumption” Zeynep motivation, and practical applications in Arsel, Assistant Professor of Marketing, information technology. spoke of the need to not necessarily 5 Calgary Chapter consume less but consume better by, for Geographic Chapters instance, avoiding products that are de- Ottawa On September 22, Toronto alumni signed with “planned obsolescence” or On October 4, the Ottawa chapter met at the Soulpepper Theatre Company to be thrown out after a year of use. held its annual fall Welcoming Night for a cocktail reception and to enjoy Arts and Science: “Doing Masculinity at Must in the Byward Market. Alumni, The Odd Couple, Neil Simon’s acclaimed Differently: Kanye West and including (from left) Stephen Huza, and delightful 1965 comedic play about Representations of Masculinity in S BA 73, and Ottawa chapter president two ill-suited male roommates. And on Contemporary Hip-Hop Culture” Richard Duranceau, BA 96, MA 99, October 26, chapter members welcomed Marc Lafrance, Assistant Professor of 3 enjoyed catching up and getting Oktoberfest with a beer-tasting event Sociology, examined the controversy- a quick overview of the events planned at the 3 Brewers restaurant. Nearly 30 driven celebrity culture of artist and by the chapter executive for the 2011- guests sampled four types of beers and rapper Kanye West, specifically the 2012 year. great food over lively conversation. creative output on his album 808s and Heartbreak (2008). Toronto Calgary At the third annual Wine Tasting On a warm and sunny Saturday morning Educational Technology at Peller Estates Winery at Niagara- on August 27, more than 90 football More than 40 Ed Tech alumni and on-the-Lake, held August 28, two fans gathered for the Als vs. Stamps: friends gathered October 27 in the John dozen alumni visited the winery’s Tailgate Party and CFL Game. Hosted by Molson School of Business Building Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon the Concordia, McGill University and for a panel discussion called Revisiting and Merlot vineyards, learning about HEC alumni associations, this annual Ed Tech: Staying Up-To-Date. The the Niagara region’s micro-climate event also welcomed guests from École panellists included (from left) Ahmed and the geographical and agricultural Polytechnique and Acadia University. Ibrahim, a McGill University doctoral importance of the Niagara Escarpment. It was a hard-fought game but Calgary candidate in Educational Psychology; 4 emerged with a last-minute win. 5

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 27 ALUMNI.CONCORDIA.CA

6 Boston Chapter 7 New York City Chapter

8 London Chapter 9 Shanghai Chapter

And on November 1, Calgary alumni Robert Goodridge, BA 08, Laura Ziton, a fascinating and inspiring speech. gathered at the Craft Beer Market for BComm 03, and Vinu Srinivasan, MBA Pierre Boulanger, agent-general in the great conversation, tasty appetizers and a 03, 6 sampled Pinot Noir from three Quebec Government Office in London, beer tasting. The venue and nature of the different regions around the world, and also addressed guests. Bolza (second event provided a relaxed atmosphere for Jeffrey Davis, BA 78, spoke briefly about from left) is pictured with (from guests to share memories of Concordia, his new book, The 24-Hour Turnaround: left) Lina Uberti, Concordia Alumni Montreal and life since graduation. How Amazing Entrepreneurs Succeed in Officer, Geographic Chapters,Stephen Tough Times. Sparling, BA 97, and Angela Songui, Vancouver attendee 97. 8 Vancouver-area alumni gathered New York City October 6 at the Culinaria Restaurant in The annual Terry Fox Run for Cancer Beijing the Art Institute of Vancouver to network Research on October 15 was a hit with On October 22, Beijing alumni and friends and hear from Kenneth Woods, MBA New York alumni. The 5-km walk/run celebrated National Day with a reunion 75, founder and chair of Concordia’s began in Central Park and Concordians lunch at Southern Tongle restaurant. Kenneth Woods Portfolio Management capped off the triumphant event with Program. an après-run brunch at Viand Café. Shanghai The Concordia team 7 far surpassed Shanghai chapter members participated Boston its fundraising goal of $350, pulling in in the Canadian Chamber of Commerce New England-area alumni gathered $1,243 for a worthy cause. in Shanghai’s Alumni Thanksgiving September 22 at the Fairmont Battery Dinner at the Pinnacle Steak House Wharf Hotel in Boston for a Wine London on October 22. Concordia recruitment Tasting and Networking event. Guests The Concordia University in London officer Eric Goldner, BAdmin 83 enjoyed a memorable evening of Town event brought 30 alumni and (left), was in town for a recruitment sipping wine, savouring canapés and friends to the prestigious Institute fair and joined (from left) Winston networking. The lively group of about of Directors (Pall Mall) on October Kan, BComm 81, and Serge Ajamian, 30—including (from left) Bill Bardosh, 4. Fred Bolza, MBA 98, Sony Music BComm 07. 9 Ajamian won the best- BSc 82, EMBA 00, Mimi Goss, L BA 72, (UK)’s VP of marketing services, gave dressed award.

28 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine Sir George Williams Ways to give! Scholarship and Bursary Fund Are you a web-savvy Georgian? Visit giving.concordia.ca/form More than 23 years ago, the Association of Alumni of Sir George Williams to make your donation online. University created a scholarship and bursary fund with the goal of helping Concordia students pay for their studies. To date, more than 160 students Email: [email protected] have benefited from this fund. Tel.: 514-848-2424, Ext. 3884 In honour of our 75th Anniversary, we are asking all Georgians to make a donation to the Sir George Williams Scholarship and Bursary Fund. Mail: 1455 De Maisonneuve Help build the Georgian legacy and make a contribution so we can increase Blvd. W., FB 520, Montreal, QC the number of awards given to Concordia students every year. Canada H3G 1M8 Mardy Weigensberg, S BComm 74 President Association of Alumni of Sir George Williams University

Register today!

Are you a web-savvy Georgian? President’s Visit alumni.concordia.ca/ Reunion Gala events/register/ to register online. Mark your calendars! The 75th Anniversary of the Email: Association of Alumni of Sir George Williams University is being [email protected] honoured at the next President’s Reunion Gala. Tel.: 514-848-2424, Ext. 4397 Toll-free: 1-888-777-3330 Date: Saturday, September 29, 2012 Time: 6 p.m. Mail: 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. Location: Loyola Campus (under the tent) W., FB 520, Montreal, QC Cost: $75 per person Canada H3G 1M8 Dress: Business

This page is graciously sponsored by the Harvey Stoliar, S BComm 62, and Robert Barnes, S BA 68 Concordia University Alumni Association. Co-Chairs, 75th Anniversary Dinner-Dance Planning Committee

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 29

Celebrating 75th fullpage ad (2in1).indd 1 28/11/2011 3:05:41 PM C L A S S ACTS

Alumni with more than one degree on Citytv and in 1989 became books including Who Speaks for and have twin daughters from Concordia, Sir George Williams ombudsman through his the Children? to commemorate and three grandchildren. and/or Loyola are listed under their “Silverman Helps” segment. the International Year of the earliest graduation year. Over the next 20 years, he and Child in 1978. He holds an MA Lilian Broca, S BFA, has his team handled in excess of from the University of British 68 created a series of mosaics 20,000 consumer complaints Columbia, a PhD in History that are celebrated in a newly Peter Silverman, a year, most of which they were from the University of Toronto released, lavishly illustrated 53 S BA, began his journalism able to resolve. “Silverman and a Diploma in Native Law large-format book entitled The career in 1974 at Global Helps” garnered a number of and Administration from the Hidden and the Revealed: The Television in Toronto. In 1981, awards and Peter was appointed University of Cape Town in Queen Esther Mosaics of Lilian he moved to the CityPulse to the Order of Ontario in South Africa. Peter and his Broca (Gefen Publishers). In a business segment “CityBiz” 2009. He also wrote several wife of 40 years live in Toronto testament to the significance

1 2

3 4 5

1 > Julianna Joos, BA (art hist.) 75, was the Quebec commissioner for “Water 4 > Claire Venne, BFA 86, held an exhibition entitled “Carnival” at galerie de la ville Portraits,” an international print exchange of 11 artists each from Queensland, Australia, and in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., from October 13 to November 13. 4) Masque Hivernal #3 Quebec. The Montreal exhibit was held at the Warren G. Flowers Gallery at Dawson College from November 4 to 25. 1) Le lac 1 by Julianna Joos 5 > Daniel Barkley, BFA (cinema) 90, MFA (studio art) 94, held a solo exhibition called “Daniel Barkley” at the Weiss Gallery in Calgary from September 8 to October 8. 2 > Nancy Hatch, BFA 84, held an exhibit called “Nancy’s art show” at the Laundromat 5) Golden Boy Gallery in Montreal from December 1 to 31. 2) Rooster 6 > Pierre Dalpé, BFA (cinema) 93, held an exhibit of his photos called “Sur(face)” 3 > Patricia Morris, MFA 84, held a solo exhibition called “Trans-Canada Drive at Espace 6 in Montreal from September 23 to October 8. pierredalpe.com 6) Allan y Exhibition III: En Route (New Works)” at Viva Vida Art Gallery in Pointe-Claire, Que., from Jonathan October 14 to 28. 3) Quebec Spring

30 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine of Broca’s work, renowned international public service Ont., along the “Group of Seven Suraj Sadan, MA (art American artist Judy Chicago that included a posting in the shores” of Lake Superior. Peter 80 ed.), is a visual artist wrote the preface to this Office of the Prime Minister invites his former classmates dedicated to the nonviolent collaboration by Lilian, Yosef as a senior policy advisor and and TKE fraternity brothers to philosophy of Mahatma Wosk and Sheila Campbell. as chief of staff to the Minister contact him: [email protected]. Gandhi. In 2006, Suraj set of External Relations and up the Mahatma Gandhi Peter Globensky, L BA, International Development. William (Bill) D. International Foundation to retired in 2003 as CEO and Peter is now vice-president 75 Roberts, GrDip (comm. promote messages of peace director general of the Canadian and managing partner of BASA, studies), is president and and nonviolence, and in 2008 Council of Ministers of the an international indigenous CEO of ZoomerMedia Limited the foundation launched an Environment. He had enjoyed and environmental consulting Television Division in Toronto. international art exhibition a career in national and firm. He lives in Rossport, Bill is an advocate for public to encourage young people service media to creatively explore the and an advisor ideals of nonviolence through 6 7 and contributor art. The work of recent to government, competition winners was business, academia displayed at Café de Da de and media la bibliothèque d’Ahuntsic organizations. in Montreal in October. In addition to stewardship of Gina Cody, MEng, PhD S-VOX, Canada’s 81 (bldg. eng.) 89, was once foremost provider again named to Profit magazine’s of television and W100 as one of Canada’s top digital content 100 women entrepreneurs, focused on spiritual placing at number 11 on the awareness and 2011 list. Gina is president of personal growth Construction Control Inc., and wellness, Bill a Woodbridge, Ont.-based teaches broadcast firm of consulting engineers communications and building scientists. 8 9 and policy at the university level. Eric B. Litwack, BA 85 (phil.), is a philosopher Linda and business consultant on the 76 Heslegrave, faculty of Queen’s University’s BA (hist.), and Dan Bader International Study McCaughey, BA Centre in Hailsham, England. (hist.) 76, are now He is the author of Wittgenstein the representatives and Value: the Quest for Meaning in Canada for (Continuum, 2009). Martin Randall Travel (MRT, Josée Nadeau, BFA, is an martinrandall.com) artist whose impressionistic in Toronto. MRT style and larger-than-life organizes unique, paintings grace the homes of all-inclusive music many collectors, including festival trips and celebrities such as Oprah 7 > Shawn Mackniak, BFA (art ed.) 95, GrDip (art ed.) 98, a Saskatchewan-born artist, about 200 small- Winfrey, Clint Eastwood participated in a group show called “Vanité” at Usine 106U Gallery in Montreal from October 5 group tours every and Pierce Brosnan. Nadeau to 31. 7) Monster painting year in Europe, the donated her talents to Maryland Middle East and Legal Aid, the state’s largest 8 > E.A. Fay Morin, BFA 01, exhibited at the 2011 Salon d’Automne at the Musée des the United States. provider of free legal services to beaux-arts de Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que., from September 29 to October 30. 8) Cent Dessous “We have been abused children and the elderly, Dessus travelling the world at its centenary celebration on for more than 35 September 24 at the Baltimore 9 > Giuseppe Pascale, BEng (bldg. eng.) 06, is holding a photographic exhibition entitled years and this new Waterfront Marriott. Nadeau’s “From the Street: Exploring Urban Composition” at Wilder & Davis Gallery in Montreal from venture fits nicely painting was unveiled at the November 4, 2011, to February 3, 2012. 9) Hôtel de ville into our lifestyle.” event by state governor Martin

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 31 Carol McQueen, BA (hist. & western soc. & cult.) 95, is the Linda Bucholtz-Ross, BFA (photog.) 08, was recently political counsellor at the Canadian High Commission in awarded a grant in research and creation from the Conseil Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, where she lives with her husband, des arts et des lettres du Québec. “I recently captured this Christian, and daughter, Calista (pictured). Carol and image [above] as an entire wall of Concordia’s Guy Metro Christian plan to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in Building was revealed; the walls came down, the walls went January 2012 to raise funds for UNICEF for famine relief in up, all in a very short space of time. These industrious the Horn of Africa, where the most severe drought in decades workers went busily about their work, unaware of the is threatening the lives of more than 11 million people. To ephemeral performance they created for those of us on the donate, email Carol at [email protected]. sidewalk who looked up.” bucholtz.carbonmade.com

O’Malley and entertainer/ wrongful conviction, which activist Harry Belafonte. in April 2011 resulted in the highest civil award for a victim Nellie Cheng, BA, of wrongful conviction in 88 received a World Green Canadian history. Alex was Building Council (WorldGBC) recently elected president of Chairman’s Award in October. the board of directors of Pro The honour is given to Bono Quebec for 2011-2012. individuals who have made a significant contribution to Alexandria Haber, BFA the global green-building 90 (theatre perf.), co-wrote movement. Nellie served the play Four Minutes if you on the WorldGBC board for Bleed, a “comedy of manners six years and now heads the about hockey, weddings and Russell Makofsky, BComm (fin.) 07, and Rochelle U.S. Green Building Council Christmas miracles,” that Rego, BComm (fin.) 08, recently became engaged. China operations. She is a ran at Montreal’s Centaur Russell is president of New York City Chess Inc. and co- past-president of Concordia’s Theatre from November 24 to president of Concordia’s New York alumni chapter, and Vancouver alumni chapter. December 03. Claire Holden Rochelle is a senior advisor in the Financial Services Risk Rothman, MA 88, was Alex De Zordo, BA assistant stage manager. Management division at Ernst & Young New York. 89 (poli. sci.), earned an LLB from Université de Sherbrooke Maureen Marovitch, in 1992. Alex is a partner and 91 BA (comm. studies), is Film Festival in August and will Socrates children’s choir from the litigation department creative director of Picture be shown on Omni TV in March Montreal, comprised of more manager at Borden Ladner This Productions (picturethis. 2012. Catherine Legault, BFA than 50 children of Hellenic Gervais, Canada’s largest law ca) in Montreal. Maureen 03, was the film’s editor, and origin, launched a book and firm, in Montreal. Last year, and David Finch, BA (sci. Bruno Dequen, BFA 03, MA CD, The Magic Recorder, at he received the Order of St. & human affairs) 92, co- 09, was associate producer. the Dimitris Horn Theatre John for his contribution to produced The Invisible Red in Athens on September the board of directors of St. Thread, a documentary film Dimitris Ilias, BFA, 7, with the support of the John’s Ambulance. Alex was that follows a 15-year-old 92 GrDip (adv. mus. perf.) Embassy of Canada. The Ta co-counsel to Réjean Hinse adopted girl’s return to China. 99, a tenor, and soprano Maria Zouzounia children’s choir in the latter’s long battle The film premiered in the Diamantis are founders and of Athens and the symphony against the Attorney Generals Documentaries of the World artistic directors of Chroma orchestra Ensemble Sinfonia of Quebec and Canada for a section at the Montreal World Musika. The Chroma Musika/ de Montréal also participated.

32 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine KUDOS Concordia University bestowed three honorary doctorates during fall convocation ceremonies on November 22 at Place des Arts.

JOHN MOLSON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FACULTIES OF ENGINEERING AND FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCE COMPUTER SCIENCE AND OF FINE ARTS Robert Courteau, Xavier-Henri Kathy Reichs is BComm (mktg.) 81, Hervé, BEng an American crime is president of SAP (mech. eng.) 87, writer, forensic (Systems, Applications is President and anthropologist and and Products in Data COO of Mechtronix academic. Kathy’s Processing) North Systems Inc., CEO first book of fiction, America, a multina- of Mechtronix Déjà Dead, became tional company and Environment Inc. a New York Times market leader in enterprise application soft- and President of Mechtronix World Corp., bestseller and won the 1997 Ellis Award for ware based in Newtown Square, Penn. Robert headquartered in Ville Saint-Laurent, Que. Best First Novel. She is also a producer of joined the company in 2004 as president Xavier-Henri is responsible for the running the FOX TV series Bones, which is based and managing director of SAP Canada. He and restructuring of Mechtronix Systems on her work. Kathy serves as a consultant is also chair of the Information Technology Inc., the core division of Mechtronix World for Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires Association of Canada (ITAC) and serves on Corp., and participating in and oversee- et de médecine légale for the province of the executive committee of the ITAC Board of ing strategy and business development. Quebec. She earned MA and PhD degrees Directors. Robert was honoured for his sig- Xavier-Henri holds a Master’s in Business at Northwestern University in her native nificant contributions to the advancement of Administration from INSEAD in Paris and Chicago. She is one of only 88 forensic information technology in Canada and his in- was honoured for leading the way in aero- anthropologists certified by the American volvement in community organizations. nautical industry innovations. Board of Forensic Anthropology.

Caroline Merola, Also nominated for 2011 Governor 2011 Quebec Writers’ BFA 83, won a 2011 General’s Literary Awards: Federation honours: Governor General’s Lazer Lederhendler, MA (Eng.) 93, Dimitri Nasrallah, MA (Eng.) 03, won Literary Award for Apocalypse for Beginners, by Nicolas Dickner, the Paragraphe Hugh MacLennan Prize for Littérature jeu- and Dirty Feet, by Edem Awumey, Translation Fiction for his novel, Niko (Véhicule Press; nesse – illustrations – French to English Esplanade Books), about a young boy who (langue française), J.J. Lee, BFA (studio arts) 94, The Measure flees a bombed Beirut with his father. for Lili et les poi- of a Man: The Story of a Father, a Son, and a Lazer Lederhendler, MA (Eng.) 93, won lus (Dominique et Suit, Non-fiction (English) the Cole Foundation Prize for Translation Compagnie). The Catherine Leclerc, PhD (humanities) 04, (French to English) for Apocalypse for citation reads: “Lili et les poilus is a work full Des langues en partage? Cohabitation du fran- Beginners (Knopf Canada: Vintage Canada), of dynamic compositions, with profound and çais et de l’anglais en littérature contemporaine, a translation of Nicolas Dickner’s Tarmac. luminous colours that are applied with un- Essais (langue française) Geneviève Côté, BFA 88, was nominated bridled energy.” in Children’s and Young Adult Literature for Without You.

Suzanne Hood, Stephen Roy, BEng, help Unilever with product approached me recently to 95 MA (psych.), PhD 98 MBA 10, co-founded design), and touch-screen transform my short story into (psych.) 10, on September AeonVirtual (aeonvirtual. kiosks with interactive maps. a full-fledged iPad app. The 30 received the Association com) in Montreal in 2009. franchise is taking off, as there des doyens des études de AeonVirtual creates real-time, Franco Santelli, is a board game in the works. cycles supérieurs du Québec’s interactive virtual reality spaces 02 BComm (mktg.), is a child Our first ebook was released prize, awarded annually for for real estate developers who literacy advocate in Montreal. November 11.” littlings.com the best doctoral thesis in the want to sell condos that have “What started out as a short province. Suzanne’s thesis not yet been built. The company story for my newborn daughter, Xania Keane, BA identified a new regulator of the has also applied its technology Evelina, has grown into a 06 (comm. studies & journ.), circadian clock, which may help to a virtual nuclear power children’s book studio known as is one half of electro-art-pop Parkinson’s Disease sufferers. plant, a virtual Q-Tip box (to Littlings Interactive. KwiqApps duo Trike (trikeaband.com).

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 33 “I’ve been living in Berlin Marcin Garbulinski, BFA [Germany] for the past while, 01. The trio’s debut album making money as a musician, uses engaging compositions playing shows and recording as vehicles for improvisation. songs. I started my own website, marcandreseguin.com xaniakeane.wordpress.com.” Andrew Searles, BComm Allie Caldwell, BA 11 (mktg.), writes, “I’m a 07 (comm. studies), and stand-up comedian and actor, Aaron Hancox, BA (comm. born and raised in Montreal, studies) 07, produced and with parents from Barbados and directed the documentary film Jamaica. Why did my parents Unheralded, which centres on move from the always-sunny- the big personalities behind and-warm Caribbean to here? small Ontario community Don’t ask. Comedy and acting newspapers. Unheralded was have always been my main chosen for the NFB-TVO career goals, but I studied Calling Card Program, which marketing to learn business Jonathan M. Mongeau, BA (hist.) 07, completed the provides an opportunity for tips and tricks to apply to my Barreau du Québec last spring and is articling at the Montreal emerging filmmakers and new- career.” andrewsearles.com office of law firm Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP. On September media teams from Ontario to 17, Jonathan, Mark Grandbois, BComm (acct.) 08, work with the NFB and TVO to Myriam Suchet, PhD and Guido Di Cerbo, BA (urban planning) 10, organized create documentaries for new- (humanities), received the Walk4Water: 2011. At the event, 63 participants walked 8 km media platforms or television Prix de thèse en cotutelle and raised over $7,200 for charity: water, a not-for-profit broadcast. It had its premiere Québec-France, co-sponsored organization bringing access to clean drinking water to people on TVO in September. by the French Consulate and Quebec’s Department in need. Pictured at the event (above, from left) are Mark, Marc-André Séguin, of International Relations. Liberal MP Justin Trudeau, Jonathan and Guido. 08 BFA (jazz studies), a Myriam explores the challenges Montreal-based jazz guitarist, that emerge from translating has released a CD, The Time it “Hétérolingual” texts—those Took. The CD features drummer written simultaneously in Alain Bourgeois and bassist different languages.

Antoine Labranche, BA (hist.) 09 (above right), celebrated Michael Solomita, BComm 96 (above right), is his 25th birthday in Pyongyang, North Korea, with a dinner vice-president of Operations for Roxon Medi-Tech in of dog meat and kimchi, a traditional fermented Korean dish Montreal. Michael was one of 80 people chosen to appear of seasoned vegetables. “I visited this mysterious and closed this season on the CBC’s top-rated TV show, Dragon’s country, an experience that proved to be highly insightful. It was Den. His episode aired September 28. He pitched his especially interesting to hear their version of the Korean War, medical product, the Cefaly (cefaly.ca), an electrical along with their perspective on the Korean national struggle.” stimulation to alleviate and prevent migraine pain.

34 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine David C. Jehu, S BA 64, is an artist, woodcarver and freelance writer who lives, in McDonalds Corners, Ont. David recently published his first novel, Beautiful Brains, which introduces a mischievous young boy growing up in his mother’s small-town boarding house in hy the 1940s. Through encounters p with colourful characters and hotogra P

the murder of a friend, the boy L

learns painful life lessons. To /PB lau

buy Beautiful Brains ($15), contact David at [email protected]. B yan R Table for two

“We all have stories. There are some things you just can’t forget,” says Santo Fata, BA 94, MBA 97. Stay connected with JMSB Fata’s story involves Concordia’s Vanier Library. On December 12, 1991, he entered the Loyola Campus library Alumni; join our online to cram for a computer science exam and suddenly spot- communities today! ted a student, Kimberley Jackson, BA 93, at one of Vanier’s characteristic wooden study tables. “She was sitting there, absolutely stunning (and she still is!),” Fata says. “I was blown away. I knew I had to act right away or my life would johnmolson.concordia.ca/joinusalumni never be complete.” Fata quickly introduced himself—and a great library love story began.

The study table played a central role for the two young stu- dents. They regularly sat there to study together. Fata can recall what Kimberley was wearing, what books they were studying, the marks in the wooden chairs and the exact loca- tion of the table (which, incidentally, had not changed since then). The two are now married with two daughters.

New job? Just moved? Just married? Or just want to let your Fata expressed his desire to somehow acquire the table so former classmates know what you’ve been up to? Visit that he could present it to his wife on their 13th anniversary. “Some people like diamonds—and so does my wife—but she alumni.concordia.ca/keepintouch also appreciates things that have a special symbolic value,” he explains. Through the efforts of Dubravka Kapa, director Or mail or email us any information about yourself—don’t be shy— of the Vanier Library, arrangements were made to donate you’d like to appear in Class Acts. the table and chairs to Fata.

Please include: your name (including name at graduation); year(s) On August 16, the table and chairs were presented by of graduation and degree(s) from Concordia, Loyola or Sir George, University Librarian Gerald Beasley (pictured, above right, and other universities; street address, phone number(s) and email with Fata) and promptly loaded into Fata’s vehicle so that he could hurry home and install the table before his wife re- address; and any other relevant personal or business info and turned from a cunningly arranged diversion. messages that you’d like to appear. The library is indebted to him for sharing his story because, By email: [email protected] Subject: Class Acts as Beasley points out, “We know there are many stories out there about the libraries. Your stories are our stories.” By mail: Class Acts, Advancement and Alumni Relations, — David Thirlwall, Associate University Librarian, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., FB 520, Library Personnel Montreal, QC H3G 1M8 Do you have a Concordia Library story you would Join the the Concordia University Alumni Association LinkedIn group like to share? Email the University Librarian at at alumni.concordia.ca/benefits/olc. [email protected].

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 35 IN M E M O R I A M

Maurice Rowan, L BA Irving (Issie) Finkelberg, in Mesa, Ariz. Peter is survived Daniel Artola, BEng 87, died 37, died on September 13 in S BA 55, Cert 95, BA 97, MA by his mother, Albina, his wife, on September 3 in Montreal. Montreal. Maurice is survived 03, died on September 30 Donna, and his sons, Paul, Mark Daniel is survived by his wife, by his wife, Ruth, and his son, in Montreal. Issie is survived and Michael. He was 60. Virginia, and his sons, Ryan and Tom. He was 97. by his wife, Dorothy, and his Eric. He was 47. children, Norm, Sam and Eric. Sonia Selnekovic- Ernest Rossi, L attendee 42, He was 82. Giacomini, S MA 74, died on Giulia Angione, BComm died on August 18 in Pickering, August 5 in Montreal. Sonia 89, died on September 17 in Ont. Ernest is survived by his John Nettleton Adams, is survived by her husband, Montreal. Giulia is survived by children, Diane, Carole, Joanne S BComm 57, died August 18 George, and her sons, David her mother, Angela, and her and Norman. He was 86. in St. John’s, Nfld. John is and Robert. She was 60. brother, Peter. She was 52. survived by his nephew, Ken. Murray Fainer, S BA 45, died He was 90. Peter Susel, BSc 75, died Gladys Gulyas, BA 91, died on September 24 in Montreal. on July 15 in Mississauga, Ont. on October 22 in Montreal. Murray is survived by his wife, Shibly J.C. Abela, L BSc Peter is survived by his wife, Gladys is survived by her Lois, and his children, Phil, 61, died on August 4 in Ottawa. Marion, and his son, Geoffrey. husband, Zoltan, and her sons, Betsy and Duffy. He was 87. Shibly is survived by his wife, He was 62. Steven, Frank and Jason. She Daphne, and his children, was 67. Gdalyah Rosenfeld, S Daphne, Peter, John, Caroline Gail Marks, BA 76, died on BA 45, died on August 20 in and Carmen. He was 71. September 28 in Toronto. Gail Morris (Morrie) Ottawa. Gdalyah is survived is survived by her mother, Krantzberg, BA 91, died by his wife, Florence, and his G.C. Ian Burgess, S BA Betty. She was 57. on October 14 in Montreal. daughters, Jocelyn and Anita. 62, died on September 6 in Morrie is survived by his wife, He was 88. Toronto. Ian is survived by Giuseppina (Josie) Wilson, Gertrude (Gerry), and his sons, his wife, Joanne, and his son, BA 77, died on September 28 Eli and Leon. He was 94. André Richard, S BComm William. He was 70. in Montreal. Josie is survived 47, S BA 56, died on August 31 by her husband, Brian, and Michelina Tambasco- in Cowansville, Que. William Ralph Norris her daughter, Jacqueline. Gagné, BA 95, BEd 98, died Finlayson, S BA 62, died She was 57. on January 4 in Montreal. Kenneth F. Elliot, S BA on August 23 in Ottawa. Michelina is survived by her 48, died on September 24 Ralph was 71. Thomas Cullen Daly, LLD parents, Michele and Emira. in Oakville, Ont. Kenneth is 80, died on September 18 in She was 41. survived by his children, Susan William G. Copp, S BA Montreal. Thomas is survived and Scott. He was 86. 68, died on September 9 in by his wife, Ruth, and his sons, Lillian Willson, BA 98, died Harrington, Que. William is Tom and John. He was 93. on September 24 in Pierrefonds, Harold Fligel, L BSc 48, survived by his wife, Elaine, Que. Lillian is survived by her died on August 8 in Montreal. and his daughters, Deanna and Jacques Douesnarde, niece, Sandra, and her nephew, Harold is survived by his wife, Caragh. He was 67. BComm 80, died August 6 in Ken. She was 88. Marion, and his children, Erwin Montreal. Jacques is survived and Donna. Muriel Whinfield, S BA by his parents, Fernand and Lynn Leonard Griffiths, 68, died on September 29 in Micheline, his wife, Sylvie, and BFA 99, died on August 9 in Alan L. Drumm, L attendee Belleville, Ont. his children, Laurie-Anne and Montreal. Lynn is survived by 50, died on August 11 in Pierre-Olivier. He was 56. her husband, Andrew, and her Markham, Ont. Alan is survived Marika (Salamis) son, Adam. by his wife, Robyn, and his Asimakopulos, S BSc 70, died Marc A. Booth, BA 81, died children, Tracey, Marc and on August 12 in Montreal. Marika on September 9 in Montreal. Erika (Krajicek) Gutbrodt- Annemarie. He was 82. is survived by her daughters, Marc is survived by his wife, Zimmerl, BFA 01, died on Anna and Julia. She was 72. Céline. September 25 in Brome, Eric (Budgie) Malcolm Que. Erika is survived by her Lack, S BA 53, died on Maureen Boyce-Arnold, L Steven Weintraub, BEng 84, son, Mark. She was 77. September 4 in Montreal. Eric BA 70, died on September 17 in died on August 18 in Montreal. is survived by his wife, Anita, Montreal. Maureen was 74. Steven is survived by his father, Geneviève Thérien, BFA and his children, Heidi, Wendy Gaby, and his sister, Debbie. 08, died July 11 in Montreal. and Jonathan. Peter John Astrauskas, He was 50. Geneviève was 25. L BEng 71, died on August 14

36 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine NOTICES

Are you a Loyola Alumni Recognition Awards College graduate Call for Nominations or attendee? Send your submission by December 22, 2011 The Loyola Alumni Association All graduates, faculty members and staff, students and friends of would like to hear from you! In an effort to stay current, we are Concordia University and its two founding institutions, Sir George asking all Loyola College alumni for feedback on matters pertaining to Williams University and Loyola College, are invited to nominate can- the short- and long-term future of the Association. Kindly take a few didates for the Concordia University Alumni Association (CUAA) minutes to fill out a short questionnaire: alumni.concordia.ca/about/ Recognition Awards, the highest honour bestowed by the association. associations/loyola/survey/

The CUAA urges you to submit nominations for individuals who de- Many thanks, serve to be recognized for their outstanding achievements, exceptional Executive Committee, Loyola Alumni Association service to the advancement of Concordia or continued service to their community. Award recipients will be honoured at a special event in spring 2012. The awards are as follows: NOTICE Humberto Santos Award of Merit Concordia Sports Hall of Fame Alumnus/a of the Year Award Call for Nominations Benoît Pelland Distinguished Service Award The deadline for nominations to be considered for the 2012 Honorary Life Membership induction ceremony is Outstanding Student Award January 31, 2012. Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching Nominations should be accompanied by as much supporting documentation as possible, because it is the documentation—not the MBA Alumnus/a of the Year Award number of times a name is put forward or endorsed—that is consid- ered at the time of selection. Nominations do not expire if Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award they are not selected in the year in which they are made.

Visit athletics.concordia.ca/nomination.html for a nomination form or call 514-848-2424, ext. 3852, Visit alumni.concordia.ca/events/awards to complete a nomination for more information. form or contact Nancy Wada, Alumni Officer, Associations, at [email protected] or at 514-848-2424, ext. 3882. GO STINGERS!

CALL FOR CLASS REUNION NOTICE CHAMPIONS FOR HOMECOMING 2012 Reader’s Digest Annual Lecture Graduates from the classes of 1962 and earlier, 1967, Series in Journalism 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2002 will reunite Featuring investigative reporter Stevie Cameron to celebrate their anniversary years at Homecoming 2012. If you would like to volunteer as a Class Champion March 9, 2012, 7:30 p.m. for your reunion class, please contact Erin Mullins, J.A. de Sève Cinema, J.W. McConnell Building Associate Alumni Officer, Homecoming and Reunions, Concordia University, 1400 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal at [email protected] or 514-848-2424, ext. 3881. Help us bring together your former classmates to celebrate This free public lecture is supported by the Reader’s Digest this meaningful event. Foundation of Canada in collaboration with Concordia University’s Departments of Journalism and English.

Call for chapter volunteers We’re seeking volunteers to help organize events in California and in Edmonton. It’s a meaningful way to network and give back to your alma mater. For more information, please contact Lina Uberti, Alumni Officer, Geographic Chapters, at [email protected].

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 37 W O R D S & MUSIC

Haiti, Africville and Quebec folk rock

rom Johanna deformation process relates at Trinity College of the be fictional, but their plight Skibsrud, MA (Eng.) to possible microstruc- University of Toronto. and setting aren’t: Africville F 05, winner of the 2010 tural developments and its was a small Halifax enclave Scotiabank Giller Prize for expected mechanical proper- Déjà culturiste, modèle, whose African-Canadian The Sentimentalists, comes ties. McQueen is a Professor éditeur, rénovateur inhabitants were relocated the short-story collection Emeritus of Materials and résidentiel, poète, pein- in the sixties by munici- This Will Be Difficult to Manufacturing in Mechanical tre et défenseur des pal authorities who wanted Explain and Other Stories Engineering at Concordia. droits de la personne, the land for development. (Penguin Canada, $28). The Marcel F. Raymond, Malone’s story illustrates stories take readers around The latest effort by interna- S BA 1973 (littérature fran- the resilience of the human the world, into inns and tionally renowned writer and çaise et science politique) spirit.

farms and art galleries, to historian Elizabeth Abbott, signe à présent Le poète Stephen Henighan, MA meet an eclectic array of S BA 63, Haiti: A Shattered nyctalope Louis Geoffroy, (Eng.) 86, translated Mihail people. The author shows Nation (The Overlook Press, 1947-1977 (MFR éditeur, Sebastian’s 1940 novel The readers “through their $40.50), explores the history 25 $). Cet ouvrage examine Accident (Biblioasis, $19.95) eyes what even they cannot of the troubled nation, from l’œuvre irrévérencieuse, into English from the original see and uncorking minor its independence through provocatrice, radicale et Romanian. Amid the artis- epiphanies in the middle the brutal Duvalier regime expérimentale de Geoffroy tic and intellectually vibrant of the most unremarkable to the aftermath of the dev- durant la révolution cul- Romania of the 1930s, The days,” according to the astating 2010 earthquake. turelle québécoise. L’édition Accident interlaces the lives of publisher. Abbott, who lived in Port- comprend un résumé en Nora, injured after falling off au-Prince, leads readers anglais. a tram, and her rescuer, a sui- Hugh J. McQueen, L BEng through the small Caribbean cidal young man. The book’s 54, Stefano Spigarelli, nation’s continued struggles Big Town: A novel of Africville “lyricism and depth of feeling Michael E. Kassner and with government corrup- (Nimbus Publishing, $18.95) have been made wonderfully Enrico Evangelista have tion and poverty, painting a by Halifax-based writer apparent thanks to Stephen contributed a compre- portrait of an extraordinarily Stephens Gerard Malone, Henighan’s elegant transla- hensive reference book, resilient people. Abbott’s BA (comm. studies) 83, tion,” praised The National Hot Deformation and previous books include weaves the stories of three Post. This is Sebastian’s first Processing of Aluminum Mistresses: A History of the youths struggling with hard- novel to appear in English. Alloys (CRC Press, $215.95), Other Woman (2011). She is a ships in early 1960s Nova Henighan is a writer and that explains how the hot Senior Research Associate Scotia. The characters may teaches Spanish American

38 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine literature at the University of Veracap Corporate Finance Mélissa Anctil, BA 1992 cultural turmoil of the past Guelph, Ont. Ltd. Johnson illustrates how (traduction et études clas- three decades. Beauchemin to maximize shareholder siques). On y retrouve Gigi, taught creative writing and A self-described “great value through private-equity l’adolescente apparue dans international journalism at practitioner of deceit,” the financing, acquisitions, di- Gigi (2002), d’ailleurs mis Concordia and is a former notorious, Montreal-raised vestitures and shareholder en nomination pour un Prix senior editor at the Montreal John Glassco is best known advisory services. In the du Gouverneur général. Gazette and author of Salut! for his acclaimed Memoirs of preface, Johnson writes that Dans cette suite, l’étudiante The Quebec Microbrewery Montparnasse, chronicling the process of building value du secondaire tombe amou- Cookbook (2003). his supposed youthful ad- in a company is similar to reuse du beau François, ventures with celebrities in building a house: “Creating néglige sa meilleure amie In Food and Fellowship: Paris and numerous affairs. a strong foundation does not et lutte pour s’épanouir Projects and Recipes to In A Gentleman of Pleasure: happen overnight. . . [but] a dans sa transition vers Feed a Community (The One Life of John Glassco, well-built house becomes a l’âge adulte. Mme Anctil, Alternate Press, $24.95), Poet, Memoirist, Translator, lasting legacy.” qui possède une maîtrise Andrea Belcham, BA (Eng.

and Pornographer (Queen’s Who Is Ana Mendieta? (The en études françaises de lit) 99, makes the case that University Press, $39.95), Feminist Press at CUNY, l’Université de Montréal, buying locally sourced, Brian Busby, BA (Eng.) 87, $22.50), by Christine est traductrice principale natural food ingredients in uncovers the truth of a mas- Redfern, BFA 89, and Caro pour le cabinet d’avocats bulk and preparing them ter raconteur and literary Caron, is a graphic novel- montréalais Gowling Lafleur in batches in a local kitch- translator whose penchant la about the art and life of Henderson. en is not only sustainable, for deception wove itself Ana Mendieta. Killed at the healthy and economical but through his life and his height of her career in 1985, Raymond Beauchemin, MA strengthens community works. Busby is the author the Cuban American femi- (Eng.) 92, has penned his bonds, improves family life of several books, including nist artist’s work about the debut novel, Everything and fights world hunger. She Character Parts: Who’s Really female body and violence I Own (Guernica Editions, provides a guide for orga- Who in CanLit (2004), and greatly impacted art his- $20). The witty and wise sto- nizing and managing both lives in St. Marys, Ont. tory. The text features mostly ry follows Michel Laflamme, a food-buying club and a quotes by Mendieta and oth- a Montreal songwriter, batch-cooking group—and For executives and business er cultural figures. Redfern as he reflects on his wife, even includes 100 delicious owners comes Building Value is a Montreal-based artist. a founding member of a vegan recipes. Belcham, a in your Company (Chartered seminal Quebec folk-rock resident of Pointe-Claire, Accountants of Canada, $49) Les règles du jeu (Soulières group, and his disap- Que., reviews food and en- by Howard E. Johnson, éditeur, 10,95 $) est le proving father. Michel’s vironment books and leads BComm 88, managing di- troisième ouvrage de fic- relationships parallel the vegetarian cooking classes rector of Toronto-based tion jeunesse publié par province’s political and and workshops.

concordia university magazine winter 2011/12 | 39 E N O U G H SAID

A journey of self-publishing

BY DONNA KAKONGE, MA 99

almost published my first book at age 7. My Grade 2 teacher, Mrs. erg I Chen, loved my story about dinosaurs b

so much that she brought my dad in ronen to discuss getting it published. That C aitlin

was in 1979, and self-publishing was C expensive. DONNA KAKONGE IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON A BOOK OF ABOUT SPIRITUALITY. Twenty years later, after I graduated with a master’s in Media Studies from called My Roxanne, which I had written in day, plus the occasional paperback. Concordia, I finally took the plunge 1989 at 17. I’m now delving into traditional when I self-published three copies of By then, teaching and writing had publishing by contributing two academic my MA thesis, called Afro Forever. At a taken over my life—and kept me out and creative book projects through the Montreal print shop, I photocopied and of trouble. In fall 2009, for example, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education bound the manuscript, which cost about I taught nine courses between Humber (OISE) at the University of Toronto. One $20 each at the time. To make a profit, College, University of Guelph-Humber, project is an academic piece to be de- I sold the three copies for $50 apiece Seneca College, Centennial College veloped from a Black Feminist Thought in less than two weeks. I renamed that and Trebas Institute in Toronto—while course I took last winter, and the other is same manuscript—now What Happened writing at a rapid pace. From 2007 derived from a conference on spirituality to the Afro?—and in 2006 self-published to 2011, I completed 40 more books, held at OISE, where I am pursuing a PhD it on Lulu.com as a paperback, and later bringing the count of my self-published in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning a hardcover and ebook. titles to 43. The works include short Development. It is now nearly 13 years since As my books were selling slowly, I graduated from Concordia and self-published my first book. After I took a tip from a young American woman. that initial success, I now also have Last winter, I slashed my ebook prices and thousands of credits in my publishing history (I have been writing nearly started selling about an ebook a day. daily for the past four years for my online magazine, called Donna I found out about Lulu.com when the stories, published school essays and Magazine, at kakonged.wordpress.com). website I built with the help of friends was non-fiction volumes with topics as My books are featured in the Barrie discovered by a man named Michael Teal. varied as transportation, radio and Public Library and the libraries of Seneca Through email, Teal told me how much he television announcing, and spiritual and Centennial colleges. liked my site and invited me to visit his. matters—and there is still so much As well, I have at least 43 self- There, I clicked on an ad for an online more I want to write about! published books on my bookshelf, more publisher. At first, I found its publishing- About 2009, I discovered Amazon than $3,500 in profit in my pocket, for-free deal too good to be true. (The Kindle. As the journey continued and and the experience of seeing projects company doesn’t charge for publishing my books were selling slowly, I took a through. Thank you, Concordia. but takes 20 per cent of writers’ profits.) tip from a young American woman who However, I took a risk and gave it a try. I was offering her teen novels for $2.99 Donna Kakonge is a writer/teacher sold three copies of What Happened to the USD. Last winter, I slashed my ebook living in Toronto. Her website is Afro? in summer 2006. Soon after, I pub- prices to $3.99 and my paperback/ donnakakonge.com. You can find her books lished How to Write Creative Non-fiction. hardcover book prices to as low as pos- on Amazon Kindle and the iBookstore by In 2007, I self-published my third book, sible. I started selling about an ebook a searching “Donna Kakonge.”

40 | winter 2011/12 concordia university magazine What if there were no curveballs?

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