WINTER 2010 ISSUE NUMBER 13 ATTRACTING THE WORLD’S BEST illustration by Scott Woods Scott by illustration WESTERN AIMS TO HAVE 100 NEW CHAIRS WITHIN THE NEXT DECADE INSIDE | WESTERN HAS SET ITS SIGHTS ON BECOMING endowed chairs program this year. These chairs The second chair, announced in October, is the A GLOBAL LEADER IN RESEARCH WITH THE will bring new knowledge and research, Cecil and Linda Rorabeck Chair in Molecular CREATION OF UP TO EIGHT NEW ENDOWED teaching strengths, and will provide sustained Neuroscience and Vascular Biology, located in CHAIRS BY APRIL 2011 AND A TOTAL OF 100 leadership in fields of strategic importance to Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & NEW CHAIRS IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS. the University. Dentistry, Robarts Research Institute. Their gift of $1 million, along with the late Myra Millson’s During this fiscal year, the University will match The first chair established under the matching $500,000 bequest to Schulich, will see a total private gifts of $1.5 million to establish a program was announced by Western’s Richard donation of $1.5 million, to be matched by permanent $3-million endowed chair. Ivey School of Business in September, thanks to a Western to create the $3-million endowed chair. 2 gift from Ian Ihnatowycz and Marta Witer, who Schulich Dean sets sights high President Amit Chakma has laid out the directed $1.5 million of their $3.5-million gift to “When we make major donations, we often look ambitious plan, intended to help attract some of endow a Chair in Leadership. to utilize a matching program so our gift is the world’s best researchers to Western, that leveraged to create a greater impact,” notes Cec commits up to $12.5 million for the matching “The quality of leadership helps determine the Rorabeck. “We applaud the University’s direction quantity of success,” says Ihnatowycz, a 1982 and we’re pleased to play some small part in it.” 2 graduate of the Ivey MBA program. “Ivey has always attracted talented students with strong Chakma says, “These gifts are the beginning of a leadership aspirations. I believe it is important new thrust by our University to show the world 3 their skills as leaders be nurtured and developed the impact our research can achieve.” RBC gift offers Engineering student – so they’re prepared for the evolving demands an experience of a lifetime and challenges that await them.” For more on the new gift from Cecil and Linda Rorabeck see page 2. WHAT IS A CHAIR? A Chair is a critical tool in the University’s ability to attract, support and retain 4 senior faculty teachers and researchers. It is a pool of capital that is invested to grow over time, with an annual allocation from income used to help pay for the 4 incumbent’s research, graduate students, protected research time, and often part Multi-million dollar software donation of the salary in the individual. benefits Earth Sciences students A Chair holder is someone of great distinction, the best in their field, who brings leadership, knowledge and expertise to the University. They are the driving force behind the research and academic work within their area, contributing to the betterment of society while raising Western’s reputation as a globally-recognized destination. These individuals are technology 10 creators, economy builders, society servers, and health researchers. 10 Holiday greetings and thank you from The 1878 Societies Honorary Chair 2 DONATION FROM THE HEART BRINGS HOPE INNOVATIVE INSTITUTE AT WESTERN HELPS FOR BRAIN RESEARCH POSSIBILITIES ANSWER THE TOUGH QUESTIONS “SCIENCE EMPOWERS US. THE HUMANITIES TEACH US TO USE THAT POWER WISELY,” SAYS CANADIAN BUSINESS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE AND WESTERN ALUMNUS, JOSEPH ROTMAN (BA’57). The more successful Rotman became in business, the more he felt he was falling back on the principles and disciplines of critical thinking he learned in philosophy at Western. This led him to make a $4-million donation to Western in 2008, creating the Rotman Institute of Philosophy. “I am convinced we have the opportunity at Western to do something unique,” says Rotman. “We can have significant impact by helping define the scope of the problems that society faces because of the rapid changes in science and technology, as well as to ensure we advance questions that are not being asked. We must look at science and technology through the lens of philosophy.” While the Rotman Institute officially opened in October, faculty, staff and students have Dr. Cecil and Linda Rorabeck been busy building momentum for the last two years. THE RORABECKS HAVE BEEN MAKING QUIET BUT GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR COMMUNITY FOR MANY YEARS – THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTEER A key early step was the establishment of an International Advisory Committee comprised of some of the world’s leading scientists and philosophers. In July of this year, IMPACT WESTERN IMPACT AND PROFESSIONAL WORK. THEIR BELIEF IN THE PROMISE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH HAS LED DR. CECIL AND LINDA RORABECK TO DONATE $1 MILLION TO SCHULICH’S Eric Desjardins, philosopher of biology who is doing cutting-edge work on ecosystem ROBARTS RESEARCH INSTITUTE. restoration, was hired for a new tenure-track faculty position created for the Institute. In October, the Institute hosted an international conference, bringing together 70 leading “We believe in science and we believe in supporting excellence. Robarts is helping philosophers and scientists from around the world to advance the understanding of the redefine excellence internationally and we want to continue to support that and make complex interactions between organisms and their environments. it even stronger if we can.” “We want to foster dialogue and collaboration between philosophers and scientists and The Rorabeck gift is being combined with Myra Millson’s $500,000 bequest to Western’s engage people around the world - policymakers, students and the public - in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. This will create a total donation of $1.5 million, discussion,” says Charles Weijer, Director of the Rotman Institute and Canada Research which will be matched by the University to create a $3-million endowed chair. The Chair in Bioethics. “This work will build bridges between the humanities and the sciences Cecil and Linda Rorabeck Chair in Molecular Neuroscience and Vascular Biology will and will also help the general public understand the implications of contemporary support an appointed scientist at the new Centre for Molecular Neuroscience and science for Canadian society.” Vascular Biology at Robarts. Ms. Millson’s gift is being honoured separately. Philosophy doctoral student Valerie Racine feels privileged to be a part of the team of In recent years, Rorabeck had the opportunity to see the impact of Robarts research. He graduate students in the Rotman Institute. served as the Institute’s interim CEO and Scientific Director, overseeing its merger and consolidation with Western, which was finalized in June 2007. “Being part of the Institute means having a great mentoring experience as students are included in all the Institute’s activities and we have close contact with faculty members, “I have been fortunate to see from the inside the extraordinary work and resources it visiting scholars, post-doctoral fellows and fellow graduate students, “ says Racine. takes to develop and bring discoveries to the patients who are waiting every day, filled with hope. For Linda and for me, the support of a research chair was a meaningful way Western’s philosophy department is world-renowned for its strength in the philosophy of to show our commitment to that research.” science. By building on that strength, the Rotman Institute can become an avant garde place in academia where there is an emphasis on collaboration and interdisciplinary work Dr. Rorabeck is one of the world’s leading experts on hip and knee replacement that matters for society at large.” surgery, a Professor Emeritus at The University of Western Ontario and former Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University and London Health Sciences Centre. A Western To learn more about the Rotman Institute of Philosophy at Western, visit www.rotman.uwo.ca graduate (MD’68), he received an honorary degree from his alma mater last October in recognition of the worldwide impact he has made in medicine, and for his dedication to the community. He admits it may seem odd that an orthopaedic surgeon would support neuroscience and vascular biology, but with neurodegenerative disease affecting some family members, the connection is clear. “We’re not under any illusions that we’re going to solve Alzheimer’s disease in the next six months or answer all the questions about stroke or MS, but I think the technology is such that with enough funding and expertise, there is a possibility of certainly making some inroads.” Philosophy doctoral student Valerie Racine feels privileged to be able to work directly with the Director of the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Charles Weijer (right), along with other students and faculty at The Rotman Institute of Philosophy. NEW DEAN SETS SIGHTS HIGH FOR SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY SINCE DR. MICHAEL STRONG BEGAN HIS ROLE AS DEAN OF will set the stage for a vastly expanded support system for our students,” says Strong. “Western has the expertise to WESTERN’S SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY Schulich scientists and a more thematic, interdisciplinary form a unique core of individuals focused on these very IN JULY 2010 HE HAS BEEN BUSY LAYING OUT HIS VISION approach. The research plan will also include a re- important questions.” FOR THE ROAD AHEAD. IT HAS BEEN AN ENERGETIC SIX invigoration of the Robarts Research Institute as a key MONTHS IN WHICH STRONG HAS MET WITH FACULTY, component of the research strategy for Schulich.