Concordia University Magazine – Fall 2009 (Volume 32, Number 3)

2009·10.7 MB·English

by  Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations

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The John Molson
School of Business
moves into its
new home
$
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/
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$
BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MODERN QUARTERS > HEALTH ADVOCATES > GREAT GRADUATES
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u n i v e r s i t y m a g a z i n e
fall 2009 volume 32 number 3 m a g a z i n e . c o n c o r d i a . c a
8
Open for business
For the fi rst time, John Molson
School of Business students and
faculty and staff members can enjoy
a home of their own.
Cover:The John
Looking out for Molson School of
Business building.
the overlooked
Credit:
Award-winning Concordia Marion Elissalde
researcher and activist
Viviane Namaste works to 18
enhance HIV/AIDS-prevention
information for communities
outside the mainstream.
By Julie Gedeon
14
Alumni profi le
Finger on the pulse of 22
health policy activism
University of Ottawa Political Science
Professor Michael Orsini, BA 91, MA 96,
Great grads
examines the growing infl uence
of healthcare activists. We introduce you to eight of Concordia’s
3 EDITOR’S VOICE by Patrick McDonagh best and brightest new graduates.
4 LETTERS
5 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
6 CONCORDIA NEWS
Look for your winter 2009/10 issue online
28 ASSOCIATION NEWS
In an effort to go green and cut costs, the Concordia
University Magazine’s winter 2009/10 issue will appear
32 CLASS ACTS
online only at magazine.concordia.ca. We will notify
40 ENOUGH SAID readers by email when the issue goes live. To make sure
we have your updated contact information, send an email
to [email protected] or visit alumni.concordia.ca.
The online winter 2009/10 issue will feature the following
stories:
 Concordia’s Olympic connections
 The 2010 Congress of the Humanities and Social
Sciences to be held at Concordia
 The research of Concordia Psychology professor William
Bukowski on how peer relations contribute to children’s
emotional and social development
 Digital artist LiQin Tan, MFA 93, associate professor
of Art at Rutgers University in Camden, N.J.
Our 2009 graduates, from left to right: Mohammad Asgar Khan, MASc (mech. eng.) 09;
Mei Mei Zhang, MSc (admin.) 09; Jianguo Wu, MSc (admin.) 09; and Patrizia Scali, BSc (exer. sci) 09.
STAY INVOLVED WITH CONCORDIA
THROUGH YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Through the Concordia University Alumni Association, you can keep in touch with fellow alumni,
give back to your university and enjoy exciting programs and activities that include:
• Networking and career events
• The Concordia Mentor Program
• Chapter events, golf tournaments, reunions and more.
Benefi ts:
• Concordia University Mosaik®MasterCard®
• Preferred home and auto insurance rates with TD Insurance Meloche Monnex
• Preferred life, accident, disability, health and dental insurance rates with Manulife Financial
• Alumni Travel Program
• T he CUAA Online Magazine Store, atmagfundraising.ca/cuaa,that offers you savings of up to
85 percent off newsstand prices for more than 600 French and English magazines
• Access to Concordia’s libraries and other services
• With your Alumni ID Card, obtain savings on Via Rail, Nautilus Plus, Budget Rent-a-Car and more.
alumni.concordia.ca 514-848-2424, ext. 4856, or 1-888-777-3330
EEddiittoorr’’ssVVooiiccee
Cheers to your health
F
ormer United States president health of health-policy activism,” page
George W. Bush left a mixed legacy, 18). Orsini is an associate professor
to be charitable. But Bush got at of Political Science at the University
least one thing right: in 2003, he created of Ottawa. His research looks into the
the President’s Emergency Plan for increasing presence and infl uence
AIDS Relief, which has injected billions of healthcare activists who support
of dollars into the fi ght against AIDS in the educational scope and access to efforts to alleviate affl ictions that
Africa and elsewhere and allowed more information and services for HIV/ include autism and HIV/AIDS. Both
than one million people to be treated for AIDS and sexually transmitted disease Orsini and Namaste agree that while
the virus. As a result, he and his wife, prevention. She works with groups most people are not directly affected
Laura, received the 2009 Leadership that often fall below the public-health by ailments such as autism or HIV/
Award in May from the Baylor radar, including transsexuals, bisexuals AIDS, government health policy, which
International Pediatric AIDS Initiative. and swingers. As she toldConcordia includes defi ning how resources are
The Bushes join Canadian Stephen University Magazine,Namaste strives allocated and developing strategies to
Lewis, the former United Nations envoy to convert her academic fi ndings control the prevention and spread of
for AIDS in Africa, on the impressive into action by delivering to affected diseases, affect all of us.
list of award recipients. communities accurate and tailored Our cover story features the
It’s really not all that surprising that information through, for example, impressive, new John Molson School
Bush and now, his successor, Barak advertising campaigns and websites, of Business (JMSB) building (see
Obama, are grappling with healthcare and advocating for government policy “Open for business,” page 8). Many of
issues. Obama is trying to revamp the changes. you will remember the empty lot that
U.S. health insurance system, which is Namaste’s type of advocacy is a stood on the corner of De Maisonneuve
making many Americans nervous about research focus for Michael Orsini, BA Boulevard and Guy Street from 1997
the future quality of their healthcare. Of 91, MA 96, who is this issue’s alumni until 2006. On that lot now stands a
course, health and healthcare are also pprofi le (see “Assessingg the 155-storey, glass-and-steel, eco-friendly
primary concerns for Canadians annd structuure that Concordia’s facilities
others around the world. In 2007, mannagement team brought to
HIV/AIDS caused more than fruition in just two and a half
2 million deaths worldwide years—and under budget. It
compared with coronary heart will be the fi rst time all JMSB
disease, the number-one classes and offi ces and its
killer that felled 7.2 million, nearly 8,000 undergraduates
according to the World Health and graduates will be housed
Organization. We can now add under one roof. JMSB Dean
the H1N1 infl uenza, mad cow Saanjay Sharma told me that while
disease, avian fl u and others to the studdents will benefi t from modern
inventory of health threats. cclassrooms and study areas,
It’s a propos, then, that the learning and working in one
themes of health and government venue will also bring students,
health policy are prominent in professors and staff members
this issue of Concordia University closer together as a community.
Magazine.Our faculty profi le The prognosis for both the
features Viviane Namaste, an new facility and Concordia’s
associate professor and research business school is upbeat.
chair in HIV/AIDS and Sexual
Health at Concordia’s Simone de Conccordia University Magazine’s
Beauvoir Institute (see “Looking winteer 2009/10 issue will appear online
out for the overlooked,” page onlyy atmagazine.concordia.ca.See the
14). Namaste seeks to expand table of contents page for more details.
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Letters
Doing good in South Africa bunk beds included!). Although Foundation does incredible work at
T
he alumni profi les, “Doing good volunteers are dispatched to various the grassroots level in 15 sub-Saharan
for others” (Summer 2009), placements, time is set aside each countries on the African continent,
stole my heart! I recently signed day for cultural and learning activities, focusing on women, orphans,
up to volunteer in South Africa with such as language classes in isiXhosa grandmothers and people living with
the help of Cross-Cultural Solutions, and Afrikaans, discussions with guest HIV and AIDS. Our group has more
a non-profi t organization that operates speakers on topics such as the origins, than 70 members and in our fi rst year
volunteer programs lasting from one history, and legacy of apartheid, we raised more than $25,000. (Since
to 12 weeks in Africa, Asia, Eastern the liberation struggle, its heroes, our goal was $5,000, I think we did
Europe and Latin America. HIV/AIDS and other social challenges rather well.)
From a very young age, I knew that in South Africa. It makes me proud to be part of
one day my life would be fi lled with Thanks for shining the spotlight the long link of Concordia graduates
not one, not two, but hundreds of kids. on such stories, particularly Wilhelmina like Wilhelmina Fredericks who are
It took me years to voice this dream. Fredericks’s “Scaling Kilimanjaro reaching out to make this a better
For the past two years, I committed to for kids.” It confi rms my belief that world. Thank you for showing that
fi nding a way to make this dream we are more alike than we are different our graduates give rather than get.
a reality. and that my contribution, no matter
how small, is a step forward. H. Carol Schmidt, S BA 61
Kitchener-Waterloo
Pascale Bijoux, BA 95
Montreal
En français
I
just wanted to express my
Grandmothers satisfaction for the French article
to grandmothers
called “L’art de motive son personnel”
T
he Summer 2009Concordia (Summer 2009). As a francophone
University Magazinewas one of Concordia alumnus, it was much
the most interesting I received over appreciated.
the years. I enjoyed the article called
“Doing good forothers” and the piece Marc Roy, BComm 08
about Wilhelmina Fredericks especially Laval, Que.
caught and held my attention.
In April 2008, my friend, Hilary
Walsh, and I started a Grandmothers
group in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont.
After months of research, a few We are among nearly 240 groups of Concordia University Magazine welcomes
sleepless nights and some very brutal Canadian grandmothers raising money readers’ comments. Letters should include
self-assessment, I decided to volunteer for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers the writer’s full name, address, school(s),
in South Africa because of the richness campaign (grandmotherscampaigns.org) degree(s) and year(s) of graduation for
of its history and the resilience of of the Stephen Lewis Foundation alumni. Letters may be selected and edited
its people. I will head to Cape Town (stephenlewisfoundation.org). The for length, style and appropriateness.
in December. My exact placement No letter will be published without
facility has yet to be confi rmed but the full name of the correspondent.
I may work in an orphanage, hospital, Correspondence should be sent to:
school, elder-care facility or with
any other group needing urgent The Editor
This publication is printed on 100%
and immediate assistance. Concordia University Magazine
recycled paper, including 20% post
While in Cape Town, I will live and consumer waste. For each ton of 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West
work with 10 to 15 other volunteers recycled paper that displaces a ton of Montreal, QC H3G 1M8
virgin paper, it reduces total energy
from Canada and elsewhere. All consumption by 27%, greenhouse Fax: [phone]
volunteers bunk together at what gas emissions by 47%, particulate email: [email protected]
emissions by 28%, wastewater by
is known as Homebase (this will website: magazine.concordia.ca
33%, solid waste by 54% and wood
be like summer camp all over again— use by 100%.
4 || faall 2000099 ccoonccoorddiaa uuniveerssittyy maaggaazinee
President’sMessage
Looking forward to our new season
F
or most of us, summer came late but
then struck with a vengeance. As the
days get shorter and temperatures
drop, there are fewer regrets in the
university world than elsewhere. We are
now moving toward our belle saison of
vibrant colours, new faces beaming with
anticipation, and a sense of excitement—
as well as a nip—in the air.
And while I can no longer claim to be
Concordia’s “new” president, there’s so
much that’s shiny, new and innovative
at the university that I, too, revel in the
fresh start.
Highlighted in this issue, the new
home for the John Molson School of ABER
H
Bmuuscihn efassn foapreen asn idts m daonoyr sk tuhdios sm. Eonletgha tnot, F. ANIEL
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airy, spacious and energy effi cient, it Concordia President and Vice-Chancellor Judith Woodsworth addressing Sir George Williams,
will stand as a landmark and symbol Loyola and Concordia graduates from the years 1963, 1968, 1973 and 1978 at the President’s
Reunion Brunch September 27, 2008, during Homecoming festivities. Woodsworth is looking
of the ever-increasing quality of the
forward to the new school year and the upcoming Homecoming festivities.
programs it houses.
As usual, we are pleased to introduce
you to some of the most stellar members course for the next few years, as we
of the Concordia family. We are proud identify the actions that will be taken SAVE THE DATE
of the accomplishments of faculty across the university to achieve the goals
members and great grads, which you will set out in “Reaching Up, Reaching Out,” President’s
read about in these pages. the university’s strategic framework.
Conference Series:
Speaking of grads, we are planning Keep your eyes peeled for further
“Every Breath You Take:
an action-packed Homecoming for the developments.
benefi t of returning alumni and members I look forward to seeing you at Surveillance, Security and
of the university community. We will Homecoming, the many alumni the End of Privacy”
feature a series of athletic, cultural and activities at home and away that are
Wednesday,
social events, including the third annual planned for the coming year, and—
November 4, 2009
Family Fair Day, which we expect to attract where most of you are concerned—
up to 2,000 neighbours and friends for a simply around town and on campus.
day of fun on the Loyola Campus. As always, I invite you to say “hi” and Visit concordia.ca/
Amid the celebrations, we will be hard introduce, or re-introduce, yourselves. presidentsconferences
at work orienting new faculty members Until then, have a great fall,et for updates
and students. We are also setting the bonne rentrée!
published without the full name of the Dépôt légal : Bibliothèque nationale mail agreement # 40065749
correspondent. du Québec. ©2009.
university magazine Printed in Canada. Editorial Board
Concordia University Magazine is Howard Bokser, editor and chair.
Concordia University Magazine published four times a year for alumni Pcoleraressep aodnddreenscse e tdoit:orial MSuesmanb eErlsia: sS,a Lmini dAan Ktaakyi,, LJuochyn NAiyrole, n,
welcomes readers’ comments. and friends of Concordia University. The Editor, Howard Bokser Nicole Saltiel, Sandra-Lynn Spina,
Letters should include the writer’s Opinions expressed herein do not Donna Varrica, Xurxo Vidal.
full name, address, school(s), necessarily refl ect the views of the For advertising information, call
degree(s) and year(s) of graduation alumni associations or of the University. 514-848-2424, ext. 3819. Graphic Design: Concordia Marketing
for alumni. Letters may be edited for Communications, P100188.
length and clarity. No letter will be ISSN 0706-1005 Canada Post Corporation publication Art Direction: Christopher Alleyne
concordia university magazine fall 2009 | 5
ConcordiaNewsss
Philanthropic Concorrddiiaa
grads at Ernst & Younnggg
contribute to JMSB
building fund
The fi rst gift announcement HY
ocef rtehme Joonhyn i nM tohles onne wSc hhoomole oof L PHOTOGRAP
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Business (JMSB) was held on July P
9, when professional services fi rm B, LAU
Ernst & Young and its employees whhho R YAN
are Concordia alumni announced aa
Ernst & Young team members, from left to right in the back row: Patrick Taza, BComm 96; Soula
donation of $315,000 to the JMSB
Kitsos, GrDip 95; Michelina Lanni, BComm 87; Albert Anelli, GrDip 93; Michael La Salle; Rod
Building Fund. In recognition of
Budd, S BComm 74; Alfred Zorzi, BComm 85; Georgia Tournas, GrDip 00; Edith Hitt, BComm 06;
the gift, a 150-seat classroom in thee Tammy Mio, BComm 90; and Aline Aswa, BComm 03. Holding the cheque from left to right: Lou
building was named the Ernst & Youunngg Pagnutti, chairman & CEO, Ernst & Young; Ted Di Giorgio, senior partner, Ernst & Young; Sanjay
Sharma, dean, Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business; and Judith Woodsworth,
Amphitheatre.
president and vice-chancellor, Concordia University.
The classroom features sophisticated
technology and teaching resources, such
as ceiling-mounted digital projection, town, said this gift “reaffi rms [Ernst support this initiative,” said Concordia
three-zone lighting and a motorized & Young’s] steadfast confi dence in President and Vice-Chancellor Judith
projection screen. the university and the JMSB.” She Woodsworth. “Joining Project Hero
Kathy Assayag, Concordia vice- added that Concordia will continue to is a fi tting way to honour the memory
president of Advancement and Alumni educate students in “an effective and of those who have made the ultimate
Relations, told the 50 or so guests responsible way” to ensure “we remain sacrifi ce through military service. I
at the ceremony that the university committed to the companies and would like to thank Andrew Molson,
valued Ernst & Young’s longstanding professions we serve.” a long-time friend of Concordia
support and partnership. She thanked JMSB Dean Sanjay Sharma also University and a member of our Board
Chairman and CEO Lou Pagnutti and thanked Ernst & Young for the vote of Governors, for bringing this worthy
Senior Partner Ted Di Giorgio, BComm of confi dence in its students and cause to our attention.”
86, GrDip (acct.) 88, for spearheading programs. Sharma said the new Molson, vice chairman of Molson
an internal fundraising campaign. Di amphitheatre will provide “cutting-edge Coors Brewing Company, said he was
Giorgio persuaded senior management learning facilities” and support “an determined to drum up support for
to match funds raised by Concordia outstanding academic experience.” this worthy cause. “I am also proud to
graduates working for Ernst & Young. —Staff represent the Royal Montreal Regiment
Describing Concordia as a as Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel and, in
Concordia fi rst Quebec
“wonderful institution,” Pagnutti said that capacity, I heartily endorse actions
alumni “are proud of the education university to support that further recognize the devotion
they received and are eager to give back to duty of the women and men in the
Project Hero
to the school that helped launch their Canadian Forces,” he said.
C
careers.” He added that Ernst & Young oncordia announced July 14 that Scholarships will be given to
is “very proud to support the growth of it established a scholarship, dependent children of Canadian Forces
a new generation of business leaders. called Project Hero to provide members who were killed while serving
The Ernst & Young Amphitheatre will fi nancial assistance to children of in an active mission dating back to
be a wonderful place for Concordia Canadian Forces personnel who February 2002, the start of Canada’s
students to learn and develop were killed while serving in an active mission in Afghanistan. Scholarships
innovative ideas that will chart a new military mission. Memorial University will be worth $2,000 per year for a
course for Canadian business.” in Newfoundland, the University of maximum of four years.
Concordia President and Vice- Ottawa, the University of Windsor and To be eligible, candidates must be:
Chancellor Judith Woodsworth, who the University of Calgary will also offer  26 years old or younger
noted that she met Pagnutti when she Project Hero scholarships.  Citizens or permanent residents of
served as president of Laurentian “I am proud to announce Concordia Canada
University in Sudbury, Ont., his home is the fi rst Quebec university to  Full-time students enrolled at
66 || ffaallll 22000099 ccoonnccoorrddiiaa uunniivveerrssiittyy mmaaggaazziinnee
Concordia University in a course of & Productivity Awarrds
study leading to an undergraduate program is aimed att
degree. promoting excellennce
“I am delighted Concordia University and innovation in
is throwing its support behind us,” higher education.
said Kevin Reed, honorary lieutenant- Concordia began
colonel of the 31 Brigade, Service Units, using the new
and vice chairman of Grey Horse Corp. composting system in
“We launched Project Hero with the 2008, making it thee
hope that it would fi nd support with only Quebec public or
post-secondary institutions right across private institution tto
Canada. Concordia is a valuable link in collect organic wastte on
the national network of universities that this scale and comppost
continues to expand.” it on site. Thanks too the
—Staff system located on thhe
Loyola Campus, within CCoonnccoorrdddiiiaa’’ss aawwaarrddd-wwiiinnnniiinngg ccoommppoosstttiiinngg ssyyssttteemm oonn ttthhhee LLLooyyoolllaa CCCaammppuuss
Concordia composter
fi ve years, Concordiia
wins Quality & will compost 100 tonnes of Every tonne of organic waste
organic waste annually. composted on site saves two tonnes of
Productivity Award
The university’s previous composting greenhouse gas emissions and decreases
T
he Canadian Association of systems could only handle fruit and acid-rain and smog by cutting down on
University Business Offi ces has vegetable waste. The new and larger transportation. The compost is used to
awarded Concordia a Quality & automated thermophilic system also fertilize the campus green spaces.
Productivity Award for its large-scale, allows for the processing of dairy, meat For more information, visit sustainable.
on-site composting system. The Quality and grain products. concordia.ca. —Staff
N
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concordia university magazine fall 2009 | 7
John Molson School of Business students and faculty members will reap the benefits
of a spectacular new building in the heart of the Sir George Williams Campus.
I
f the three tenets of real estate academic standing. “There is already students in the JMSB (originally
really are location, location, much for us to be proud of. We’re top known as the Faculty of Commerce and
location, then Concordia’s John notch in so many areas, such as faculty Administration) trekked to classes
Molson School of Business (JMSB) has research and student successes,” across both campuses.
defi nitely upped its worth. The JMSB’s Sharma says. “It would be diffi cult to What’s more, Dean Sharma says
impressive, $118.5-million building fi nd a school that has had a similar classrooms in the Hall Building and
on De Maisonneuve Boulevard and Guy string of successes in international case scattered among other locations often
Street opened its doors this summer competitions.” didn’t meet technological requirements
to faculty and staff members and The JMSB’s brand equity will be or were too small. “You not only had 40
welcomed nearly 8,000 undergraduate bolstered by its new home, says Harold students crammed into 30- or 35-seat
and graduate students in September. Simpkins, senior lecturer in Marketing rooms but in many of the rooms, there
JMSB Dean Sanjay Sharma points out and academic director of the Marketing were pillars blocking the view of the
that all the business school’s classes, Co-op Program. “We interview every board,” Sharma explains.
research labs and offi ces The new building was
are fi nally under one designed and built to meet
For the fi rst time, the John Molson
roof. “For the fi rst time, the needs of students,
the John Molson School faculty and staff members
School of Business has a home.
of Business has a home,” who will have easy access to
Sharma says. its 45 modern classrooms,
Even before the move, the JMSB student for the Co-op Program and most of which seat 60 people (see
was earning a worldwide reputation 80 percent have said they’re looking sidebar, “Go with the student
for excellence. The school ranked fi rst forward to being in the new building,” fl ow”). The facility also boasts seven
in Canada in 2007, 2008 and 2009 in Simpkins says. Marketing professor amphitheatres (there used to be one
terms of graduates occupying the rank Gad Saad echoes this sentiment. “Given amphitheatre for the Executive MBA and
of Chief Executive Offi cer at Fortune the growing prestige and stature of another for the Aviation MBA in the Guy
500 companies, according to survey the JMSB, it’s nice to have a building Metro Building) and about 50 smaller,
results by the École des Mines de that is commensurate with our path of group-study rooms for students. All the
Paris. The school’s MBA program sits ascendancy,” Saad says. classrooms are equipped with sliding
fi rst in Quebec and third nationally blackboards, high-defi nition projectors
among 35 Canadian MBA programs that Home at last and screens, audio-visual equipment
integrate sustainability into the school Despite its long history at the university, and sound insulation. Many of the
experience, as indicated by the sixth the JMSB has never had a building of its rooms are fi tted with horseshoe-shaped
annual Knights School Survey results own. Concordia’s business school has seating aimed at facilitating students’
that were published in June in Corporate its roots in the founding institutions of in-class case work and presentations,
Knights Magazine. Sharma adds that the Loyola College and Sir George Williams which, Sharma says, are integral to the
business school’s top-fl ight facilities University. After the institutions School’s curriculum.
are now on par with its high-calibre merged in 1974 to form Concordia, Harold Simpkins says the new
OPEN FOR
8 | fall 2009 concordia university magazine