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S P R I N G 2 0 0 9 U N I V E R S I T Y M A G A Z I N E CONCORDIA’S INTERNET AND TELECOM GURUS > L’ART CANADIEN À CONCORDIA m a g a z i n e . c o n c o r d i a . c a GROUP HOME AND AUTO INSURANCE for members of the Concordia University Alumni Association (cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:59)(cid:71)(cid:75)(cid:59)(cid:73)(cid:74)(cid:55)(cid:71)(cid:75)(cid:69)(cid:74)(cid:59)(cid:55)(cid:68)(cid:58)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:75)(cid:57)(cid:69)(cid:75)(cid:66)(cid:58) PROTECTION MADE EASY... GROUP RATES MADE EASIER! As a member of theConcordia University Alumni Association, you can SAVE on your home and auto insurance through preferred group rates while enjoying high-quality insurance products andoutstanding service. 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Meloche Monnexxx®®is a trade-mark of Meloche Monnex Inc. TD Insurance is a trade-mark of The Toronto-Dominion Bank, used under license. u n i v e r s i t y m a g a z i n e springg 2009 volume 32 number 1 m a g a z i n e . c o n c o r d i a . c a Webbed and wireless Internet and telecommunications advances greatly affect today’s world. This creates opportunities and reveals challenges in equal measure. Fortunately, Concordia boasts a cadre of expert faculty members and alumni Cover:Jason Lewis and Skawennati whose teaching, research and work tackles the issues of and sheds new 8 Tricia Fragnito, co-founders of light on the world of Web 2.0. Aboriginal Territories in Cyberspace. Credit: Marion Elissalde Un passionné d’art canadien François-Marc Gagnon apporte toute son expérience et son expertise à l’Institut de recherche 22 en art canadien Gail-et-Stephen-A.- Jarislowsky de Concordia. Par Lucille Hagège 3 EDITOR’S VOICE This publication is printed on 100% 5 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE recycled paper, including 20% post-consumer waste. Each ton of 7 CONCORDIA NEWS recycled paper that displaces a ton of virgin paper reduces total energy 28 ASSOCIATION NEWS consumption by 27%, greenhouse gas emissions by 47%, particulate 32 CLASS ACTS emissions by 28%, wastewater by 33%, solid waste by 54% and wood 38 WORDS & MUSIC use by 100%. 40 END PIECE ConcordiaNews Concordia presents Loyola Medal to astronaut/neurologist, Dr. Roberta Bondar I n 1992, when Dr. Roberta Bondar, PhD, blasted off aboard the Space ShuttleDiscovery, she became Canada’s fi rst woman astronaut and the world’s fi rst neurologist in space. On March 4, Concordia presented the prestigious Loyola Medal to Dr. Bondar for that achievement and her other, stellar accomplishments as a scientist, educator, environmentalist and nature photographer. University President and Vice- Chancellor Judith Woodsworth and Loyola Alumni Association President Jim Donaldson, L BSc 52, bestowed the medal on DrA. fBtoern rdeacre aivt ian cge trheem moendya al,t DLor.y Boloan Hdaigrh to Slcdh tohoel a iund Mieonncetr oefa l. HOTOGRAPHY about 50 alumni, students, faculty members and guests how L P B honoured and humbled she felt to join the esteemed list of /PAU previous Loyola Medal recipients. Dr. Bondar, who was born BL N and grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., lauded Concordia for RYA recognizing Canadians’ achievements and acknowledged the Loyola Alumni Association President Jim Donaldson (left) and Concordia signifi cance of alumni associations. “I believe that alumni President and Vice-Chancellor Judith Woodsworth (right) bestowed the prestigious Loyola Medal March 4 on Dr. Roberta Bondar at Loyola associations keep the enthusiasm going for their schools. High School in Montreal. Dr. Bondar also delivered a public lecture A university is only as good as we make it after we leave,” called “Suspended above a Turquoise Bubble” to an enthusiastic crowd Dr. Bondar pointed out. Noting that previous Loyola Medal of about 300 at Loyola High School’s Eric Maclean, S.J. Centre for the recipients included the late Quebec politician Thérèse F. Performing Arts. Casgrain and opera star Maureen Forrester, she said that “fi nally, I now know what it’s like to not be just the fi rst woman.” Following the ceremony, Dr. Bondar delivered a colourful Woodsworth said she felt privileged to assist in bestowing public lecture to an enthusiastic audience of about 400 the award on a woman with multiple talents and numerous in Loyola High School’s Eric Maclean, S.J. Centre for the accomplishments—including 24 honorary doctorates from Performing Arts. Her presentation was called “Suspended both Canadian and American universities—who tirelessly above a Turquoise Bubble” because, she explained, from promotes the value of higher education. outside the atmosphere the Earth appeared to her as a She added that since 2003, Dr. Bondar has been chancellor “turquoise bubble” that is beautiful yet fragile. “You see the of Trent University in Peterborough, Ont., and she’s a Earth in a way you’ve never seen it before. It’s an extraordinary skilled nature photographer, has worked with the American view of the bubble of life,” she said. “It made me feel like I’m National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has an insignifi cant speck.” consulted on corporate and social responsibility and is an Dr. Bondar emphasized that we must all do our parts to environmental champion. “How she manages to juggle all these be ethically responsible in our continuing exploration and roles successfully is quite the achievement already! I wonder exploitation of resources on the Earth and beyond. “We if there’s anything this woman cannot do?” Woodsworth asked shouldn’t be ashamed of being a life form that explores, but STÖCKLI rheTthoer iLcoaylloyl.a Medal, one of the highest honours awarded by wefef eschtos uolfd t hbaet a esxhpalmoreadt iiofn w,e” sdhoen s’ta tihdi.nk of possible negative R ETO Concordia University, was created in 1961 by the Loyola Alumni Throughout her presentation, Dr. Bondar displayed spectacular , NTER Association and the administrators of Loyola College, one of photos she took from Discovery,as well as from later air fl ights CE Concordia’s two founding institutions, as a permanent tribute above the Himalayas, the Sahara Desert and the Canadian arctic. F LIGHT to outstanding Canadians. Previous recipients (These and other stunning shots can be found in her four photo- G S ODDARDPACE itSnheecnl Hautdooenr ,Lo iiuner u2atb0el0ne6a Rn, otthm-eGé leo do).i sn“hgIa fTreoelu tt chshoei nmbgeu tahcuhet y Ea ao pfra tthrht [e oK lfae tnyh dPe, op”r lstahenree st aaindd, A Oscar Peterson in 1997 that society must foster—not dampen— S A N the late Governor Gene osity to advance the understanding of AGECOURTESYOF G06e,o irng e1s9 P6.3 V.anier, L BA or uw’ollr wlda.n “tA tos lloenargn a,s” ysohue’ sraei cdu. r ious, M ATELLITEI concordia university magazine spring 2009 | 7 S CONCORDIA ALUMNI TRAVEL PROGRAM An adventure of aa lliiffeettiimmeee If you are a Concordia University graduate, we iinnvvite you to take part in our exciting alumni travel progrraamm and revel in the cultural and educational experiences it oooff ers. Explore the wonders of the Nile, tour the histoorriicc ccciity of Bucharest, soak in the lushness of the New Zealaand laanndscape or embark on aann aaddvveennttuurree ttoo DDuubbaaii.. Waterwayyyss ooff HHoollllaanndd aanndd BBBeeelllggggiiuuumm from $2,49555 AAAAAppppprrrrriiiiilllll ––– MMMMaaayyy 222000099 IIttaallyy’’ss MMaaggnniififi cceennttt LLLaaakkkeee DDDiisstrict from $2,5599955 MMaay 20099 Cruise: Ukkraine anndd RRRooommmaania from $2,19955 Juunnee – July 200009 Village Lifee on the Dalmatian Cooaasstt from $3,2555 September – October 200099 Ancient GGrreeeeccee from $3,255 September – Octoberr 2009 Destinations for 2010 are coming soon! To register or forr more information, visitalumni.conccordia.ca/travel, call 514-848-24244,, eexxtt.. 33881199,, oorr ccoonnttaacctt Michelllee GGrroosstteerrnn [email protected] * Prices are per personn based on double occupancy and do not include airfaree.. STÖCKLI RETO NTER CE HT FLIG SPACE GODDARD A S A N OF alumni.concordia.ca/travel AGECOURTESY M ATELLITEI S President’sMessage Word from the President W hen I see Concordia students working feverishly on their laptops around campus, I refl ect on my own student days. As a young graduate student, I put in very long hours at the library. In those days, you had no choice: research meant heading out in rain, snow, heat or cold; thumbing through the card catalogues to locate books that might or might not be on the shelf; making notes by hand on colour-coded index cards; and, in my case, typing my thesis on a pink Smith- Corona manual typewriter my mother bought me when I was 12; mailing drafts to my thesis advisor overseas and waiting for a snail-mail answer. Some of you might remember those times. Those of you who have grown up in the digital age will have trouble believing that there was ever a time without computers or that we were ever Concordia President and Vice-Chancellor Judith Woodsworth, third from left, at the Forces able to get anything done! Avenir Awards ceremonies October 8 in Montreal. Woodsworth is surrounded by Concordia students and Forces Avenir Award recipients Cassandra Elizabeth Porter, Gabriel Bran Lopez, Life is irrevocably changed for our Peter Schiefke, Karen Haffey and Esther Kalaba. students. They now have access to information—at any time and from anywhere. We’ve put in place the use in developing countries; and prouder of the ways in which Concordia resources, infrastructure and staff to refi ning tools for cyber forensics, text grads are making their mark. support their technological needs and messaging, ecommerce and historical What’s next? It’s impossible to make it possible for them to expand research, for example. Others are predict where technology will lead us. their ways of learning and expanding using new technologies to change the But wherever it is and whatever we their knowledge. world: giving aboriginal communities, encounter next, you can be sure that Concordia’s technological savvy homeless people and leading-edge Concordians, as they have always done, reaches beyond our two campuses. We young artists a voice and platform to will lead the way. have researchers integrating effective advocate for social justice. teaching and learning practices into Our alumni, too, are at the forefront Judith Woodsworth, PhD higher education; expanding internet of world-class innovation. I couldn’t be President and Vice-Chancellor 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,, GJoeohfnf rAeyyl eKnin, g , welcomes readers’ comments. and friends of Concordia University. The Editor, Howard Bokser Lucy Niro, Nicole Saltiel, Sandra-Lynn Letters should include the writer’s Opinions expressed herein do not Spina, 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, P90716. length and clarity. No letter will be ISSN 0706-1005 Canada Post Corporation publication Art Direction: Christopher Alleyne concordia university magazine spring 2009 | 5 SettinganExample Better to give than to receive As a chhild growing up in Montreal, my parents rehabilitation and development needs and always taught us that it’s better to give than increase their communication skills, which to receive. Even around Christmas time, the are mainly non-verbal. Working with these theme was about giving. I’ve tried to guide special-needs children reminds me to be myself by that principle ever since. grateful every day to be where I am. I’m fortunate that my work as a benefi ciary I have also never forgotten the education and attendant with special needs children at the opportunity I received at Concordia, where Montreal Association for the Blind (MAB)- I learned not only about recreation therapy Mackay Rehabilitation Centre allows me to but also about how to build self-confi dence. give back every day. (The MAB merged with Mackay Rehabilitation Centre in 2006.) It’s only natural for me to want to give something back to my alma mater. That’s I studied therapeutic recreation at Concordia why I proudly contribute to Concordia’s and graduated in 2001. While still in school, annual fund. I appeal to all other alumni I began to volunteer at the MAB and, in 2002 to join me in giving back. and 2003, was a counsellor at its summer camp. While my professional experience had been with seniors, one of my Concordia How to make a diff erence As a volunteer or donor to Concordia, you, too, can make a difference. Every year, thousands of Concordia alumni, parents and friends provide support to Concordia students. Whichever area of Concordia you choose to support, your gift will help ensure our students enjoy the best possible university experience and graduate as leaders in their fi elds. To contribute to Concordia University, contact Advancement and Alumni Relations at 1-888-777-3330 or 514-848-2424, ext. 3381, or visit giving.concordia.ca. Editor’sVoice Virtual vs. real, fi ction vs. truth T he 1998 edition offThe Canadian the Geography of News Project, which Oxford Dictionaryydefi ned examines the differences—apparently, “Internet” as “an international less that you’d expect—between the print computer network linking computers and online versions of newspapers’ from educational institutions, international coverages. government agencies, industry, etc.” Professor Gasher is among the That description made the ensuing clearly a sign of the, um, times. umpteen Concordia researchers and “World Wide Web” sound like a vast Our current economic situation would pedagogues tackling the various issues conspiracy to undermine our societal endanger these print publications surrounding the internet—and helping foundations. regardless of other factors. But there’s to distil truth from myth. Our cover How true! (Or so it seems.) In the past no denying that an increasing number story, “Webbed and Wireless” (page decade alone, the internet and wireless of people have altered their media 8), features Gasher, along with nine telecommunications technologies consumption habits and exclusively other, Concordia professors and six have seismically shifted the way we access news and opinions from alumni whose work is related to wireless communicate, conduct business, access online sources, via wireless or wired telecommunications and the internet. news and information, teach and learn, computers, BlackBerries, iPhones and (If we had the time and space, we could travel, spend leisure time and socialize. a plethora of other gadgets. The trend have added countless more faculty In his new book, What Would Google Do? to virtual from tangible is unlikely to members and alumni!) (Collins Business), blogger and City reverse itself. Our subjects’ areas of interest— University of New York Professor Jeff Is paper-based media all but dead? including education, business, website Jarvis Collins suggests that companies Not quite. Most of you are probably design and web access for the less- and individuals have to alter the way reading a print version of this article privileged—contrast widely. Yet, their they think and act and follow the lead and will likely continue to gravitate work and research are giving birth to set by internet behemoth Google if they toward print publications in the alternative means to tap into the internet’s hope to survive in our evolving world. foreseeable future. Rumours of print potential, build better tools to leverage it In the Concordia University Magazine’s media’s total demise are premature, more effectively and securely, and advance world of print media, the changes are according to Concordia Journalism our understanding of ever-changing coming fast and furious. I’m a long- Professor Mike Gasher, who once sat technology and accompanying mindsets. time subscriber to Time magazine and, on this magazine’s editorial advisory These Concordians are making this in early 2009, Time Inc.informed me board and serves as director of the “international computer network” seem that it was closing shop on its Canadian Journalism Department. He also heads less conspiratorial. edition (although it would continue to send the U.S. edition). A few weeks later, I learned that Canadian printing giant Transcontinental was ceasing its publication of TheMonitor, a weekly Montreal newspaper that had been around since 1926. The online version, themonitor.ca,remains available. This year promises to be an uphill battle for newspapers. The February 16 Timecover story offered a prescription on “How to Save Your Newspaper.” (Answer: pay for online content.) Even the future of the Gray Lady herself, The New York Times,is in question. While it appears as though Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim will step in to save her, even the shadow of doubt over the continued viability of the iconic institution is ccoonnccoorrddiiaa uunniivveerrssiittyy mmaaggaazziinnee sspprriinngg 22000099 || 33 Our 2008 graduates, from left to right: Ryan Schwartz, BA (poli. sci. & SCPA); Junella Candice Chammas, BA (human relations); Clélia Chammas, BA (human relations) ; Yuko Yafuso, BA (mod. lang. & ling. & Spanish); Simon Azeroual, BSc (chem. & biochem.) 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 Meloche Monnex • Preferred life, accident, disability, health and dental insurance rates with Manulife Financial • Alumni Travel Program • Access to Concordia’s libraries, legal counsel and other services • With your Alumni ID Card, obtain savings on Via Rail, the Centaur Theatre, Budget Rent-a-Car and more. alumni.concordia.ca 514-848-2424, ext. 4856, or 1-888-777-3330 & D E B B E W S S E L E R I W FirnToiotsymed eWlroai acngFfhyfrh ehaoisi’Flsanttcroe or -b ltefa atilerye tneebenttrsehrhndohceudeaaeigih oen ancvorstek nasrtditeemsd,coti h loa,ewuGheala eonhslcad nohryag ueolvwyao,esnya cman Cgri d dChsinefdlonm eo eo cbo an i,ar neltuu fsice ec n sccns wwosBcpv ooiisroniehcroarmldefosldaeelyf irvvsmbesaitr aeaei idsrenotd ud n ,e fsotin iina tdvennr isa kcniex eg wc Wtrunm lpp aoehoaaloelittu peaeskdworyirny e nieincjp l mdud qgmeio aent osdu emendwechtuganci mr eiiaseetatoetn ev , ihc bna otgnd etao essop gehorysr eimp -cBtneseewceohayg ial.usaeira ed ltrWrctaysncreshiuasl kdte .s ownal ynB oaaraigi,een t etnlbfiobpwiuitr denr—brnrrm sieogpeiardne sed nrdnfigrsneootu idoi arndgnrcawl in eptu geeniwh md rcv daieyooa nti wpnqbo ylis aePorugaui sorrnauh ab eevitntgronll looe y tdecnofl dh ios oaaepvli yirsdn tsmpgehm ted,solhw arieau.asrtano tsct-ttchrdu titolooofind nurfndu.i glt ss y e rs.