Day in the life: Neil Honkanen
Working in the Department of Physics and Astronomy Electronics Shop is Neil Honkanen’s dream job. “Where else could you design computer-controlled cable testers for the Large Hadron Collider at CERN (where they believe they have discovered the elusive Higgs Boson) one day and help an honours student design a brain-wave simulator the next?” he asks. “Working with sharp, young students every day, I know that the future is in good hands.”
International ed award to Russell
Carolyn Russell, Director of Student Recruitment, was honoured with the 2012 International Education Distinguished Service Award of the British Columbia Council for International Education (BCCIE) in June in recognition of her significant contributions to advancing the international education interests of the province. With 12 years of experience at UNBC prior to coming to UVic, Russell has become a well-known face to the international education community. A BCCIE statement acknowledged that the scope of her knowledge and experience makes her an invaluable resource for those seeking information and insight on international education.
Day in the life: Ken Josephson
For Ken Josephson, mapping isn’t so much about the geographical location as it is about visualizing our connections to landscape or sense of place. In fact, after nearly four decades working as a cartographer, at the University of Victoria since 1981 and eight years prior to that with the federal government, Josephson is hesitant to even refer to his work as “mapping.”
Writing student wins fiction prize
Fourth-year undergraduate Department of Writing student Cody Klippenstein recently won the 2012 Fiction Prize for The Fiddlehead, the University of New Brunswick’s literary journal. Her winning story, titled “We’ve Gotta Get Out of Here,” was originally submitted as an assignment for a workshop class led by writing associate professor Lee Henderson. Henderson describes the story about an Asian punk rock girl living in Vancouver in the early 1980s as “basically pitch-perfect.”
Baird publishes updated guide to CP stations in BC
Ian Baird (microforms) has published a significantly revised and updated edition of his richly illustrated Historical Guide to Canadian Pacific Railway Stations in British Columbia. In his foreword, Martin Segger (retired director of UVic’s Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery), remarks that “Baird leads us on a fascinating exploration of the architectural and social significance of these monuments [many of which] continue to serve their communities, albeit in a new life, as restaurants, museums, art galleries, tourist centres, even private homes.” It is available at local bookstores, including the UVic Bookstore.
Gann receives VIATeC award
Dale Gann received the Vancouver Island Advanced Technology Council (VIATeC) Colin Lennox Award for Technology Champion in May. The award recognizes a person who has demonstrated passion and commitment to the Greater Victoria technology sector for at least ten years. Gann is president of UVic’s Vancouver Island Technology Park (VITP) and the Marine Technology Centre. Recognized as a pioneer of the Victoria technology community, he was instrumental towards establishing a critical mass of technology-based companies in Greater Victoria. VITP accommodates 35 technology companies employing 1,100 people.
Hoffman receives Order of Canada
Paul Hoffman (Earth & ocean sciences, adjunct) was named an officer of the Order of Canada on June 29 for advancing the field of geology, notably through his landmark research on the Precambrian period of Earth’s history.
Moran appointed president, CEO of ONC
On July 1, internationally renowned ocean engineer Kate Moran began a five-year term as president and CEO of Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), the UVic organization that manages the world-leading VENUS and NEPTUNE Canada subsea networks. She succeeded founding president and CEO Dr. Martin Taylor, who retired on June 30. Moran joined UVic in 2011 as director of NEPTUNE Canada. Prior to that she was assistant director in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in Washington, DC.
Horowitz awarded RRU honorary degree
Myer Horowitz (educational psychology & leadership studies, adjunct) received an honorary degree from Royal Roads University on June 14. Throughout his long and distinguished career in education, he has provided guidance and insights to programs from kindergarten to post-secondary. He served as president of the University of Alberta from 1979 to 1989. At Royal Roads, he is chair of the university’s Research Ethics Board, an adjunct professor of education and a member of the advisory board in the School of Communication and Culture. He is the acting director of UVic’s Centre for Early Childhood Research and Policy and a research fellow with the Centre for Youth and Society.
Weaver appointed Lansdowne Professor
Dr. Andrew Weaver (Earth & ocean sciences) has been appointed Lansdowne Professor in the Faculty of Science for a five-year term. Weaver is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair and one of the world’s leading researchers in climate and ocean dynamics and arguably the top mathematical paleoclimatologist in the world. He is regarded as Canada’s leading expert in climate change and has achieved great distinction for his scholarly contributions. He was a lead author in the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2nd, 3rd and 4th scientific assessments, and is also a lead author in the upcoming 5th scientific assessment.
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