Know an amazing grad?
Western News wants to profile some of the extraordinary students who will graduate at Spring Convocation. Do you know someone who has triumphed over obstacles, excels at academics, athletics or extracurricular activities (or all three), or who has taken an unusual path to earn a Western degree? If the answer is yes and they are graduating in June, pass along the tip to newseditor@uwo.ca or by mail to Western News, Suite 360 (West Wing), Westminster Hall. Their stories may become the subject of a university media release or a Western News article. Forward what information you have and we will contact students for details. Include the student’s local phone number if possible. Replies by March 13 would be appreciated.
WOMEN WIN SWIMMING TITLE
Led by a six gold-medal performance and an OUA record in the 100 freestyle by Hayley Nell, and five gold medals from Brittany Cooper, the Western Mustangs women’s swimming team won the OUA championship Feb. 6-8 at the University of Ottawa. Nell and Cooper, with teammates Alyssa Molenaar and Lenore Chesworth also set a new OUA mark in 800-metre freestyle relay. The same foursome set an OUA record in the 400-metre freestyle relay. Nell was the OUA outstanding female swimmer, while Cooper won the top female individual medley award. The win snapped Toronto’s eight-year winning streak. Ten Mustangs were added to the Western team for the CIS championships. Now, 17 swimmers could represent Western Feb 19-21 in Vancouver, B.C. Head Coach Paul Midgley was awarded OUA women’s coach of the year honours.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RECORD
Amanda Anderson became Western’s all-time scoring leader and notched 27 points as the Mustangs beat the Lakehead Thunderwolves 66-63 on Feb. 6 at Alumni Hall. Anderson entered the game one point shy of Michelle Vesprini’s 1,171 career points, and buried a long jumper from the left corner in the first quarter to set the record. She now has 1,197 points.
FLOODING FEARS FIXED
High-voltage cable work related to the University Drive Bridge crossing has now been completed. The university’s power distribution system, particularly the portion that serves the University Drive residences is no longer at any risk from Thames River flooding. In the past, fear of flooding at the switching cabinet at the rear of Talbot College became so great that this leg of the high-voltage service was shut off, leaving the University Drive residences to rely on a single-direction supply. With the completion of the cable replacement works and the switching cabinets, the risks due to flooding have now been eliminated.
ESSAYS ON WOMEN’S ISSUES SOUGHT
The Western Women’s Caucus is soliciting essays demonstrating creativity, original scholarship and understanding of issues facing women for the Women’s Caucus Essay Award for 2009. Students of all disciplines are eligible and two prizes of $200 will be awarded. Essays must demonstrate a strong grasp of feminist theory and practice, cover a topic involving research on women and have a maximum length of 3,000 words. Submissions can be made to Marg Sloan, Women’s Caucus Executive, at D.B. Weldon Library. For essay guidelines contact sloan@uwo.ca.
REPRODUCTIVE TOURISM ESSAY WINS PRIZE
Faculty of Health Sciences student Lipi Mishra has won a national essay contest sponsored by McGraw-Hill Ryerson publishing house for a report on reproductive medical tourism in India. Mishra won the prize in the Power of Words fall 2008 competition for Reproductive Tourism in Developing Countries: Examining the Ethical Ramifications of Surrogate Mothers. Mishra was nominated by Assistant Professor of Applied Health Ethics, Kenneth Kirkwood. Winning submissions will receive a prize of $500.