The Cecil and Linda Rorabeck Chair in Molecular Neuroscience and Vascular Biology, made possible through a donation of $1 million from Cecil and Linda Rorabeck as well as a $500,000 bequest from Myra Millson, was approved by Senate Friday, Dec. 10.
The $1.5 million will be matched by the university, to create a $3 million endowment to fund the chair, effective July 1, 2011.
The Centre for Molecular Neuroscience and Vascular Biology, a new collaborative research centre at the university, builds on the strengths of Robarts Research Institute and those of its collaborators in molecular neurosciences and vascular biology. These strengths have been brought together to be applied to investigations of diseases associated with aging of cells of the brain, vasculature and heart.
Rorabeck, one of the world’s leading experts on hip and knee replacement surgery, is a professor emeritus and former Orthopedic Surgery chair at Western and London Health Sciences Centre. A Western 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 his dedication to the community.
Rorabeck most recently served as interim Robarts Research Institute CEO and scientific director, overseeing its consolidation with Western, finalized in June 2007.
The chair position will be located in Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry (Robarts), and the holder will be an appointed scientist at the new Centre for Molecular Neuroscience and Vascular Biology at Robarts.
New Programs
• Senate has approved the introduction of a Green Process Engineering and Law Option by the Faculty of Engineering as a combined program with the Faculty of Law, effective Sept. 1, 2011.
The proposed Green Process Engineering program, the first of its kind undergraduate program in Canada, is unique because it targets pollution problems at the source and its core principles are traditional Chemical Engineering. Its integration with Western Law enhances its originality.
Western Law is an international research leader in Intellectual Property, Information and Technology Law – areas of prime importance to the new Green Economy.
• Senate approved the introduction of a Green Process Engineering and Management Option by the Faculty of Engineering as a combined program with the Richard Ivey School of Business, effective Sept. 1, 2011.
Similar to the combined program with Law, this program will be offered using the existing resources in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and of the Richard Ivey School of Business. Since it combines the first Canadian program in Green Process Engineering with the internationally recognized Ivey HBA, it is expected that the proposed program will attract highly qualified undergraduate students with aspirations to help the Canadian economy and environment, from across Canada and around the world.
New Awards
• Joan Scarfone Memorial Award – Awarded annually to a full-time student in fourth year in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program who has completed a medical elective in a developing country. Preference will be given to a student registered in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry Windsor Program. Valued at $1,250, the award was established by Dr. David John Scarfone (MD’82) in honour of his mother Joan.
• Gary Segal Family Award in Jewish Studies – Awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student in any year of the Jewish Studies Program (constituent university only) based on academic achievement and financial need. Valued at $1,2000, the award was established by Gary S. Segal, LLB ’79, through Foundation Western.
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Stephen Kaganov Award – Awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student in any year of the Jewish Studies program (constituent university only) who has excelled in The Holocaust History 3427E course and has demonstrated financial need. Valued at $850, the award was established by Stephen B. Kaganov, BSc’75, through Foundation Western.
• Legacies for Tomorrow Awards (10) – Awarded annually to full-time undergraduate students in any program based on academic achievement and financial need. Valued at $1,000, these awards were established through planned giving donors who, through their estate, made an unrestricted gift to Foundation Western.
• Diane and Frank Pratt Healthy Lifestyle Award – Awarded annually to a full-time student in year two or beyond in any program based on financial need and a demonstrated ability to balance academics (minimum 70% average) and a healthy lifestyle. Valued at $650, the award was established by Diane (MDIV ’90, BA ’65) and Frank Pratt (HBA ’64), through Foundation Western.