Future of aviation lands at Western
The future of Canadian aviation gathered at Western University on Friday, Jan. 20, for an event organized by the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA) and Western, with the aim of showcasing aviation and defense as a sector.
London Mayor Joe Fontana and MPP for London West Chris Bentley attended, along with more than 165 students enrolled in aviation programs from a number of schools, including Western, Fanshawe College and Sault College. Those who attended met and networked with representatives from nearly 30 aviation companies.
“What we do is try to help the students,” said Glenn Priestley, event organizer and CCAA director. “We broker the students with the employers. It’s the best of Canada here, outside of the military. It’s the best of the best.”
Priestley admitted to a particular fondness for Western. “This is the first and only aviation management program in Canada,” he said. “I help set it up many years ago. I was proud to be associated with it, and I still am.”
The idea for the event was born out of a phone conversation between Priestley and Western professor Suzanne Kearns. “I’m amazed,” she said of the event held in Somerville House’s Great Hall. “What he had visualized in his head was that he would come to my class and we would chat for an hour. There’s just over 200 registrants here.”
One of those in attendance was Alan Shafto, 23, an exchange student from Perth, Australia, who is registered in the aviation management degree program. Shafto was upbeat about the day’s event.
“It’s been pretty informative and really encouraging,” he said. “It’s seems there’s a lot of jobs out there if you want to look for them. It’s exciting where the industry is going. It’s really pushing forward.”
For Priestley, the event was also serving another important function.
“I think the biggest thing I’m proud of is the celebration of the successes in London,” Priestley said. “I think sometimes we don’t take the time, as Canadians, to celebrate our success, and here in London, you’ve got some damn sexy companies.”
– Scott Kennedy
Chan nominated for a second term
Western alumnae Margaret Chan has been nominated by the World Health Organization Executive Board for a second term as the organization’s director general.
The nomination will be submitted for approval to the 65th World Health Assembly, scheduled to meet in Geneva in May. If confirmed, Chan’s new term will begin on July 1 and continue to June 30, 2017.
Chan, originally from China, obtained her medical degree from Western.
Mustang alumnus gets coaching gig
Bishop’s University has selected Western alumnus and former Mustang defensive back Kevin Mackey as the new head coach of the Gaiters football program. Mackey is a five-year veteran of the Gaiters’ coaching staff, and becomes the ninth head coach of the Gaiters.
Mackey spent 1999-2002 as a defensive back with the Western Mustangs, playing under coach Larry Haylor. Mackey was a three-year starter for the Mustangs, and graduated with a BA in Psychology in 2003.
Barbara Landstreet Exhibition at Spencer Gallery
Spencer Gallery and local artist Barbara Landstreet are teaming up to ‘chase away the winter blahs’ and bring some colour to Western’s campus.
Landstreet, an accomplished artist who has participated in a number of exhibitions, is excited about her first exhibition at Spencer Gallery, located on the main floor of the D.B. Weldon Library. The exhibition runs until Feb. 28.
Landstreet was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and immigrated to Canada when she was 19. She took up painting a few years later, after moving to the south of France. “I have been fortunate enough to visit many art museums worldwide, and to study with several international artists,” she said.
‘Out in the Office’ event set
Out in the Office, a collaboration between The Student Success Centre and PrideWestern, is a series of events intended to provide a safe space for students to discuss the challenges associated with being open about sexual orientation in their educational and professional pursuits.
The series kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30 in Western Student Services Centre 2130 with a LGBT professionals panel and networking event. To register for the panel, or see other events throughout the year, visit Career Central, careercentral.uwo.ca. Regular updates can be found on the ‘Western’s Out in the Office Series’ Facebook page.
REAL opportunity to get involved
With the mandate of ‘Reaching Equality At Last,’ Get REAL is a student-run initiative started by Western students. The organization is free to join and open to absolutely anybody who wishes to take a stand against homophobia.
For information, visit the Get Real Facebook page, follow on Twitter @getrealuwo or email co-coordinators Chris Studer and Sophie Bertram at getrealuwo@gmail.com.