SMU is everywhere!
This summer marks a truly unique chapter in the growth of Saint Mary’s University in Halifax.
The University has already taken to the Web in a fresh, innovative way that will attract students from all corners of the globe with the launch of SMUtube — a video-based microsite that offers a dynamic look at student life at the south end campus in Halifax, NS. While the University’s official website continues to serve as a primary source of key information for all audiences, SMUtube provides prospective students with a personalized virtual experience that both informs and entertains. SMUtube will attract prospective students by appealing to them in today’s most popular online format. Based on the growing popularity of media sharing sites such as Flickr and YouTube, and social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, SMUtube will allow members of the University community — students, faculty and staff — to upload their own video clips to share with others. The University anticipates that students will quickly adopt SMUtube as the place of choice to share their SMU experiences with others. In addition to fostering an even greater sense of community at the University, the video uploads will provide prospective students with another tool that they can use when determining if Saint Mary’s is the right choice for them. For those wishing to view SMUtube, check out www.SMUtube.ca This cool new site is bound to be a big hit!
The University was also front and centre when tens of thousands of people gathered in Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday, July 6 to watch coverage of Live Earth concerts around the world. Live Earth was a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on 7/7/07 that brought together more than 150 music artists and 2 billion people to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis. On the super-screen at the event in TO, SMU aired its Where will you go? video, the anthem of its current student recruitment campaign. The video speaks to the positive impact students can have in the world, via their careers or simply as a result of being more informed, engaged global citizens and alumni of Saint Mary’s.
Over the past couple of months, students from the University have been busy conducting research all around the world. 
A group of students from SMU returned back home from a three week field course at the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office in Florida. The course was spearheaded by Dr. Tanya Peckmann, a professor of forensic anthropology at the University. The 16 students who took part in the field course now have a whole new outlook on their careers. Students are raving about their trip down south and real life experience they gained at one of the busiest morgues in North America. Bree Walsh, who is from Hancock, Maine, USA, states: "All of us learned so much at the Miami-Dade County Morgue. We learned what a real setting is like for pathologists, forensic anthropologists, death investigators, and how all these fields — among others —interact with each other. We even participated in a forensic photography session. Until you actually sit down and learn about all these different fields, it's hard to understand just how important they all are to the contribution of forensics." A group of geology students from Saint Mary's University had an experience of their lifetime during a field school the University offered in Greece. They too have returned home and know their research will benefit the work they will be doing as professional geologists here in Nova Scotia. Also, Marissa Bender, a chemistry student in the Master of Applied Science program at SMU, had the chance to attend the National Science Foundation Pan-American Advanced Studies Institute (PASI) on Sustainability & Green Chemistry that was held at the Universidad Iberoamericana-Ciudad in Mexico. The young student learned all about green chemistry and its benefits to the environment. One of the main goals of the PASI is to send all of the participants back home to serve as agents of change for the environment. So, it’s nice to know we have people like her taking a leadership role and caring so much about the environment.
SMU has also received some nice news on new research funding for faculty. The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) announced in early July an award of $134,847.00 to Dr. Danika van Proosdij, who is a professor of geography. This new funding will allow Dr. van Proosdij to turn her ideas into innovations that provide solutions to the challenges of our time. Investments like this at SMU have transformed Canada’s research landscape over the past decade and made the country a magnet for the highly skilled people upon which our future well-being in NS depends. The CFI also awarded $81,499.00 to support a project led by Dr. Jacob Hanley. The geology professor’s research will involve the study of imaging tools for the development of new ore deposit models and exploration criteria for unconventional platinum and palladium deposits in the region. But wait, the funding news doesn’t stop here. The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada announced recently that five professors from Saint Mary’s University have been awarded major research grants, totally almost $300.000.00. These winning professors are: Dr. Nicole Conrad, Psychology; Dr. Albert Mills, Management; Dr. Jean Mills, Management; Dr. John Reid, History, and Dr. Blake Brown, History. The new funding from CFI and SSHRC adds to the millions of dollars already invested in SMU from other major research organizations. This support will only ensure that SMU continues to remain a leader on the research front — a real benefit for NS!
The University was also thrilled to hear the news that Dr. Robert Thacker, the new Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Astronomy and Astrophysics at Saint Mary's, and his colleagues have won a prestigious award for confirming that black holes have indeed played a vital role in the evolution of galaxies. The Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION) announced a few weeks back that Dr. Thacker and his research team from across Ontario and the United States are the 2007 recipients of the Orion Discovery Award of Merit. The ORION Award is designed to encourage innovative use of advanced research and education networks, intelligent infrastructure and collaborative technologies among researchers, learners and educators. The Black Holes and Cosmic Evolution Project carried out last year utilized some of Canada's top supercomputers which generated a computer simulation of six billion years of cosmic history. This is one of the world's largest computer-based simulations of its kind. The Project involved the team using high performance computing facilities across Canada.
SMU has also had some good news announcements as of recent. Dr. Jaroslav Dostal (Professor Emeritus) was awarded an Honorary Degree from the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST). Since 2004, Dr. Dostal has been instrumental in the development of MUST’s interdisciplinary academic programs which link the geological sciences to environmental management. His work is part of a project supported by the University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development Tier 2 Program, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and managed by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Pat Crowley, who received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Saint Mary’s in 1972, has been appointed the Director of SMU Alumni. An active alumnus of Saint Mary’s, Crowley brings an exceptional combination of knowledge and expertise to this key role. With more than 25 years of experience in the sales and service industries, he is a well-known and highly respected member of the business community and is a proud supporter of Halifax and Nova Scotia. Among other leadership positions, he was the owner and operator of Uniglobe C.C. Travel Limited and most recently Director of Sales and Service, Business Travel Management at Maritime Travel.
Lisa Jordan, head coach of the SMU women’s hockey team, has been sporting a big smile these days. And certainly no one can blame her. She is elated with being named an assistant coach of the Canadian women’s hockey team. The team — which consists of only the best hockey players from across Canada — will compete in the Four Nations Cup in Sweden this November and in the women’s world championship in Harbin, China next April. Everyone on campus, and across the province, is cheering her and Team Canada to win Gold!
For those wishing more information about Saint Mary’s, please visit www.smu.ca. This is the place where a new world unfolds for everyone!
