Motivated to teach
Dr. Michael Parmenter is the recipient of the sixth annual Motivational
Teaching Award, announced by undergraduate and graduate students of Memorial’s
Department of Mathematics and Statistics on April 9.
Dr. Parmenter is well known among mathematics students for his careful,
involving style of lecture, and for his tireless devotion to encouraging
student participation in various math competitions, be it on a local,
national or international level.
The Motivational Teaching Award honours those faculty members in the department
whose skill in the classroom, involvement in student life, and enthusiasm
for the subject have contributed to the desire of students to pursue studies
in mathematics and statistics. Nominations are solicited from the student
body each year, and a committee comprised of both undergraduate and graduate
students makes the final selection from the list of nominees.
For more on the award, including a list of past winners, see www.math.mun.ca/index.php3?content=includes/departmentalawards/mta.html.
The Past and the Public
The 13th Atlantic Canada Studies Conference will be hosted by Memorial
University in St. John’s from May 2-4. The theme for this conference
will be The Past and the Public.
The relationship between studies of the past and contemporary public life
has always been a part of the scholarly tradition associated with Atlantic
Canadian studies. For more than a quarter of a century, historical examinations
of current political, economic and social issues have dominated the pages
of Acadiensis, the flagship journal of Atlantic Canadian studies.
More recent work has focussed on the manner in which contemporary priorities
often reinvent the past for present concerns. The growth of heritage and
cultural “industries” has converted the past into a resource
to be mined. At the same time, policy makers’ efforts to understand
regional natural resource crises associated with ecological degradation,
while ostensibly interdisciplinary, have been notable for their neglect
of history. Such neglect is problematic; the study of the past may profoundly
affect public policy.
As a theme, The Past and the Public may include, but is not limited to,
public history, popular history, invented traditions and public commemoration,
the relationship between history and public policy formation, history
and public institutions, and the management of heritage resources.
For more, see www.lib.unb.ca/Texts/Acadiensis/ or to register, contact
Dr. Sean Cadigan at 737-3479 or scadigan@mun.ca.
Seeking input on dean’s renewal
Dr. Grant Gardner’s term of appointment as associate dean of science
(undergraduate studies and administration) expires in December 2003. Dr.
Gardner has indicated that he wishes to be considered for another three-year
term of office. In accordance with university policy, the dean of Science
has initiated a review of Dr. Gardner’s performance in this position.
Faculty members, staff and students within the Faculty of Science are
invited to provide confidential written comments on Dr. Gardner’s
performance as associate dean, and on the desirability of renewing his
appointment. Please indicate in your written comments if you wish to meet
with the review committee.
A job description for this position has been circulated to each department
head in the Faculty of Science, and may be viewed in departmental general
offices. Alternatively, a copy may be obtained from Mary Wall in the Office
of the Dean of Science.
Comments should be sent to: Dr. Garry Quinlan, Chair of Review Committee,
Associate Dean of Science (Undergraduate Studies and Administration),
c/o Mary Wall, Office of the Dean of Science. Comments should be received
not later than Friday, May 16.
Notice to pensioners
Enclosed with the recent publication of the Communicator were forms related
to membership dues for the MUN Pensioners’ Association. If you have
not already done so, the executive of MUNPA would appreciate these forms
being returned as quickly as possible. If you did not receive these forms,
please contact the MUN Pensioners’ Association at: Box. 206, Arts
and Administration Bldg. A1C 5S7 or by sending an e-mail to munpa@mun.ca.
Documentary
Newfoundlanders Away has been awarded Outstanding Achievement
in Documentary at the Eye Lens Film Festival. The film is now viewable
on the internet if you have real player. It was also first runner-up for
the People's Choice Award. The film is located at this URL www.youthfilms.com/onscreen/week_films.asp?week_code=W0238b.
Newfoundlanders Away by T.A. Loeffler, School of Human Kinetics
and Recreation, Victor Oakes, Richard Wilson, Chris Fraser, is a documentary
that examines the tenaciousness of this unique Canadian culture through
the lives of five Newfoundlanders who have chosen to re-locate. Through
interviews, music and stunning visual footage, this colourful film answers
that yes, culture survives without any question, even 7,500 km from home.
