New director for universities group
The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) has appointed senior public affairs consultant Peter Halpin, of Halifax, N.S., as its new executive director effective Dec. 1.

Mr. Halpin will manage the AAU’s overall strategic and operational functions on behalf of the region’s 17 universities. In addition, he will provide similar services to the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP). Wade MacLauchlan, AAU chair and president of the University of Prince Edward Island, said that Mr. Halpin will lead the advocacy activities of the AAU, promoting the interests and value of higher education with governments, the general community and strategic partners regionally and nationally.

Mr. Halpin has spent the past 16 years with Corporate Communications Limited (CCL) in Halifax where he specialized in public affairs management, marketing communications, crisis and risk communications and news media relations. The AAU (www.dal.ca/aau) has highly collaborative initiatives in faculty development, regional innovation and outreach.

Bergen exchange fellowships
Applications are invited for the 2004-2005 Memorial-Bergen Exchange Fellowships. Under the terms of the fellowship agreement up to two scholars may be selected to visit the University of Bergen, Norway, for a period of up to one semester (three to six months) to undertake a program of research of interest to both institutions. Fellows receive an award of $2,500 to help defray costs associated with the exchange. Faculty, staff and graduate students are eligible to apply. For further information, contact the chair of the committee, Dr. Greg Dunning, Department of Earth Sciences, St. John's Campus, telephone 737-8481 or e-mail dunning@sparky2.esd.mun.ca.

To request an application form, contact Colleen Clarke, International Centre, telephone 737-4053; e-mail: colleenc@mun.ca

Completed applications must be submitted to Dr. Dunning by Jan. 5, 2004.

Monte Carlo Charity Gala coming
The 27th Annual Monte Carlo Charity Gala takes place Friday Nov. 28, starting at 7 p.m. in the Delta Hotel Ballroom. The medical school classes of 2006 and 2007 are already busy working to carry on the fine tradition of raising money for charity through a fun-filled evening of live local entertainment, a casino, a dessert café and a charity auction. Attire is formal, black tie optional.

The tradition of Monte Carlo began with the class of 1980 to raise money to support an injured classmate. At the end of his first year of medical studies in the summer of 1977, Connor Maguire was paralyzed and left quadriplegic following a diving accident. He and his wife currently reside in Edmonton, Alberta, where he is enjoying a successful career in radiology and nuclear medicine. This year’s Monte Carlo Event is of particular interest as Dr. Maguire’s daughter, Colleen, is part of the Class of 2006 and Dr. and Mrs. Maguire will be attending for the first time since 1981.

Over the past 25 years Monte Carlo has raised well over a quarter of a million dollars for charities in the province. for further information phone 777-6690.

Folk night for journal
For Folk’s Sake, a fund-raising concert to celebrate 25 volumes of Culture & Tradition, Canada’s oldest bilingual folklore journal, will be held Friday, Nov. 14, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the D. F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music. Musicians donating their time and talent to the event include: Celtic Fiddlers, Dave Panting, Peter Narváez Trio, and Atlantic Union.

Culture & Tradition has been published since 1976, and is currently run by graduate students in the Folklore department at MUN. The concert is being held in order to raise monies for the production of the 25th issue of Culture & Tradition, as well as for a special project that will result in a CD-ROM of all volumes of the journal to date. All proceeds will go towards that project.

Tickets are available at O’Brien’s Music, Bitters Pub and Fred’s Records, or by e-mailing culture@mun.ca. Cost is $8 student/senior and $10 adult in advance, and $10 student/senior and $12 adult at the door. For more information, please contact Kristin Harris by e-mail at kharris@mun.ca, or by telephone at 576-3694 or 687-8154, or see www.ucs.mun.ca/~culture.

Launch of medicine’s community report
The Faculty of Medicine’s Reaching Out … to the community in 2002-03, will be officially launched Nov. 21 during the annual general meeting of the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Boards Association. More than an annual report, Reaching Out is an account of activities that reach beyond the university and benefit the community at large. Team work in treating HIV/AIDS, quick and early intervention in treating psychiatric illnesses, innovations in education and future directions are just some of the topics covered by the report. You can view Reaching Out... to the community in 2002-03 at www.med.mun.ca after Nov. 20, or request a copy from Sharon Gray, communications coordinator (health sciences), at sgray@mun.ca or by phoning 777-8397.