It’s hard to believe that October is over and another semester is half-completed.  It seems as if just yesterday students were returning to classes for the new academic year.

 

Our winners’ prize held over from June, for the Campus Food Bank’s 12 Days of Giving, was a donated coffee break.  We collected the most food of any department to win that prize, an achievement we’ve reached several times before.  The coffee break was held on October 5^th and was well enjoyed by attendees.  In the spirit of continued giving, we collected for the Alzheimer Society at the event, and raised $84.20.

 

Mid-October saw the arrival of the I Love Mundays Week, with many activities designed to celebrate the spirit of Memorial.  Kindness Friday is an annual day during the week, designed for us to show kindness to one another and the community, through a wide variety of activities both organized and spontaneous.  The Faculty of Science collected funds for a community lunch for Street Reach, a program for at-risk youth.  Biochemistry employees donated just over $100 for the event. Department members also took in other events during the week, including the International Bazaar and MUNclothing Day.

 

Dr. Kelley Bromley-Brits left the Bertolo lab in October to take on a staff job in the Faculty of Arts, as Grants Facilitation Officer, and we wish her the very best in her new post.  Kelley has held dual appointments in the department, as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Bertolo, as well as a per course instructor.  She’s not left us fully, though, her per course duties continue. Dr. Mike Hayley, adjunct professor in the department, received his B.Ed. degree at Fall Convocation on October 19^th.  Congratulations, Mike!  

 

The Dean’s Awards ceremony was held on October 3^rd.  This event includes employee awards as well as Faculty of Science Dean’s List students, Lou Visentin awards, and Book awards, all honouring undergraduate achievement.  67 of our majors were on the Dean’s List for the past academic year, a splendid representation.  Our students were award winners in the other two categories, as well.  

 

Our society circulated their Biochemistry Clothing order forms during the month, offering all the chance to wear some new department-branded items.  Final orders were due on the 31^st.

 

The month ended with Halloween, and a potluck lunch was organized for the 31^st.  All who participated enjoyed the variety of dishes prepared by their fellow department members.