eBulletin: July 2009

From the Dean’s Desk

Macdonald’s green initiative takes root

Dear Graduates and Friends,

Macdonald College has long been a place of tradition, a home to historical milestones and a beacon of recognition to the many men and women who have studied and worked here. History and tradition are rich at Mac. You see it in our annual homecoming events, you live it through the stories and accomplishments of our grads, and it is felt simply by walking through our labs, library and classrooms.

Macdonald is also a gateway to the future, and I believe that our future can be even more glorious than the past, especially when I talk to our amazing new professors and students. It is in this spirit of excitement for the future that we unveil our online newsletter. This venture is also part of Mac’s green initiative, which aims to cut down on paper usage and helps protect the environment. In following this green initiative, Macdonald is embarking on the University’s socially responsible venture that brings this institution well into the electronic era. Not to mention, we are able to save costs, and invest more in the academic mission of the faculty.

As we follow this route, we also embrace what has maintained Macdonald’s success for over 100 years. And that is tradition, hard work, dedicated people and outstanding students. It is also our loyal donors and grads – the many classes of yesteryear who continue to contribute in many ways to bettering the lives of our students.

Between October 16 and 18, hundreds of Mac grads will travel to our campus for Homecoming 2009. Once again, we will rejoice in the celebration of friendships that were born on the campus years ago, when students chose Mac to embark on a life-long journey of learning and working. Homecoming is also an opportunity to recognize the many alumni who are playing a leadership role in helping bring the faculty to its next highest level.

Two such individuals are Marc Bieler, DipAgr'58, BA'64, and the late Catherine “Kitty” Freeman, BHS'41. Marc is donating $1-million over five years, for the creation of the Macdonald internship office. This will allow our undergraduate students to have a summer placement in industry, while completing their degree, thereby giving them valuable work experience prior to graduation. The family of Kitty Freeman recently announced a $1.25-million gift to Mac, which provides for the renovation and upgrade of our food and nutrition undergraduate teaching laboratories. Both of these gifts are symbolic of the tremendous generosity of our alumni, and of the promise that Macdonald holds for the future, and for its students.

There was also much fanfare and celebration on May 22 at the Macdonald Convocation, as undergraduate and graduate degrees were awarded. Dr. Walter Falcon, Farnsworth Emeritus Professor of Food Security at Stanford University, delivered the convocation address, and he was also awarded a DSc honoris causa during the ceremony. He exhorted the students to go beyond themselves and boldly face the current world challenges, both economically and environmentally. While Mac classes of the past can be identified through their accomplishments, he said, the Class of 2009 faces some of the most difficult issues of our era. Dr. Falcon added, however, that this would be the time for students to “go beyond the limit” and reach their goals through strength and determination.

In the fall of 2008, Macdonald College organized the first McGill Conference on Global Food Security. The event, which attracted academics, NGOs, government and corporate leaders, was deemed such a resounding success that delegates at the conference called for a second conference in 2009. Between October 5 and 7, we will once again host a Global Food Security Conference, with the theme: “Impacts of Global Financial Turmoil on Food Security”. We are especially honoured to have as conference co-chairs Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University and Marilyn Knox, President of Nestlé Nutrition Canada. More information about the conference can be found on the website.

I wish to close on an equally green note, as I invite all Mac grads and supporters to the annual Bob Pugh Golf Classic, which will be held September 10 at the Anderson Links Golf and Country Club in Ottawa. The Bob Pugh Classic Development Fund has been created to raise funds for Dr. William Harold Brittain, Dean at Macdonald from 1934-1955. Dean Brittain was instrumental in providing a foundation for the college, during a time of great change, and in many ways propelling the faculty to its highly acclaimed stature.

And, as we have seen through the many events that have shaped 2009, there is much growth taking place. Let us continue to celebrate these tremendous strides.

Happy reading.

Chandra A. Madramootoo, BSc(AgrEng)’77, MSc’81, PhD’85
Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

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