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Thursday, Mar. 27, 2025

Campus Life, In the news/in social media, Well-being for all

40th anniversary of Etcetera Club

This year is the 40th anniversary of the Dawson Student Union’s 2SLGBTQIA+ club Etcetera, which was founded by Joe Rose in 1985. In collaboration with Cinema l Communications, Creative Collective for Change, and Women's/Gender Studies, the Allies and Angels Music Fest took place on March 12 and a queer prom is planned for this spring.

The founder of Etcetera, Joe Rose, was gay bashed and murdered in March 1989 because he had pink hair and was unashamed of being gay. “Let us all stand as one and give thanks to him and those brave souls that came before us to make Dawson the inclusive community we know!” the Etcetera Club wrote on their Instagram account.

The Communications Office interviewed Keith Fleury, treasurer of the club and a student in International Business Studies. Visit the link for the Q & A.

Read More - 40th anniversary of Etcetera Club

Milestones

Retirement of Carmela Gumelli

Carmela Gumelli’s last day at Dawson is Friday, March 28.  She is retiring after 20 years of service at Dawson College. After working as a teacher, program coordinator and campus director at a private college, Carmela joined Dawson in 2005 as Manager of Admissions and Scheduling. She later served as Coordinator of Academic Systems before becoming Dean of Academic Systems in 2014. In 2021, Carmela served as Interim Academic Dean.

"Working with Carmela has been a privilege," Academic Dean Leanne Bennett said. "She led with dedication, always keeping students at the heart of every decision. Her impact over the past 20 years has shaped our college for the better, and she will be truly missed!"

Director General Diane Gauvin said: “Carmela has played a tremendous role at Dawson, leading a large team of people who deal with the complex issues of Academic Systems, responding to the needs of incoming, current and graduating students. She has worked with virtually everyone at the College, in every category of employee, sharing her knowledge and experience and providing guidance. She will be missed, but we know she has instilled in her team the same level of service and care. She leaves us in good hands.”

The Communications Office interviewed Carmela about her time at Dawson. Visit the link for the Q & A.

Read More - Retirement of Carmela Gumelli

Awards Office

Do you know any outstanding students?

The Awards Office is now accepting nominations through April 13 for the following awards:

  • The Anastasia De Sousa Memorial Award
  • The Bruno Mital ‘B’ Positive Scholarship
  • The Paul Gallagher Award

Applications are also open until April 13. Visit the link for details and encourage the outstanding students you know, either by nominating them or suggesting they apply for relevant awards.

Read More - Do you know any outstanding students?

Office of Academic Development

Workshops and individual support to help you plan your course IN French

The Teaching in French Task Force is offering two new workshops to support teachers preparing to offer specific education, complementary, or Humanities courses in French. In these new workshops, we invite you to join a group of teachers to reflect on and share strategies for student engagement and evaluation in the context of teaching in French. Click here to register to a workshop (details in link).

To get individual support with your course preparation, reach out to the Teaching in French support team at: teachinginfrench@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

For more info on teaching in French, visit this SharePoint site.

Visit the link for workshop descriptions, info and registration links.

Read More - Workshops and individual support to help you plan your course IN French

Office of Academic Development

An invitation to connect and learn

Teaching can often feel like a solitary profession. It can be easy to lose motivation or inspiration while alone in your office or at home preparing lessons plans, designing assignments, or grading assessments. If you’re looking for ways to connect more with your peers and to learn and grow together, we invite you to participate in a brand-new initiative for 2025-26: Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs).

Joining an FLC will allow you to participate in regular, informal get-togethers with an interdisciplinary group of teachers and professionals and discuss a topic relevant to your interests and your teaching. The focus is on community—feeling like you are part of something bigger—that you are supported, challenged, and integral to the success of the group. The social aspect of the get-togethers is integral to sparking positive change in your teaching practice, and—by extension—in your students’ lives.

Visit the link for more information.

Photo: from left to right: Hélène Nadeau (Physics), Cornelia Howell (Anthropology), Michael Filtz (Cin-Com), Felix Fuchs (Cont Ed/English). (not pictured: Selma Hamdani) Photo by Jeff Gandell

Read More - An invitation to connect and learn

Dawson Foundation, Events, Well-being for all

Tickets on sale for beloved Dawson event Artists in Bloom

Watch art being created by talented Dawson students from the Illustration and Visual Arts programs and listen to live music while enjoying appetizers and drinks at Artists in Bloom on April 17. You are welcome to bring your kids and they will be able to create their own paintings at the children's corner. The evening ends with an auction. All proceeds from tickets and the auction sale will benefit Dawson students.

This year, the funds will support the Dawson College Mental Health Fund and the graduating students' vernissage events.

Artists in Bloom is Thursday, April 17 in 3C.1. Doors open at 5:30 PM.

Visit the link to buy your ticket(s). 

Read More - Tickets on sale for beloved Dawson event Artists in Bloom

Academic News, Campus Life

Joy is Resistance

“Joy is Resistance” is a Dawson movement and the theme of several events held this month at Dawson.

It is an inclusive call to action and a resistance to the growing narrative of queer erasure and anti-feminist rhetoric that threatens to overshadow the positive and integral contributions inherent in diversity.

A banner making event entitled “Queer Joy and Allyship” was held on March 5, the Women’s Day “Case Clothed” event happened March 6, an info table staffed by The Hive was set up on March 11 and the Allies and Angels Music Fest took place on March 12.

Partners in these events were: Cinema l Communications, Creative Collective for Change, the Dawson Student Union, the Etcetera Club, The Hive, Women’s/Gender Studies certificate faculty, staff and students.

Visit the link for some photos.

Read More - Joy is Resistance

Campus Life, Decolonization, Events

Indigenous Peoples’ Week March 31-April 3

Join us from Monday, March 31 to Thursday, April 3 at various locations throughout Dawson College for Indigenous Peoples' Week.

All events are open to the entire Dawson community and the public. Visit the link for the schedule.

Read More - Indigenous Peoples’ Week March 31-April 3

Academic News, Homepage news, Peace Centre

Cin l Comm teacher Dipti Gupta shares ideas for building peace

One person, one soul, one body through patience and persistence can turn a barren landscape into a thriving lush forest.

This is the story of The Man Who Planted Trees, a short film by Frédéric Back based on the story by Jean Giono.

Dipti Gupta, a teacher in Cinema l Communications at Dawson, spoke about the film and the impact of just one person in a talk for students in the Peace Studies Certificate on March 14.

Visit the link for the homepage news story and to see a photo of Dipti with Frédéric Back.

Read More - Cin l Comm teacher Dipti Gupta shares ideas for building peace

Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery

Vernissage and artist talk March 27 at 5 PM

The Dawson community is invited to the Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery today, March 27, at 5 PM for an artist talk/vernissage launching Memories We Carry, Stories We Heal, an exhibition of new work by Sarah-Mecca Abdourahman.

In her perpetual search for a connection to her parents homelands—Somalia and India--Abdourahman creates work exploring contrasting themes of haunting and healing.  Multimedia painted blankets and installations reference childhood, and the ancestral trauma that can be  activated in the process of connecting to one’s history.

Abdourahman will give an in-gallery tour of the exhibition at 5 PM, followed by the vernissage. Everyone is welcome. The exhibition continues until May 3.

Read More - Vernissage and artist talk March 27 at 5 PM

Academic News, Campus Life, Events

Call for Speakers: 2025 Dawson Humanities & Public Life Conference

The Dawson College Humanities & Public Life conference is an annual event that introduces CEGEP students to the ambiance, culture, and discovery of academic conferences. We provide a bridge between great ideas, new research, and exciting debates, as well as showcasing how the questions we tackle in the humanities are relevant to concrete, real-world situations. We invite presentations from all disciplines. This year, the conference will take place from October 20 to October 24, 2025, and the theme will be Hope and Despair: How and Why We Map out the Future.

We would like to encourage a vast array of contributors. We’d like to invite those in literature to talk about science fiction and fantasy. Those within the sciences can address climate change, species at risk, and attempts to mitigate climate change. Political theorists can contribute ideas about theories of history, change and development. Philosophers, linguists and psychologists can contribute ideas about the mind and critical thinking. How do people map out the future using the tools that they have? How does our notion of time change according to language or culture?  How are conspiracy theories put together and how do they gain traction?

Visit the link for more details.

Read More - Call for Speakers: 2025 Dawson Humanities & Public Life Conference

Dawson Remembers

Celebration of life in honour of Dr. Catherine Fichten

We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the life of Dr. Catherine Fichten. It will take place on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 4 PM to 6 PM at Dawson College in 5B.16.

Catherine, who passed away on Oct. 31, 2024, made a profound impact on teaching and research. Please join Catherine’s colleagues and friends in a celebration of her life and her enduring legacy. We heartily encourage you to share your favourite memories during the celebration. Refreshments will be served. We would also encourage donations in Catherine’s memory to a scholarship fund in her name, currently in the process of being established.

In order that we can make the necessary arrangements, kindly RSVP by Thursday, April 17 to Susie Wileman at swileman@dawsoncollege.qc.ca . Please indicate if you would like to share your memories of Catherine during the celebration.

-The Adaptech Research Team

Office of Academic Development

Upcoming conferences of AQPC and SALTISE

AQPC registration will open April 1 for the colloque taking place June 9 – 11 in Quebec City. Participation in this conference on college pedagogies is eligible for reimbursement under the faculty professional development fund

SALTISE annual conference will take place June 4-5 at Dawson.

Living Campus, Sustainability, Well-being for all

New Beetle Sanctuary at Dawson

Dawson’s new beetle sanctuary housed in a terrarium on the 5th floor near the main entrance at 3040 Sherbrooke Street W. serves as a vital initiative for breeding and conserving local beetle species, highlighting the critical role these often-overlooked insects play in ecosystems.

By providing a controlled environment that mimics their natural habitats, the project supports the study and preservation of native species, many of which are essential pollinators, decomposers, and indicators of environmental health.

This hands-on endeavor not only advances scientific research but also educates students and the community about biodiversity and the threats beetles face, such as habitat loss and climate change. Through careful breeding efforts, the sanctuary contributes to maintaining genetic diversity and potentially reintroducing populations into the wild, bolstering ecological resilience.

Beyond its practical outcomes, the project fosters a deeper appreciation for the intricate web of life, emphasizing that even the smallest creatures are indispensable to the balance of nature. This is a Living Campus project, reconnecting people, community and Nature.

-Submitted by Chris Adam

Facilities Management, Quality Assurance & Planning

Have your say on Dawson food services

The College's contract with our current food services provider comes up for renewal in July 2026. Selection of a vendor can be complex. Considerations include sustainability, accessibility, price points, healthy options, catering services and competition with downtown food offerings.

Facilities Management has put together a Food Services Committee composed of students and all categories of employees at Dawson. Working with the Office of Quality Assurance & Planning, they are running a survey to collect feedback from the Dawson community about how students and employees use (or do not use) food services at the College.

The survey is currently open in Omnivox and can be found in the what’s new area at the upper right-hand corner of the landing page. Over 2,000 students have already participated as have over 250 employees. You have until April 4, 2025 to share your opinions.

Results of the survey will help shape the call for tenders for Dawson’s next food services contract.

#DawsonProud, Academic News

Science on tourne at Dawson

On March 19, 10 teams from the Science Program competed in the 2025 Dawson Preliminary Science on tourne! competition. This extra-curricular event was a qualifying competition for the 2025 Dawson final competition scheduled for April 4.

Science on tourne! is an annual provincial engineering competition that sees student teams design and build a mechanical device to accomplish a task. This year’s task is to use wind power from a fan to transport a mass over an obstacle. The team that succeeds in transporting a greater mass over a greater distance wins the competition.

The winners of the 2025 Dawson finals on April 4 will go on to the Quebec competition (May 5-6) where a total of $20,000 in prizes are at stake. If you are interested in engineering, science, and/or design please come to see the Dawson finals on April 4 in room 5B.16 from 4-6 PM. (A special thanks to the Dawson Student Success Action Plan, The Dawson Foundation, and the SMSE Sector Office for supporting Dawson Science on tourne! teams with funds and equipment.)

-Submitted by Chris Whittaker

Office of Academic Development, Well-being for all

Registration open for faculty and professionals for Inclusion and Wellness Retreat

This Spring we will meet at the cozy Far Hills lodge in Val Morin on June 11-12 in the Laurentians.

Energize your teaching with an interactive workshop series to better understand your students and design learning experiences that respond to a wider variety of student needs.

Connect with colleagues in nature in between workshops with a paddle on the lake, walk in the woods, or join a campfire singalong!

Sign up now to reserve your spot – they are filling up fast!

Fees may be paid with professional development funds.  Pre-filled PD Fund application forms will be provided upon registration.

Visit the link for more info and to register.

Read More - Registration open for faculty and professionals for Inclusion and Wellness Retreat

Decolonization, Events, Learning opportunities

Indigenous Perspectives event on April 1

The Indigenous Perspectives Documentary series continues with a screening and discussion about Wilma Mankiller: Story of the first woman chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Tuesday, April 1, 10 AM to 12 PM, Room: 4C.1

Continuing Education and Community Services (CECS)

New Intensive French Courses (FEQ)

Dawson's Centre for Training and Development is pleased to announce our new set of intensive French courses ("FEQ"), aligned with the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence de français.

Students needing to pass a TEF exam for graduation or immigration purposes will benefit from our evaluation-focused courses.

For all the info, check out our webpage: dawson.college/echelle or contact our reception team at ctd@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

Levels available: 4, 5, 6, 7 *

Schedule: May 22 - June 18, 9 AM - 3 PM

*Before finalizing registration, there is mandatory placement test administered by TEF-certified evaluators.

Read More - New Intensive French Courses (FEQ)

Dawson Remembers, Milestones

In memoriam Jessica Mills

Former Dawson staff member Jessica Mills sadly passed away at the young age of 44 on March 10. From 2006-2013, Jessica had worked at Dawson in various support staff and professional roles in Student Services, Continuing Education and Community Services, the Office of Academic Development.

Visit the link for her obituary.

Read More - In memoriam Jessica Mills

Dawson Remembers, Milestones

In memoriam Don Mask

We regret to inform you of the sudden passing of Don Mask on Jan. 23 at the age of 91.

Don Mask began teaching at Dawson in 1971. He taught Business Administration and was also a teacher in Continuing Education. He retired in 1998.

Visit the link for the his obituary.

Read More - In memoriam Don Mask

Facilities Management

Dawson will be a polling station April 28

Conrod's student space at Dawson College (2F), near the 4001 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. entrance, will be used by Elections Canada as a polling station for the riding of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount on the day of the federal election, Monday, April 28.

Campus Life, Events, Well-being for all

Puppy therapy March 31

Come join Campus Life and The Hive Puppy Yoga for some much needed and wanted puppy therapy! It is NOT a yoga session. Puppies will be in Oliver's (2C.17) on Monday, March 31 from 11:30 AM-2:30 PM for your cuddling pleasure and mental well-being. The puppy's breed will be a surprise.

DawsonITE

DawsonITE Newsletter # 663

DawsonITE is your curated news related to IST and Education prepared by Dawson's Rafael Scapin.

In this issue:

  • How to use ChatGPT as a personal AI research assistant
  • How one Ontario school board is getting teachers to try AI in the classroom
  • Tired of Screen Addiction? This App Forces You Outside to Unlock Your Phone

Read More - DawsonITE Newsletter # 663

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Last Modified: March 24, 2025

 

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