November 2, 2000

Happy memories were relived at the recent Homecoming weekend where these graduates of the class of 1950 shared a few chuckles over their yearbook.
Photo: Owen Egan

A blessed event
Daniel McCabe
It isn't every day that the Archbishop of Montreal shows up to formally bless a new endowed chair. But the Kennedy Smith Chair in Catholic Studies has a unique mission: to fuel a wide-ranging investigation of the different influences Roman Catholicism has had on society.

Contrat nears completion
Daniel McCabe
McGill and the Quebec government are drawing closer to reaching an agreement about how McGill's performance will be judged over the next few years.

Convocation
David Johnston returns as McGill hands out honorary degrees and emeritus professorships in recognition of some remarkable careers.

Teaching supplement
What advice would some of McGill's best teachers offer to those who are new at the profession?

Protein snipers
Sylvain Comeau
The head of the new Canadian Institutes of Health Research recently shared his thoughts on the future of medical research and the role that the CIHR will play in fostering that research.

Arthur Erickson: Concrete poet
Leslie Stojsic
One of Canada's most successful and influential architects has little time for museums that try too hard to be pretty or university teaching that stresses process over instinct.

Battling bacteria
Janice Hamilton
Bacteria are becoming tougher all the time, resisting the antibiotic treatments that used to put them out of commission. Now researchers are trying a new approach -- sneaking the antibiotics past the bugs' defences, Trojan Horse style.

Slice of life: Racing down the tenure track
Patrick McDonagh
Young academics must tread a difficult road on their way to applying for tenure. And nobody is promising a happy ending.

Also in this issue Kudos Kaleidoscope The men who make things grow at Mac; Our man at The Globe and Mail; Halloween dissected On campus A winter wonderland (sort of); Skis, skis and more skis; Beckett's dark wit on display At issue If you could change one thing about the way the media portrays science, what would it be?

On October 22, 2000, the McGill community lost one of its most dedicated staff members, Christine Hood, who died at the age of 47 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. A graduate of McGill (BA'75) and Concordia (MEd'00), Chris leaves behind her husband, David, and two sons, Graham and Matthew. Through her work in the Admissions Office and most recently in the Department of Human Resources, Chris became well known and highly respected across campus. She was inducted into the Quarter Century Club on October 18, 2000. News of her passing has saddened the McGill community and she will be dearly missed by all. When Chris didn't feel up to attending the convocation ceremonies for her recent degree from Concordia, Rector Frederick Lowy and other Concordia officials brought the degree to Hood. We salute our Concordia colleagues for their class. Photo courtesy of the Chronicle