Articles from:January 2025

• Memorial for Dr. Laura Wiebe

  Thursday, January 16, 2025 | By Connor Wilkes

   

  On August 16^th, 2022, the Department of Communication, Popular Culture and Film lost a former professor, student, and friend Dr. Laura Wiebe after a battle with cancer.

  Dr. Laura Wiebe was not only a beloved student and professor here in the CPCF Department, but also a beacon of kindness and compassion. Her dedication to her students and her love of animals (especially cats!), heavy metal, horror films and basketball were well-known and cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her. In her final lecture, she left us with a powerful message: “Always be kind to each other.” These words continue to resonate deeply within our community.

  In honour of Dr. Wiebe’s enduring legacy, we are creating a special memorial space on campus. This space will not only celebrate her contributions to academia but also serve as a sanctuary for reflection, kindness, and the joy she found in her friends. It will be a place where students, faculty, and visitors can come together to remember her and be inspired by her example.

  To bring this vision to life, we need your support. Your generous donation will help us create a beautiful and meaningful space that truly reflects Dr. Wiebe’s spirit.  Every donation will make a significant impact.

  Together, we can create a lasting tribute to Laura, ensuring her legacy of kindness continues to inspire future generations.

  Link to donations.

   

• Marc MacDonald’s CPCF Journey

  Thursday, January 09, 2025 | By Connor Wilkes

  Today we are featuring CPCF graduate Marc MacDonald. Marc graduated in 2008 with a BA in Popular Culture and a minor in Professional Writing. Since graduating, Marc has worn many different hats. He is currently working for the City of Welland as the Chief Communications & Engagement Officer and recently published his first novel!

  Here is a little bit of what Marc has to say about his experience in CPCF and at Brock.

  

  My career path started in the journalism industry, after spending my undergraduate days working for the Brock Press. From there, I wrote for weekly newspapers before transitioning to a traditional communications role, which began in the Faculty of Education at Brock in 2012. My political calling was answered in 2017 when I shifted to the Town of Pelham before joining the City of Welland in 2021. Moreover, my personal hobbies have taken a significant role in my life, especially writing. This passion resulted in a published novel in October 2024, my first of what I hope will be several.

  More than anything, my education taught me to be curious; to uncover what was on the surface and ask questions about what else was hiding – in plain sight or otherwise. It also taught me the ways in which language, writing, and storytelling can be persuasive and enthralling. Storytelling is such a large part of my life – professional and personal – and one area that I think is often misunderstood and under appreciated. But take a look around, stories are being told everywhere.

  When asked what advice do have for current students who want to make the most out or their? Marc responded with: be curious. Ask questions to understand. And above all else, follow your passion. What you do for your day job may not perfectly align with your passion but find a way to engage with that passion elsewhere. Give yourself an opportunity to be as complete as possible.

  Again, be curious and get involved. For example, if you’re interested in working in a municipality, there are many ways to get involved ahead of submitting an application that will show not only your interest, but that you’re doing your research in the field you’d like to join.

  Have I mentioned curiosity? I wholly subscribe to the idea that doing something because it’s the way it’s always been done that way is a colossal waste of time. Dream big, stretch boundaries, and try new things. If it doesn’t work, who cares, you’re leaving with lessons learned. But when you hit the mark on those big ideas? Look out. I look for people who can appreciate this vision. It doesn’t have to be matched, but it does have to be appreciated.

  

• Navigating Generative AI: Implications for Small Businesses and Non-Profits

  Wednesday, January 08, 2025 | By Janine Duff

  

  Free online event on Jan. 21, 2025 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. 

  CPCF Assistant Professors Kate Cassidy and Michelle Chen will present their Niagara Community Observatory (NCO) policy brief, Navigating Generative AI: Implications for Small Businesses and Non-Profits, at a free online event hosted by the NCO. This launch event is based on exploratory research into the experiences of early adopters of generative AI in Niagara. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion.

  Their presentation will be an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of generative AI’s potential and to learn how to navigate its integration thoughtfully.

  You can register for this free event by sending an RSVP to NCO Research Coordinator, Dr. Carol Phillips at [email protected]. An event link will be sent to all registrants closer to the date.

  Read more about the event in The Brock News.

  Hope to see you there!

• Dr. Good on the Take Me Outside Podcast!

  Thursday, January 02, 2025 | By Connor Wilkes

  In this inaugural Take Me Outside podcast episode, Professor Jennifer Ellen (Jenellen) Good talks with Take Me Outside founder Colin Harris about the climate crisis, technology, and eco-spirituality. They discuss how these issues are communicated, both societally and educationally, and the role these issues play within the education system.
  

  Link to full podcast here.

  Take Me Outside is a Canadian non-profit organization focused on promoting outdoor learning and encouraging students, teachers, and schools to engage with nature. Founded in 2012, the organization advocates for the integration of outdoor education into school curricula, to enhance students’ physical, emotional, and cognitive development.