News in Brief
F. Peter Cundill dies
F. Peter Cundill, McGill alumnus and Chairman Emeritus of Mackenzie Cundill, passed away this week. The Montreal native graduated from McGill with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1960 and went on to become one of the world’s most successful investment managers during a career that spanned more than 40 years. Throughout it, Mr. Cundill has earned many distinctions, including the Analysts’ Choice Career Achievement Award as the greatest mutual fund manager of all time in 2001. In 2008, Mr. Cundill gave generously to his alma mater to establish the Cundill Prize in History, the world’s most important non-fiction historical literature prize.
Rink of dreams
A new skating rink has been opened on lower campus for use by McGillians and the general public. Open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., the 46’ x 96’ sheet of ice is located just at the foot of “McGill Beach” and is to be used for skating only – not hockey or broomball. The rink is floodlit so that people can enjoy an invigorating evening skate.
McGill, HKU forge research partnership
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and McGill have forged a new partnership in biomedical science research, aimed at providing improved support for students and professors in both institutions, as well as joint grant applications and other activities that will build on their respective strengths as leaders in this important emerging field. It is expected that this partnership will offer scientists at both institutions the opportunity to strengthen their research programs and expand the scope of their studies, leading to major advances in biomedical research.
Schulich voice student advances in Met competition
Schulich School of Music student Philippe Sly won a regional competition in Buffalo, N.Y., of the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions program on Jan. 16. He will go on to the semi-finals in February in New York City, where competitors sing on the Met stage for a chance to become one of about five Grand Winners – each of whom gets a $15,000 prize. Sly, who has been seen in several Opera McGill productions, sings Marcello in two performances of La Bohème (see Page 7) this week.