Names in the News

Arslan Dorman, a lecturer in Political Science, was invited to be the studio guest for the hour-long phone-in show, Radio Noon (CBC). He fielded questions from Montreal listeners about the culture and politics of his home country, Turkey, in the wake of the recent suicide bombing in Istanbul.

Lawrence Kryzanowski (Finance) was quoted in several news outlets in early November about rumours that the Caisse de Depôt planned to contract out a large portion of its portfolio to private money managers.

Michel Magnan (Accountancy) was quoted in the Globe and Mail on Nov. 3. He said that Canadian companies are quietly padding executive pension plans with millions of dollars of future obligations. Pension costs for top executives should be disclosed just like other elements of compensation, in his view. He also told The Gazette on Nov. 6 that teaching ethics is a good business. The John Molson School of Business was patted on the back by Imagine, published by the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy for broadening its course offerings on business ethics.

Corporate Knights’ November edition on corporate responsibility quoted Steven Appelbaum (Management) and Clarence Bayne (DS/MIS). Appelbaum said that when we teach about leadership in Quebec, unlike the U.S., we don’t use General George Patton as a model. Bayne said we remember that an organization is embedded in its community.

Jerry Tomberlin, dean of JMSB, told the National Post on Nov. 17 that having niche graduate programs pays off. The JMSB has offered an Aviation MBA since 1992, and offers electives geared to aviation, such as airport operations, airline marketing and security issues. He mentioned that several graduates of the Concordia program are senior industry executives.

Bala Ashtakala (Mechanical Engineering) told CKMI (Ste. Foy) that 40 per cent of our fresh water is leaking out of our sewer pipes. The city’s distribution system is so old that the pipes are simply deteriorating.

In an October Gazette article about a survey on Canadians’ choice of make-out places, 60 per cent of Torontonians chose the back seat of a car. Those automotive trysts are the first choice of those living in a repressive environment, Lillian Robinson, head of the Simone de Beauvoir Institute, told the paper.

A National Post article about hormone treatment for women with a decreasing sex drive noted that researchers at Concordia are testing a nasal spray on rats. The spray, in experiments, enhanced sexual “solicitations” and arousal in the female rodents.

A. Bakr Ibrahim, associate dean of JMSB and director of the Centre for Small Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, said in a recent Gazette article that a small-business owner’s ability to be unique is crucial to success. The product or service doesn’t have to be new. It’s those that have a different spin who stake their claim.

Sourav Ray (Marketing) told CKMI-TV that some new car owners with warranties are feeling pressure to have their car serviced at their dealer, but people do have choices.

Stephen Snow, co-ordinator of the graduate program in creative arts therapies, was featured in an October National Post article about the Healing the Wounds of History workshop. He said that storytelling is key to healing prejudice. It helps people see one another as human, and avoid demonizing others.

Former Concordia professor Lanie Melamed, who passed away Aug. 7 after a long-battle with breast cancer, was featured in the Globe and Mail. Dr. Melamed was concerned about the effect of our exposure to toxic chemicals, and was a member of the Raging Grannies, a group that uses satire to draw attention to national and international issues. Her feistiness and sense of fun will be missed.

In a Gazette article on the hottest jobs in Montreal, André Gagnon, co-ordinator of CAPS, the Career and Placement Service, said there’s a huge shortage of construction trade workers. Stonemasons, bricklayers, electricians, plumbers and carpenters are in demand right now. Big-box retailers are also looking for managers and sales associates with the right leadership, organizational and people skills, he said.

Parents can play a big role in a child’s choice of careers, but they should take a hands-off approach, said Colleen Bronson, former co-ordinator of the Career Placement Centre at the John Molson School of Business, in an October Gazette article. The parents, accustomed to long, stable careers, may want their children to have similar careers in nursing, teaching or management, but students need to discover their career passions for themselves.

Columnist James Mennie saluted CASA Cares for their efforts for the Gazette Christmas Fund on Dec. 1. The business students’ charity group had a great fundraising idea: station Santa Claus and his elves on the mezzanine and charge $5 to have a photo snapped. Among those mentioned were CASA Cares president Rheena Deguzman, Santa Claus Mike Falco, elf Lisa Cuscuna and student Eric Blanchette.