view . fall 2012
53
David Phillips
BA ’66
As a senior climatologist for
Environment Canada, David
Phillips is Canada’s weather guru.
He grew up in Windsor, studied
geography at the University of
Windsor and first worked at
the Meteorological Branch of
Transport Canada—conducting
research on the Great Lakes in Toronto. Phillips produced
various reports, including an article about a Climatic
Severity Index that ranked 150 locations in Canada for
their most extreme weather. When the article was cited by
Southam News in the 1980s, Phillips was asked to go on
television to respond. He has since become the spokesman
for the Environment Canada Meteorological Service.
Phillips received the Patterson Medal for Distinguished
Service to Meteorology in Canada, two Public Service
Merit Awards, honorary doctorates from the University of
Waterloo, Nipissing University and the Order of Canada.
He was also awarded the Camsell Medal by the Royal
Canadian Geographical Society in 1993.
He has published several best-selling books including
The Climates of Canada, Blame It On The Weather
and
The Day Niagara Falls Ran Dry
. He is also the creator of
Canada’s most popular calendar,
The Canadian Weather
Trivia Calendar.
Phillips was surprised and thrilled to receive the
news that he is a recipient of this year’s Alumni Award of
Merit, “I am deeply and sincerely touched by the honour,
especially given the outstanding body of alumni who can
proudly call the University of Windsor their alma mater.”
Maureen Harris
BMA ’97, MEd ’06
Maureen Harris is an educator
and music professional who
has dedicated 30 years to the
education of young children.
Creator of Mozart & the Young
Mind, a music and movement
curriculum for children, Harris
continues to share her musical knowledge with fellow
educators throughout the world in workshops and
conferences.
Harris’ publications include
Listen to their Voices
, a
journal for early childhood educators, an instructional book
with accompanying CDs for teachers, and a comprehensive
early childhood music education book for music graduates.
Her dedication to teaching was recognized by the
Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Association
with the presentation of the Hugheen Ferguson Lifetime
Achievement Award. That same year, she received the
Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence and
Excellence in Early Childhood Education. “A good teacher
inspires a thirst of learning that lasts a lifetime,” said
Prime Minister Stephen Harper. “The outstanding teachers
honoured today are an inspiration to us all. They play an
invaluable role in our children’s development and in the
future success of our country.”
Harris is currently a sessional instructor at the
University of Windsor’s Faculty of Education where she is
pursuing her PhD.
Weather guru and global educator to receive
Alumni Award of Merit
The Alumni Award of Merit is the Alumni Associations’ most prestigious award. It recognizes alumni
for distinguished accomplishments that bring honour to the University and/or the community, or for
outstanding personal service to the University. The awards will be presented to David Phillips BA ’66
and Maureen Harris BMA ’97, MEd ’06 at the Association’s Annual General Meeting & Awards
Presentations in November 15, 2012.
