The semester is in full swing and we have a full range of activities and events planned for students and alumni. There are some events hosted by the department and student groups and others in conjunction with the French Studies and Club Richelieu Windsor and the Humanities Research Group.

Our student groups have been really engaged this year with them organizing the Model UN conference during Reading Week, attending Model NATO in Ottawa, and continuing to excel in mock trial competitions.

This month’s profile is with our Department Secretary, Dylan Margerison. Dylan has been an invaluable resource to both faculty and students and you can read more about him in his interview with Alexandra Kawalec.

We also have some sad news to share. Professor Emeritus Lloyd Brown-John passed away on February 24th. He had a larger-than-life personality and had an inspiring and active retirement. Doug Schmidt wrote a lovely obituary about Lloyd which we have reposted in this newsletter with Doug’s permission.

We hope you enjoy this newsletter and find it useful. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Thank you for being part of our community!

Table of Contents

• Q & A with Department Secretary

• Mock Trial Victory

• Model NATO Conference

• Upcoming Events

• In Memoriam

• Academic Calendar

Q:   Can you describe your main responsibilities as the secretary to the head?

A: Generally speaking, I take care of the administrative needs of the Department Head, Dr. Lydia Miljan, and also the department generally, including students, faculty, and instructors.

What that actually means is I am responsible for ensuring things can run smoothly behind the scenes. That could involve ensuring Dr. Miljan isn’t bogged down with processes and administrative work and also ensuring that faculty members can focus on their academic goals through their teaching and research. As a bureaucratic Institution, figuring out how to get things done here at the University of Windsor can be confusing. My job focuses on streamlining those processes for Students, Faculty, and the Department.

Q: What are some common issues students bring to the department, and how do you determine how to deal with them?

A: Most often, I find students come to me with questions about how to get certain things done. Whether it be a form that needs to be completed and submitted, or a question about how a specific process works, I enjoy problem-solving those issues. Having worked in a variety of areas on campus, I am lucky to have experience with how the university works, which helps me understand how to solve these issues.

 Having also been a full-time student recently, I remember facing similar issues and having to go to staff to get solutions. I aim to not just send students off with the name of who they should contact; I found that quite frustrating as a student. I find that connecting a student with an admin or faculty colleague either by email or in person is much more helpful.  I have also found that being someone students feel comfortable going to for any questions they may have is rewarding.

Q: How has your experience in this position shaped your understanding of political science as a discipline?

A: I actually had very little Political Science background prior to joining the department! Through events I get to attend such as Speaker Series events, or conversations with our faculty and students, I have been surprised at how wide-ranging the Political Science discipline is.

I have really enjoyed learning different aspects of Political Science, whether it is theory tidbits from Instagram through the Politics Unpacked series that our student coordinator team facilitates, our graduate student’s defences I attend, or the recently relevant speaker series Dr. Richter held on Canada’s defense spending and the Two Percent Conundrum, I enjoy being able to continue to learn.

Q; What are some time management tips you could give to political science students?

A: In my work, I have found that scheduling specific blocks of time to accomplish certain tasks to be helpful. It is common for me to be taken away from tasks through walk-in traffic, but when I need to get work done, I find putting in headphones with music and focusing on getting work done to help me.

 As someone who also had trouble focusing on getting schoolwork done when I intended to, I found that staying somewhere on campus (the Library or a study area) until I accomplished what I wanted to helpful in forcing me to focus on productivity.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your professional experience prior to becoming Secretary to the Head?

A: As someone who wasn’t completely sure of my path out of high school, I have worked many different types of jobs in the past, such as corn detasseling, a cook, factory jobs, customer service jobs, etc.. Some of the worst jobs I had taught me the importance of an education, and specifically one that utilizes my natural skills.  I have completed an accounting degree program which has been a solid base for me. I continue to take part-time courses towards another degree.

I started at the University of Windsor at the beginning of Fall 2018 in the Office of the Registrar. I worked there for about 9 months before finding a position in the Faculty of Law. I worked in many positions in the Faculty of Law before moving to the Department of Political Science in early 2024.

Q: What is your favourite thing to do outside of work? Do you have any hobbies?

A: Golf is a hobby of mine. I often spend a lot of my free time in the summer on the course, and in the winter at an indoor golf booth. Having golfed regularly since I was young, it is something I enjoy a lot.

 Aside from golf, I enjoy travelling and getting out of town with my girlfriend Meghan.

Rhyse Lamont Parker, Bree Lee, Brianna Jaynes, Garvit Vadera, Ethan Sasson, and Jenine Murra won first place at the annual University of Windsor Undergraduate Mock Trial Association tournament held in the Windsor Law building. The team claimed the six-foot-tall Alumni Justice Cup, beating five other University of Windsor teams. 

In this two-day tournament, each team needed to be prepared to simulate a real criminal trial as either the criminal defense or as the crown. Teams were eliminated one by one over the span of 12 trials, leaving Team Rhyse as the highest scoring team and the tournament winners. 

The Mock Trial Association was established to unite students with a common interest in law, trial advocacy, debate, public speaking, legal issues, and the judiciary.  Through competitions the association provides a meaningful learning experience while also allowing members to become familiar with the Canadian legal system and courtroom procedures.

The weekend during reading week, the University of Windsor’s Model NATO Club sent a delegation to the Carleton University annual student-led conference on international security. Students participated in one of only two Model NATO conferences held in North America. This return marks the first participation for the University of Windsor since 2014, gathering delegates from institutions across Canada and providing an extraordinary experiential learning opportunity centered on diplomacy and international governance.

The 2025 Carleton Model NATO Conference featured three core committees: The North Atlantic Council, The Military Committee, and the Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee. The Windsor delegation represented Spain, Montenegro, and the United Kingdom, with individual students assigned to each country in the respective committees.

Notably, 3rd-year Political Science student R.J. D'Aguilar was recognized as a Distinguished Delegate for his representation of Montenegro in the Military Committee, while fellow 1st year International Relations student Zack Nayduk, received an Honourable Mention for his contributions to the Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee.

Hanna McGraw, a 3rd-year Political Science student representing Montenegro in the Partnerships and Cooperative Security Committee, shared, “It was a great experience, really enabled me to see the importance of diplomacy, networking, and understanding complex issues on a global scale outside of the classroom.”

Award winner R.J. D’Aguilar emphasized that the most impactful aspect of the conference was “being able to practice international diplomacy in a realistic simulated environment.”

Although the conference concluded with NATO states facing a hypothetical conflict with China, courtesy of UWindsor’s U.K. delegation—it was ultimately a rewarding collaborative experience among universities and scholars from across the country. The Model NATO Club plans to return next year, as well as eagerly anticipating participation in additional conferences.

Our student groups are highly engaged this year and are working on fundraising for their end of semester gala. Please support them by purchasing a treat at their bake sale on March 11th and 18th.

March marks the month of the Francophonie in Canada and internationally. This year, the Chapitre Jeunesse – Club Richelieu, the student-led social club for francofans on campus, is organizing Franco-Fête from March 3 to 7.

This week of festivities aims to give members of the University community an opportunity to celebrate the French language and culture in a fun and relaxed setting.

Tuesday, March 4: Family Feud – Profs vs. Students

Franco-Fête continues with a Family Feud game, opposing professors and students. Student participants will be able to test their French knowledge and challenge their professors in a friendly and festive atmosphere. The event will run from 4 to 6 p.m. in Winclare Hall. Snacks and drinks will be offered.

 Wednesday, March 5: French Jeopardy

This French Jeopardy game is a great way for francofans to improve their French or to demonstrate their knowledge of Francophone history and popular culture. The event takes place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Winclare Hall. Prizes — including gift cards — will be distributed.

 Thursday, March 6 : Bingo

Francofans are invited to take part in a classic game of bingo starting at 5:30 p.m. in Winclare Hall. Participants get the chance to win great prizes: Gift cards for Whamburg, Indigo, and much more.

 Friday, March 7: Karaoké

The karaoké evening is the perfect opportunity for francofans to sing their favorite French songs and have a fun time with friends. The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in Winclare Hall. On the program: guaranteed atmosphere, laughter, and surprises.

 Franco-Fête is sponsored by French Studies and Club Richelieu Windsor.

Dr. Emmanuelle Richez is co-organizing a colloquium titled "𝐴𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑒 𝑒𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝 : 𝑅𝑒́𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑠𝑢𝑟 𝑙’ℎ𝑒́𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑖̂𝑡 𝑃𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑟" at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM) on April 10 and 11 2025. This event will bring together experts, researchers and political actors to reflect on the academic and political contribution of Benoît Pelletier. Through enriching lectures and discussions, participants will have the opportunity to explore the impact of his ideas and commitment on academia and political institutions. More information on the colloquium can be found here.

Doug Schmidt

Originally published February 28, 2025 in the Windsor Star, Reposted with permission.

Two decades after reluctantly retiring as a University of Windsor professor, Lloyd Brown-John remained a generous teacher and mentor and lived life to the fullest — even approaching age 85, he was still fiercely curious, learning and exploring, and still engaged and broadly active in the local community.

“It is hard to capture the essence of Lloyd Brown-John in just a few words,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told the Star.

“His candor, his advice, his wisdom, his humour, and his down-to-earth, common-sense approach to life — the community has lost one of its brightest minds and most passionate advocates.”

For years, and up until mid-February, Brown-John tackled a wide range of topics in his weekly Windsor Star opinion columns, always written with a local viewpoint. He did not shy away from delving into the most sensitive of subjects and using his academic and historical chops to provide deeper context and broader perspective. Sometimes he made it personal.

Like all good columnists, he attracted fans and foes.

“It was sometimes a challenge, but he so enjoyed doing his columns,” said Marilyn, his wife of 62 years.

The couple moved to Essex County in 1968, with Brown-John taking a position at UWindsor’s political science department. At the time, he’d been working for Canada’s external affairs department, but Marilyn said they decided a diplomatic career in the foreign service wasn’t the best way to raise a family.

Following a period of illness, Brown-John died on Feb. 24 from an undiagnosed heart condition. He is also survived by two daughters and their families, including six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Another “love of his life,” according to Marilyn, was Canterbury ElderCollege, which Lloyd founded in 2011 to provide lifelong learning opportunities for adults age 55 and over.

Dozens of educational courses, led by volunteer experts and offered at moderate cost, are now presented across Windsor and Essex County each spring and fall.

“It’s learning for the joy of learning — Lloyd’s motto was: ‘If it t’ain’t fun then it’s probably not worth doin’,'” said program manager Catherine Fettes, ElderCollege’s only paid employee. She said tributes have been pouring in from the types of subject experts and influential figures Brown-John would corral into giving lectures.

“It was because of him, they said, that they are continuing to share their knowledge — they’re grateful to him for encouraging them,” said Fettes.

That legacy will continue, according to a statement sent out to the ElderCollege community: “While we’re heartbroken, we also know the best way to honour Lloyd is carry on the work he loved so much.”

Brown-John himself would typically host several courses each semester — everything from classes on how governments work and understanding politics at all levels, to how to research family history, Spanish Flu and aircraft disasters.

“His favourite was the armchair travel — taking people through the trips he took all over the world,” said Fettes. He would also lead bus trips to local historical sites or to special local restaurants and on wine tasting tours.

“Lloyd was a connoisseur of life and all the wonderful things it entailed,” Leamington Mayor and Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald wrote on a growing online  ‘tribute wall‘ in Brown-John’s memory set up by Reid Funeral Home.

Marilyn said Friday that Lloyd did not want a funeral. Cremation has taken place and a private family gathering is being organized for a later date.

“Lloyd’s voice has been silenced, but the legacy he leaves, and the difference he has made in the lives of his former students, including mine, will live on for generations to come,” said Dilkens, for whom Brown-John, as a professor emeritus, was PhD advisor.

“He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, a teacher, mentor, thought-provoking political writer and commentator, and someone I had the honour to call my friend,” said Dilkens.

Brown-John retired from UWindsor in 2005, just before mandatory retirement was abolished. Marilyn said her husband didn’t want to retire but soon filled his life with many activities, particularly travel. The couple once spent a 16-month sabbatical voyaging “literally around the world,” she said.

Brown-John was involved in countless academic and research institutions and organizations. He was the long-time president of Friends of Point Pelee and a fundraiser for Leamington’s arts centre.

For years before he wrote a regular Windsor Star column, Brown-John was a commentator on local politics for the CBC and other media, and he was an election night regular, feeding independent expert analysis to news reporters.

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