The names of two roads on McMaster’s campus received an upgrade this week in recognition of Nobel Laureates and McMaster alumni Donna Strickland and Myron Scholes.
On October 4, Donna Strickland, Eng Phys alumna and Nobel laureate, returned to campus to celebrate the naming of Strickland Way. Though Scholes was unable to attend in-person for the celebrations, he shared some pre-recorded video messages during the event.
Strickland Way runs from A.N. Bourns Science Building to the Gerald Hatch Centre and Scholes Way runs from the David Braley Athletic Centre to Togo Salmon Hall.
Throughout the day, Strickland connected with McMaster students, faculty, alumni and leaders with intimate chats and a Q&A event.
She began the day in a setting very familiar to her. Eng Phys students gathered around a table in a lab in Burke Science Building, where they asked Strickland questions related to life as a researcher and Nobel Prize winner.
She imparted wisdom including an important life lesson to communicate effectively with different audiences as a physicist, professor, and scientist.
Before heading to lunch, Strickland took her first look at the new street signs bearing her name.
Emma Magee, a chemistry student, and a lucky participant of the Faculty’s “Stricktly the Best” Instagram contest, had the opportunity to have a photo taken with Strickland and the new sign, a dream come true for Magee.
Following lunch, more than 100 people filled the Concert Hall in Wilson Hall as Chemical Engineering student, Shayna Earle and recent iBioMed graduate, Mosana Abraha, led a Fireside Q&A Chat with Donna.
Myron Scholes was also featured on video during the event and he answered questions about his Nobel win and economics research.
Attendees received a free t-shirt emblazoned with “Sticktly the Best” across the front upon entering the event.
Questions that were asked were submitted by members of McMaster community and asked live by attendees. Here’s a few highlights:
Strickland’s top three skills alumni should work on that will excel them in their career are:
1. Patience
2. Have love for what you do
3. Teamwork
To cap off the day, some of McMaster Engineering’s Schulich leaders were treated to coffee and conversation with Donna.
Students asked Donna to elaborate on the feelings of imposter syndrome, to which Donna replied:
“Don’t let it get to your head and don’t let it stop you.”
Read more about Strickland’s legacy.
