While enrollment in Arts and Humanities and Social Science continues to drop, one department in these faculties is growing year after year.

In 2011, Women's Studies at Western had an enrollment of 745 Full Course Equivalents (FCE's). Today, that number is 1462. 

Radio Western spoke to undergraduate chair of Women's Studies Dr. Wendy Pearson about the astonishing growth in the department.

The Rise of Women's Studies at Western

Uber has revolutionized the taxi service. The mobile app allows drivers to connect directly with customers and has fares that are far cheaper than regular taxis.

Uber operates in over 200 cities across the world and its business model has been adapted in other industries. 

But the app’s popularity with consumers has brought its own issues. Uber's biggest hurdle in Canada is that their operations are contrary to local taxi bylaws.

London is no exception. 

Since Uber began its operations in the Forest City in the summer of 2015, the London Taxi Association and some city councillors have opposed the company's operating model and apathetic approach to bylaw compliance. Recently, the LTA announced that they will not pay the annual taxi license fee to protest the fact that the government has not banned Uber despite the service being classified as illegal according to the London taxi bylaws. 

This story from Radio Western's Mohammad Abrar explores Uber's operations in London and the issues surrounding it. Uber did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Opening clip is from CBC The National’s "Uber Court Battles in Canada”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8mPjeBuLLE

Uber vs. The City of London

Dr. Barry Craig has plans for Western's founding institution.

Huron's new principal since July is the driving force behind some big changes at the affiliated liberal arts college.

Huron will now have a core curriculum for all students that provides a well-rounded liberal arts education. It will also look to develop an ethic of community service in future students, and will expand opportunities in that area. 

According to a release from Huron, the shift will set it apart from other universities. It is expected that they will be implemented for the 2017 school year.

Along with the changes, Dr. Craig and his wife are contributing $25,000 to start a scholarship for Indigenous student leaders at Huron. 

Radio Western spoke to Dr. Craig about his incredible life story and upbringing and how he hopes to see Huron offer the best liberal arts education in the country.

Purple Profiles: Huron Principal Dr. Barry Craig

Vickie Croley is a cornerstone of Western's track and field program. 

She has served as head coach of the team for over two decades and has led the Mustangs to provincial and national titles. She has been named the CIS men's track and field coach of the year, OUA women's track and field coach of the year, and OUA women's coach of the year.

Croley has coached Canadian decathlete Damian Warner since 2010. Warner won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Interview, photo, and text by Mohammad Abrar

Purple Profiles: Track and Field Coach Vickie Croley

It wasn’t that long ago that Dan Shulman called Western Mustangs football and basketball for 94.9 CHRW Radio Western. 

What once was just a hobby has now turned into a career. Shulman is now the voice of ESPN’s men’s college basketball and Sunday Night Baseball. 

Shulman also called 30 Toronto Blue Jays games for Sportsnet in 2016 and will do the same next year.  

In this alumni edition of Purple Profiles, Shulman speaks about his time at Radio Western, including his most memorable moment, and shares advice for those looking to follow his path in sports broadcasting.

Interview and write-up by Karl Nacion. Photo courtesy of Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images.

CHRW Alumni: Sportscaster Dan Shulman

Adrienne Arsenault is one of Canadian broadcasting’s most recognized faces.

The CBC foreign correspondent has reported some of the public broadcaster’s most powerful, profound, and important stories over the last two decades. 

In 2015, her reporting on the Ebola crisis earned her an international Emmy award – one of many accolades in her career. 

But before she took Canadians around the world with her journalism, Arsenault read the news at Radio Western.

In this edition of Purple Profiles, part 2 of our alumni series, Richard Raycraft speaks to Arsenault about her first reporting experiences at CHRW.

CHRW Alumni: Foreign Correspondent Adrienne Arsenault

Steve Patterson is a stand-up comedian and the host of “The Debaters” on CBC.

Raised in London, he attended the Ivey School of Business at Western. On top of his hectic business school commitments, he decided to get involved in campus life through the radio station, CHRW.

Patterson would invite his friends into Radio Western to record his Monday afternoon comedy show. 

Performing in front of a microphone at CHRW helped developed Patterson’s comedy, which he now performs in front of audiences around the world. 

His moderation of humorous debates on the CBC has made the show a favourite across Canada, too.

In this interview, the third and final edition in our alumni series, Patterson talks about his time at CHRW and how it influenced his career.

Patterson's new book, "The Book of Letters I Didn't Know Where To Send", is available in bookstores everywhere.

Photo by John Hryniuk.

CHRW Alumni: Comedian Steve Patterson

On November 8, Americans elected Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States.

On September 14, Radio Western interviewed political science professor Donald Abelson, who predicted a Hillary Clinton victory.

In this edition of Western on the World, we once again speak to Dr. Abelson about the surprise result and the implications of an election that created shock waves around the globe.

Interview by Richard Raycraft. Student interviews by Isabella Kuscu.

Photo by Gage Skidmore.

Western on the World: Donald Trump is President

There's a new sheriff in town. 

Former Ontario chief superintendent East Region Daniel Redmond will be taking over for John Carson as the director of the Campus Community Police Service. Redmond served in the OPP for 30 years and received the Ontario Police Exemplary and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal for his service. 

Redmond has been working in a transition role at Western since October but will officially become director on January 1, 2017. 

Interview by Mohammad Abrar. Photo Courtesy of Western Communications.

Purple Profiles: Campus Police director Daniel Redmond

Featuring clips from episode 1 on Western's own beer and episode 2 on Western's use of virtual reality as a marketing tool.

Western Word NCRA Award Submission

Western is an awesome place.

Think about it; we have 30,000 undergraduates students, over 5,000 graduate students, and over 1,000 faculty and staff. We're like our own city - a city full of some of the smartest, most motivated, and most creative people in the country.

The Western Word is a show that brings you their stories. We have you covered from King's to Brescia Hill, from Althouse to University Hospital, from the Staging Building – whatever that thing is – to Amit Chakma's mansion.

From 94.9 CHRW Radio Western it's The Western Word.

Also featuring Purple Profiles and Western on the World.

Interested in contributing? E-mail Richard Raycraft, news, sports, and spoken word director at chrwnd@chrwradio.ca

Have a story to pitch us? Here's the criteria:

1. Features a Western student, faculty, or staff member.

2. Doing something interesting.

Other than that, it's pretty open. We'll consider anything that comes our way.

Send your pitch to the news department at chrwnd@chrwradio.ca today!