Astronomy grad students win their second Golden Door

The coveted Golden Door is staying on the second floor of McMaster University‘s Arthur Bourns Building. The Astronomy graduate students in room ABB 244 claimed their second consecutive holiday door decorating championship by edging out 12 other offices in the Department of Physics & Astronomy.

The students’ winter solstice-themed door, complete with a daily sunlight tracker, pulled in the most votes. “It’s festive, fun and for a good cause,” says graduate student Lauren Foster. Another group of grad students from ABB 327 were recognized by department chair Alison Sills for their year-round door decorations.

The holiday contest, now in its second year, collected food for the McMaster Community Fridge and $600 for Hamilton Food Share. Donations are still being accepted until the end of the year.

Academic department manager James Smithson introduced the holiday contest in 2022 after working in the Department of Pediatrics which decorates doors as a Ronald McDonald House fundraiser. “Students, faculty and staff in Physics & Astronomy bought in right away,” says James.

Lauren vows that ABB 244 will keep winning the Golden Door for as long as they’re grad students at McMaster. They’ve already started planning their 2024 holiday door.

This year’s Golden Door champions from left to right: Veronika Dornan, Kate Hartman, Lauren Foster, Megan Oxland and Claude Cournoyer-Cloutier (not pictured Jeremy Karam).