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Memorial recognizes
outstanding faculty and staff
Memorial
University recognized the efforts of its best teachers, researchers and
staff members at a special ceremony held at the St. John's Arts and Culture
Centre on Oct. 24. Seven Memorial faculty members were honoured at the
reception — five for outstanding research, and two for distinguished
teaching. As well, the exceptional contribution of members of the administrative
and support staff of Memorial University and its agencies was recognized
with the President’s Award for Exemplary Service.
Memorial began its annual presentation of the University Research Professor
designations and the Awards for Outstanding Research in 1984, and the
Distinguished Teaching Awards in 1988, as ways of singling out particularly
distinguished contributions within its academic community.
The President's Awards Ceremony was part of Celebrate Memorial activities,
an annual festival that celebrates the university's significant ties to
the community, and which occured this year from Oct. 14-25.
Dr. Jeremy Hall, Department of Earth Sciences, and Dr. Marilyn Porter,
Department of Sociology, were each named University Research Professors
— the highest rank the university bestows upon its faculty members
for research. The designation carries with it a $4,000 research grant
each year for five years, and a reduced teaching schedule.
Dr. Proton Rahman, Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Nancy Dahn and Timothy
Steeves, School of Music (who are sharing an award), received the President's
Award for Outstanding Research. Each award includes a $5,000 research
grant.
Dr. Leonard Lye, Faculty of Engineering, and Pauline Downer, Faculty of
Business Administration, were both honoured with the President's Award
for Distinguished Teaching. Each award includes a $5,000 grant contributed
by the Memorial University Alumni Association.
As well, Dr. Alex Faseruk, Faculty of Business Administration, was recognized
at the event for receiving the prestigious 3M Teaching Fellowship. This
national award recognizes excellence in teaching over an extended period
of time, and also acknowledges leadership in improving university teaching.
Extended profiles of the research and teaching award winners are available
at www.mun.ca/univrel/gazette/2003-2004/oct30/celebrate.html
Honoured with the President's Award for Exemplary Service were Janet Benger,
ESL Program; Carol Boland, Human Resources; Allyson Hajek, Continuing
Education; Rose Hatfield, Marine Institute; and James Nolan White, Computer
Science.
President’s Awards for Exemplary Service
The President's Award for Exemplary Service honours the exceptional contribution
of members of the administrative and support staff of Memorial University
and its agencies. The award is given in recognition of continuous exemplary
service to the university by those who have demonstrated a commitment
to excellence in their role within the university community. The award
acknowledges nominees who perform actions of significant merit that benefit
the university community and are over and above the nominee’s normal
employment responsibilities.
The following citations were read out at the award ceremony:
Janet Benger, director, ESL Program,
English Language and Literature
 |
Janet Benger has been employed by Memorial
since 1991 and assumed the duties and responsibilities for English as
a Second Language in 1994. Since that time, she has developed a reputation
as an extraordinarily hard-working and dedicated professional who is deeply
committed to her job.
Ms. Benger's achievements at Memorial include:
* the development of the English Language Summer School from a small program restricted to Quebec students to one that is fully international;
* the development of a precursor to Memorial's present graduate program in teaching;
* the creation of the 12-week Intensive English Program;
* co-creation of our Teaching English as a Second Language Diploma program, of which she is also the co-ordinator; and
* the creation and co-ordination of several programs tailored to suit the language needs of numerous graduate students.
Carol Boland, personnel technician, Human Resources
 |
Carol began her career with Memorial in
1967 and joined the Department of Human Resources in 1985. In her current
position, she is the face and voice of the university for many prospective
and new employees. Carol answers employment inquiries from internal and
external clients, handling each one with the care and consideration that
has become her trademark. As one of the first contacts for new employees,
Carol sets the stage for forming positive perceptions of Memorial as an
employer.
Carol has regular contact with deans, directors, administrative assistants,
supervisors, managers, and secretarial, clerical and technical staff.
No matter where you travel in this university, everyone knows her name
and recognizes her gentle and kind voice. Many people have either experienced
first-hand or heard a story about how Carol helped someone in their employment.
Allyson Hajek, design specialist, IDO, Continuing Education
 |
Allyson Hajek has been employed with Memorial
University since 1983 and currently holds the position of design specialist
in the Instructional Development Office. Her work is complex and challenging.
In any one day, she interacts with senior administration, department heads,
as well as a variety of faculty, graduate students and staff. Her focus
in such interactions is always on quality, teamwork and effectiveness.
Allyson exemplifies teamwork and models the ideal team player. She contributes
greatly to committees and project work by her understanding and sense
of collegiality. Her thoroughness, energy and attention to detail are
assets to projects from beginning to end. As one committee member noted,
"It is unusual to find a team player with such extraordinary ability."
In short, Allyson's exceptional qualities as instructional designer, project
manager and workshop facilitator are deeply appreciated by the university
community.
Rose Hatfield, recreation co-ordinator, Marine Institute
Rose began working with the Marine Institute in 1988 and has always demonstrated
a commitment to the health and wellness of students and her fellow employees.
During her first year of appointment, Rose's focus on students was very
evident in her implementation of a pilot project that resulted in the
highest rate of retention of first-term students ever.
Rose has demonstrated true leadership in organizing the MI Health and
Wellness Survivor Challenge for employees, developing a program involving
points, fitness and teamwork that was fun, challenging and rewarding.
The challenge not only increased employees' levels of fitness, but also
had a fantastic impact on morale.
Rose is very good at motivating students and employees toward a healthier
lifestyle and always offers a word of encouragement, just when she senses
you may need it. Rose is known for truly superior customer service, dedication
and perseverance.
James Nolan White, systems administrator, Computer Science
 |
James Nolan White has been an employee
of Memorial University since 1981. Nolan is a systems administrator in
the Department of Computer Science. He has served in this capacity for
20 years, during which time the duties and responsibilities of the position
have grown dramatically — from the management of a single computer
system to the management of a network of several hundred systems, with
many different and incompatible hardware and operating systems. He is
to be commended for his welcoming manner and the "mini orientation"
he gives new students and staff. He is involved with the Faculty of Science
Open House, helping organize the event, as well as directly interacting
with visitors and students.
One nominator describes Nolan as very knowledgeable in his field and effective
in his work, with a nice personality and a willingness to provide consistent
support to everyone who needs it. Outside of work hours, Nolan volunteers
his time with the St. John's Orienteering Association, the Windsurfing
Club, and, from time-to-time, has helped organize Scouts Canada jamboree
events.