Robert Dimand, economics professor, and Sid Segalowitz, psychology professor, were Graduate Mentorship Award winners Wednesday.

The high point of Robert Dimand’s week is the Wednesday graduate lecture he gives.

For Sid Segalowitz, one of the greatest perks of his job is working with graduate students.

The joy that both Dimand, a professor of economics, and Segalowitz, a psychology professor, get from their work and the passion they bring to their jobs hasn’t gone unnoticed by the graduate students they supervise.

On Wednesday, both men, along with Maureen Connolly, a physical education and kinesiology professor, were recognized for all they do for graduate students when they were each presented with a Graduate Mentorship Award on Wednesday during the Mapping the New Knowledges graduate research conference.

“It feels wonderful,” said Dimand who won the award in the master’s supervisory category. “It’s been wonderful working with graduate students. I love talking to them and interacting with them in class.”

And being stimulated by their research, he added.

Segalowitz, who won in the master’s/doctoral supervisor category, said he was delighted to get the recognition from students. But that’s not all he gets from them.

“We learn from them way more than they learn from us,” he said. “They’re interesting and lively. It also reminds us why we got into this job. There’s nothing repetitive or boring when you’ve got exciting graduate students. They’re always pushing you.”

Connolly, who was also nominated in the master’s/doctoral supervisor category, was unable to attend the ceremony.

Fifteen professors were nominated for the awards this year. Nomination packages require a mentor’s CV, a student nomination letter and up to four letters of support. Winners are chosen by the Senate Graduate Studies Committee’s awards sub-committee and two graduate students, who haven’t made nominations themselves.

“The students expressed their genuine sense of admiration and appreciation to supervisors for their support and guidance in helping them become the best they can be as researchers, teachers, and leaders in their communities,” Mike Plyley, Dean of Graduate Studies told the crowd that gathered for the awards presentation.

Plyley added that “being nominated means a great deal” to professors.

“It means your students wish to recognize you as selfless researchers and teachers who believe in students and in graduate education,” he said. “Many indicated that they feel that they will be better mentors themselves for having had you as their mentor.”

The letters of support for the winners were glowing.

One student described Dimand as “an inspirational mentor, a great professor that most of his students will carry in their hearts as they go through life.”

Segalowitz was lauded for how much he encourages and supports his students.

“As a senior neuroscientist, Sid is well-known and well-respected in the field of electrophysiology. As a researcher, Sid is full of energy ideas and passion… and as a mentor Sid is patient and always available for help.”

Connolly was called a generous mentor.

“She is always available, insightful, incredibly supportive, kind and knowledgeable.”

Nominees in the master’s supervisor category
Robert Dimand
Maurice Feldman
Diane Mack
John McNamara
Philip Wilson

Nominees in the master’s/doctoral supervisor category
Anthony Bogaert
Dave Bouckenooghe
Leah Bradshaw
Maureen Connolly
Nota Klentrou
Tanya Martini
Sandra Peters
Elizabeth Sauer
Sidney Segalowitz
Samir Trabelsi