MNK award winners Julia Polyck-O’Neill with Dean of Graduate Studies Mike Plyley, left, Prof. Dirk De Clercq and Prof. Wendy Ward.The Faculty of Graduate Studies recently recognized members of the Brock community for mentorship and leadership within the University’s 49 graduate programs.
Julia Polyck-O’Neill, a PhD candidate in Interdisciplinary Humanities, was selected from six nominees to receive the 2016 Marilyn Rose Graduate Leadership Award while Professors Dirk De Clercq, the Goodman School of Business, and Wendy Ward, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, were chosen from 11 nominees to receive the 2016 Graduate Mentorship Awards.
The presentation of the awards was held on April 7 as part of the Mapping the New Knowledges Graduate Student Research Conference.
Prior to announcing the winners, Mike Plyley, Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies, congratulated each award nominee.
“To each of you who have been nominated, I can’t emphasize enough that you possess exceptional qualities and contribute to graduate studies in ways that make the graduate experience fulfilling for everyone involved, and for this, I thank you,” said Plyley to more than 70 people gathered at the 4th Floor Mezzanine of Plaza Building.
The awards were a special opportunity for the FGS to pay tribute to Marilyn Rose, the former FGS Dean who passed away last year. The presentation followed a Bench Dedication ceremony, on the pathway between MacKenzie Chown and Cairns Complex, to honour Rose for her contributions, her vision and her collegiality during more than 35 years at Brock. Members of the Rose family attended both events.
“We remember Marilyn with so much fondness and respect. She was a selfless leader in so many ways. She brought forward a vision that continues to shape the development of Graduate Studies, and in so doing, made Brock a better place,” said Plyley.
“This year’s list of nominees includes members of faculty, staff, and students — a group that reflects the graduate studies community at work. It is clear proof that a graduate studies culture — something Marilyn believed strongly about — is alive at Brock.”
Testimonials about the award recipients are posted on the awards website.
Marilyn Rose Graduate Leadership Award
Established in 2014, the award recognizes individuals for their vision and leadership on behalf of graduate studies at Brock in areas such as academic programming, research and scholarship, student services and student experience initiatives.
2016 recipient:
Julia Polyck-O’Neill has been dedicated to student leadership throughout her three years as a doctoral student. She has been an advocate for graduate students through her service on a long list of University committees. As well, she has been a strong ambassador for the University through many external activities. Letters of support emphasized Julia’s role in shaping “the policy, culture and research of graduate students at Brock University. Having someone to advocate for and represent graduate students is absolutely essential for the graduate student body at Brock.”
Other Leadership nominees were:
- Professor Leah Bradshaw, Political Science
- Professor David Butz, Geography
- Professor Nota Klentrou, Applied Health Sciences
- Bev Minor, Graduate Studies Co-ordinator, Applied Health Sciences
- Kyle Sutter, Master’s Student, Master’s of Education Graduate Program
2016 Graduate Mentorship Awards
Established in 2011, the awards honour and recognize the essential role of faculty supervisors in the mentorship of graduate students in two categories. Nominations are submitted by graduate students.
2016 recipients:
Category of supervision of Master’s students only: Professor Dirk De Clercq, Goodman School of Business. In letters of support, graduate students praise De Clercq as a keen and supportive educator. As a mentor who sets a very high performance standard, De Clercq “always makes sure that his students receive proper guidance and support in order to meet those performance standards.”
Category of master’s and doctoral students: Professor Wendy Ward, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. In letters of support, graduate students praise Ward for striking the right balance as a mentor “between academic freedom and independence, while always being available for guidance, reflection and support. Seamlessly, she adjusts this balance as I, and other graduate students grow and mature as researchers …”
Other Mentorship nominees were:
- Professor Athena Colman, Philosophy
- Professor David Ditor, Applied Health Sciences
- Professor Allison Glazebrook, Classics
- Professor Timothy Heinmiller, Political Science
- Professor Renee Lafferty-Salhany, History
- Professor Coral Mitchell, Graduate and Undergraduate Education
- Professor Frances Owen, Child and Youth and Applied Disability Studies
- Professor Mary-Beth Raddon, Social Justice and Equity Studies
- Professor Kendra Thomson, Applied Disability Studies
