Nearly 200 Brock University staff, faculty and librarians gathered virtually to celebrate the outstanding contributions of their colleagues.

With the majority of the campus community working, teaching and learning remotely, the annual event recognizing employees for their service to the University was broadcasted live for the second consecutive year via Lifesize.

Over the course of the 20-minute event Wednesday, Jan. 26, several service awards were announced, including a new team award created by the Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor.

With many nominations received for the inaugural Brock University Outstanding Team Service Award, the selection committee found it difficult to choose just one winner. As a result, two teams were selected to receive the 2021 award: the Central Receiving and Mail Services team and the Department of Residences team.

The Central Receiving and Mail Services team was described in a nomination letter as “the wheels in motion that keep the goods and services moving within Brock.”

The Department of Residences team was one of two inaugural recipients of the Brock University Outstanding Team Service Award. Only some of the many staff members who make up the team are pictured.

The team of four was recognized for their many accommodations and service to staff, students and faculty during the past year, including curbside pickup, long- and short-term storage for staff and residence students, as well as helping to create a unique Convocation experience for graduates.

“And they do everything with great enthusiasm and a smile on their faces,” wrote Irene Palumbo, Science Stores Manager, in her nomination letter. “I very much appreciated the kindness and warm heart that these folks extended to colleagues.”

Kevin Lawr, Supervisor for the Central Receiving and Mail Services team, is thankful for his team’s recognition, but acknowledges that many departments across campus have stepped up in the past year during an unprecedented time.

“The entire Brock community has done an outstanding job under these very difficult circumstances,” he said. “We have all been dealing with stress, uncertainty and disruptions in our lives, but we all continue to do what needs to be done to keep Brock University going. It feels really great to share in celebrating some of the victories we have all accomplished together.”

Joining the Central Receiving and Mail Services team in receiving the first team service award is the Department of Residences team, which was recognized for providing a robust assortment of co-curricular programming for students over the past year, including developing unique ways for students to connect, learn and build community through online methods.

“The team strives to foster an environment and experience where students can grow into their true and authentic selves while learning and contributing to a positive environment for their fellow students,” said Malcolm Dales, Director, Dining Services, in his nomination letter.

Director of Residences Jamie Fleming said staff within the department consistently work together as a team. He is thankful the entire department of staff members is being recognized during a particularly demanding and challenging time.

“The teamwork within the department is impressive,” he said. “Whether there’s a snowstorm, it’s summertime or we’re in a pandemic, there are always students in residence. Residence staff have worked hard — and worked together — to support our residence students throughout it all.”

Along with the new team award, individual staff service awards were announced during the online event, and employees celebrating 25- and 35-year service milestones were acknowledged for their commitment to the University.

Brock Interim President Lynn Wells congratulated all service award winners and nominees, and thanked everyone who took the time to nominate others.

“It’s been an unusual year, and everyone has done such a great job keeping the University going under difficult circumstances,” she said. “Through the commitment of all who make up the Brock community, we have found our way together through these difficult times. I want to thank all of you for your continued dedication to Brock University and I look forward to seeing you all in the halls of the campus very soon.”

President’s Distinguished Staff Service Awards for Outstanding Contributions

The President’s Distinguished Staff Service Award for Outstanding Contributions recognizes individual ongoing staff members who have demonstrated exemplary service or made a contribution to the working environment at Brock at a level significantly beyond normal expectations. Recipients receive a certificate of recognition and a $500 cash award. The 2021 recipients are:

• Tanya Bradley, Manager, Student Engagement with Student Life and Success
• Pauline Dawson, Manager, Campus Career Education with Co-op, Career and Experiential Education
• Tracey Naldjieff, Research Accounting Clerk with Research Services
• Pete Sawatsky, Lead Hand with Facilities Management Structural Services

Human Resources Distinguished Staff Service Award for Leadership

George Bench, Manager, Emergency Management and Life Safety with Campus Security Services, is the 2021 recipient of the Human Resources Distinguished Staff Service Award for Leadership. The award is presented to one staff member who has a proven record of leading and working collaboratively, engaging fellow employees, furthering the development of a respectful work and learning environment and culture, and building strong relationships and partnerships that enable the University to implement its strategic plan and related initiatives effectively. Recipients receive a certificate of recognition and a $500 cash award.

Brock University Outstanding Team Service Award

The Central Receiving and Mail Services team and the Department of Residences team are the 2021 recipients of the Brock University Outstanding Team Service Award, which recognizes a team of faculty and/or staff members who have made an outstanding contribution throughout the year beyond what is normally expected. The recipient teams are awarded lunch with the President and a trophy engraved with the team name to be displayed until it is passed on to the following year’s recipient(s).

Quarter Century Club 

Ten employees were inducted into the Quarter Century Club, joining 267 others who have worked at Brock for 25 years:

• Stephanie Brooks, Undergraduate Co-ordinator with the Department of Sport Management
• Desmond Flynn, System Support Specialist with Information Technology Services Client Services
• Dimitre Iankoulov, Micro Support Analyst/Technician with the Department of Geography and Tourism Studies
• Nota Klentrou, Chair and Professor with the Department of Kinesiology
• Teresa Menzies, Professor of Management with the Goodman School of Business
• Carol Merriam, Dean, Faculty of Humanities
• Karen Merritt, Senior Employee Services Representative with Human Resources
• Karen Millar, Athletic Therapist with Brock Sports Medicine
• Leah Pielechaty, Stack Supervisor with Brock University Library Access Services
• Elizabeth Wasylowich, Administrative Assistant with the Department of Labour Studies and Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies

35 years of long-standing service 

Ten people were recognized for 35 years of service at Brock:

• Michelle Allard, Operations Co-ordinator with Information Technology Services Client Services
• Leah Bradshaw, Professor with the Department of Political Science
• Richard Cheel, Professor with the Department of Earth Sciences
• Catherine Foreman, Manager, Collections with the Brock University Library
• Gary McDonnell, Assistant Supervisor, Electronics with Technical Services
• Fatima Noorbhai, Executive Assistant to the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences
• Robert Rattew, Horticultural Technician and Lead Hand with Facilities Management
• Evelyn Smith, Help Desk Co-ordinator/Data Research Assistant with Brock University Library Access Services
• Sharon Smith, Circulation Clerk with the Instructional Resource Centre in the Faculty of Education
• Clara Suba, Information Tech Support with the Centre for Digital Humanities in the Faculty of Humanities

Watch a recording of the event below: