The outstanding efforts of Brock University staff, faculty and librarians were recognized at a reception Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Hundreds of employees gathered in Market Hall for the annual President’s Celebration, which featured the announcement of staff service award recipients and the celebration of employees who have reached 25- and 35-year milestones in their service to the University.

Among the awards distributed by President Lesley Rigg was the Brock University Outstanding Team Service Award, which recognizes a team that has made an outstanding contribution throughout the year, beyond what is normally expected.

Brock Central was selected as the 2022 recipient, recognized for its high-quality customer service approach to offering student and alumni information in an accurate, timely and confidential manner, while adhering to high standards of excellence.

In offering a few words to describe the team, Associate Vice-President of Human Resources Jennifer Guarasci said members of Brock Central “continually strive to enhance the customer service experience by demonstrating compassion, diplomacy, understanding and tact by actively listening and responding to the needs of our students.”

Geraldine Jones, Registrar and Associate Vice-President Enrolment Services, said she feels privileged to work with a committed group of people who illustrate Brock’s values and mission.

“They are a team of individuals who, on a daily basis in quiet and humble ways, make students’ lives better,” she said. “They are the epitome of a team because they support one another and the institution.”

Along with the 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.

Rigg congratulated all service award winners and nominees, and remarked she was honoured to be celebrating with a spirited and hard-working employee community.

“This campus has energy and enthusiasm, and it’s in large part due to the wonderful team working here and everything you do,” she said. “We are all extremely lucky to have each other to work with and to have such dedicated staff members.”

Rigg also commented on how greatly the University benefits from the experience of longstanding staff members.

“They are time travellers — the ones who make sure we don’t repeat the same mistakes but also repeat those things that have been great,” she said. “They are our guidance, our mentors and the ones who pave the path for our future.”

Human Resources Distinguished Staff Service Award for Leadership 

Kelly Lipovsky, Customer Service Co-ordinator with Facilities Management, is the 2022 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.

Rigg said Lipovsky was recognized in part for her charismatic leadership qualities and ability to collaborate well with colleagues from across the University.

“Her ability to connect with others and to help bring out the best in each person on her team is truly inspiring,” said Guarasci, when reading comments from nominators.

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 significant 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 2022 recipients are:

• Drew Cullen, Manager, District Energy, Asset Management and Utilities
  Cullen was recognized for his efforts in leading the conceptualization and development of sustainability challenges across the University to encourage the campus community to adopt everyday sustainable actions.
• Rick Manning, Groundskeeper, Facilities Grounds Services
  Manning was recognized for his positive and welcoming attitude and his ongoing dedication to providing exceptional service, including taking on additional tasks to ensure the campus is accessible and safe, especially in winter months.
• Debbie Ouellette, Administrative Co-ordinator and Graduate Advisor, Sociology
  Ouellette was recognized for her professional, steady and student-centred approach to her work as well as her respectful, kind and supportive interactions with colleagues and students.
• Barbara Tatarnic, Manager, Continuing Education and Outreach, Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI)
  Tatarnic was recognized for her longstanding efforts in leading CCOVI’s community engagement, outreach, and professional and continuing studies, which has helped to position CCOVI as a world-class research and education institute in the grape and wine, beverage alcohol and hospitality industries.

Brock University Outstanding Team Service Award 

The Brock Central Team is the 2022 recipient 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 277 others who have worked at Brock for 25 years:

• Sheila Bennett, Professor, Educational Studies
• Lilly Biamonte, Senior Business Systems Analyst, Enterprise Solutions
• Marian Bredin, Professor, Communications, Popular Culture and Film
• Anthony Bogaert, Professor, Health Sciences
• Roman Cierny, Network Supervisor, IT Infrastructure
• Sharon Janzen, Map Library Associate/Geospatial Data Co-ordinator, Map, Data and GIS Library
• Marie Reimer, Special Projects and Operations Co-ordinator, Ancillary Services
• Caroline Romero, Administrative Assistant, Earth Sciences
• Anamitra Shome, Associate Professor, Accounting
• David Telfer, Professor, Geography and Tourism Studies

35 years of long-standing service  

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

• Ian Adamson, Associate Professor, Accounting
• Rick Currie, Electrician, Facilities Electrical
• Robert Dimand, Professor, Economics
• Dorothy Levay, Instructor/ Manager, Academic Support, Mathematics and Statistics
• Rob Witte, Locksmith, Facilities Carpentry
• Kimberley Pelchat, Manager, Instructional Resource Centre, Education
• Edith Williams, Special Collections and Archives Assistant, Archives and Special Collections