Articles tagged with: Sharon Janzen

• For the love of Pi

  Thursday, March 14, 2024 | By Samantha Morris

  THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2024 | by Colleen Patterson

  

  As people around the world celebrated Pi Day on Thursday, March 14 (or 3/14) with a slice of pie — sweet, savoury or even pizza — Brock’s Map, Data and GIS Library (MDGL) provided a variety of fruit-filled mini pies and demonstrated its map services to 50 Brock community members. Mathematicians mark the day in recognition of pi, the irrational number 3.14159…, which is part of many formulas used in physics, astronomy, engineering and other fields. It is also used to calculate the circumference and area of a circle. From left are fourth-year Geography student Emily Owen, third-year Biology and Geography student Alyssa McInally, Brock’s Map Library Associate and Geospatial Data Co-ordinator Sharon Janzen and fourth-year Geography student Julia Gardner.

  Tags: Data and GIS Library, event, geography, Map, MDGL, Pi Day, Sharon Janzen, Students
  Categories: News

• David Telfer and Sharon Janzen recognized for 25 years of service to the University

  Tuesday, December 13, 2022 | By Samantha Morris

  The Department of Geography and Tourism Studies would like to congratulate Dr. David Telfer (Geography and Tourism Studies Professor) and Sharon Janzen (GeoTour alumna) on being recognized for their 25 years of service to Brock University!

  We are so grateful for their years of dedication, friendship, and invaluable contributions to our Department and the University. Our Department certainly would not be the same without them.

  

  President Lesley Rigg presents Sharon Janzen, Map Library Associate/Geospatial Data Co-ordinator, with a gift in celebration of her induction into the Quarter Century Club.

  

  President Lesley Rigg presents David Telfer, Professor, Geography and Tourism Studies, with a gift in celebration of his induction into the Quarter Century Club.

  Exceptional employees, longstanding service honoured at Brock President’s Celebration

  FROM THE BROCK NEWS | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2022 | by Jocelyn Titone

  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

  STORY REPOSTED FROM THE BROCK NEWS

  Tags: alumni, awards, David Telfer, departmental news, geography, recognition, Sharon Janzen, tourism
  Categories: News

• In-person, online events planned to mark GIS Day

  Monday, November 14, 2022 | By Samantha Morris

  FROM THE BROCK NEWS | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 | by Jocelyn Titone

  

  Several on-campus and online initiatives are planned this week in celebration of GIS Day on Wednesday, Nov. 16, including free access to map-themed games in the Map, Data and GIS Library. Sharon Janzen (left), Map Library Associate and Geospatial Data Co-ordinator, tackles a puzzle alongside Brock University students Jillian Salwach, fourth-year Geography student; Jenna Sargent, third-year Concurrent Education History student; and Kendra Klassen, fourth-year Physical Geography student.

  Geographic information systems (GIS) are everywhere, with many people not understanding the extent of their use. 

  In recognition of Geography Awareness Week Monday, Nov. 14 to Friday, Nov. 18 and GIS Day on Wednesday, Nov. 16, Brock University’s Map, Data and GIS Library (MDGL) has planned several initiatives in partnership with the Tourism and Geography Society (TAGS) student group to engage the Brock community and bring awareness to the beneficial geographic tool.  

  “GIS is critical to our society and it’s important to recognize its significance in our everyday lives,” says Sharon Janzen, Map Library Associate and Geospatial Data Co-ordinator with the MDGL. “We use GIS to map directions and find hotels close to our destination. Satellite imagery helps us track storm paths of hurricanes and tornadoes and analyze changes in landscapes over time. GIS is also used in city planning, for example, to visualize the distribution of sports facilities, and in communicating public engagement, for example, by plotting online voting results by district. The uses are endless.” 

  To kick off the week, TAGS is hosting a scavenger hunt that will have participants searching for five locations across campus. Two of the spots will include geocaching, which involves participants using their mobile device as a GPS to find containers called ‘geocaches.’ Participants can enter a contest to win a prize by taking a photo of each of the five locations, sharing them via Instagram stories and tagging @brocktags by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16. More details are available on Instagram.  

  On Wednesday, Nov. 16 for GIS Day, the Brock community is invited to the MDGL in Mackenzie Chown Complex C306 for a pizza lunch from 1 to 2 p.m. Pizza slices, pop and chips will be sold for $2 each (cash only). At 2 p.m., complimentary cake will be served featuring a map created by Master of Sustainability student Baharak Razaghirad, titled “The Distribution of Trees within the Town of Lincoln.” Geography and GIS-related games will be available, such as map-themed board games and jigsaw puzzles and a geography-related word scramble called ‘Where in Niagara?’ 

  Also taking place is a free weeklong GIS Days virtual conference hosted by Western University Libraries packed with events open to Brock students and employees. Two representatives from the Brock community will be leading presentations as part of the conference.  

  Brock alumna Jessica Linzel (BA ’18, MA ’20), Director of Community Engagement for The Brown Homestead and past Esri Canada GIS Scholarship recipient, will give a seven-minute lightning talk Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. about using StoryMaps to present complex ideas about history in a more accessible way. Linzel created a series of web maps that outline the boundaries of The Brown Homestead and show how the land evolved from its Indigenous origins and then Loyalist settlements to several generations of Brown family and new owners who partitioned and sold or purchased land. 

  Janzen will be leading a one-hour tutorial Thursday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. that will introduce participants to ArcGIS Online, a web-based dynamic mapping software. She will use the story of Laura Secord’s famous walk from Queenston to Thorold as a topic for participants to create a map. No experience is necessary, but curiosity is an asset. A valid login for the website is required (public or organizational accounts welcome). Visit the ArcGIS website to sign up for a public account. 

  Registration is required to access the presentations; however, there is no registration fee or deadline. The interactive program can be used to search by presenter, presentation title or location. 

  Questions about events planned for GIS Day can be directed to Janzen at sjanzen@brocku.ca.

  STORY REPOSTED FROM THE BROCK NEWS

  Tags: alumni, event, geography, Geomatics, GIS Day, Jillian Salwach, Kendra Klassen, Sharon Janzen, student
  Categories: News

• Brock to celebrate GIS Days with week of online events

  Friday, November 12, 2021 | By Samantha Morris

  FROM THE BROCK NEWS  |  FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2021 | by Jocelyn Titone

  

  Brock University community members will be leading several events as part of the 2021 GIS Days, a weeklong conference of online events.

  Brock will join institutions from around the world in celebrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Days by participating in a free weeklong virtual conference that is packed with events open to the University community.

  GIS Days 2021 features more than 50 online presentations, tutorials and demonstrations taking place Monday, Nov. 15 to Friday, Nov. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

  Several representatives from the Brock community — an alumna, a master’s student, a lecturer and a librarian — will each be presenting a seven-minute ‘lightning talk’ on projects they’ve worked on using GIS tools such as geovisualization, geospatial technologies and story mapping.

  Isaac Williams, GIS and Data Services Librarian with the Brock University Library, who will present Story Mapping Queer Dallas on Monday at 9:30 a.m, said the breadth of disciplines that can use GIS is part of what makes the technology so compelling.

  “I think a lot of people associate GIS with geology or earth sciences, but you can use it in any field that involves something you want to locate,” they said. “There is a lot of interesting work being done across disciplines. I have done some work with GIS in humanities contexts, for example, mapping existing geographies, but also historical geographies such as the ones found in ancient Roman literature.”

  Sharon Janzen, Brock’s Map Library Associate and Geospatial Data Co-ordinator, will be leading a one-hour tutorial Friday at 2 p.m. that introduces participants to ArcGIS Online, a web-based mapping software.

  She says GIS Days is an opportunity to experience the variety of GIS usage across educational institutions and the public sector, and encourages the Brock community to register for some of the free events.

  “Whether an attendee comes with little knowledge of GIS or they have been using GIS their whole career, the conference will be sure to not disappoint,” she said. “From the geography of Pokémon Go and the movement of muskox, to Esri technology and Open Source QGIS, sign up for what’s sure to be the GIS highlight of the year.”

  Registration is required to access events; however, there is no registration deadline. Registration can take place minutes before a presentation begins.

  Learn more about GIS Days events, including this year’s schedule, by visiting the event web page. The interactive program can be used to search by presenter, presentation title or location.

  Brock University GIS Days events

  Story Mapping Queer Dallas
  Monday, Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m. — Seven-minute lightning talk
  Presented by Isaac Williams, GIS and Data Services Librarian, Brock University Library

  Queer Dallas StoryMap is a project highlighting queer history in Dallas, Texas. The American South is home to a rich history of past and present queer life, organizing, survival and joy. The project’s goal was to make this history more visible to Southerners and people who live elsewhere. The presentation will discuss resources used in the creation of the project, decisions made in the visualization process and ways the project was shared.

  Researching Military Service using Geovisualization in Eleventh to Twelfth Century Normandy
  Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. — Seven-minute lightning talk
  Presented by Christopher Hewitt, Lecturer, Geography and Tourism Studies, Brock University

  In the 11th and 12th centuries, the Duchy of Normandy was an important source for military adventurers. While much has been written about soldiers who fought on these campaigns, little has been written about where they originated. This study demonstrates the value of geographic-based analysis through the use of historical geographic information systems (HGIS) techniques, including mapping locations as well as performing nearest neighbour analysis and kernel density mapping. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the implications of these findings and the options for and benefits of applying HGIS analysis to other historical events.

  Using GIS to Re-imagine Historical Niagara
  Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. — Seven-minute lightning talk
  Presented by Brock alumna Jessica Linzel (BA ’18, MA ’20), Historical Researcher

  Linzel will explain how she incorporated historical GIS into her History master’s thesis. She used ArcGIS Pro to create a web map, which she then used to investigate Niagara’s economic development in the post-Revolutionary ‘Loyalist’ era. By mapping historical data from account books and ledgers and analyzing it alongside geographical features in the Niagara region, GIS technologies allowed her to bring a fresh perspective to a familiar topic.

  Using Geospatial Technologies: A Case Study of the Town of Lincoln, Ontario
  Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. — Seven-minute lightning talk
  Presented by Baharak Razaghirad, Brock University Master of Sustainability student

  Urban trees provide important benefits to communities, especially in the context of climate change. This presentation will discuss using geospacial technologies to assess urban tree canopies as a timely and accurate alternative to costly, ground-based assessments.  Razaghirad will discuss two approaches used to quantify the urban tree canopy for the Town of Lincoln —  remote sensing and a random sampling method.

  Introduction to ArcGIS Online
  Friday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. — One-hour tutorial
  Presented by Sharon Janzen, Map Library Associate and Geospatial Data Co-ordinator, Brock University

  During this hands-on experience, participants will explore ArcGIS Online, a popular web-based dynamic mapping software that is accessible on Windows and Mac platforms. No experience is necessary for this introductory tutorial, but curiosity is an asset. A valid login for the website is required (public or organizational accounts welcome). Visit the ArcGIS website to sign up for a public account.

  STORY FROM THE BROCK NEWS

  Tags: alumni, Christopher Hewitt, event, geography, GIS, GIS Day, Sharon Janzen
  Categories: News

• Event to shine light on innovative GIS uses

  Tuesday, May 28, 2019 | By Samantha Morris

  REPOSTED FROM THE BROCK NEWS
  MARCH 05, 2019 | by The Brock News

  Brock’s Map, Data and GIS Library is hosting an event on Thursday, March 7 to help inform the University community of ways to use GIS software.

  Whether you realize it or not, geographic information systems (GIS) are part of your everyday life.

  When you plan a trip in Google Maps, you’re using GIS. When news outlets use maps to add visuals to stories, they are made through GIS.

  But the software’s value doesn’t end there.

  GIS is used for spatial analysis, city planning, viticulture research, environment research and sport analysis. Last year’s Esri Canada Scholarship winner from Brock, Kyle Rankin, used GIS to analyze hockey, investigating shots on goal to determine the best place to shoot from in hopes of scoring.

  In an effort to help inform the Brock community of the innovative uses of GIS, the University’s Map, Data and GIS Library is hosting an event on Thursday, March 7.

  Esri Canada, from whom Brock licenses its GIS software, will be at the map library (MCC 306) from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to detail various GIS uses and to answer questions from the University community.

  Esri representatives will discuss both the researcher side of the software for students and faculty, looking at how GIS can support their work, and the administrative side, looking at how GIS can be used for areas such as recruitment and facilities management.

  Register for the event on ExperienceBU.

  Story reposted from The Brock News.

  Tags: alumni, event, geography, GIS, Sharon Janzen
  Categories: News