Exemplary Staff Lauded at Community Breakfast
September 04, 2013 - Campus Bulletin
Six individuals and two teams at the University of Guelph received President’s Awards for Exemplary Staff Service at the 11th annual community breakfast on campus today.
Created in 2003, the awards program recognizes U of G staff members who have demonstrated consistent commitment to excellence and exceeded expectations.
The annual breakfast was also launched by Summerlee, now in his final year as U of G president. “It was an opportunity to come together to celebrate us as a community and what we all do to make this place work,” he said today.
“It is the people who work at this institution and the ways we work together that make us different. The University simply could not function without the support and work of everyone here.”
Awards went to the following:
Community Service Award
Lynda Slater, an education specialist in the Centre for Students with Disabilities, volunteers with the local Habitat for Humanity Women Build program. Slater’s nominators called her “an inspiration to students, friends, family and volunteers.”
Hidden Hero Recognition Award
Ron Dutton, a greenhouse technician in the Department of Plant Agriculture, co-ordinates flower arrangements for University events such as the community breakfast and helps various departments around campus. He manages the Bovey greenhouses and conservatory, co-teaches horticultural science classes and helps researchers.
Innovative Leadership Recognition Award
Kathy Hanneson, director of the College of Arts Media Centre, is an innovator in the emerging field of digitization. She developed the U of G program that brings together diverse groups in digitizing the humanities.
Service Excellence Recognition Award
Allen Ash, a print-making technician in the School of Fine Arts and Music, demonstrates innovation and devotion to his craft, and encourages and shares expertise with emerging artists. He organizes the biannual student print show and sale on campus.
University of Guelph Spirit Award
Margaret Virani, Computing and Communications Services, brings patience, thoughtfulness and a fair attitude to volunteering with various projects, including the United Way steering committee, the Sustainability Fund, and the CCS Lunch and Learns.
Exemplary Team Recognition Award – Tie
OVC Intensive Care Unit, Veterinary Technician Team: Lindsay Allan, Adrienne Archer, Cathy Cavanagh, Deborah-Lynn Cloutier, Deborah Cook, Heather Creasey, Charlotte Donohoe, Jennifer Gallagher, Andrea McMillan, Andrea Steele and Kathy Taylor.
Known as one of the most educated and responsive intensive care units for animal health, this team brings medical skills, camaraderie, compassion and expertise to providing care year-round and around the clock.
College Idol Team: Jennifer Beehler, Quinn Dam, Kevin Hogg, Craig Hyatt, Owen Roberts, Toni Pellizzari, Lisa Tersigni-Holt and Jonathan Van Hoffen.
This hard-working, dedicated team organizes College Idol, a popular annual fundraiser for the United Way. The event also showcases U of G talent and unites staff, students and faculty.
The Excellence in Academic Advising Medallion was presented to Melinda Vanryn, a bachelor of science in agriculture/bachelor of bio-resource management adviser in the Ontario Agricultural College.
Also recognized at today’s event were staff members with 25 or more years of service at the University.
