Faculty, counsellor honoured at Ryerson Service Awards ceremony
Award winners and presenters at the service award ceremony for faculty and counsellors. From left: Michelle Dionne, psychology; Yvonne Yuan, nutrition; Ozgur Teretken, business technology management; Sheldon Levy, president; Heather Lane Vetere, vice-provost, students; Alan Shepard, provost and vice president academic; Sahri Woods Baum, counsellor; John Isbister, vice-provost, faculty affairs; Frankie Stewart, mechanical and industrial engineering; and Patrice Dutil, politics and public administration.
A special celebration at this month's Senate meeting marked the service achievements of five faculty, as well as the outstanding work of a counsellor.
The occasion was the Ryerson Service Awards which recognize exceptional or distinguished faculty service to a department, school, faculty and/or the university. The counsellor award recognizes excellence in professional service to a unit, the university, and/or the community.
"While the recipients of these awards come from different faculties and professional units, they share the bond of making the university a better place through their exceptional contributions," said Provost and Vice President Academic Alan Shepard. "They have made things happen, promoted the reputation of their programs, and of Ryerson, to the broader community. I congratulate and thank every one of them."
The award recipients were introduced and presented their certificates immediately prior to the January meeting of Senate. The Ryerson Service Awards mark the beginning of the winter awards cycle. In February, faculty achievements in scholarly, research and creative activity will be recognized, and then in March, the Faculty Teaching Awards will be presented. Full coverage of these announcements and events will be featured in upcoming issues of Ryerson Today.
The Ryerson Service Award recipients and their citations are below:
Faculty Service Awards
Faculty of Arts
Michelle Dionne, Department of Psychology
Michelle Dionne has actively worked with faculty colleagues and students to benefit the Department of Psychology. She is currently associate chair and has held other positions including acting chair and acting undergraduate program director. During the department's period of unprecedented growth, Michelle served on numerous appointment committees. She served on the faculty association's executive for several years and was awarded the RFA Distinguished Service Award in 2008. Currently, Michelle is a member of senate and is serving on the search committee for the faculty's next dean.
Patrice Dutil, Department of Politics and Public Administration
Patrice Dutil has demonstrated leadership, creativity and innovation in his service to the Department of Politics and Public Administration and Ryerson. He has helped set a new direction in the department, making programs more relevant to a broader range of students by leading curriculum and program development discussions. In addition to his distinction in teaching and scholarship, his efforts in creating an alumni network and an annual workshop have had lasting impact. Patrice's involvement in organizations such as the Toronto Preservation Board and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, and with the francophone community ensures that Ryerson's name is associated with dedicated service, integrity and innovation.
Faculty of Community Services
Yvonne Yuan, School of Nutrition
Yvonne Yuan has provided exceptional service and mentorship to students of the School of Nutrition. She has been the faculty liaison for students with the Canadian Institute for Food Science and Technology (CIFST) and the Toronto section of the Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals (CAFP). Her efforts have not only enhanced the students' quality of education but have also consolidated the reputation of the school and Ryerson among the food science and foodservice professions in Toronto and Canada. Yvonne received the 2009 CIFST's Institute Award and the 2008 CAFP Champion of Education and Training Award.
Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science
Frankie Stewart, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Frankie Stewart has been providing service to the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science in several areas for the past 19 years. Since 1999, she has organized the Ryerson Iron Ring ceremony for all graduating engineering students. In March 2010, over 425 engineering students participated in that ceremony. Her ceremony organization processes have been recognized within the sector as 'best practice', and other schools within the GTA have adopted them. Frankie initiated the ROPES - Research Opportunity in Engineering and Science - program in 2008 and recently received a second NSERC grant to continue this important engineering outreach activity.
Ted Rogers School of Management
Ozgur Turetken, Ted Rogers School of Information Technology Management
Ozgur Turetken has been instrumental in the recruitment of high-calibre, internationally-recognized faculty to the Ted Rogers School of Information Technology Management. He recognizes the importance of strategic hiring decisions in helping the school obtain accreditation and his involvement on a search committee resulted in the successful hiring of a director who brings international recognition to the school. Ozgur displayed leadership and collaboration as part of a standards committee which is expected to see its work adopted by others in the Ryerson community.
Counsellor Award
Sahri Woods Baum, Centre for Student Development and Counselling
Sahri Woods Baum has made significant contributions to the Centre for Student Development and Counselling, to Ryerson and to the profession of career counselling and psychotherapy. Sahri has been instrumental in creating and delivering innovative programs that explore student career aspirations; students find her knowledge and insight to be pivotal in helping them make important career decisions. She encourages students and staff alike to follow their passions, and she has been honoured with many awards for her contribution and service to the profession.