Eleven members of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science have been honoured for excellence in research, teaching and service. The Department of Computer Science was also recognized for its efforts in the area of institutional collaboration and the Mathematics and Science Council presented its own Excellence in Teaching & Student Engagement Award.

Last year an awards program was created by the Faculty to recognize faculty and staff for their accomplishments, contributions and dedication in a number of areas including: research, teaching, student experience, outreach and recruitment. A celebration event was then planned and the 2014 awards were handed out in front more than 100 members of the Faculty and the University at the event held on January 22nd.

Dean Ejaz Ahmed had high praise for the inaugural award winners as did a number of university leaders who made opening remarks, including President Jack Lightstone, Provost Neil McCartney, Associate Vice-President Research Joffre Mercier, and Board of Trustees Chair John Suk. Mathematics & Science Council President, Feryaal Ahmed, also made brief remarks and spoke about the Council’s activities including their Undergraduate Research Conference at the awards ceremony.

Dean Ahmed told the crowd that this event had been something he had envisioned since arriving at Brock in 2012 and how much it meant to him to see it come to fruition. “I have always felt that it is important to gather and recognize the accomplishments and efforts of our faculty and staff, in front of their Brock family, which is why I am so proud to be standing her today.”

The following awards were presented:

Dean’s Distinguished Scholar Award
Doug Bruce, Professor of Biological Sciences
Bozidar Mitrovic, Professor of Physics

Distinguished Research Award (Faculty)
Gary Pickering, Professor of Biological Sciences

Distinguished Teaching Award (Faculty)
Lydia Chen, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Santo D’Agostino, Assistant Professor of Physics

Distinguished Teaching Award (non-BUFA)
Nick Vesprini, Online Course Administrator, Biological Sciences

Distinguished Staff Award
Gail Higenell, Senior Laboratory Demonstrator and OEVI Advisor, Biological Sciences

Student Experience, Recruitment & Outreach Award (Faculty)
Ed Sternin, Associate Professor of Physics

Student Experience, Recruitment & Outreach Award (Staff)
Astride Silis, Senior Lab Coordinator/Instructor, Earth Sciences

Lifetime Achievement Award (Faculty)
Ian Brindle, Professor of Chemistry

Institutional Collaboration & Externalization Award
Dave Hughes, Acting Chair of Computer Science Department

Math and Science Council Excellence in Teaching & Student Engagement Award
Basil Nanayakkara, LTA Mathematics & Statistics