2016 Principal's Awards celebrate outstanding faculty and staff
The University of Toronto Mississauga fêted its best at the Principal’s Awards reception on Dec. 1 in the Faculty Club. The annual event recognizes outstanding achievements by staff, teaching assistants, faculty and research. Professor Ulrich Krull, Interim V-P and Principal, U of T Mississauga, hosted the gathering. “This is an event to celebrate those people from our community who have done particularly well,” he said. “These awards have a deep meaning. The proposals and nominations are from friends, colleagues and our professional family here at UTM. These individuals are the best among us who are building our community and making it a better place.”
Associate professor of biology Fiona Rawle received the Teaching Excellence award, which recognizes outstanding teaching by a faculty member. Reading from one of the letters supporting Rawle’s nomination, chair Angela Lange noted that Rawle had been “a source of compassion, inspiration and guidance for many students.” Rawle, who is on sabbatical this year, accepted her award by video from the Isle of Wight. “UTM has a really great teaching and learning environment,” she said. “There are a lot of people behind the scenes who contribute to the classes we run. For example, in first year biology, there is a team of more than 20 people who contribute to the success of that course.” Rawle also thanked her students. “I view teaching and learning as a partnership between myself and them—I learn alongside them,” she said.
Administrative assistant Anna Reale, of the Office of the Dean, and finance and operations manager Donna Coulson, of the Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences, were recognized with the Staff Service award. “Anna is the point person at UTM for so many graduate student activities, including UTMAGS,” said retired assistant dean Lynn Snowdon. “She anticipates the needs of others, and is quick to see where she could add value, inspiring confidence, respect and genuine affection.”
Department chair Claudiu Gradinaru praised Coulson’s guidance. “Her grit, determination and attention to detail has made a big difference to our department,” he said. “In the nomination letters, people praised her for creating a culture that promotes good morale, and for being a great motivator and mentor.” Joking that she preferred to stay out of the spotlight, “like a roadie at a rock concert,” Coulson thanked colleagues and nominators for “making me look like a rock star.”
Lindsay Coome, of the Department of Psychology, and Marc De Benedetti, of the Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences, were recognized for their outstanding work as teaching assistants. “A great teacher is one who engages people and makes them really excited to learn, and that’s what we have with Lindsay,” said associate professor of psychology Ashley Monks, adding that Coome has been a great support to students as they learn to navigate laboratory research and other challenges.
Associate professor of chemical and physical sciences Wagih Ghobriel lauded De Benedetti for his excellent relationship with students, and De Benedetti’s enthusiasm and commitment to student development. “He has an excellent understanding of the challenges of the students, treating them with concern and explaining concepts to them effectively,” Ghobriel said.
The Research Excellence award went to biology professor Robert Reisz who was recognized for his contributions to vertebrate paleontology, communication of his research results, and his ability to stimulate and challenge the research abilities of his students. “Robert Reisz is a researcher who has reset our understanding of how ancient animals lived,” Krull said. “Robert has found innovative ways to connect paleontology to other disciplines,” added biology lecturer Michael DeBraga, noting that Reisz’s former students have gone on to research positions across North America. “He genuinely wants his students to explore, and to be excited about the potential for paleontology.”
“I’ve been lucky to be a part of the UTM community,” Reisz said. “I have also been luck to work with wonderful graduate students. They challenged me, and I challenged them. That dynamic has resulted in really interesting and exciting research.” Reisz acknowledged the 35-year working partnership with research assistant Diane Scott. “Without her, I wouldn’t be here as a paleontologist and researcher.” Reisz will deliver the 2016 Research Excellence Lecture, “Research Bites: The Teeth and Feeding Behaviours of Dinosaurs and Extinct Vertebrates,” on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
2016 Principal’s Awards Recipients
Research Excellence
Robert Reisz, Department of Biology
Teaching Excellence – Faculty
Fiona Rawle, Department of Biology
Teaching Excellence – Teaching Assistants
Lindsay Coome, Department of Psychology
Marc De Benedetti, Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences
Staff Service
Anna Reale, Office of the Dean
Donna Coulson, Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences