Top row from left: Trevor Odlum, Chase Tompkins, Troy Campbell, Paul Crang, Andy Fehr and Paul Clancy. Bottom row from left: Deborah Buszard, Marlis Wecels, Barbara Sobol and Adrienne Vedan.
At last week’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s Town Hall, a number of employees were recognized for exemplary service to the university at the annual Staff Awards of Excellence.
Congratulations to all the winners, and the significant impacts they have made to UBC Okanagan.
Enhancing the UBC Experience
Troy Campbell, Acting Associate Director for Campus Security, won the Enhancing the UBC Experience award. Campbell was recognized for bringing fresh ideas into the security office including the UBC Safe mobile app, the security bike patrol, and several workshops and seminars to help train students and staff in First Aid, self-defence and crisis management.
Campus Leadership
Undergraduate Services Librarian Barbara Sobol was presented with the Campus Leadership Award. Sobol has coordinated a series of library information and skill training sessions and she led a pilot project where student employees in the library developed programming to support and promote engagement with students on campus. Most recently, Sobol led the library’s first floor renovations and changes.
Marlis Wecels, administrative manager of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences’ Interprofessional Clinic also won a Campus Leadership Award. Wecels was recognized for her compassion, professionalism, support, productivity and excellence as “the consummate administrative manager.” She was recognized for exhibiting exceptional leadership, organizational skills, initiative and creativity, and a capacity to foster growth and development in the department.
Okanagan Spirit
The Okanagan Spirit Award was presented to IT, Media & Classroom Services’ Helpdesk team. The Helpdesk team was applauded for their outstanding commitment to customer service while helping to resolve technical issues. The Helpdesk team were also recognized for being proactive when resolving issues and accommodating requests, and having exemplary problem-solving skills. The Helpdesk team consists of: Andy Fehr, Jill MacKenzie, Paul Clancy, Paul Crang, Perry Jones, Trevor Odlum, Mark Panich, Geoffrey Pouliot and Chase Tompkins.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Award
Director of Aboriginal Programs and Services Adrienne Vedan was presented with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Award. Vedan is known as someone who always goes above and beyond her job description and attends to all duties with her “joyful attention.”
When presenting the award, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Deborah Buszard said: “UBC Okanagan was founded in partnership with the Syilx Okanagan Nation and we have made important commitments to local First Nation Bands, Friendship Centres, Metis and Urban Aboriginal organizations. Many of these commitments are upheld and enhanced by Adrienne’s hard work to maintain good relations and to serve the needs of Indigenous communities in the Okanagan and afar.”