Strategic Foresight & Innovation receives Canadian Race Relations Foundation recognition

Thursday, November 6, 2014 - 5:00am

OCAD University’s Strategic Foresight & Innovation (SFI) Master of Design program has received an honourable mention from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) Awards of Excellence for SFI’s “Designed Diversity” program and practice.

“Designed Diversity is a practice we developed in the SFI program — an intentional act of designing the diversity of our cohorts, faculty, curriculum content and its delivery,” explained OCAD University Assistant Professor Nabil Harfoush. “This practice is rooted in the recognition that in order to be innovative and to solve complex problems you need to maximize diversity in every dimension. It shifts the discourse about diversity from a moral/ethical imperative to a fundamental requirement for the success of any organization in innovation and renewal.”

The CRRF Awards of Excellence pays tribute to public, private and voluntary organizations whose efforts represent best practices in building awareness and understanding of Canadian values and identity that are reflective of Canadian diversity and respectful race relations. Best practices represent programs, strategies or initiatives that have demonstrated promise, success and social impact.

“We applaud the stellar work that is being done by all the organizations, as they strive towards the fulfillment of the Canadian values of respect for equality, diversity, inclusivity and belonging,” said Toni Silberman, Chair, CRRF Awards of Excellence Jury Panel.

The Awards of Excellence dinner will take place on November 18 at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa. The Awards dinner is part of the Foundation's biennial symposium, which is dedicated to Canadian values, identity and belonging, along with the mutuality of citizenship rights and responsibilities.

The SFI program’s Designed Diversity Best Practice initiative will become part of the CRRF’s
ongoing program of building awareness and understanding of Canadian values and identity that are reflective of Canadian diversity.

View a complete list of CRRF Awards of Excellence winners.

FACULTY RECOGNIZED WITH TEACHING, DIVERSITY AND EQUITY AWARDS

Associate Professor Maria Gabankova is retiring this spring. Photo: Sarah Mulholland.
Assistant Professor Ananda Chakrabarty.
Assistant Professor Shannon Gerard, Instructor Michael Antkowiak, and Instructor Spencer Harrison.

The accomplishments and careers of OCAD University’s talented faculty members were celebrated last week at the university’s annual Faculty Appreciation Event. 

Retiring faculty members Associate Professors Maria GabankovaDavid ChavelDavid Pellettier and Shirley Yanover, all of the Faculty of Art, were recognized and thanked for their many years of service and dedication to OCAD U students. 

Faculty members who have completed terms as academic administrators were also recognized for their important service:

  • Assistant Professor Ananda Chakrabarty as Associate Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and School of Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Assistant Professor Luke Painter as Chair, Contemporary Painting and Print Media
  • Associate Professor Simon Glass as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Art

Several faculty members were recognized for their many years of service. Celebrating their 20 year milestone are Professors Paul Epp and Helen Kerr, and Integrated Media Technician Almerinda Travassos. Marking 25 years are Assistant Professor Ted Hunter, Professor Stuart Reid and Associate ProfessorCathy Daley. At 30 years of service are Assistant Professor Bentley Jarvis, and Associate Professors Stan Krzyzanowski and Bill Leeming. Associate Professor Wendy Cain and Associate Professor Paul Dempsey are celebrating 35 years of service. Finally, celebrating 40 years at OCAD University are Professors Keith Rushton and Assistant Professor Michael Page

The Faculty and Curriculum Development Centre (FCDC) recognized nominated faculty members with the Inspired Teaching Awards, which acknowledge faculty members, administrators, tutors, technicians, teaching assistants or librarians whose passion for art and design education has enhanced learning and influenced artistic practice. This year’s recipients are:

Associate Professor Bonnie Devine and Instructor Spencer Harrison were both recognized with BLG Faculty Equity Awards this year, which celebrates successes of faculty in their promotion of an inclusive work and learning environment. 

Faculty of Art Instructor Michael Antkowiak was recognized with a Non-Tenured Faculty Teaching Award, cited in his nomination for always being well prepared for class, and encouraging students by recognizing and drawing out their strengths, while also challenging students conceptually, stimulating growth and perspective. 

The Price Award for Excellence in Teaching was awarded to Assistant Professor Shannon Gerard in the Faculty of Art. Gerard was recognized for her instrumental work in developing OCAD U’s new Publications Cross-Disciplinary Art specialization, in which she is the sole teaching faculty member, and for her unbridled enthusiasm and passionate commitment to the discipline and her students.

 

Staff Equity, Excellence and Service Recognition Awards announced

Friday, June 20, 2014 - 3:30pm

The annual Employee Appreciation Event, held Friday, June 20, celebrated OCAD University staff for their dedicated years of service, excellence and commitment to diversity. 

Ana Pineiro, Senior Procurement Officer in the Finance Office, was recognized with the Equity Award. Pineiro oversees the purchase of goods and services for the university, and took a lead role in ensuring that accessibility criteria be embedded in OCAD U's Procurement Policy. Her initiatives help ensure products, services and systems used by students, faculty and staff are as accessible as possible, and the accessibility requirements help encourage vendors to be forward-thinking. She was commended for not only achieving minimum compliance, but also pushing us all to a higher standard.

James Morrow and Renzi Guarin both received Employee Excellence Awards. 

Morrow is a student advisor and was recognized for contributing to the success of the new Student Advising Centre and for his insightful, respectful and encouraging student coaching in his capacity as advisor. In addition to inspiring students, he is also making a contribution to the university's goals around accessibility as part of the Customer Service Working Group on Accessibility.

Guarin is an AV support specialist in the IT Services Department. He was recognized for consistent and exceptional service to the entire OCAD U community, playing an instrumental role in ensuring the university's many events are seamless, and assisting everyone from the president to the student union to external stakeholders. He was highly praised for his energy, patience, professionalism and "can do" attitude.

The following employees were granted Service Recognition Certificates:
Peter Lashko, for 35 years: Lashko is the Director, Facilities Planning & Management.
Cynthia Little for 30 years: Little is a payroll administrator.
Jill Patrick for 25 years: Patrick is the Director, Library Services.

Dr. Sara Diamond, OCAD U’s President, was at the event to extend her thanks and congratulations to the staff.

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