Over the last 20 years, Ontario Tech University’s reputation for high-quality teaching, student services, work-integrated learning opportunities and overall student satisfaction has grown steadily. This success hinges on the contributions and dedication of a diverse and collaborative community of faculty and staff members.

Ontario Tech recently hosted two special events to recognize these achievements:

• Celebrate Teaching! Awards
• Staff Awards of Excellence

  On May 7, the university’s Human Resources department held its Annual Employee Awards Celebration event to recognize and honour all of the university’s hardworking and dedicated employees, and celebrate award nominees, recipients, and those reaching long-serving milestones. 

  Hosted by President Steven Murphy and Jamie Bruno, Vice-President, People and Transformation, the event kicked off with an engaging keynote speech from Amber Mac, a podcaster, bestselling author, and media host on the topic of AI and emerging technology. Following the speech, attendees participated in a trivia activity to test their knowledge of the institution and look back to the year 2003 when the university first opened its doors to students.

  Staff Awards of Excellence descriptions:

  • Fiercely Ontario Tech: Recognizes a frontline staff member who consistently strives to support a culture of service excellence.
  • U Make A Mark: Recognizes individuals or teams who have developed or implemented a system, tool, initiative or program within their department, faculty or across the university which has positively impacted student success or employee experience.
  • Rising Star: Recognizes an emerging leader who has been with the university for two years or less, and who demonstrates a passion for their work and has made a significant impact in their short time at the university.
  • Ridgeback Award: Recognizes a staff member who is a real team player and an excellent ambassador for the institution.
  • Community Collaborator: Recognizes individuals or teams who help build rewarding relationships at the university, within our local community, or beyond.

  Staff Awards of Excellence nominees and winners:

  • Laina Andrews
  • Matthew Devlin
  • Taylor Flood – Ridgeback Award winner
  • Kaitlynn Gambier
  • Kerri-Ann Lauder
  • Matt Lucchese – Fiercely Ontario Tech winner
  • Danielle Saney – Rising Star winner
  • Isabel Savransky
  • Susan Snelling
  • Yvonne Stefanin – Community Collaborator winner
  • Bessie Zhang
  • ACE Team: Gord Koehne, John Komar, Mark Klintworth, Paula Ambra, Rick Szymczyk, Stephanie Walter, Vijyat Bhalla, and Warren Karlson – U Make a Mark winner
  • Digital Recruitment Team: Cassidy Dawson, Grace Morgan, Joyce Chan, Kristie Arbour, Kyle Laviolette, Ryan Beaton, and Sarah Tsimelkas – U Make a Mark winner

  10-year Service Award

  Recognizing the significant service of the university’s valued employees who reached 10 years of service in the year 2023.

  • Asifa Aamir, Faculty of Business and Information Technology (FBIT)
  • Jennifer Abbass Dick, Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS)
  • Rajen Akalu, FBIT
  • Scott Aquanno, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities (FSSH)
  • Christine Cairns, IT Services Department
  • Corrina D’Alessio, Office of the Vice President, Administration
  • Hendrick De Haan, Faculty of Science (FSc)
  • Shilpa Dogra, FHS
  • Richard Drake, FSc
  • Joseph Eastwood, FSSH
  • Mehran Ebrahimi, FSc
  • Karla Emeno, FSSH
  • Randy Fortier, FSc
  • Jennifer Goldsmith, Office of the Registrar
  • Leigh Harkins, FSSH
  • Jessica Husted, Office of the Registrar
  • Anna Jaworski, IT Services Department
  • Bryan Lee, Office of the Deputy Provost
  • Brendan MacDonald, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science FEAS
  • Matthew Mackenzie, Office of the President
  • Qusay Mahmoud, FEAS
  • Ami Mamolo, Mitch and Leslie Frazer Faculty of Education FEd
  • Pejman Mirza-Babaei, FBIT
  • Mark Neville, Office of Student Life
  • Andrew Norman, ACE
  • Efrosini Papaconstantinou, FHS
  • Melissa Price, Office of the Vice President, Administration
  • Jennifer Rinaldi, FSSH
  • Karthik Sankaranarayanan, FBIT
  • Matthew Shane, FSSH
  • Nicole Sluyk, Office of the Deputy Provost
  • Joel Stewart, FBIT
  • Lisa Townsend, Office of the Provost
  • Robert Ulrich, FEAS
  • Anthony Van De Wetering, ACE
  • Wendy Young, IT Services Department
  • Mohamed Youssef, FEAS

  20-year Service Award

  Recognizing the significant service of the university’s valued employees who reached 20 years of service in the year 2023.

  • Michael Allison, FSc
  • Sylvie Bardin, FSc
  • Richard Bartholomew, FSc
  • Ken Bright, Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability
  • Wesley Chrichlow, FSSH
  • Ibrahim Dincer, FEAS
  • Amy Dixon Anderson, Office of the Deputy Provost
  • Andra Drinkwalter, Office of the Registrar
  • John Dumratt, Library
  • John Friedlan, FBIT
  • Ali Grami, FEAS
  • Bill Hunter, FEd
  • Valeri Kapoustine, FSc
  • Sharon Lauricella, FSSH
  • Manon Lemonde, FHS
  • Greg Lewis, FSc
  • Brad MacIsacc, Office of the Vice President, Administration
  • Kimberley McCartney, Office of Planning and Analysis
  • Anita Nutikka, FSc
  • Diana Petrarca, FEd
  • Remon Pop-Iliev, FEAS
  • Sarah Rasile, Advancement Department
  • Marc Rosen, FEAS
  • Otto Sanchez, FHS
  • Hannah Scott, FSSH
  • Roland van Oostveen, FEd
  • Ed Waller, FEAS
  • Clive Waugh, Advancement Department

Quote:

"Congratulations to all our exceptional employees and faculty members who have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to Ontario Tech University. Your commitment to excellence and dedication to our students' success is truly inspiring. This recognition highlights the innovative culture and talented people that define our university. Thank you for your continued efforts in making Ontario Tech University a truly remarkable institution.”
-  Dr. Steven Murphy, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ontario Tech University