Six members of the campus community have been chosen this year to receive the
President’s Service Award for Excellence, presented in recognition of distinguished
contributions to the university. Each winner will receive a gold medal and $5,000
during Spring Congregation ceremonies.
Suzanne Dodson’s tireless efforts, high standards, genuine humour and
positive spirit have been a cornerstone of the UBC library system throughout
her 34 years of service to UBC.
In her role as librarian, she has gone to great lengths to ensure that academic
resources are open to all members of the university community and the public.
She is widely regarded for her dedication, selflessness, professionalism and
generosity.
She has also played an integral role in establishing the new Walter C. Koerner
Library, from selecting and working closely with the architects to ensuring
all books were transferred efficiently to the new library. She and her husband
have also made generous donations to the library, providing for enhancements
which ensure access to the building for people with disabilities.
Barbara Evans first came to work at UBC in the summer of 1967. Since
then she has worked with five presidents and held numerous positions in the
President’s Office. She has demonstrated unfailing loyalty to the university
and the people she works with. For more than a dozen years she has worked as
assistant to the president.
The President’s Office could easily be characterized as one of the busiest
offices on campus, dealing with a vast array of issues and a never-ending series
of requests and administrative requirements. Evans has managed to maintain order
and efficiency in what is often a very fast-paced work environment and to provide
invaluable support to the president.
Prof. Raymond Hall has made a significant contribution to the university,
its faculty and students, since joining the Theatre Dept. as an assistant professor
in 1981. A professor of film, Hall is a constant source of inspiration for countless
students and faculty members. He is credited with promoting talent, and injecting
creativity and enthusiasm into film production.
Hall played a key role in linking UBC’s Creative Writing Program to the Theatre
and Film Program and has been instrumental in the establishment of the School
of Journalism at UBC. He has also served as an important liaison between student
film-makers and the film industry. He has been actively involved as a volunteer
in the community and has served as a jury member on a number of B.C. and Canadian
film and television awards committees.
Dr. David Hardwick is a long-time educator and administrator in the
Faculty of Medicine. Since joining UBC 26 years ago he has influenced generations
of doctors and other health care professionals.
Hardwick has worked diligently to build a solid relationship between teaching
hospitals and the university to ensure a strong and viable Faculty of Medicine
at UBC. He was instrumental in establishing the Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory
Medicine as one of the faculty’s strongest academic assets. In addition, his
leadership has led to the development of new laboratory facilities in each of
the major teaching hospitals.
As a professor, Hardwick has been responsible for the recruitment and mentoring
of many widely acknowledged teachers and researchers. He has received numerous
awards, including the first UBC Alumni Citation Award in 1990 for his role in
founding B.C.’s Children’s Hospital.
Odile Kucera’s distinguished personality and outstanding abilities
have earned her high regard from faculty, staff and students. Kucera, administrative
assistant in the French Dept. and a 25-year employee of the university, is clearly
committed to lifelong learning and continues her education with courses in administration,
human resources management, and records management.
She is known for her efficiency, pleasant manner, positive attitude and demonstrated
ability. She meets the challenges of her workplace with wit and grace and is
often described as the “anchor” in her department.
As the director of UBC’s Botanical Garden, Bruce Macdonald helps bring
joy to the lives of many. His dedication, loyalty and hard work have contributed
to the strong reputation of both the Botanical Garden and the university as
a whole.
Macdonald is noted for the successful Plant Introduction Scheme, an internationally
acclaimed program that sees plants grown or developed in the UBC Botanical Garden
sold in Europe and other parts of North America with the Botanical Garden’s
label. As a result, UBC is gaining strong recognition worldwide as a supplier
of quality plants.
As president of International Plant Propagators, a society primarily for nursery
growers, Macdonald has helped build the university’s international ties. He
has served as a consultant to the Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh, Scotland,
and has built a close relationship with China’s Nanjing Botanic Garden.
