Arts and Science celebration honours outstanding staff, faculty achievements

Faculty and staff were recognized for their hard work, dedication and impact during the second annual Arts and Science Celebration.

On April 30, University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Arts and Science faculty and staff members gathered at Marquis Hall to celebrate their achievements from the past academic year.

"The second annual College of Arts and Science celebration is a wonderful way to come together as a community to mark the end of another academic year,” said Dean Brooke Milne. 

“It is truly inspiring to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our faculty and staff for all that they do to lead and support excellence in teaching, learning, and research. Congratulations to everyone!”

Achievements and successes from teaching and learning to research impact were honoured during the event. Faculty who achieved tenure or were promoted to associate professor or full professor within the last academic year were also recognized.

The event featured appetizers and musical performances by Paul Suchan, sessional lecturer in the School for the Arts.

“It was a pleasure to be part of the second-ever Arts and Science Celebration, an opportunity to showcase our staff and faculty’s passion and dedication to their work that goes above and beyond expectations,” Interim Vice-Dean Academic Jennifer Lang. “I am proud to work with our exceptional friends and colleagues every day.”

Award were recognized in the following categories:

Dean’s Distinguished Staff Awards

Two staff members at the College of Arts and Science are chosen for the Dean’s Distinguished Staff Awards each year. This year’s winners are Paul Dick, instructional lab coordinator in the Department of Biology, and Melissa Kyrejto, director of Undergraduate Student Services.

Dean Brooke Milne presented Dick and Kyrejto with certificates commemorating the awards during the celebration on April 30.

Lesley Biggs Early Career Teaching Fellowship

This year’s recipient of the 2024-25 Lesley Biggs Early Career Teaching Fellowship is Dr. Caroline Arbuckle (PhD), a faculty member in St. Thomas More College.

St. Thomas More College Dean Tammy Marche accepted the award on behalf of Arbuckle who was unable to attend. The award was presented by one of its creators Wenona Partridge, Extended Learning Program manager with USask’s teaching and learning enhancement team.

She was accompanied by Acting Vice-Dean Academic Jennifer Lang, Acting Provost Vince Bruni-Bossio, and Vice-Provost Students and Learning Jerome Cranston to present the award.

Teaching Awards

Two outstanding faculty members near the start of their careers were recognized with College of Arts and Science Teaching Awards.

The recipient of the New Teacher Award in BSc Programs was Dr. Jan Gelech (PhD), of the Department of Psychology and Health Studies. Dr. Rachel Loewen Walker (PhD), of the Department of Political Studies and the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, received the New Teacher Award in BA, BMus or BFA Programs.

Faculty Service Excellence Award

Earlier this academic year, the College of Arts and Science Faculty Service Excellence Award recipient was announced. Carla Orosz, an associate professor in the School for the Arts, was recognized at Wednesday’s celebration.

Vice-Provost Faculty Relations Scott Walsworth and 2024 Interim Vice-Dean Faculty Relations Pamela Downe presented Orosz with the award for her extraordinary leadership and mentorship.

RSAW Awards

Four Arts and Science faculty members were presented with awards for their outstanding research, scholarly and artistic work (RSAW). Dr. Steven Rayan (PhD) presented the College of Arts and Science RSAW Awards on behalf of Vice-Dean Bram Noble, alongside Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement Dr. Angela Jaime (PhD) to the following researchers:

• Distinguished Scholar Award: Dr. Christy Morrissey (PhD), professor in the Department of Biology

• New Scholar Award: Dr. Cheryl Troupe (PhD), associate professor in the Department of History

• Publicly Engaged Scholarship Award: History professors Dr. Erika Dyck (PhD) and Dr. Jim Clifford (PhD), and Dr. Nazeem Muhajarine (PhD), of the College of Medicine

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