An award for excellence in service is an honour, but it isn’t what motivates her, says Susan Dennison, lab and education co-ordinator in the Faculty of Nursing.

“It’s nice to be acknowledged,” she said Wednesday at a reception celebrating the sixth annual Employee Recognition Awards. “But what makes the job worthwhile is working with the students and having an impact. That’s why we’re here.”

Recipient of the individual Service Excellence Award, Dennison was one of nine honorees at the event, hosted by Human Resources.

“These awards support the university’s mission and priorities, reinforcing the importance of service, innovation, teamwork, leadership, safety, and engagement,” said Rita LaCivita, vice-president of human resources. “The passion and commitment of every one of the award recipients is truly inspiring.”

Besides Dennison, the winners included:

• Melissa Gabrieau, animal care technician in the Central Animal Care Facility, a Service Excellence Award in the First Five Years of Employment;
• Nick Baker, director of the Office of Open Learning, an Excellence in Leadership Award;
• Aaron Dickau, gardener in Housekeeping and Grounds, an individual Impact Award;
• the teaching awards nomination team of Beverley Hamilton, Peter Marval, and Jessica Raffoul, a team Impact Award;
• Frank Jeney, Lancer Recreation assistant/fitness co-ordinator in Athletics and Recreational Services, the “U” Make a Difference Award;
• Dave Yott, acquisitions/production and ILLO co-ordinator in the Leddy Library, the Excellence in Health and Safety Award.

Baker called the recognition “truly humbling” and noted he has been fortunate to have excellent role models in leadership himself.

“I try to bring their collective wisdom to my own work,” he says. “A leader is nothing without a great team behind them, and in my case, I have a phenomenally talented and committed group of individuals I am very proud to work with.”

Yott says his award for health and safety was a really nice surprise.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our amazing Health and Safety team here at the University, and this award is just icing on the cake,” Yott says.

In addition to his work for Lancer Recreation, Jeney volunteers as coach of the Lancer baseball club, earning him nomination letters from its players.

“For myself and many of my teammates, playing Lancer baseball was the highlight of our university experience and has resulted in a sense of pride in both ourselves and the university,” wrote one.

Another wrote: “As a third-year medical student, it is remarkable how many times throughout the course of a day I can call on tangible life lessons I learned while playing baseball under Frank.”

Jeney said Wednesday’s event demonstrates the impact working on campus can make.

“Winning the award is one thing, but hearing what the students wrote is really what touched me,” he said.