Banquet honours award recipients

Catherine Burr was surprised to learn she had won an award for top part-time student in arts and social sciences, and admits she was pleased as well.

The honour student received the Dr. Kathleen McCrone Award and a $500 tuition remission at the Organization of Part-time University Students’ 21st annual awards dinner Thursday at the Caboto Club.

She said she appreciated the organization’s work: “I would also like to thank OPUS for all of its hard work towards the integration of part-time students into university life and for facilitating the recognition of the academic efforts of part-time students.”

Burr was one of 20 staff, faculty and students honoured as outstanding individuals who make the University of Windsor a unique place. This year’s OPUS award recipients are:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: George McMahon, former dean of students
  • Friend of Students Award: Susan Lester, director of alumni affairs
  • Teacher of the Year Award: Renata Kobe, Odette School of Business
  • Volunteer of the Year Award: Elfadil Rahama, OPUS work-study student and volunteer
  • Faculty Awards: Nathalie Dolbec, languages, literatures and cultures; Brian MacPherson, philosophy; Abdulkadir Hussein, mathematics and statistics
  • Support Staff Awards: Tim Brunet, liaison and student recruitment; Kris McInnis, university secretariat; Student Health Services staff
  • Disability Campus Community Recognition Award: Office of Human Rights Equity and Accessibility
  • Student with Disability Achievement Award: Jennifer Bauder, part-time student
  • Alumni Association Academic Achievement Award: Margaret Rennolds, part-time student
  • Alumni Association First Year Part-time Undergraduate Student Award: Denica Strong, part-time student
  • Wayne Girard Leadership Memorial Award: Josephine Lo Porto, part-time student
  • Ken Long Memorial Award: Sheeba Shukoor, part-time student
  • Dr. Kathleen McCrone Award: Catherine Burr, part-time student
  • Appreciation Award: Monsur Elahi, OPUS treasurer; Caroline Spencer, OPUS director at large; Elizabeth Long, OPUS director at large

OPUS vice-president Anthony Meloche received a special award for Going the Extra Mile from Clayton Smith, vice-provost, students and international.

The event also included a performance of Vietnamese and Chinese dances by UWindsor students and a musical performance by Elvis tribute artist Frank “E,” who will stage a concert April 12 in the Ambassador Auditorium, CAW Student Centre. Ten door prize winners received free tickets to his concert and he handed several guests special scarves.

Executive director Maryan Amalow thanked volunteers and work-study students for their help in making the banquet successful.

“We were also grateful to all those who attended from the University of Windsor, including the president, Dr. Alan Wildeman, part-time students, faculty and staff,” she said. “It was a pleasure having you all there and we are humbled to be a part of this wonderful university community.”

Event pictures will be posted to the OPUS website soon.