������Ƶ Allison facult and staff gathered recently for the University’s annual Employee Recognition Reception to celebrate the work, care, and commitment of almost 500 individuals, and the role they play in making the University an exceptional community to work, live, and learn. 

This year’s event featured a comedy performance by Tricia Black (’09), acclaimed actor, comedian, and proud ������Ƶ Allison alumna, who kept the audience entertained with trivia, improv, and games. 

As part of the event, President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ian Sutherland introduced the recipients of ������Ƶ Allison’s inaugural President’s Employee Recognition Awards. The awards were created to recognize how employees bring institutional priorities to life through their work, relationships, and commitment to one another. They are aligned with the University’s Strategic Plan — Broad Minds. Bold Futures. Lifelong Connections. — and its commitments to equity and belonging, environmental sustainability, and teamwork and collaboration. 

“������Ƶ Allison is its people,” says President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ian Sutherland. “Every day, our employees bring this University to life through their care for students, their commitment to one another, and their belief in what ������Ƶ Allison can be. These awards are one way to recognize the meaningful impact our employees have across campus and beyond.” 

The ������Ƶ Allison Excellence in Environmental Sustainability Award was presented to two worthy recipients.  

Biology Lab Instructor Liza Barney was recognized for her commitment to environmental education, citizen science, and biodiversity initiatives. Barney is known for encouraging students and community members to engage with environmental sustainability in ways that are informative, accessible, and inspiring. 

Commerce Professor Dr. Carol Pomare was recognized for integrating sustainability, ethical decision-making, and accountability into her business teaching and research. Her nomination highlighted the importance of bringing sustainability into business education, where questions of long-term impact, responsible leadership, and ethical decision-making are increasingly central. 
 
The Excellence in Equity & Belonging Award was presented to Owens Art Gallery Director Emily Falvey and Music Lecturer Erin Bardua.  

Falvey was recognized for thoughtful, sustained, and action-oriented leadership rooted in equity, inclusion, and community care. Her nomination highlighted her work embedding reflection, accountability, and change at the Owens, including efforts to address barriers faced by Indigenous communities, Black communities, and other equity-deserving groups. 

Bardua was recognized for creating learning environments where students and collaborators feel welcomed, supported, and able to succeed as themselves. Her nomination highlighted her care as a colleague, educator, and artist, including her collaborative work to support a hard-of-hearing student through embodied, sensation-based learning and her expertise in contemporary and gender-affirming vocal pedagogy. 

The Excellence in Teamwork and Collaboration Award was presented to two teams this year, recognizing work that has had a significant impact on campus. 

The ������Ƶ Allison Libraries and Archives team was awarded for the creativity, resilience, and collaboration shown while preparing to vacate the R.P. Bell Library ahead of its major renovation. Over the past two years, the team has maintained regular library services while managing complex preparations, including collection review, relocation planning, and continued excellent student support.  

The Facilities Management Grounds team was also recognized for their exceptional service and teamwork. They have played a key role in supporting the library’s large-scale downsizing and collection reconfiguration project, including the physically demanding work of moving large quantities of withdrawn materials from the library basement to recycling facilities. Their nomination highlighted not only the scale of the work, but the care they put into their tasks — with professionalism, positivity, humour, and even singing.  
 
The annual Purdy Crawford Staff Award of Excellence recognized Academic Advisor, Aviation’s Susan Sparrow for her extraordinary leadership in supporting the growth of ������Ƶ Allison’s Aviation Program, including the development of advising materials, aviation-specific orientation programming, standard operating procedures, and quality-assurance work. 

Together, this year’s recipients reflect the many ways ������Ƶ Allison employees strengthen the University — through teaching, research, service, collaboration, sustainability, and care for students and community.