News Release
UWinnipeg Names 2008 Award Winners
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE – TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2008
WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg today
named its award winners of exceptional service, achievement and distinction.
The five individuals comprising this year’s list of winners – Athar Ata, Earl
Backman, Michael Benarroch, Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar and Claudia Wright –
personify excellence and achievement.
Athar Ata – Clifford J. Robson
Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching
Athar Ata is an associate professor of chemistry at The
University of Winnipeg, renowned for his energy and enthusiasm. Colleagues
describe him as “the anchor of the chemistry program” at The University of
Winnipeg. He has trained and mentored numerous students in his labs who have
continued their academic success in research, published work and awards. A
consummate researcher, Ata’s labs are known to engage, motivate and educate
future chemists while instilling the highest education standards.
Earl E. Backman – Distinguished Alumni Award
Earl Backman
(B.Sc.’68) recently retired after 35 years of public service in Manitoba. In February
1997, he became Chief Executive Officer of the Brandon Regional Health
Authority, which was the only fully integrated Health Services Region in the
province, having responsibility for delivery of a full spectrum of health care
services directly to Brandon, and regionally to
180,000 people in Western Manitoba. Backman
had previously served as city manager of the City of Brandon
for 14 years, where he was responsible for all traditional city operations, the
Municipal Airport and Fire/Emergency/Ambulance
Services.
Michael Benarroch – Robin H. Farquhar Award for Excellence
in Contributing to Self-Governance
Michael Benarroch’s commitment to the University is shown
through his willingness to assume leadership. To date, he has been an active
member of 36 committees, often acting as chair. His latest efforts have led to
the development of the innovative new Faculty of Business and Economics – a unique
blend of business and liberal arts curriculum designed to nurture the next
generation of socially conscious business leaders. During Benarroch’s 16 years
at the University, he has served The University of Winnipeg Faculty
Association, and has taken up responsibilities on Senate and with the Board of
Regents.
Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar – The Marsha Hanen Award for
Creating Community Awareness
This year’s winner of the Marsha Hanen Award is Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar,
a Physics Department professor whose passion for science education has led to
several high-profile science outreach programs. One such effort is Let’s Talk
Science – a program where University faculty and students visit area schools or
host field trips to the University to promote science awareness and literacy,
in a hands-on manner. She also assists with the organization of the Homework
Club at the Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre, presents at conferences and
symposia for science teachers, judges science fairs, serves as a mentor to
numerous teachers and students, and speaks to several outside organizations.
Claudia Wright – Fellow of United College
Claudia Wright has been instrumental in the creation of two
critically important new programs at The University of Winnipeg – the
Aboriginal Governance program and the Urban and Inner-City Studies program. The
University’s Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies when she retired in
July 2007, Wright served the University community for more than 38 years as a
faculty member and administrator. With the same dedication, Wright served the
wider community, most notably in her commitment to human rights and
multiculturalism. She was the Chairperson of the Manitoba Human Rights
Commission, and was instrumental in introducing a new human rights code for Manitoba.
– 30 –
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
Shawn
Coates, Director of Marketing & Communications, University of Winnipeg
P:
204.988.7126, C: 204.230.0202, E: s.coates@uwinnipeg.ca
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