Six members of the campus community have been chosen this year to receive the President's Service Award for Excellence, presented in recognition of distinguished contributions to the university. Each winner will receive a gold medal and $5,000 during Spring Congregation ceremonies.
Suzanne Dodson's tireless efforts, high standards, genuine humour and positive spirit have been a cornerstone of the UBC library system throughout her 34 years of service to UBC.
In her role as librarian, she has gone to great lengths to ensure that academic resources are open to all members of the university community and the public. She is widely regarded for her dedication, selflessness, professionalism and generosity.
She has also played an integral role in establishing the new Walter C. Koerner Library, from selecting and working closely with the architects to ensuring all books were transferred efficiently to the new library. She and her husband have also made generous donations to the library, providing for enhancements which ensure access to the building for people with disabilities.
Barbara Evans first came to work at UBC in the summer of 1967. Since then she has worked with five presidents and held numerous positions in the President's Office. She has demonstrated unfailing loyalty to the university and the people she works with. For more than a dozen years she has worked as assistant to the president.
The President's Office could easily be characterized as one of the busiest offices on campus, dealing with a vast array of issues and a never-ending series of requests and administrative requirements. Evans has managed to maintain order and efficiency in what is often a very fast-paced work environment and to provide invaluable support to the president.
Prof. Raymond Hall has made a significant contribution to the university, its faculty and students, since joining the Theatre Dept. as an assistant professor in 1981. A professor of film, Hall is a constant source of inspiration for countless students and faculty members. He is credited with promoting talent, and injecting creativity and enthusiasm into film production.
Hall played a key role in linking UBC's Creative Writing Program to the Theatre and Film Program and has been instrumental in the establishment of the School of Journalism at UBC. He has also served as an important liaison between student film-makers and the film industry. He has been actively involved as a volunteer in the community and has served as a jury member on a number of B.C. and Canadian film and television awards committees.
Dr. David Hardwick is a long-time educator and administrator in the Faculty of Medicine. Since joining UBC 26 years ago he has influenced generations of doctors and other health care professionals.
Hardwick has worked diligently to build a solid relationship between teaching hospitals and the university to ensure a strong and viable Faculty of Medicine at UBC. He was instrumental in establishing the Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine as one of the faculty's strongest academic assets. In addition, his leadership has led to the development of new laboratory facilities in each of the major teaching hospitals.
As a professor, Hardwick has been responsible for the recruitment and mentoring of many widely acknowledged teachers and researchers. He has received numerous awards, including the first UBC Alumni Citation Award in 1990 for his role in founding B.C.'s Children's Hospital.
Odile Kucera's distinguished personality and outstanding abilities have earned her high regard from faculty, staff and students. Kucera, administrative assistant in the French Dept. and a 25-year employee of the university, is clearly committed to lifelong learning and continues her education with courses in administration, human resources management, and records management.
She is known for her efficiency, pleasant manner, positive attitude and demonstrated ability. She meets the challenges of her workplace with wit and grace and is often described as the "anchor" in her department.
As the director of UBC's Botanical Garden, Bruce Macdonald helps bring joy to the lives of many. His dedication, loyalty and hard work have contributed to the strong reputation of both the Botanical Garden and the university as a whole.
Macdonald is noted for the successful Plant Introduction Scheme, an internationally acclaimed program that sees plants grown or developed in the UBC Botanical Garden sold in Europe and other parts of North America with the Botanical Garden's label. As a result, UBC is gaining strong recognition worldwide as a supplier of quality plants.
As president of International Plant Propagators, a society primarily for nursery growers, Macdonald has helped build the university's international ties. He has served as a consultant to the Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has built a close relationship with China's Nanjing Botanic Garden.