(L-R) Bernice Urbaniak, John Sacre, Laura-Lynn Lowry, Alan Steeves and Kersti Krug - photo by Martin Dee - photo by Martin Dee

UBC Reports | Vol. 55 | No. 5 | May 7, 2009

Staff receive top UBC honour

By Randy Schmidt

Five members of the university community are being recognized for outstanding contributions to campus life and for personal achievements as recipients of the 2009 President’s Service Award for Excellence (PSAE). Each recipient will receive the award – a gold medal and $5,000 – in a presentation during Spring Congregation ceremonies.

Bernice Urbaniak, Administrative Manager, School of Human Kinetics and President, Association of Administrative and Professional Staff (AAPS), has worked at UBC since 1990. Urbaniak is recognized by colleagues as a skilled manager who deals exceptionally well with complex responsibilities. Many comment on her dedication to helping faculty, students and staff in her area, a commitment that translates to campus colleagues through her years of service with AAPS.

John Sacre has worked at UBC’s Land and Building Services since 1989. In his current role he works to ensure the campus is run well and that public dollars are appropriately allocated. Colleagues credit Sacre with a commitment to getting things done, and he has been instrumental in developing an apprenticeship program at UBC for trades staff. Outside of UBC, Sacre has been a medal-winning field hockey player, and national juniors coach.

Laura-Lynn Lowry has worked at UBC for nearly 35 years, starting in the old Faculty Club and then serving in Food Services operating the Barn Coffee Shop, before being selected as the Tim Hortons supervisor in 2006. Wherever she has worked, Lowry has been an effective manager and quickly built strong employee and customer relationships, say colleagues. She has volunteered her time organizing Tim Horton’s Camp Days, and pancake days for the United Way. Lowry also serves as CUPE 116 senior shop steward for Food Services.

Alan Steeves, Computer and Electronics Manager in the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, is acknowledged for providing outstanding service to UBC for 30 years. In addition to managing the computer network for a large department, Steeves played a key role in attracting a multi-million dollar in-kind donation from the General Motors sponsored PACE program. He has served as national secretary on the Trout Unlimited Canada board, and is a talented First Nations artist.

Kersti Krug is recognized for service to UBC in many areas, and especially for leadership in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and during the transition of interdisciplinary units from FOGS to the College of Interdisciplinary Studies (CFIS), where she is Assistant Principal, Strategic Development and Administration. She is credited as a major contributor in conducting research to advance UBC graduate programs, and for exceptionally hard work and leadership in the creation of CFIS.

Nominations are still open until May 31 for the newly announced category of Vancouver campus President’s Staff Awards.