Professionalism, empathy, positivity: those are just a few of the qualities used to describe the four winners of this year鈥檚 (DPMG) awards for outstanding achievement.
Each June, the DPMG 鈥斅燚al鈥檚 association for professional and manager-level employees 鈥� celebrates some of its members across the university for their contributions. Nominees are judged for outstanding performance or achievement as demonstrated through a particular project or strategic initiative recently completed or currently underway and/or a consistent record of significant accomplishments over the years.
Including this year鈥檚 recipients, twenty-four Dal employees have received the honour since the awards were first given out in 2011. This year saw the highest number of nominees yet.
鈥淵our work embodies that dedication, that attention to people, that professionalism that makes Dal a great place,鈥� Dal president Richard Florizone said at a luncheon in late May to honour the winners.
This year鈥檚 recipients, who were acknowledged at this week鈥檚 DPMG conference, are:
Michael (Mike) Wilkinson
Mike Wilkinson spent his first five years at Dal as Horticultural Services Supervisor before moving on to become Environmental Services Manager in 2012, the role he currently holds. In that position, he oversees the delivery of several crucial services on the university's three Halifax campuses, including snow removal, mail delivery, waste collection, pest control, security services and horticulture.
Nominator and supervisor Darrell Boutilier, director of operations in Facilities Management, describes Mike as 鈥渁 high performer" and credits his expertise and leadership for accomplishments that have "campus-wide impact on a daily basis." Those include the phasing in of more sustainable and cost-efficient methods of managing waste, the livening up of flowerbeds, shrubs, trees and other landscape features through horticultural initiatives, and the expert handling of snow removal and ice control, particularly during the brutal winter of 2014-2015.
Day after day, Mike and his team of more than 20 staff (and several contractors) work hard to create an inviting, safe and sustainable environment for students and employees alike. 鈥淚 feel like I should have my whole team here with me,鈥� Mike said upon receiving his award, 鈥渂ecause really they are the ones that make it all happen.鈥�
Peter Dykhuis
Peter Dykhuis joined the AV俱乐部 Art Gallery as curator in 2007 and has made his mark over the years by enhancing both the educative power of visual arts on campus and by growing the Gallery鈥檚 reputation nationally. Under Peter鈥檚 watch, the Gallery鈥檚 permanent collection has grown in value by nearly $1 million with the addition of many new holdings considered to be of national cultural significance. He has also succeeded in raising more than $1 million in government funding to go toward the development of new programming.
Peter frequently works with faculty across the university to incorporate exhibits and resources from the permanent collection into curricula through class tours, in-class lectures, and more. As Carolyn Watters, Dal鈥檚 provost and vice-president academic, said in a letter of support for his nomination: 鈥淧eter has led his small but excellent team to help all of us think differently about art and its contribution to the ways we think and appreciate, surely a core value of the university.鈥� 聽
Peter鈥檚 nominators, which included his entire staff, also praised his integrity and professionalism as well as his capacity for empathy and sense of humour. Accepting his award, Peter said of his staff: 鈥淢y coworkers are like my second family. Occasionally, I do say 鈥業鈥檓 going home鈥� when I mean I am going to work.鈥�
Michael Campbell
As custodial services manager at Dal, Michael Campbell oversees a large staff spread out across many building on all three Halifax campuses. In the four short years that he has been in the role, Michael has developed a reputation among many under his supervision for being positive in his approach to managing his team. Says one nominator: 鈥淲hen you leave a meeting you feel confident and self-assured due to his positive influence.鈥�
In addition to meeting with his core team of general forepersons regularly, Michael also makes an effort to connect directly with many members of the custodial staff located around the university 鈥� a practice many seem to appreciate. He has also been proactive when it comes to creating a safe work environment for his staff. His WorkSAFE @ Dal initiative aims to reduce the number of injuries among custodial staff by connecting them with students in the School of Occupational Therapy. He has also partnered with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia to offer English in the workplace language training for staff members whose first language is not English.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been my task to make them [the custodians] feel that 鈥榊ou are part of the whole, that you are valued, that we鈥檙e all human being and we all deserve respect and dignity and validation,鈥� Michael said after accepting his award. 鈥淎nd I will continue to do that because that鈥檚 what I expect for myself.鈥�
Dr. Suzanne Le-May Sheffield
Suzanne Le-May Sheffield began her career at Dal nearly 20 years ago as a history teacher. She shifted gears in 2002 and joined the Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT), where she served as associate director for over a decade before taking over the position of director in 2013.
During her time with CLT, Suzanne has built a reputation for her 鈥渞emarkable leadership鈥� and her ability to balance the needs of individuals and the university as a whole. As one nominator put it: 鈥淪he is the very best example of outstanding performance and achievement in the university.鈥� Indeed, Suzanne has led or partnered on several major institutional initiatives over the years, including a review of Dal鈥檚 Teaching Awards, the implementation of Brightspace, and setting up a faculty certificate in teaching and academic practice, among others.
On a smaller scale, Suzanne helps grad students become better teachers and assists professors and instructors in incorporating new and innovative learning techniques in the classroom. She also helps organize an annual CLT conference at Dal and coordinates staff orientation for new academics.
Reflecting on her switch from teacher in the classroom to CLT, Suzanne says, 鈥淚 decided that I could reach so many more students through all the teachers that I worked with, so I鈥檓 glad I made that shift.鈥�