UNB News
News and stories from one of Canada’s top universities

UNB to award professors emeriti rankings teaching awards at Convocation

Author: Communications

Posted on Oct 12, 2016

Category: UNB Fredericton , UNB Saint John

The University of New Brunswick will honour four outstanding individuals for their accomplishments and commitment to teaching at its Convocation ceremonies next week.

UNB Fredericton will award Professors Emeriti distinctions to two of its retired faculty members at a ceremony Thursday, Oct. 20.

Professor Emeriti Distinctions

Tony Diamond, professor emeritus in biology and forestry and environmental management

Appointed as a research professor in 1994, Dr. Tony Diamond has had a significant impact at UNB and on the international stage over his two decades of service.

A dedicated educator, Dr. Diamond routinely taught a course overload to ensure that students in our wildlife programs had the necessary courses for timely graduation.

He has secured research funding throughout his tenure, acquiring funds from an impressive diversity of provincial, federal and international agencies. He has held many positions including fellow of the American Ornithologists’ Union, president for the Society of Canadian Ornithologists, senior fellow of the International Ornithologists’ Union, editorial board member for Bird Conservation International and Canadian Wildlife Service Scientific Publications, and associate editorships for the Canadian Journal of Forest Research and Marine Ornithology.

In 2014, peers acknowledged his accomplishments with the Speirs Award for Lifetime Contributions to Canadian Ornithology.

Gail Storr, Professor Emerita in nursing

Dr. Gail Storr has distinguished herself through teaching, research and service. While serving as director of graduate studies in nursing, she initiated the nurse educator stream in the master’s program.

Dr. Storr has been recognized as one of Canada’s most renowned advocates for breast feeding. Her contributions resulted in wide adoption of evidence-informed protocols and widespread policy changes, and in New Brunswick becoming the first province to develop a policy that all health care facilities would strive toward Baby Friendly designation.

For her work, she received the Outstanding Leadership Award in Protecting, Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada and the Women’s Health Leadership Award for Women’s Health in Atlantic Canada.

Her leadership has been instrumental in the development of a sustainable partnership between UNB and Horizon Health Network, creating the Downtown Fredericton Community Health Centre to create a quality and welcoming health centre for vulnerable members of the community.

Dr. Storr served as AUNBT president, and was the first female grievance officer and twice was chief negotiator. Her exemplary leadership and mediation skills were recognized through an Order in Council by the Lieutenant-Governor as a member of the Public Service Labour Relations Board, the Council of Maritime Premiers Labour Relations Board, and the CAUT Distinguished Service award.

This honorary rank is awarded, upon or after retirement from active academic duties, to such professors as have served the university with great distinction.

Excellence in Teaching Awards

Two UNB Saint John faculty members will be recognized with Dr. Allan P. Stuart Memorial Excellence in Teaching Awards on at its Convocation ceremonies on Friday, Oct. 21.

Dongmin Kim, faculty of business

While at UNB Saint John, Dongmin Kim has anchored the faculty of business’s Management Information Systems courses for 10 years, introducing hundreds of students to these subjects at the undergraduate level, and offering advanced training in the field at the graduate level.

Dr. Kim’s students praise him for being an exceptional and caring teacher, and consistently comment on his kindness, genuine concern for their well-being and education, his enthusiasm for both the subject matter and for teaching. In 2011, he was recognized with a UNB Saint John Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching.

Barb Dowding, faculty of science, applied science and engineering

An instructor in the biology department at UNB since 1999, Barb Dowding joined the faculty in Saint John in 2001, and has taught more than 4,000 students an impressive list of more than 80 courses.

Ms. Dowding’s students say she is enthusiastic and passionate about her field, making her an exceptional lecturer. Her delivery of the material is thorough and engaging. She is available to students, kind and approachable.

She received the Excellence in Teaching Award from first-year nursing students in 2002-03 and again in 2005-06; the Biology Departmental Award for Teaching Excellence, and the Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching Excellence in 2013-14. Ms. Dowding has been a member of the Vice-President’s Excellence in Teaching Committee since 2005, and had the distinction of becoming an Honorary member of the Golden Key Honour Society in 2011.

Media contacts: Natalie Montgomery (Fredericton); Heather Campbell (Saint John)