Earlier this week the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU) held the 25th annual Experience in Excellence Awards, which show appreciation for faculty, staff and students who strive to enhance the student experience at the University of Saskatchewan.

Teaching Excellence Award
Selected by students, the Teaching Excellence Award recognizes those who have demonstrated enthusiasm, organization and fairness in evaluation, providing exceptional commitment and support to their classrooms. The 2016-17 winners are:

Dr. Barbara Phillips, Department of Management and Marketing

Barb began teaching at the U of S in the fall of 1996 and received her first USSU teaching award that same year. The second time award winner enjoys teaching because she loves to see her students grow, succeed, and flourish. She strives to make every topic relevant by including real-world examples and experience and it is easy to see how she has garnered respect in her field. In her student’s eyes, “[I] feel confident that we are in good hands being taught by someone so intelligent and dynamic. She puts so much effort into each one of her classes.”

Dr. Fred Phillips, Department of Accounting

Fred is a third time recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award. He has built a research program around trying to discover teaching methods that work in accounting. He says that what he enjoys most about the U of S, is that teaching is recognized as important and valuable. Most days Fred does not feel like what he is doing is work, and this is easily recognizable from the student’s perspective; “Professor Phillips is extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the material. He genuinely cares about the well-being and success of students.”

USSU Young Alumni Excellence Award
The USSU Young Alumni Excellence Award is given to an alumnus who is actively engaged in their community and has maintained a strong connection to the alumni of the university, who has graduated in the past five years and is 35 years of age or younger. The 2016-17 recipient is:

Christopher Hengen-Braun

Chris (B.Comm. 2011) is currently the director of business development for Freedom 55 Financial. Since graduating, Chris has served as a JDC West coach, in addition to coaching the Edwards team for the Royal Roads Case Competition. He also returns to Edwards on occasion to conduct “lunch-n-learns’, and participates in Resumania and the annual Edwards networking event, #EdwardsConnects. Through Freedom 55, Chris also supports the annual Edwards School of Business Formal.

Vera Pezer Award for Student Enhancement
These awards are presented to U of S student volunteers who have given their time and energy to ensure that non-academic facets of the student experience are enhanced. The 2016-17 recipients are:

Preston Thomson - Member of Student Council	Preston has been involved with the USSU since 2014 and is always willing to voice his opinion and foster healthy debate. One of his peers says, “for his insight, leadership, sense of responsibility to students and dedication to council, especially on the committees he serves, I believe that Councilor Thomson is the most eligible recipient for this award.”
Rashid Ahmed - Volunteerism	Rashid embodies selflessness, always putting the well-being of others before his own. He has been energetic, engaged and involved during his time at the University of Saskatchewan, always organizing the community and lending a helping hand. He has been involved in welcoming refugees at the airport, collecting supplies for the victims of the Fort McMurray fires, as well as volunteering with several community organizations.
Enactus - Campus Group of the Year Enactus University of Saskatchewan is composed of a team of student, academic, and business leaders who are using entrepreneurial action to create better and more sustainable communities. The group organized a number of initiatives such as a Stock Market Challenge, the CentsABLE program, Food for the Future and the Aboriginal Youth Idea Challenge that left a meaningful impact on everyone involved. As part of the Food for the Future project, the team travelled on more than one occasion to a northern community to build a community garden with the help of local community members and students. In doing so, they provided students with the education and resources needed to address the issue of food insecurity in the region.

The Edwards School of Business congratulates the individual students, student groups, alumni, and faculty who received USSU Experience in Excellence awards.

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