UNB faculty and staff are committed to excellence. They are innovators and entrepreneurs whose skills and dedication inspire and encourage students to follow their dreams, to create change in their communities, the country and the world. These are just some of the outstanding examples of their commitment and talent:
Professor, faculty of business administration, Saint John
In 2015, Emin Civi received the Association of Atlantic Universities Distinguished Teaching Award for his outstanding teaching over his career. When it comes to teaching, his approach is deeply informed by his field – marketing.
“I’ve learned that by adopting three of marketing’s core principles, I can better engage my students,” he says. “I practise the process of knowing my audience, identifying or creating activities that engage them and gauging the success of my learning activities.”
It’s this teaching philosophy that he builds on every day to unlock and grow the creative potential of his students. In order to better teach his students, he believes it’s imperative to try new approaches.
“Taking those chances would not be possible without a university, administrators and colleagues who build a safe environment so that we all can take these risks.”
Senior instructor and assistant dean to first years, faculty of engineering, Fredericton
Frank Collins is the first Canadian to receive an Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award from the National Resource Centre for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition at the University of South Carolina. He was recognized for his outstanding work on behalf of first-year students and the impact his efforts have on the students and culture of UNB.
A strong advocate for first-year engineering students, Mr. Collins believes that the success of any post-secondary institution directly depends the happiness of its students.
“A happy student means instructors are happy. It means more is being learned. It means more productivity in research. It means more collaboration and more idea generation,” he says.
“Programs, grant money, grades are all derivatives of a happy student.”
Instructor, faculty of education, Fredericton
The late Patricia Cranton, a leader in adult education, was named by Governor General David Johnston to the Order of Canada in 2016 for her accomplishments.
He lauded her “contributions to the field of adult learning, as an authority on transformative learning who encourages critical and autonomous thinking.”
Over her esteemed career, Dr. Cranton taught at universities across Canada and the United States, as well as internationally. Not only was the impact of her work felt in the classroom, but through her written work, authoring dozens of books including the often-quoted Understand and Promoting Transformative Learning, as well as hundreds of other publications.
Dr. Cranton’s reputation for excellence has been noted throughout her career, with recognition that includes the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Association Teaching Award in 1992 and an induction into the International Adult Continuing Education Hall of Fame in 2014.
She passed away in the summer of 2016. She will be deeply missed.
Professor, department of English
Chairperson, department of humanities and languages, Saint John
In 2015, David Creelman was recognized with a prestigious 3M National Teaching Fellowship Award for his excellence in the classroom and for his educational leadership. He has been an engaged presence inside and outside of the classroom at UNB Saint John for 24 years.
Dr. Creelman worked with a group of faculty and staff at UNB to create an introductory course, UNIV 1003: Everything I Need to Know in First Year, that provides new students with the tools and support they need to make it through the journey from high school to university.
“People are transformed when they get a university education. I know we sometimes overuse that word, but it is true. Universities change people,” he says.
“We offer that opportunity to people across New Brunswick and beyond. We meet them where they are when they arrive, and we give the skills and the chance to work, study, learn and become the person they want to be. What could be better?”
Chancellor
Allison McCain was invested into the Order of Canada in 2015, recognizing his exceptional achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.
In bestowing the honour, the Governor General saluted Dr. McCain for his contributions as a business and community leader whose philanthropy has sustained cultural, educational and civic initiatives.
Dr. McCain is a devoted ambassador for our university, actively connecting UNB to the greater community. Before his appointment as UNB chancellor in 2013, he was an active volunteer and alumnus, chairing the Forging our Futures fundraising campaign, which exceeded its goal – raising an unprecedented $107 million.
An internationally respected business leader, Dr. McCain is chairman of McCain Foods Limited, chair of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery’s board of governors, and serves on the board of the New Brunswick Business Council.
Associate vice-president of capital planning and property development
In 2015, Barbara Nicholson was named a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, earning national recognition for her remarkable achievements and service to the community and architecture profession. During her career, she has mentored many students, encouraging them to follow in the rewarding field of architecture.
Her commitment to sustainable design has been exemplified during her time at UNB. Under Ms. Nicholson’s leadership, UNB has fostered the construction of green buildings such as the Hans W. Klohn Commons and The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER, to name a few.
Since joining the university in 2007, she has focused heavily on energy conservation, which has paid off for the university in varied ways, including significant reductions in energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions while improving operational efficiencies and creating a more comfortable work and learning environment for staff, faculty and students.
Jurist-in-residence, faculty of law, Fredericton
Students and faculty are fortunate to have access to the knowledge that Mr. Justice Joseph Robertson has accumulated over the course of his 23 years as a judge. For Justice Robertson, the feeling is mutual.
“I feel incredibly honoured to be associated with UNB’s faculty of law, with its diverse and highly qualified faculty and a capable and smart student body,” says Justice Robertson, who was announced as jurist-in-residence at UNB in October, 2015.
The former appellate court judge – he has served on both the Federal Appeal Court and the Court of Appeal of New Brunswick – is himself a graduate of UNB Law (LL.B ‘71). Prior to his time as a judge, he spent 13 years as a professor in the faculty of law. Through his teaching, students are privy to first-hand accounts of the details and strategies that go into constructing a decision.
As jurist-in-residence, he wears many hats. He’s a mentor, a guest lecturer and counsellor. “I’m here to be used gently,” he says, “to do whatever I can to promote the interests of the faculty, students and the university.”
Senior teaching associate, department of engineering, faculty of science, applied science and engineering, Saint John
In 2015, Dale Roach was recognized with the Association of Atlantic Universities Anne Marie MacKinnon Educational Leadership Award for his “demonstrated commitment to the improvement of university teaching."
As a member of UNB Saint John’s Vice-President’s Excellence in Teaching Committee, he is helping build stronger teaching community by sharing his passion and expertise with others and encouraging them to do the same.
“I believe that the solution lies in the building of strong communities and cultures of teaching on our campuses and by supporting and engaging new faculty to help them make the transition to the profession of teaching,” he says.
Retired director, Career Development and Employment Centre, Fredericton
Until her retirement in 2016, Anne Soucy has worked in the area of student development for 25 years and has been continually recognized for her dedication. Among the honours is a life membership to the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers, a rare and significant award handed out only on a case-by-case basis.
“Anne is a go-getter – she makes things happen. Our students and our profession is all the better for her commitment and involvement,” says Sara Rothman, senior director of academic success for student services in Fredericton.
Ms. Soucy says it was a tough decision to retire as director of the Career Development and Employment Centre.
“I’ve been very much invested in the job and it’s very hard for me to step away,” she says. “I’ve had wonderful colleagues and very good support.”
