The Queen’s community gathered Wednesday for the Principal’s Holiday Reception to recognize and celebrate staff contributions over the past year.

Principal Daniel Woolf presented Queen’s Special Recognition for Staff Awards to seven deserving individuals. This year’s winners are:

Melinda Knox and Kelly Blair-Matuk, Coordinators of Research Activities and Communications, Office of the Vice-Principal (Research)

This dynamic duo is responsible for the recent surge in fellowships and external awards to Queen’s researchers. As leaders of the institutional nomination process for major national and international research awards, Kelly and Melinda routinely embrace impossible deadlines while submitting between 60 and 80 nominations annually. They approach each nomination package with skill, efficiency and sensitivity and have helped faculty members garner Killam Prizes, appointments to the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario, a Molson Prize, two SSHRC Impact Awards, among dozens of others. Kelly and Melinda also promote Queen’s research excellence as editors of the magazine (e)AFFECT.

Sandy McFadden, Manager, Entrance Awards Program, Office of the University Registrar

For countless prospective students who crowd the Queen’s booth at annual Ontario Universities’ Fair, Sandy and her warm welcome form a first and lasting impression of the university. In her role, Sandy oversees the administration of a wide range of financial assistance programs. With her characteristic warmth and empathy, she helps students and their families to navigate this complex web of options. Her recommendations have helped to improve the PeopleSoft Financial Aid system and the redevelopment of the Admission and General Bursary administrative systems.

Sandra Murray, Program Coordinator, Centre for Teaching and Learning

Sandra has been the soul of the Centre for Teaching and Learning since it opened in 1993. As program coordinator, she offers support and advice to hundreds of faculty and graduate students seeking guidance and information. Sandra coordinates all CTL programs, conferences, special events and guest speakers. She was the catalyst behind the successful Creative Expressions of Teaching and Learning exhibit, celebrating Queen’s 175^th and the CTL’s 25^th anniversaries in October.

Ben Seewald, Alumni Officer, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, Office of Advancement

As the alumni officer facilitating student-alumni programming, Ben brings a special combination of enthusiasm and strategic vision to his work, helping alumni to make a difference in the lives of students. Under Ben’s direction, the Queen’s University Student Alumni Association rebranded and flourished, receiving national and international accolades from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. He has been instrumental in ensuring the growth of the QSAA and building a foundation for a Young Alumni Engagement Plan for Queen’s.

Deborah Smith, Examination Administrator, Office of the University Registrar

As examination administrator, Deborah Smith oversees the scheduling and organizing of exams sessions. To understand the scope of this responsibility, consider this: About 17,453 students will write 60,899 between Dec. 7 and Dec. 20 and administers nearly 5,000 individualized exam accommodations for students with special needs. She regularly reviews and makes improvements to the examination administration process, including creating witty, fun and effective proctor training sessions. Deborah cares deeply about her work and the impact she has on the lives of students.

Angela Street, Senior Awards Officer, OSAP and Loan Programs, Office of the University Registrar

As a 17-year member of Student Awards, Angie is revered among her colleagues as the subject-matter expert on OSAP and chief navigator of its complex maze of policies and procedures, rules and regulations. She is known for her thoughtfulness and caring, especially in the case of students whose situations do not exactly “fit” the OSAP mould. If OSAP options appear to be limited, she will thoroughly pore through all the policy manuals and will not stop until all avenues are exhausted. Angie will then draw upon her extensive knowledge of Queen’s financial aid programs to present additional opportunities to students.