Recognition of the loyalty, dedication, and hard work of the staff members of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science is at the goal of the annual Staff Excellence Awards. This year, it was an all-female sweep as four women were selected as winners. They were chosen by a committee of representatives from across the faculty and presented with commemorative plaques at a special reception in early December. Below are their personal reactions to winning the 2011 Staff Excellence Awards.
From left to right: Cléa Desjardins, Dora Iordan, Emi Lu, Olga Soares
Cléa Desjardins - Communications Advisor, Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
Although I've only been part of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science for two and a half years, I feel like I'm part of a close-knit family. Coming to work every day is a true pleasure, made all the more interesting by all the students, staff, and faculty members I am lucky enough to meet and interview. Being selected for this award is icing on the cake! I'm honoured to be recognized alongside such passionate and dedicated colleagues and, although I'm about to take up new responsibilities with Concordia's University Communications Services team, I have truly appreciated my time with this Faculty and will never forget the strong friendships I have built while part of this great family.
Dora Iordan - Research Facilitator, Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
Receiving this award is a great honour that I share with all those who have helped me achieve this recognition, particularly Georgia Michalakopoulos, Research Officer for the Faculty and my colleagues in the Office of Research. My service to faculty members has been extremely gratifying. Since joining Concordia, three years ago, I have had the privilege of working with researchers who have not only shown great enthusiasm and collaboration, but touched me deeply with their warmth and generosity. Thanks to the research community collaboration that I found in the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science environment, I could complete my activities at an unprecedented rate. I wish to thank the researchers who nominated me and those who supported my nomination and thank the faculty for this honour.
Emi Lu - Database Analyst, Academic Information Technology Services
I was certainly excited to have found out that I was one of the winners of the Staff Excellence Award. It is truly an honour to be recognized, selected and encouraged for my work considering there are so many excellent staff members doing great things for the faculty on a daily basis. The Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science at Concordia University is a great team that I have always been passionate about. It is a real pleasure to work together with my colleagues who are also my friends. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a member of a big family. Without the support of my colleagues, I know I would not be where I am today. I am sincerely thanking the people who have played key roles in my development and continue to support me in all my endeavours.
Olga Soares - Department Administrator, Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering
I am honoured and grateful to have been awarded the Staff Excellence Award and delighted to be in the company of fellow award recipients for whom I have utmost respect and who truly excel at their work. I have been working at the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering for over 22 years and job still continues to be an interesting challenge and a pleasure. To be recognized for doing work that I enjoy and truly care about is humbling. I have been fortunate to work for four Chairmen (Drs. Fazio, Moselhi, Alkass and Zaheeruddin) who put their trust in me and give me the freedom to "run the shop." I would like to thank the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, BCEE faculty members and the BCEE staff for their support. When I joined BCEE I vowed to leave when the work became boring, that has not happened yet!
From left to right: Cléa Desjardins, Dora Iordan, Emi Lu, Olga SoaresCléa Desjardins - Communications Advisor, Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
Although I've only been part of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science for two and a half years, I feel like I'm part of a close-knit family. Coming to work every day is a true pleasure, made all the more interesting by all the students, staff, and faculty members I am lucky enough to meet and interview. Being selected for this award is icing on the cake! I'm honoured to be recognized alongside such passionate and dedicated colleagues and, although I'm about to take up new responsibilities with Concordia's University Communications Services team, I have truly appreciated my time with this Faculty and will never forget the strong friendships I have built while part of this great family.
Dora Iordan - Research Facilitator, Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
Receiving this award is a great honour that I share with all those who have helped me achieve this recognition, particularly Georgia Michalakopoulos, Research Officer for the Faculty and my colleagues in the Office of Research. My service to faculty members has been extremely gratifying. Since joining Concordia, three years ago, I have had the privilege of working with researchers who have not only shown great enthusiasm and collaboration, but touched me deeply with their warmth and generosity. Thanks to the research community collaboration that I found in the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science environment, I could complete my activities at an unprecedented rate. I wish to thank the researchers who nominated me and those who supported my nomination and thank the faculty for this honour.
Emi Lu - Database Analyst, Academic Information Technology Services
I was certainly excited to have found out that I was one of the winners of the Staff Excellence Award. It is truly an honour to be recognized, selected and encouraged for my work considering there are so many excellent staff members doing great things for the faculty on a daily basis. The Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science at Concordia University is a great team that I have always been passionate about. It is a real pleasure to work together with my colleagues who are also my friends. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a member of a big family. Without the support of my colleagues, I know I would not be where I am today. I am sincerely thanking the people who have played key roles in my development and continue to support me in all my endeavours.
Olga Soares - Department Administrator, Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering
I am honoured and grateful to have been awarded the Staff Excellence Award and delighted to be in the company of fellow award recipients for whom I have utmost respect and who truly excel at their work. I have been working at the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering for over 22 years and job still continues to be an interesting challenge and a pleasure. To be recognized for doing work that I enjoy and truly care about is humbling. I have been fortunate to work for four Chairmen (Drs. Fazio, Moselhi, Alkass and Zaheeruddin) who put their trust in me and give me the freedom to "run the shop." I would like to thank the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, BCEE faculty members and the BCEE staff for their support. When I joined BCEE I vowed to leave when the work became boring, that has not happened yet!
