People at Laurier

Professor Hind Al-Abadleh was named the 2022 winner of the Gilead Award for Excellence in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The award is presented to a chemist as a mark of distinction and recognition for excellence in equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Tony Araujo has been appointed interim senior executive officer of Laurier’s Brantford campus. He will also continue responsibilities of his previous role, including overseeing Safety, Health, Environment and Risk Management and Special Constable Services.

Jennifer Baltzer has been named the Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change. An associate professor in Laurier’s Department of Biology, Baltzer’s research will examine how the effects of climate change will impact forest ecosystems in Canada’s North.

Laurier appointed Dahlia Bateman as the institution’s general counsel and lead for the Office of Legal Services and Fair Practices. Bateman brings 17 years of experience as a legal counsel across sectors including technology, broadcasting, music and hospitality.

Longtime director of Athletics and Recreation Peter Baxter retired in April. Baxter served as director for more than 23 years, providing invaluable contributions to growing Laurier’s athletics programs.

Stephanie DeWitte-Orr, an associate professor in Laurier’s departments of Biology and Health Sciences, has been named the 2022-23 University Research Professor. The annual internal award recognizes excellence and leadership in research and provides time and funding for the winner to complete a major research project.

Thomas Fleming, a professor of criminology and contemporary studies at Laurier’s Brantford campus, was named an Alumni of Influence by University College, a constituent college of the University of Toronto.

Patricia Genoe McLaren was appointed associate vice-president: academic for a five-year term. McLaren has been with Laurier since 2009 and is currently associate dean of undergraduate business programs at the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics.

Cynthia Johnston Turner, dean of Laurier’s Faculty of Music, was inducted into the American Bandmasters Association. The association recognizes outstanding achievements by concert band conductors and composers.

Renée MacPhee, an associate professor in the departments of Kinesiology and Physical Education and Health Sciences, was awarded Laurier’s Faculty Award for Service Excellence and Community Engagement. The award recognizes full-time faculty and librarians who, in addition to their teaching and scholarship, are leaders in service to the community and/or university.

Kate McCrae Bristol, Laurier’s dean of students, Waterloo campus, was appointed acting director: Athletics and Recreation for a one-year term running until Feb. 28, 2023.

Josephine McMurray, associate professor at the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, was appointed an associate scientific director with AGE-WELL, Canada’s technology and aging network.

Laurier appointed Kalyani Menon as the interim dean of the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. Menon will serve as interim dean beginning Jan. 1, 2023 for a period of 18 months or until the search for a new dean is completed.

Laurier named Richelle Monaghan, vice-dean of the Faculty of Science and associate professor of community health and biology, as its 2022 Teaching Fellow. Monaghan is an award-winning teacher and mentor known for incorporating innovative and engaging learning experiences into her courses. 

Christine Neill, an associate professor in the Department of Economics, was awarded Laurier’s Faculty Award for Service Excellence and Community Engagement. The award recognizes full-time faculty and librarians who, in addition to their teaching and scholarship, are leaders in service to the community and/or university.

Heidi Northwood was appointed interim provost and vice-president, academic. As part of the interim provost role, Northwood will retain her current leadership of Laurier’s global strategy and internationalization initiatives. She most recently served as senior executive officer of Laurier’s Brantford campus.

Amanda Oliver, the Laurier Library’s head of Archives and Special Collections, was awarded a Preservation Publication Award Special Commendation by the Society of American Archivists. Oliver received the honour for her article “The Impact of Climate Change on Canadian Archives.”

Karin Schnarr, an associate professor in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, was appointed as chair of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario’s board of directors for a three-year term.

The Journal of Finance presented its 2021 Dimensional Fund Advisors best paper award to Andriy Shkilko, professor of finance. Shkilko shares the award with his co-author, Konstantin Sokolov, a graduate of the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics.

Wildlife ecologist Frances Stewart has been named Canada Research Chair in Northern Wildlife Biology. Stewart serves as an assistant professor in Laurier’s Department of Biology.

Heidi Swanson was appointed Laurier’s inaugural Jarislowsky Chairholder in Sustainable Water Futures. The endowed research chair was established through a transformational $2-million gift from the Jarislowsky Foundation and will focus on sustainable resource management and adaptation to climate change.

Laurier appointed Brent Wolfe, professor of geography and environmental studies, as the acting associate vice-president and dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Wolfe’s one-year term began July 1.

Ernest Yanful has been appointed senior advisor in the establishment of engineering programs and initiatives at Laurier’s new Milton campus. Yanful is a professor emeritus in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Western University.