A sustainable spin on annual awards
Honorees at the ninth annual OREP BBQ received statues that celebrate U of T’s past and future.
On August 20, over 750 staff members from across Operations and Real Estate Partnerships gathered in a sun-dappled University College Quad for the division’s annual awards BBQ, an event that celebrates the staff who keep the wheels turning at U of T.
Brand new for 2024 were the awards themselves, beautiful statues carved out of wood featuring University iconography and artwork by a local Indigenous creator.
“This year, we deepened the awards’ connection to U of T and the institution’s focus on sustainability,” says Chief Operating Officer Ron Saporta, who suggested the award redesign to the St. George Sustainability Office.
Local craftsman Robert Jarvis of Just Be Woodsy designed the award statues, created from materials reclaimed from the University’s Landmark Project. The wood represents a great variety of campus tree species—elm, gingko, red oak, ash, and maple—reflecting the diversity of the University itself and the many people who work and study here.
Meanwhile, Sustainability Coordinator Kaitlyn Myles worked with Anishnaabe artist Keitha Keeshig-Tobias Biizindam to come up with a visual concept, supported by design work from F&S work study student Petra Amon.
“We gave Keitha some basic direction, and she ran with it beautifully to create a spectacular piece,” says Myles. “Her work on the award encompasses iconic U of T features like Philosophers’ Walk, Taddle Creek, the beaver from our coat of arms, and many other natural elements.” Biizindam’s design was laser-engraved onto the statues.
“I wanted this piece to work as a visual representation of the Anishnaabe perspective on the path to a sustainable future, built with a knowledge and respect of nature,” Biizindam explains in her artist’s statement about the work. “Nature has so much to teach us and provides us with all the necessities of life.”
“We’re really excited about the finished product,” says Myles. “Each piece is unique in its own way, just like every winner! This collaboration feels like a big win across the board. With local businesses, Indigenous community members and University students involved throughout the process, the new awards represent U of T’s commitment to our community as a whole—which is a very sustainability-centric idea!”
The OREP awards BBQ was a huge success, with performances from U of T Faculty of Music students and Sustainable Beats, featuring the SO’s very own Scott Hendershot on drums alongside colleagues from F&S and UPDC.
This year, 19 F&S employees received awards in categories ranging from service excellence to impact.
See the full list of award winners, below:
Service Excellence Award
- Andrzej Kosiorek, Caretaker, Caretaking
- Blair Gallant, Sheetmetal Worker, Trades Services
- Christie Anderson, Administrative Assistant, Building Services, Grounds & Trades, and Sustainability & Energy Management
- Peter Domjancic, Journeyman, Control Technicians
- Ronald Shakespeare, Property Manager, Property Management
Impact Award (Team)
- F&S Contracts Management Application
- Shannon Guo, Business Officer
- Usama Makary, Manager, Finance
- Darrel Fernandopulle, Director, Financial Services
- Mezba Mahtab, Lead Developer & Systems Architect
- Jozef Nowogorski, Developer
- Gabriel Moga, Information Technology Solutions Administrator
- Nebojsa Marusic, Manager, Systems & Operational Development
- Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus (SRIC) Readiness
- Patrick Brennan, Senior Manager, Commercial Property Management
- Lionel Cooper, Commercial Property Manager
- Michael Wald, Director, Commercial Partnerships, Real Estate Department
- Priscilla Guimaraes-Aviado, Commercial Leasing Analyst, Real Estate Department
Impact Award (Individual)
- Peter Kita, Electrician Foreman,
- Ekaterini Kakarelis, Service Worker, Caretaking
- Carley Ann Moffatt, Communications Operator, Campus Safety
- Denise Ann Rose, Manager, Fire Prevention Services
- Steven Douglas Moore, Staff Sergeant, Campus Safety