Long-time School of Business Professor Harvey Willows is the recipient of the 2009 Wicken Memorial Teaching Excellence Award, presented at the 24th annual Wicken Award Dinner on Nov. 24 at the Student Residence and Conference Centre.

The Wicken Awards celebrate the memory and contributions of George Wicken, a Centennial College English professor who died far too young, at the age of 36, in 1984. George was revered for his tireless dedication to students and the teaching profession. The Wicken Awards Dinner has been held annually since 1985 to honour his memory.

In addition to his passion and enthusiasm for his subjects in the field of business accounting, a defining characteristic of Harvey Willow’s teaching is his concern for the success of his students – a trait shared with namesake George Wicken. Harvey also becomes an automatic recipient of the Board of Governors' Teaching Excellence Award, reflecting Centennial’s commitment to the goal of learning excellence. 

To complement the Teaching Award, one Centennial student is selected each year for the George Wicken Student Award, based on his or her academic performance in an English course. This year's winner is Svetlana Dogadin.

The recently established Professional Excellence Award is given to a nominated full-time, sessional or part-time professor in recognition of their professional excellence, collegiality or peer leadership. This year’s recipient is School of Business Professor Vern Kennedy, who won for his outstanding volunteer work leading the Play It Smart community outreach program, which allows local youth to play basketball and brush up on their math and English skills on Saturday mornings.

The Support Staff Excellence Award, named for Diane Fagel, a retired Centennial staff member who supported the Wicken Awards process from the beginning until her retirement in 2004, recognizes the contributions of a support staff member who enables teaching and learning excellence to benefit students. This year’s win is shared between two support staff members: Denise Andrews, who is a Program Officer for the college’s Access programs, and Laurina Aranha, who also works in the School of Advancement.

Harvey was selected from an impressive slate of professors nominated by their students. Congratulations to this year’s nominees:

Joan Davis, School of Continuing Education
Smilja Jankovic, School of Engineering Technology and Applied Science
Jeffery Parsons, School of Business
Donna Simpson, School of Community and Health Studies