Image: Faculty of Design Dean Dr. Dori Tunstall presents Professor Emerit Avi Dunkelman with the Emerit designation at OCAD University's 2022 Convocation Ceremony. They are joined on stage with Chancellor Jaime Watt and President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano.
OCAD U honours faculty for their long service and dedication
OCAD University celebrated its faculty members at a virtual appreciation event on June 24 that honoured long-serving professors, retiring scholars and academic administrators who have completed their terms.
“I want to thank you all for your incredible work, creativity, flexibility and commitment over the past year – it has continued to be a challenge with the ongoing pandemic, but as a community, you came together to ensure our students received engaging and enriching learning opportunities.,” President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano expressed at the beginning of the event.
Gratitude to academic administrators completing their terms
The festivities included an acknowledgement of the academic administrators who will be finishing their terms.
“These faculty members are integral to the running of the University and to student success. I appreciate their contribution and for leading our colleagues through the uncertainties of a second academic year characterized by the pandemic,” said Vice-President, Academic and Provost Dr. Caroline Langill.
The following faculty members were thanked for their service:
Faculty of Art
Jason Baerg, Acting Chair, Sculpture and Installation and Integrated Media
Judith Doyle, Chair, First Year Experience
Dr. Jana Macalik, Acting Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
Wrik Mead and Veronika Szkudlarek, Co-Chairs Experimental Animation
Dr. Dot Tuer, Interim Chair, Criticism & Curatorial Practice
Faculty of Design
Dr. Sugandha Gaur, Acting Chair, Advertising
Dr. Jay Irizawa, Acting Chair, Advertising
Dr. Kathy Moscou, Interim Associate Dean Academic Affairs
Faculty of Arts and Science
Nick Puckett, Chair, Digital Futures
Dr. Alia Weston, Acting Associate Dean
Dr. Ryan Whyte, Chair, Visual and Critical Studies
Graduate Studies
Dr. Andrew Gayed, Graduate Program Director, Art Criticism and Curatorial Practice
Dr. Ashok Mathur, Dean, Graduate Studies and Vice-President, Research & Innovation
Dr. Michelle Wyndham-West, Graduate Program Director, Inclusive Design
Honouring long-serving faculty
The gathering also featured a celebration of long-serving faculty members who have recently marked a milestone achievement in their roles at the University. The following professors were honoured for their dedication to the community and continuing commitment to art and design education:
20 years of service
Bruce Hinds, Associate Professor, Faculty of Design
Jean-Christian Knaff, Associate Professor, Faculty of Design
25 years of service
April Hickox, Associate Professor, Faculty of Art
30 years of service
June Lawrason, Associate Professor, Faculty of Design
35 years of service
Judith Doyle, Associate Professor, Faculty of Art and Chair, First Year Experience
Reflecting on the vibrant careers of retiring faculty members
The event culminated with a show of deep appreciation of seven esteemed faculty members who will be retiring this year including:
Dr. Doreen Balabanoff, Professor Emerit, Faculty of Design
Doreen Balabanoff is an artist, designer, educator and administrator who over her years at OCAD University served as Faculty of Design Assistant Dean, First Year Design, Associate Dean, Academic and Faculty and Acting Dean. She has taught in several Graduate Studies programs, Interdisciplinary Art, Media and Design, Inclusive Design and Design for Health.
Frederick Burbach, Faculty of Design Associate Professor
Professor Frederich Burbach has practiced design internationally for over 30 years. Known for his exacting eye for design and generous feedback for his students, Professor Burbach has taught graphic design, design history, typography and advertising at OCAD University for almost 20 years.
Avi Dunkelman, Professor Emerit, Faculty of Design
A graduate of OCAD University (then OCA) in 1980, Professor Dunkelman has expertise in corporate branding and visual identity. After studying design in Switzerland, he went on to found his own design firm Avi Dunkelman Design+Communications Inc. which has served clients internationally.
Dr. Martha Ladly, Professor Emerit, Faculty of Arts and Science
Specializing in teaching and practice-based research in design, art, media and technology, Dr. Ladly has taught in the Digital Futures graduate and undergraduate programs and the Interdisciplinary Art, Media and Design graduate program (IAMD) at OCAD U. Dr. Ladly is the former Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, former Graduate Program Director of the IAMD program and founding Chair of the Research Ethics Board.
Dr. Gayle Nicoll, Professor Emerit, Faculty of Design
A professor in the Environmental Design undergraduate program and Inclusive Design and Design for Health graduate programs at OCAD University, Dr. Nicoll is a trained architect who taught at Ryerson University and was the Chair of the Department of Architecture at the University of Texas, after leaving her post as partner at Nicoll and Robulack Architects in 1992.
Dick (Edmond) Rampen, Associate Professor, Faculty of Design
After graduating from OCAD University (then OCA) in 1980, Professor Rampen has been teaching for almost 40 years on subjects that include industrial design, plastics technology, prototyping and musical instrument design and construction.
Michèle White, Professor Emerit, Faculty of Art Professor
Professor White has taught for over 40 years and is well-known for her classes in the Drawing and Painting program. After graduating from OCAD University in 1978 (then OCA), Professor White has exhibited her encaustic paintings internationally, earning numerous grants and teaching awards along the way. She is celebrated for her commitment to equity and justice at OCAD U, championing the hiring of women and BIPOC faculty.
Congratulations to all honorees!