Three distinguished Douglas College instructors were honoured on February 16 at the Faculty Emeritus Awards ceremony. The retired trio were recognized for their unqualified commitment to teaching and their outstanding contributions to their departments, to the College community and to the community at large. Pictured left to right: Bob Browne (Chemistry), Brian Davies (Philosophy and Humanities) and Chris Johnson (Sports Sciences). A passionate commitment to teaching. Natural mentors for new instructors. Outstanding contributions to their departments, to the College community and to the community at large. All that — and a lot more — was said of three distinguished Douglas College instructors at the February 16 Board Meeting where the Faculty Emeritus Awards ceremony was held. The trio of Bob Browne (Chemistry), Brian Davies (Philosophy and Humanities) and Chris Johnson (Sports Sciences) were recognized for their excellence in teaching and outstanding contribution to their disciplines. An instructor for 34 years, Browne received his Ph.D (Chemistry) from UBC in 1969. The long- time chair of the Department of Chemistry, he also designed the department's website and maintained it for 10 years. Browne has always been on the cutting edge of technology use in the classroom. Browne has earned numerous awards and accolades, including the 2001 Nova Chemical Ltd Award for Chemistry Teaching in Community and Technical Colleges. In 2004, he received the Douglas College Award for Faculty Excellence. Browne became a Science Master Fellow in the Department of Chemistry at UBC in 1986. Davies, an instructor for over 28 years, has been deeply generous with his time and his interest in new instructors. As one colleague put it, “it’s as though mentor was, and still is, his middle name.” A completely dedicated and successful educator as well as an excellent Philosopher, Davies brought boundless energy and intensity to his profession. He wrote or revised most of the department's curriculum from 1980 to 1994. He served as Convenor and Department Bittle honoured, surprised by selection for Distinguished Alumni Award Steven Bittle, recipient of Douglas College's 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award, was unable to attend the ceremonies held at the College in November. But the influential Senior Research Officer with the Law Commission of Canada sent a letter to Alumni Association President Brenda Pickard expressing his gratitude. Dear Ms. Pickard: I would like to sincerely thank the Douglas College Alumni Association for selecting me to receive the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award. I apologize for taking some time to write to you. However, as you know, I have been distracted over the past several months dealing with some health issues. I was deeply honoured and surprised to receive this award. As I have relayed to Colin Campbell, I look back very fondly upon my time at Douglas College. In addition to the criminology courses that I took, classes in sociology, philosophy, political science and psychology provided me with the basis and confidence to continue my studies at other post- secondary institutions. I very much regret not being able to attend the Award Ceremony last spring. I would have enjoyed the opportunity to thank you in person for honouring me with this award. Now that I am healthy again, I am confident that I will find time in the near future to visit Douglas College. Once again, thank you for recognizing me with this award. I am truly honoured. I hope that you and the rest of the Alumni Association members have a wonderful holiday season. Sincerely, Steven Bittle Chair for 10 years and regularly served on many department and College committees. His keen mind, warm manner and enthusiasm have earned the respect, admiration and affection of students and faculty alike. Johnson has made an outstanding contribution to the College and the community as a coach's coach. He has taught in the Sports Sciences area and developed numerous programs since the early 1970's. He was instrumental in developing the National Coaching and Certification program and the curriculum for the Coaching Diploma program. He has personally certified more than 9,000 community coaches through the National Coaching Certification Program. His efforts have earned him numerous awards, including the British Columbia Coat of Arms, the Order of British Columbia and the Government of Canada Certificate of Merit for Community Service. He was a finalist in the inaugural Canadian forms available on-line at: barber.htm for Colleges accumulated educational costs. Foundation Student scholarships available The Financial Aid Office would like instructors to encourage their students to apply for the following scholarships: Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Program Up to 150 scholarships valued at $5,000 will be offered annually to students from public colleges across BC who are transferring into third year at a BC public post-secondary institution to complete a degree. Information and application www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentservices/student/sp/awards/ike_ Application deadline: March 31, 2006. Garfield Weston Merit Scholarships Upper Year Awards: Up to 25 GWMSC National Awards, which comprise: a tuition waiver renewable for one or two additional years; an $8,000 stipend renewable for one or two additional years; access to summer program funding; and a $4,000 retroactive award payable upon selection to help defray ¢ Up to 18 GWMSC Regional Awards, which comprise: a $4,000 one-time scholarship. ¢ Up to 15 GWMSC Provincial Awards, which comprise: a $2,500 one-year scholarship Information and application forms available on-line at: www.gwmsc.ca/content/en/upper-year-description.htm Application deadline: March 31, 2006 2006 Canada Millennium Scholarship National In-Course Awards: A total of 1,200 awards worth $4,000 to $5,000 will be offered to students across Canada who are mid- way through their program. Information and application forms available on-line at: www.awardforexcellence.ca/selection.asp Application deadline: May 31, 2006. Presentation of Faculty Emeritus Awards Governor General’s National Award to Honour Volunteers. The new Fitness Centre at the College was named after him in 2003 when he retired and Johnson was recognized by Sport BC with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Faculty Emeritus Awards were first presented last year to recognize the excellence of retiring faculty. The awards are based in part on their willingness and commitment to remain engaged in such College activities as mentorship, scholarship and strategic academic planning. College President Susan Witter said the College community is delighted and fortunate to continue to benefit from the talents of Browne, Davies and Johnson. “Their colleagues are looking forward to their continued association with the College in sharing their expertise, which will bring long term benefits to many students and colleagues in the future,” Witter said.