Celebrating the Best of Arts

The Faculty recently held a function to recognise the many outstanding achievements of Arts staff and students over the past year.

The “Best of Arts” celebration was held in the marquee on the Old Government House lawn on 29 September 2014. An afternoon ceremony provided staff and students to mix and mingle, and find out more about the achievements of their colleagues.

Maori Studies academic Hone Sadler opened the proceedings with a mihi. Professor Robert Greenberg (Dean of Arts) followed, with a speech that welcomed attendees and highlighted some of the special accomplishments of the Faculty and its members over recent months.

Particular achievements were then acknowledged in the staff and student awards. Professor Thegn Ladefoged presented Faculty of Arts Research Excellence Awards to Associate Professor Tracy Adams and Professor Simon Holdaway. Linda Bryder (Head of History) likewise received a Faculty award, and was also honoured as a University of Auckland Research Excellence Award winner.

The Faculty of Arts Teaching Excellence Awards were presented by Dr. Misha Kavka to Dr. David Mayeda of Sociology and Kathy Smits, Head of Politics and International Relations. Dr. Kavka also presented awards to the CLeaR Teaching Fellows: Dr. Stephen Turner (for 2014) and Associate-Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment (for 2015).

To cap off the staff awards, Professor Greenberg presented Marama Le Heron Denney with a Professional Staff Excellence Award for her contribution to Student and Academic Services.

The student awards were introduced by Max Lin, a representative of the Students’ Association, AUASA. Caitlin Smart and Yanni Cowie were recognised for their success in the SPARK competition earlier in 2014, and Dr. Deborah Montgomerie acknowledged the 2013 Senior Prize winners for their academic excellence.

Moana Oh (Student Development and Engagement Manager) presented the Best of Arts Award for Outstanding Tuakana Mentor to Benedict Stewart and Samantha Lagos. She also presented Alex Cliffe and Matthew Barrett with Best of Arts Awards for their contributions as Outstanding First Year Experience (FYE) Mentors.

Professor Fred Kroon presented Best Thesis awards to research students Katrina Ford, Lina Gonzalez and Robert Miles. To wrap up the formal proceedings, Three-Minute Thesis Competition winner Lawrence Xu gave his prize-winning speech.

Awardees then enjoyed refreshments and music into the evening, enjoying the chance to socialise with other Arts academics and invited guests.