“2020 has been one of the most unique years that our local and international community has faced. TWU has had to adapt to the ever-changing world around us through the help of its amazing employees.”
— Margaret Tam, TWU Executive Director of Human Resources.
Virtual Community Day at TWU celebrates achievements, milestones and builds team connections
Currently, roughly 5,000 students are learning and thriving at Trinity Western University. The people who foster and support students’ academic and personal growth at TWU include a community of roughly 800 professors, researchers and staff who represent a wide spectrum of expertise, specializations and capacities.
Every summer, TWU Human Resources department celebrates the University’s backbone of staff and faculty through a campus-wide Community Day.
During TWU Community Day, University employees gather together for meals, prayer and worship service, award ceremonies, and team-building activities.
Celebrating TWU team spirit
This year, to accommodate health and safety protocols in light of COVID-19, TWU hosted Community Day virtually on August 24, 2020.
“At TWU, employees are at the heart of our organization.” says Margaret Tam, TWU Executive Director of Human Resources. “2020 has been one of the most unique years that our local and international community has faced. TWU has had to adapt to the ever-changing world around us through the help of its amazing employees.”
“The TWU Virtual Community Day celebrates staff, faculty, and teams for their significant contributions to TWU and is a demonstration of our community spirit,” says Tam.
TWU Virtual Community Day was held on Monday, August 24 through online platforms. The morning session included a livestream musical worship service, led by Anna-Marie Ryan, TWU Music graduate and TWU Coordinator of Academic Records and Graduation, alongside Johnny Fwu, TWU Human Resources Generalist, who played keyboard.
TWU’s President, Dr. Mark Husbands, delivered a message on hope. "Christ is the hope and light of the world, and he is the one who will shepherd this remarkable university this year. No matter what comes our way, we can place our lives in the hands of a gracious, loving, and ever-faithful Lord," said Dr. Husbands to the community.
Grant McMillan, TWU University Registrar, recognized employees who had reached significant milestone years of service: 5, 10, 15, 25, 30 and 35 years of employment.
Margaret Tam, TWU Executive Director of Human Resources, conferred employee awards. Following the awarding ceremony, the TWU Human Kinetics department’s OMADA team led virtual team-building exercises and competitive games. OMADA specializes in helping people to identify strengths and weaknesses, with the goal of maximizing personal and team potential.
Seeking greater innovation and customer service
TWU celebrated employees who went above and beyond their scope to support others and creatively solve problems. Gifts and certificates of appreciation were presented, and video tributes were shared, to honour winning teams and individuals on their community contributions.
This year, Scott Macklin won the Innovator Award for his work in driving the University’s advancements in online and global learning. Macklin, who is TWU Executive Director of Online Learning, helped prepare staff and faculty for more effective online student engagement and educational delivery during COVID-19.
“I am so fortunate to work with good people committed to developing community well-being through creative practice and collective impact,” says Macklin.
Melissa Au, TWU Senior Marketing Manager won the Mentor Award, while the Unsung Hero award went to Deanne Mackie, TWU Housing Services Manager, who serves the University’s student residents.
Susan Mattam, Assistant to the Associate Dean of Trinity Western Seminary, and Darlene Hahn, Program Manager for the Master of Business Administration, were joint recipients for the Consider It Done award – going “above and beyond to get the job done.”
Teams overcome COVID-19 challenges
The TWU Library Team won Best Customer Service award. Darcy Gullacher, TWU University Librarian, applauded his team for their good work despite disruptions to normal operations due to COVID-19:
“Through the course of a renovation and disruptions to our operations due to COVID-19, I am extremely proud of the ongoing commitment to excellent customer service by the Norma Marion Alloway Library team. It is an honour to work with such an excellent group of people.”
Since March, the TWU Library has provided virtual research coaching and contactless book pick-up services.
The TWU GLOBAL Online Learning team won the Team Impact award for their work in expanding the University’s educational delivery worldwide.
Scott Macklin speaks on behalf of the TWU GLOBAL Online Learning team, in the below video.
Employees helping employees stay safe
This summer, the TWU Campus Services team have been busy setting up the university campus for safe operations. Within about one week (Aug 10-17), TWU Campus Services staff installed over 5,000 signs across campus to encourage physical distancing and promote conscientious personal hygiene.
Additionally, staff have installed new touchless sliding doors in main student buildings and plexiglass for customer service and reception areas.
The TWU Public Health team have worked to develop new health and safety protocols for the University. TWU Public Health team lead Taryne Lepp, MPH, RN, also hosts weekly all-campus virtual briefing meetings to keep employees informed of health and safety updates.
See a clip of the TWU President's Community Address in the Langley Advance.
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About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to find and fulfill their purpose in life. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has five campuses: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vibrant faith community devoted to supporting vibrant leaders seeking to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.