Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) held a faculty and staff recognition ceremony recently in which 31 employees received plaques commemorating five years of service to the university. In addition to awards for length of service, awards were also presented in categories such as faculty excellence, research excellence, meritorious service and leadership.Mark H Weichold, dean and chief executive officer, TAMUQ, opened the ceremony with remarks on the group’s role in the accomplishments of the university over the academic year. He commented on several key achievements, saying: “You have supported the largest enrolment numbers in TAMUQ’s history. We welcomed our first graduate students. Our research expenditures exceeded $8mn this year. Our continuing education efforts have engaged new segments of the Qatar community.”Thanking the employees for their contributions to the university, Weichold concluded: “As TAMUQ begins its 10th year this summer, your innovation, imagination and inspiration are key to the university’s continued success. Thank you for all you do for TAMUQ.”Several employees were recognised for 20 or 30 years of service to Texas A&M University. Julie Barker, chief operating officer, and Arthur Belmonte, senior lecturer of mathematics, received 20-year pins, while Dragomir Bukur, professor of chemical engineering, received a 30-year pin.
The dean’s Meritorious Service Award was presented to the research and graduate studies team at the university. The team was lauded for their accomplishments, including launching the university’s graduate studies programme in chemical engineering, supporting the university’s faculty and researchers in garnering high-levels of external research funding and developing the university’s continuing education programme to serve industry professionals. Weichold presented the dean’s Leadership Award to Hassan Bazzi, associate professor of chemical engineering and chair of the university’s Science Programme. In his presentation of the award, Weichold noted how Bazzi’s leadership skills have resulted in effective and efficient functioning of his academic unit, the university’s Science Programme. The Faculty Excellence Award was presented to Patrick Linke, professor of chemical engineering, for his remarkable contributions to TAMUQ in teaching, research and engagement. Amanda Field, senior administrative co-ordinator for chemical engineering, and Joseph Ojeil, admissions counselling adviser, received staff excellence awards for demonstrating exceptional service, team spirit, attitude and professional responsibility. Research awards were also presented to faculty, research staff and students. These included a Faculty Research Excellence Award, given to Haitham Abu-Rub, associate professor of electrical engineering, and Research Fellow Excellence Awards, given to Dong Suk Han, research associate, and Mohammad Shaqfeh, assistant research scientist. The Research Team Excellence Award went to Ahmed Abdel-Wahab and his team of researchers, and the Richard E Ewing Awards for Excellence in Student Research were presented to Marwa Qaraqe, graduate assistant, and Hussein Zahreddine, mechanical engineering student.Alissa Schroeder, assistant director of human resources services and event organiser, commented on the ceremony, saying: “This award process underscores the high caliber of faculty and staff we are privileged to have here at TAMUQ. It is nice to see the pride shown by the winners, as this highlights the meaningfulness of the awards to them and our community.”