Holly Byker and Laurie Halfpenny-Mitchell celebrated for exemplary service

Byker is the manager of the eastern and northern Ontario Crops Research Centre sites. She received the Hidden Hero Award.  She inspires staff and students with her work ethic and excellent service and has fostered an environment of collaboration and inclusiveness. She has overseen major transitions including new facility construction and structural staffing changes. As a research technician at the Ontario Crops Research Centre in Winchester, she coordinates faculty members’ research trials in most field crops grown in eastern Ontario, providing quality data used by numerous farmers in their operations. 

As director of the OMAFRA-U of G agreement and research programs, Halfpenny-Mitchell manages the University’s compliance with the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance’s conditions as well as its budget, which accounts for about 11 per cent of U of G’s total operations. She received the Innovative Leadership Recognition Award. Her personal integrity, her strategic leadership and mentoring skills, her commitment to building relationships and her rigorous oversight of cost-benefit data all help to ensure continuous improvement of the Alliance’s contributions to Ontario’s agri-food sector. By supporting numerous researchers and Office of Research staff, Laurie ultimately helps to underwrite U of G’s reputation as Canada’s Food University and improves life for all Ontarians. 

University of Guelph president Dr. Charlotte Yates presented the annual President’s Awards for Exemplary Staff Service on Sept. 6. Established in 2003, the awards recognize U of G staff and faculty committed to excellence who have exceeded expectations.