Tenure and Promotion Recognition

Daniel Alati, Awarded Tenure
Sociologoy, Faculty of Arts and Science

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

As a lifelong avid reader of fiction and non-fiction both within and outside my field of study, I must admit that I struggled to land on a single book that inspired me along the road to tenure. I eventually chose this book because it represents a core part of the beginning of my academic journey: it was one of the first books assigned to me during my sociology undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto. More than 20 years later, I am asking my students similar questions that Bradbury asks in Fahrenheit 451. It is a classic piece of literature that is thought provoking and unfortunately topical. It can be enjoyed by both academic and non-academic audiences spanning a wide breadth of disciplines and interests. It encourages us to think critically about society, media, knowledge and free speech in a modern era. Enjoy reading, and thank you for this recognition!

Year of Recognition: 2024

Fernando Angulo-Ruiz, Professor
International Business, Marketing, Strategy, and Law, School of Business

The Truth about Stories: A Native Narrative by Thomas King

My research on Indigenous entrepreneurship helps me reflect about myself and humanity. When I found Thomas King I felt that I could not stop reading his books. I started with the truth about stories. Professor King says that stories are “all we are”. “And this I do believe. Which is why I tell those three stories over and over again. The story of the time my son and I came to Canada. The story of my short career as a basketball player. The story of an old man and his garden. And there are others. I tell them to myself, to my friends, sometimes to strangers. Because they make me laugh. Because they are a particular kind of story. Saving stories, if you will. Stories that help keep me alive.” Now, I go back to contribute to the world from the comfort of my chair and the potent power of my imagination.

Year of Recognition: 2024

Sydney Bennell, Awarded Tenure
Student Affairs

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

This is my favourite book from childhood, and to this day, I think about the lessons I've learned from Ferdinand, the flower-smelling peaceful bull.

Year of Recognition: 2024

Ion Bica, Professor
Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Arts and Science

Journey to the Center of the Earth (Royal Collector's Edition) by Jules Verne

From the classroom to the wonders of our world, Jules Verne took me on a fantastic journey of science and life. I was only in grade 5 when I first read the novel, and it only solidified my calling since I was in grade 1 to become a professor. What a fantastic and inspirational read!

Year of Recognition: 2024

Sharon Bratt, Professor
Computer Science, Faculty of Arts and Science

Meditations: The Annotated Edition by Marcus Aurelius (Author), Robin Waterfield (Translator)

When I was a child, seeking praise for my good deeds, my father’s response—‘Virtue is its own reward’—felt like an unjust denial of what I believed was rightfully earned. However, decades later, as I matured into a leadership role at MacEwan and delved into Marcus Aurelius’s ‘Meditations,’ I came to recognize the profound wisdom behind those words. Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher, profoundly shaped my perspective on leadership and personal growth. His belief in wisdom, fortitude, fairness, and temperance as cardinal virtues resonates with me. These principles, drawn from his work ‘Meditations,’ continue to guide me as both a leader and an individual. Aurelius’s stoic philosophy inspires me to cultivate virtue, seek inner strength, and navigate life’s challenges with grace and integrity.

Year of Recognition: 2024

Padraig Buttner-Schnirer, Awarded Tenure
Music, Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications

Clémence by Sophie Day

Thank you, MacEwan University, for recognizing my tenure with this gift. I began recording this album shortly before joining MacEwan, and production finished during my first year at the university. It holds many memories of that transitional phase of my life- moving from Montreal to Edmonton. I have a personal connection with the artists involved, and working with them on this project was a joy. I also love the unique instrumentation and arrangements created by the artist, and her vocal performance showcases her as one of Canada's greatest singers. For these reasons, this album has become one of my favourite productions I've been involved with and holds a special place in my heart. It received a Juno nomination for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year in 2021 and is a project that I am very proud to share with the university.

Year of Recognition: 2024

Ozlem Cankaya, Awarded Tenure
Human Services and Early Learning, Faculty of Health and Community Studies

The Work of the Imagination by Paul L. Harris

Imagining possibilities has been the backbone of my life, energizing my teaching and research. In my scholarly work, I have always been fascinated by the nuances of children's cognitive development and the complexity of their play behaviours. Professor Harris’s book, 'The Work of Imagination,' comprehensively explores how imagination shapes human cognition. It integrates elements of history, politics, philosophy, and psychology, offering a rich, interdisciplinary perspective. Part of the book addresses the question, 'What is the function of imagination in childhood?' Harris narrates the transformative power of imagination for reasoning and problem-solving through his detailed analysis. Children use logic to collect and manage data from their environment, leveraging this information to create new possibilities. Seemingly, play is ordinary and universal. We discover that the imaginative capacity we develop through play gives us a magical power that impacts how we think, depending on how much we engage in play.

Year of Recognition: 2024

Josée Chartrand, Awarded Tenure
Theatre, Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications

Costume in Performance: Materiality, Culture and the Body by Donatella Barbieri

This book showed me that someone else was asking similar questions to what I was feeling. It was published a year into my graduate studies, and while I wished at the time it had come out sooner, in the end, I am glad it allowed me to stew in my own ideas first. I hope new readers find it as inspiring as I did.

Year of Recognition: 2024

Mohammed Elmorsy, Awarded Tenure
Computer Science, Faculty of Arts and Science

Stay Positive: Encouraging Quotes and Messages to Fuel Your Life with Positive Energy by Jon Gordon, Daniel Decker

Year of Recognition: 2024

Caroline Foster-Boucher, Awarded Tenure
Nursing Foundations, Faculty of Nursing

Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb

I find this well written book inspiring and relatable as I spent time in my childhood living in North Africa, where I made the early decision to become a nurse. The lead character, a nurse, lives in London, reminiscing on her past in Africa, all the while finding and working with community to improve circumstances of newcomers. As a community health nurse who is biracial (Indigenous and European) and has searched for belonging in a community, I believe strongly in how we as nurses can assist newcomers to feel a sense of belonging, ensure equity in healthcare for vulnerable populations, and work to eliminate racism in our society in all its forms.

Year of Recognition: 2024