Simply the Best

Dalhousie University professors have had a banner month on the awards circuit. Several Dal faculty members whose work directly impacts legal policy and public administration in Nova Scotia have received major academic awards in recent weeks including the five noted below.

"To see this many Dalhousie faculty recognized by these awards is very gratifying," says Dalhousie President Tom Traves. "It's unusual to have faculty from one university receive this kind of across-the-board recognition all at the same time, and that makes it all the more meaningful. We have some of the best teachers in the region, and I'm happy to see them get their due."

Stephen Coughlan

Law Professor Stephen Coughlan has been named one of just two recipients of the 2005 Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) Distinguished Teacher Awards. These awards acknowledge excellence in teaching in Atlantic Canadian universities by recognizing those who exemplify such excellence and those who contribute to improving the quality of university teaching. Coughlan is known for his fun and inventive approach to the classroom which could include analyzing clips from popular movies to assess the strength of a defense, or even playing "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the rules of law. He is also heavily involved in the Dalhousie Legal Aid Clinic and competitive moots. In each of these situations, he is encouraging and supportive, coaching students as they develop advocacy skills. He received his award September 22nd.

David Cameron

Professor David Cameron has been honoured by the NS Regional Group of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. Dr. Cameron, former director of the School of Public Administration and now Professor Emeritus, received the The Lieutenant Governor's Medal of Excellence in Public Administration Sept. 14 at Government House. Dr. Cameron was primarily responsible for the development of the Dalhousie School of Public Administration as a separate school within the university faculty structure. He led the public administration program through this transition and became the School's first Director in 1975, a position he held for 5 years, and he has educated countless students in public administration and political science in a careful and thoughtful manner admired by his colleagues.

Peter Aucoin

Political Science Professor Peter Aucoin has received the 2005 Vanier Medal from the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC). Dr. Aucoin has taught in the Department of Political Science at Dalhousie University since 1970. He has been chair of that department and director of the school of public administration, and is today the Eric Dennis Memorial Professor of Government and Political Science/Professor of Public Administration at Dalhousie. He is recognized both nationally and internationally as a leading theorist on the practice and reform of the public service, including the governance of the federal cabinet and of political parties. He has contributed knowledge to the governments of Canada, the United Kingdom and Cuba, as well as to provinces, municipalities, agencies, committees and courts.

Wayne Mackay

Law Professor Wayne MacKay was also recently named as a Member of the Order of Canada. This honour recognizes Professor MacKay's commitment and contributions to human rights and equality in Canada, as well as his stature as a constitutional law scholar and teacher.

Another Law Professor, Dianne Pothier, has been named a recipient of the 2005 Frances Fish Women Lawyers' Achievement Award, as a "pioneer for the rights of women with disabilities, not only in Nova Scotia, but across Canada." 

Srinivas Sampalli

These notable achievements follow on the heels of the recent awarding of Computer Science Professor, Srinivas Sampalli as one of the prestigious 3M Teaching Fellows for 2005, the only Nova Scotia-based professor to be recognized this year.

"Dalhousie is well represented at awards ceremonies across the country," adds Dr. Traves. "With each celebration of achievement, we are that much prouder of all that our faculty have accomplished in their respective fields."