By Amelia Kibbe
Features Assignment Editor
There are many amazing people and groups at Bonaventure who work throughout the year to make the campus community a better place. On April 15, the Fr. Joe Doino awards ceremony will take place to honor hard-working, caring people who have made a difference in the Bonaventure community.
This ceremony consists of 10 different awards and honors individuals, groups and programs who have dedicated their time and leadership abilities to help others. Beginning this week, Bonaventure students and staff can nominate any individual or group they feel is committed to improving Bonaventure. Nomination forms can be found on my.sbu.edu and must be submitted by April 4.
The award ceremony is named after Fr. Joseph Doino. Father Joe, a native of Dunkirk, N.Y., became a priest in 1950. In 1986, he became a professor at Bonaventure and soon became one of the school’s most beloved instructors. He was the first recipient of the Faculty Appreciation Award, and in 1995, one year after his death, the award was renamed in his honor. The Doino Awards Ceremony, the staff and faculty recognition ceremony and the faculty awards were combined into one ceremony in 2009 to take place every year in the spring.
Ann Hurlburt, the executive administrative assistant to the vice president for student affairs, said she is looking forward to this year’s ceremony. Hurlburt said it’s a great opportunity to recognize individuals who work diligently to make a difference, just as Father Joe did.
“Father Joe was known for his talent as a teacher, scholar, musician, preacher and priest,” Hurlburt said. “He was the advisor to student government and served on the Student Government Awards Committee. Anyone from the campus community can nominate an individual and/or group for an award.”
Hurlburt said the awards will be presented at the ceremony in April and will be held in the Regina A. Quick Center for Arts. The awards, which include the Donald L. Korben Community Service Award, the Program or Event of the Year Award, the Organization/Club of the Year Award and the Leo E. Keenan Jr. Faculty Appreciation Award, are given to deserving recipients.
“Once all of the nominations have been submitted, a committee consisting of staff, faculty and students review the nominations,” Hurlburt explained. “A plaque with the award name and recipient’s name is awarded to each winner.”
Paula Scraba, associate professor of physical education, is a faculty representative for the award committee which decides the recipients of many of the awards. Other awards are decided by separate organizations. She spends much of her time with students and volunteers and is glad they have the opportunity to be recognized.
“I was chosen to be on the committee due to my involvement in student organizations,” Scraba said. “I see students a lot, not just inside but also outside the classroom, and to me that’s all part of being on the committee. Getting to know the students really helps when the selection process comes.”
Scraba encouraged all students to nominate someone or some group that has accomplished a lot for the Bonaventure community. Students are able to nominate different individuals or organizations for all of the different awards.
“Anyone can receive the awards,” Scraba explained. “Awards can be given to students, resident assistants or university ministry representatives, for example. Each of these awards is named after people who were the foundation of this university. When students think of who to nominate, they should think of someone who expresses the same qualities as the namesake of the award.”
Scraba said student nomination is one of the biggest considerations when the committee is deciding the recipient.
“We need students to nominate individuals and groups,” Scraba said. “We also need faculty and staff, but the biggest thing we look for is student opinion.”
The ceremony is scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. on April 15. After the presentation of the awards, a reception with refreshments will follow in the lobby of the building.
“Anybody could be nominated for these awards,” Scraba said. “So look around, pat yourself on the back and nominate someone in your classes, in your residence halls or in your organizations. It’s your chance to recognize someone who’s been there for you this year. Then come to the ceremony to honor them.”
kibbeaa13@bonaventure.edu
