Skip to main content

2026 Staff Awards Event

When: Wednesday, May 13 (1 to 4 PM)

Where: Science Building, Room 1350. Dr. Peter Zakarow Auditorium

Reception to follow outside in Polonsky Commons.

Agenda:
  1. Welcoming Remarks - Beth Partlow
  2. Welcoming Remarks - Dr. Steven Murphy
  3. 10 year milestone recognition
  4. 20 year milestone recognition
  5. Awards of Excellence
  6. Keynote Speaker - Neil Pasricha
  • Author, Podcaster, Blogger, Neil Pasricha: Biography

     

    Neil Pasricha thinks, writes, and speaks about intentional living.

    All his current work focuses on themes of gratitude, happiness, failure, resilience, connection, and trust. 

    A Harvard MBA with an Honorary Degree of Laws from Ontario Tech, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning blogger, and one of the most popular TED speakers in the world, Neil Pasricha is “a pied piper of happiness” who dazzles audiences with ideas and simple tools that skyrocket organizational happiness and engagement. With infectious enthusiasm, heartfelt authenticity, and a “what works” authority, he draws on the latest research to show audiences how to enhance individual performance and create a more positive and productive workplace.

    Neil is the the author of 10 books and journals including: The Happiness Equation, a nine-step research based guidebook to living a happy life, The Book of Awesome, a spinning rolodex of simple pleasures based on his 100-million-hit, award-winning blog 1000 Awesome Things, Awesome Is Everywhere, an interactive introduction to guided meditation for children, Two-Minute Mornings, a simple habit-based morning practice to begin your day with positivity, and You Are Awesome, a nine-step guide to building resilience told through stories and research. His most recent book is Canada is Awesome.