Psychology department employee wins Ronald Kent award

by Mary Ann Horgan

Chair of the Department of Psychology Sandra Pyke congratulates Raj Maharajh, winner of the Ronald Kent Medal.

If you have 300 bosses, you really deserve a medal. At a reception honouring staff member Raj Maharajh, it was noted that he has 300 bosses in his position as a Duplicating/Facilities Clerk in the Department of Psychology.

"Raj works for 60 faculty, about 70 support staff, and over 200 students, so I figure he has 300 bosses," joked psychology professor Norm Endler, who nominated Maharajh.

"Raj is an integral part of the Psychology Department," Endler added. "He always handles himself with panache and style, and he's a master of all trades. Raj is cooperative, motivated, and friendly to all of us. He's a troubleshooter rather than a troublemaker, and I could easily have gotten everyone in the department to write a letter in support of Raj."

Colleagues and well-wishers from the Department of Psychology and elsewhere gathered in the Art Gallery of York University on Jan. 21 for a reception to honour Maharajh, the most recent winner of the Ronald Kent Memorial Medal at York University. President Lorna Marsden, President Emeritus Ian Macdonald, and Department of Psychology Chair Sandra Pyke were among the officials on hand to congratulate the winner and present the medal.

The Ronald Kent award was established in 1979 by then-President Ian Macdonald, in recognition of the many years of dedicated service to York by Ronald Kent, Macdonald's driver for many years. The medal is awarded periodically to a member of the non-academic staff in recognition of outstanding service.

Kent is the 11th winner of the Ronald Kent Memorial Medal at York. Previous winners include: Ronald Kent (to whom it was awarded posthumously in 1979); Olga Cirak (1981); Roy Witty (1983); Joan Young (1987); Nancy Accinelli (1988); Frank Jarvis (1989); Janice Pearson (1990); Cora Dusk (1994); Diane Stadnicki (1996); and Angie Swartz (1998). The 1999 winner is, of course, Raj Maharajh.

Other nominees for this year's award included: Jacquie McConnell in Sociology (Faculty of Arts); Suzanne Park, Office of the Master (Bethune College); and Lilian Polsinelli, Office of the Master (McLaughlin College).

"I'm very touched to receive this award, especially when so many deserving colleagues of mine should have received it as well," Maharajh told the crowd. "I'm very pleased and humbled, and I'm also glad that so many of my friends and colleagues could be here."

Maharajh said he enjoys the variety in his current job. "I have many jobs. I come in and I never know what I'll be doing that day. I take it as it comes." He also thanked his Chair, Sandra Pyke, Prof. Norm Endler, and all of his colleagues in the Psychology Department. "I'm very honoured to work with such a great bunch of people," he said.

President Emeritus Ian Macdonald congratulated Maharajh, adding that "Ronald Kent set standards that we all want to maintain." President Lorna Marsden said to Maharajh, "Your great dedication to York University goes well beyond the boundaries of your staff responsibilities. You have shown a great commitment and service to York."