Stefania Piacente-Battisti, Osgoode Hall Law Journal Coordinator and Administrative Coordinator in the Office of the Associate Dean (Students), received two nominations and nine supporting letters signed by 34 staff, students, faculty and alumni for this year’s Wendy Rambo Outstanding Service Award.
Professor Stepan Wood – York Research Chair in Environmental Law and Justice, Osgoode Hall Law Journal Editor-in-Chief and Coordinator of the JD/Master in Environmental Studies Program, to name a few of his responsibilities – spoke at length from the nominations and supporting letters about Piacente-Battisti’s personal and professional attributes before presenting the award to her at the Law School’s Holiday Lunch on December 2.
Some, but by no means all, of what was said of Piacente-Battisti included:
- Exemplifies reliability, dedication and competence.
- Exhibits professionalism, creativity and generosity.
- Performs a remarkably wide range of tasks with skill [and] works punctually and cheerfully to get them done right.
- Has shown impeccable judgment and responsibility at every turn.
- Is enthusiastic, conscientious, talented and fun to work with.
- Happily takes on new tasks.
- Is always friendly, always willing to answer questions, and eagerly provides direction.
Her diverse responsibilities include event planning, budgeting, grant application and administration, office management, student support and many other tasks. But this list does not account for what one faculty member describes as “the day to day kindness and care that she shows to the students that come to our offices seeking support and guidance,” Wood said. This sentiment is echoed by students and staff alike. According to a staff member, Piacente-Battista will “always offer a helping hand if there is a task at hand”and according to another co-worker, she “always keeps a positive and graceful attitude, which motivates anyone she works with.” In short, Wood said, “she cares about her colleagues, about the students, and about the larger community. ”
Behind the scenes, outside of the limelight but with generosity and humour, she is someone who makes Osgoode a better place to be. She plays a crucial role in ensuring that the Dean’s Fellows and Academic Success Program run efficiently and effectively. She is also esteemed for her charitable work. She has offered her energy and enthusiasm, along with her remarkable organizational skills, to the Adopt-A-Family campaign through Holiday Helpers. “Finally, for the last 14 years she has been the backbone of the Osgoode Hall Law Journal, holding the enterprise together as professors and students come and go,” Wood said.