Food Services’ Patrick Genest receives award for uOttawa card

After 25 years in the restaurant industry, Patrick Genest joined the University of Ottawa team as manager of Food Services in June 2009. Little did he know that the scope of his new position would change quite drastically during his first two weeks on the job. When he was asked to take on a “small”  single campus card project—an effort that had failed twice before because of a lack of buy-in from stakeholders—Patrick jumped right in.

Patrick’s work on what is now called the uOttawa card hasn’t gone unnoticed—he has just received the National Association of Campus Card Users (NACCU) New Professional Award. The NACCU New Professional Award, established this year, recognizes individuals who have been working in the card industry for no longer than three years, and who have contributed to the industry.

With no prior knowledge of cards, carding technology or the industry itself, Patrick quickly learned that the uOttawa card project would take time, resources and buy-in.  As he shared his vision for a true single-card program, partners and stakeholders were quick to understand and help implement the project. The new uOttawa card was launched in July 2011 thanks to Patrick and his team, and by the fall over 20,000 cards had been distributed successfully.

“Patrick’s contribution to the institution and to campus life since his arrival has been tremendous,” says Lucie Mercier-Gauthier, associate vice-president, student services. “We truly consider the implementation of the new campus card a success.”

In addition to serving the University of Ottawa, Patrick has become actively involved in the campus card industry, joining NACCU not only as a participant but as a leader. He has presented at both the Canadian Campus Card Workshop and at the 2012 NACCU Annual Conference. He co-hosted the 2011 Canadian Campus Card Workshop and was instrumental in establishing the newly founded ITC User Group.

Patrick has taken time out of his schedule to assist other schools with the request for proposal process. He sits on several committees at the University of Ottawa and is a member of the Canadian Campus Card Committee. Patrick has a very impressive campus card resume for someone who did not know a thing about campus cards prior to June 2009.

Congratulations to Patrick, and to his team!