Trent University is pleased to announce Linda Cardwell as the recipient of the Nancy Simmons Smith Staff Award of Excellence for 2011/2012, which will be presented to her at the Board of Governors meeting in June.

Ms. Cardwell began at Trent University in 1996 as the assistant to the founding president, Professor Tom Symons, who she said, “instilled in me the deepest respect for our students. The reason we are here is for the students. If we lose sight of what we are doing – in moulding and shaping their futures – we lose the essence of what Trent is about. So that is where we start: with the students.”

In 2004 Ms. Cardwell became the Environmental and Life Sciences Program secretary where she is currently the program coordinator.

Letters from many nominators provided examples to demonstrate how Ms. Cardwell has contributed directly and indirectly to providing students with exceptional experiences; promoting leadership and personal growth; and fostering integrity, respect, service and commitment to Trent’s mission.

Excerpts from nomination letters read:

“One of Linda’s greatest assets is her ability to motivate students. She is an outstanding ambassador for Trent’s graduate programs. Her enthusiasm and unparalleled dedication to graduate students goes beyond what is normally expected of a program administrator and has endeared her in the hearts of many students. This legacy will last beyond the tenure and time students have spent at Trent. By embodying Trent’s core values she is one of our most effective ambassadors.”

“As a graduate student in the ENLS program, I have been so lucky to have experienced first-hand Linda’s contribution to providing an exceptional student experience at Trent. From the time I arrived at Trent almost two years ago, Linda has always stood above all others with regards to her investment in ensuring graduate students are set up for success in the ENLS program.”

“She supports students throughout their time in the graduate program by making sure they are meeting program requirements, by organizing exams and defenses, and by making sure that everything is in order, so that students can focus on their work.”

“… student success, as we know, is assembled, slowly and methodically, from “one-on-one” building blocks. Linda Cardwell is a builder – an architect of student achievement.”

The Nancy E. Simmons Smith Staff Award of Excellence is named in recognition of Nancy E. Simmons Smith, Trent University’s former University secretary and secretary of the Board of Governors from 1987 to 2008. It recognizes non-academic staff members whose work demonstrates excellence and exceptional commitment to the University. The award is comprised of a cash gift of $500 and a framed citation.

For more information about the Nancy E. Simmons Smith Award of Excellence, please visit www.trentu.ca/nessaward.