Katherine Curle, long-time college assistant at Lady Eaton College, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Provost’s Award for Academic Support Staff, which recognizes a member of the support staff at Trent who play such an important role in student retention and who are indispensable to the academic enterprise.

Ms. Curle will be honoured at a special barbecue on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 from 11:30am-1:00pm in the LEC Quad, hosted by Vice-President Academic and Provost Gary Boire, and held in celebration of the contributions of all staff at Trent University. All OPSEU and Exempt staff are invited to attend.

A Trent alumna, and an employee at the University for approximately 24 years, Ms. Curle started her career working in the Trent International Program (TIP) Office under TIP director Jack Matthews. Following that, she took on the role of secretary in the Women’s Studies Department before moving to the LEC College Office and her current role as college assistant in 1993.

Speaking about receiving the honour, Ms. Curle says: “When I heard about the award, I was quite overwhelmed and I had to go back and read just exactly what the award was all about. I was speechless!

I love working with the students, staff and faculty at Trent.”

According to her nominators, Ms. Curle exemplifies all of the award’s criteria - exceptional commitment to student recruitment and retention at Trent University; outstanding student; and positive influence on student life.

“Exceptional best describes Katherine’s commitment to students.  For over 20 years, she has been a force of both consistency and positivity at Lady Eaton,” says nominator Dr. Michael Eamon, principal of LEC. “Students are constantly seeing Katherine in regard to college events or asking information on different university services.  She consistently has a smile in all of her dealings and will often end a student conversation with “we are so happy that you chose Trent and Lady Eaton College… She makes the college office a positive place to work which, in turn, makes the college a positive space and ultimately improves the student experience.”

Former LEC principal Dr. Carolyn Kay echoed Dr. Eamon’s statements about Ms. Curle, adding: “Katherine Curle is a special example of excellent service at Trent. If our mission is to make Trent University a unique educational experience, providing an excellent environment for the learning and growth of each student, then Katherine Curle is at the forefront of that effort -- showing how and why we stand out amongst the many universities in Ontario.”

Nominated by her colleagues and selected by the Provost’s Awards Committee, Ms. Curle receives a cash award of $500 for being named winner of the Provost’s Award for Academic Support Staff.