Three prominent members of the Trent community will be honoured as recipients of the 2023 Eminent Service Awards: innovative librarian Barbara Znamirowski; Brenda Maracle-O’Toole, program assistant and pillar of Trent’s Indigenous Studies community; and Tara Harrington, an integral member of the University’s administration team.

“Each of these employees encapsulate an element of the Trent experience that honours the University’s proud past while paving the path forward to an even brighter future,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “Barbara, Brenda and Tara are very deserving of this award that befits the special roles they have played here in the Trent community.”

Created in 1978, the Eminent Service Award is presented annually to recognize individuals distinguished by a track record of outstanding contributions to University life that go beyond the performance of their job or role. This year’s recipients will be honoured at the in-person Heart of Trent employee appreciation events at Trent University Durham GTA on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

Tara Harrington, Associate University Secretary (Senate) and Human Rights Advisor

In addition to her role within the University Secretariat, Tara has served as the University’s human rights advisor since 2016. During her tenure with the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Diversity (CHREA) she raised the standards on how equity and human rights should be addressed at Trent. Over her 20+ year career at Trent, Tara has held vital roles within the University’s administration. With the University Secretariat, she supported several major University committees including Senate, Senate Executive and Special Appeals.

“Tara had the character, the empathy, the judgment and the good nature to strike a thoughtful balance between circumstance and academic integrity that led each student to Special Appeals,” shared one of her nominators. “It is not easy when [students find themselves] in a proverbial corner. Stress levels are often high, and much is at stake. In all my discussions with Tara […] she was able to provide a grounded perspective on the role of the University and whether that role had somehow impinged on a student’s ability to succeed.”

Barbara Znamirowski, Senior Librarian

With a Trent career spanning an impressive 40 years, Barbara Znamirowski joined the Trent University Library and Archives in 1983. Colleagues view her as an innovator, both within the Trent community, as well as in the broader library and geographic information systems sector. At Trent, she served as government publications and maps librarian before taking on the role of head of the

newly designed Maps, Data & Government Information Centre (MaDGIC) in 1996 – one of the first centres of its kind in Ontario.

“Barb has been considered a leader and a respected authority in her field by her peers at Ontario universities,” details one of her nominators. “The academic community owes a debt of thanks to Barb Znamirowski, who sacrificed her personal time and energy, to learn and re-learn, weigh and negotiate on our behalf, so that such a wealth of research material was, and continues to be, available to all of us.”

Brenda Maracle-O’Toole ‘77, Administrative Assistant, Indigenous Studies Ph.D. program

With grace, generosity of spirit and a reputation that is described by her many nominators as ‘legendary’, Brenda Maracle-O’Toole has been engaging with the Trent community since her time as a student. After graduating, she served as the program assistant for the Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies for 20 years, and held the role of secretary with the Indigenous Education Council. In recognition of the many roles she plays within the local community enhancing culture and charitable efforts (including with the Unity Singers) in the local region, she was honoured with the Trent Community Leadership Award in 2019.

One of her many glowing nominations notes that, “Brenda is one of the most organized, empathetic, diplomatic, knowledgeable, and hardworking people in our academic unit – she is the eyes, ears, heart and soul of the program. She has encouraged, supported and in other ways assisted graduate students as an unofficial den mother. No matter who she is dealing with Brenda shares her perspective honestly, kindly, succinctly, and with great insight.”

Learn more about the Eminent Service Award and other employee appreciation awards to be bestowed at this year’s Heart of Trent event.