Honouring Faculty, Staff, Retirees: The Heart of Trent
Rainclouds fail to dampen celebratory mood at Trent’s annual employee appreciation event
Trent University commemorated the outstanding contributions of its faculty, staff, and retirees across both campuses at the annual Heart of Trent employee appreciation event on May 8.
“The Heart of Trent is when we recognize and thank our people,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor. “What gets done at this university gets done because of the amazing employees that we have.”
During the ceremony, Trent University honoured the 2023/24 recipients with several prestigious awards including the Nancy E. Simmons Smith Staff Award of Excellence, the Team Innovation Award, the Community Leadership Award, the Research Impact Award, Emeritus Awards, the Provost Award for Support Staff, and the Jackie Muldoon Award for Faculty Service. Trent also recognized its long-serving employees and retirees as vital members of the University community.
A full list of award winners is included below:
Nancy E. Simmons Smith Staff Award of Excellence: Recognizes non-academic staff members who demonstrate excellence and exceptional commitment to Trent.
Jason Allen, Manager, Animal Care
Team Innovation Award: Recognizes a team, unit, or department at Trent University whose innovative contributions have impacted the strategic objectives of the University.
Trent International and The Project Management & Sustainability Office
Trent Community Leadership Award: Awarded to faculty and staff who make exceptional contributions to the local community in Peterborough or Durham regions.
Lindsay Rupert, Associate Project Manager, Facilities Management and
Dr. Alan Slavin, Professor Emeritus, Physics & Astronomy
Trent University Research Impact Award: Honours Trent researchers or research teams stewarding original and impactful research that has contributed significantly to society on a local, regional, national or international scale.
Dr. Naomi Nichols, Associate Professor and Graduate Director, Sociology and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Community-Partnered Social Justice and
Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer, Full Professor, School for the Study of Canada and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North
Emeritus Awards: Dr. Olga Andriewsky, Associate Professor, History and Dr. Kathryn Chittick, Full Professor, English
Provost’s Award for Support Staff: Awarded annually to a support staff member who plays a key role in student engagement and retention and who makes a difference through their performance at Trent.
Joanne Sokolowski, Senior Manager, Convocation & Alumni, External Relations & Development and
Tracy Ross, Department Coordinator & Advisor, Biology
Jackie Muldoon Award for Faculty Service: Awarded in recognition of faculty who have served with distinction in institutional governance roles, provided collegial and effective service to committees, departments, and colleges, led program and department renewal efforts, achieved advancements in administrative responsibilities, and advanced the role of faculty in contributing to the academic and overall success of the University and the profession at large.
Dr. Kristy Buccieri, Associate Chair and Professor, Sociology
2024 Long Service Awards:
- 45 Years: Jeffrey Domm
- 40 Years: Richard Toth
- 35 Years: Saud Choudhry, Deborah Earle, Lesley Hulcoop, Ivana Elbl, and Martin Boyne
- 30 Years: Rosanna Grims, Georgette Mackenzie, James Parker, Susan Wurtele, and Patricia Heffernan
- 25 Years: Jason Allen, Janet Yee, and Susan Chow
The following 2023 / 2024 Trent University retirees were also honoured at the event: Anne Parker, Anne Sidnell, Barbara Znamirowski, Brenda Garofalo, Brenda O’Toole, Carol Cartwright, Catherine Thibeault, Cheryl Anderson, Christine Welter, Darlene Stanley, Doug MacIsaac, Elizabeth Nisbet, Erica Nol, Inge Lovell, Joanne Findon, Jonathan Bordo, Julia Crowe, Kathryn Chittick, Kirsten Woodend, Lynne Davis, Mak Arvin, Marjorie Jacobs, Mark Adamson, Mark Parnis, Marrie Mumford, Mary O’Grady, Olga Andriewsky, Pat Butler, Patti Burke, Paul Elliott, Paul Wilson, Richard Toth, Royce Parker, Teresa Decicco, and Tracy Ross.